Vacation Highlights

Our vacation has already been memorable and we're only at the midway point. It's never possible to see everyone. Therefore, way back in January, Julie and some friends began planning a surprise party in my honor. They had to resort to outright dishonesty to pull it off, but I am thankful. I must admit that it came as a complete surprise. 

As I have reflected on that night and look over photos taken during the evening with friends from different eras of ministry seated together, it humbles me to realize that this was an expression of the body of Christ that knows no boundaries. As great as friendship is to bring us together, the greater bond is our unity in Christ and a common commitment to his cause. I am most grateful to God for allowing us to be a part of his redemptive plan, and to Julie, who pulled it off! 

Union Christian Church has been a special place for our family for so many occasions. Julie and I were married there over seventeen years ago, Julie's parents have been actively ministering there for 47 years (until recently her father was an elder), my sister and her husband were married there last year, I baptized my nephew Kaelab at Union, and tonight I had the privilege of baptizing his sister, Makayla. Check out my facebook page for a picture of the baptism. 

We are looking forward to seeing even more friends and partners in ministry tomorrow at the North American Christian Convention. The final week will quickly pass, but that's okay. We are already anticipating the chance to be back home in Rhode Island with our new church family and getting back to the work God has for us there. However, I am not looking forward to the triple digit temperatures they are experiencing on the east coast. 

Blessings,

Jerry

Catch the Wave

With NorthPointe Unleashed in the books it's time to move forward. As we do I am confident that what was accomplished will develop into a strategy where we can continue to serve and reach our community to become a church that matters. A church will matter to the community when the community matters to the church. Thanks again to all who participated from food prep to childcare, to organization of the day, to the actual team members who served alongside eight different community organizations. Here is a summary list of where NorthPointe went unleashed:

• Operation Stand Down Rhode Island
• Cumberland-Lincoln Boys and Girls Club
• CareNet Rhode Island
• Franklin Farms
• Oasis Christian Church, Providence
• Town of Lincoln (road cleaning)
• Limerock Baptist Church -RI Food Pantry
• Cumberland Park and Recreation Department

Overall, there were 110 people who gave a total of approximately 330 hours of service to the community. Thanks again NorthPointe, for rolling up your sleeves and being a part of the way God has already begun to change the spiritual landscape of southern New England.

Last Sunday I started a new sermon Series entitled Catch the Wave. I am anxious about what God is going to reveal to each of us as we together look at the people of the first church for insight and inspiration on what is necessary for a church that seeks to honor God and grow. As the Spirit of God was unleashed upon the church they were transformed to become the contagious and attractive community that changed the world. Let me encourage you this summer to catch the wave by hanging with us through this series, and by staying in touch with your community groups.

Finally, just a reminder that this Sunday is Father's Day. I only say that because when mention it people seem to have forgotten it is this Sunday. 

Blessings,

Jerry

Go Beyond Sunday

Reggie McNeal, church leadership expert and author of Missional Renaissance, encourages believers to go out and bless three people sometime during the week and make sure one of them doesn't deserve it. I challenged people with that advice two weeks ago and the stories are beginning to come. 

Mine began when I had to go to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. To say that I encountered a difficult person would be quite the understatement. To be fair, she had probably dealt with boneheads like me all day. However, I was a little in shock myself at the price I had to cough up, in cash, to pay the sales tax on the used truck we bought last month. In Rhode Island you pay sales tax on the value of the vehicle...the highest possible value of the vehicle. They don't even look at it. Take it from me, we're not talking about chump change. The representative didn't make it any easier. She was downright rude! No matter, I realize this was my person to bless. On my way to the bank I prayed earnestly for God to show me how to love her. To be honest, what I really wanted to do was express my feelings about her job performance. (I am only human.) I wish I could say that when I returned that I was able to make a connection with her and ask her how I could ask God to bless her this week. But when it came time for me to return to the counter there was another person who waited on me. I may not have had the opportunity to bless her face to face but I can say that with God's help I was prepared, and I did pray for her. 

There are other stories much better than this coming from people at NorthPointe, which I will share later. For now, just let me encourage you with the reality that every day presents opportunities for us to go Beyond Sunday and be the church, a living witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Speaking going beyond Sunday. check out the video of our upcoming day of service on June 12th, called NorthPointe Unleashed.

NorthPointe Unleashed Promo from NorthPointe Christian Church on Vimeo.