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Archive for the ‘Ashland Campus’ Category

you won’t want to skip this.

In Ashland Campus, New Hope News, multi-sites on October 5, 2008 at 11:17 pm

Amazing is all I can say. As I drove to 3 of our 4 campuses (We are trying to figure out teleporting to China)…I was a bit overwhelmed as the issues began piling up at our campuses. Sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it.

It is hard being a leader of a big church in a small town. It is hard to be in a place where the economy is tougher and the growth is slower. It is hard to be criticized and gossiped about. It is hard for us to have a huge passion to REACH THE WORLD because we believe that Jesus told us to go into ALL of it. It is hard to then TEACH them to OBEY EVERYTHING that Christ commanded that they might grow. It is hard work. It is hard for our staff and leaders to do this craziness every week. It is hard for our volunteers to give their all week in and week out, service in and service out. It is hard for all of us @ NH to give of our time, talents and treasure when there is so much competition for our time, talents and treasure. It is hard to change from 1 pastor in 1 building to multiple pastors in many buildings in many towns and a loss of connection. It is hard to make radical switches like video and multi-sites, which is virtually unheard of out here in the sticks. It is hard to try to connect over a thousand people with each other in true community. It is hard ____________________. (You fill it in).

But today, our Campus Pastor in Ashland saw his father who had driven 2 hours to be there, raise his hand to trust Christ. Then his step-mother did the same. Pastor Bud embraced me in the lobby in a moment I will never forget and said: “If this is the whole reason we did all this…no matter where this thing goes…it was worth it all today.” As tears welled in his eyes and my heart leaped like never before…all of the sudden it became quite easy again. And I am sure there were a hundred other stories this weekend…

Thank you God. Keep pushing us where we need to be. I know it is never easy. And it never will be.

it’s official.

In Ashland Campus, New Hope News, multi-sites on September 29, 2008 at 2:35 am

Almost 300 today in ASHLAND. WOW. Only God. I can’t believe I have a small part in this thing. It is indescribable what HE is doing out here in the STICKS. Truly. Thank you GOD!

A HUGE THANKS to the Ashland Staff: Bud, Kevin, Nicole, the Ashland Launch Team, New Hope Staff, and all who helped us out in ANY way. You are more than appreciated. You ALL poured it ALL out and laid it ALL on the line for our KING!

Better than the attendance…lives were truly touched today. They really were. More thoughts to come later.

So after a great launch, lunch with family and friends (and I don’t want to hear about the BENGALS game…talk to me when we have a fair fight and not an 8th string quarterback:) Then caught a flight to Charleston to speak at a breakout HERE. Looking forward to a time of devotions and decompression on the beach tomorrow early before the conference starts @ 1:00pm. (Just a few minutes away!!!) Need some alone time right now.

Way to go New Hope! Way to go GOD! You all came through today, and this is just the beginning. I love this place.

blessings and peace!

I went around the world in 60 seconds and had my picture with the President.

In Ashland Campus, Watch This, multi-sites on September 22, 2008 at 10:00 am

Didn’t know that was possible? At New Hope, it is. Watch this short lead-in to our now finished ON LOCATION series. Cool series…we went to all of our campuses and introduced the people to each campus, the people, the space, and some stories. From Loudonville to Wooster to Ashland to China…who would have thought? And the final week MELTED FACES off all of us.

I’ll be writing about our multi-site strategy this week…stay tuned.

Blessings and peace this week!

(And our Ashland Campus Launch Team and Staff Need some prayer THICK! 6 days until we KICK IT off in ASHLAND! We believe for 300+, and pray for HIM to show up with POWER!)

We do have OTHER news to let you know about.

In Ashland Campus, New Hope News on August 21, 2008 at 1:53 am

I was more than pumped about our live look-in yesterday. But the blessings just don’t stop!

I woke up this morning and saw THIS POST from our Ashland Campus Pastor and my heart starting PUMPING about what God is going to do in a few weeks in that space…DID YOU CLICK IT? Take a peek at our newest CAMPUS location. And the TEAM is doing an outstanding job with little time and little cash flow! That is why I was asking for so much prayer in finding STAFF for ASHLAND. God’s timing is always perfect…thought I wish He would look @ my schedule a little more carefully at times.

NEW HOPE is on the MOVE through HIS power. Are you PRAYING? Are you a part of the MISSION here or wherever God has you in HIS MISSION throughout the world? Be encouraged and be blessed that HE has CALLED you to a specific MISSION. And then GO LIVE IT OUT!

All I can say is WOW. Let’s all STOP and LISTEN and live out HIS passion whether ACROSS THE STREET or AROUND THE WORLD. The power of EVERYONE remember? We are ALL a part of what is happening ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Don’t miss this weekend @ the HOPE…my VIDEO stuff arrived in time for the WEEKEND! It will blow you away!

Ohhhh…and PRAY…this TYPHOON is coming and it’s a big one. Should not affect Tiff and Christian’s flight Monday (I return on Thursday). Pray as we weather the storm. (This is not the actual pic…the storm is coming over Hong Kong now).

Blessings and Peace.

a question i should ask more often.

In Ashland Campus, china campus, prayer on August 5, 2008 at 12:19 pm

I don’t ask this as often as I should…but could I ask you to PRAY EARNESTLY for MYSELF, TIFFANY and CHRISTIAN (he is 9 and amped about going with us) this week?

We leave for CHINA in 6 days to be with the people from our CHINA CAMPUS, we will be BAPTIZING several of them, we will also be talking to many from the underground church and will also meet with and train some pastors.

If that isn’t CRAZY enough…I have 2 outside projects that come due this week (of ALL weeks) that are very PRESSURE loaded for both TIFFANY and I.

To complicate matters: We had 2 out of 3 people on our leadership team for the ASHLAND CAMPUS start full-time last week…so that gave me 2 weeks to transfer all of what we need to transfer, because when I return, I am back for 3 days, then on vacation for 2 weeks. (There was no other way to schedule this trip). So yes, I return with 7 days to go prior to LAUNCH in ASHLAND! (Glad we have a great team!)

Lots of pressure this week…so please pray that GOD will sort it ALL out…I am GIVING this to HIM.

I will be trying to VIDEO BLOG via You Tube, USTREAM, or Mogulus on a regular basis. I believe the Chineese government blocks BLOGGER and most all blogs. I will at least be blogging via cell phone and someone will be posting what is transpiring on my trip…so STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS…I know many of you want to know what we are up to when we are there.

It is my goal to post something whether here or on a web streaming site every few days. I will not know what I can do until I get over there and will start posting around TUESDAY of next week at the latest LORD-WILLING.

I also give a HUGE shout out to those who helped finance this trip to our China Campus…you are amazing! And yes, we personally purchased Christian’s ticket in case you were wondering :)

So…for those of you who didn’t think that a small town church could be RADICAL in fulfilling the GREAT COMMISSION…here we go. A glimpse into our small piece of the MISSION Christ has called us to. (And if you wonder how this can happen in a small town…go HERE.)
GET YO’ KNEES DIRTY and THANK YOU!

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/mackvilleroad/2428207944/

ashland, mohican and our new campus pastor.

In Ashland Campus, Church Leadership, Mohican Juvenile Correction Facility Campus, vision on June 25, 2008 at 12:11 pm

I am beyond excited about what God is going to do as we launch our next 2 campuses. Mohican Juvenile Campus should go on-line in mid-July and our Ashland Campus on September 28-29th. Yes…the plan is to launch with 2 services…I know we are nuts, no need to remind me.

Here are some pics from our site survey today with some of the team @ the ASHLAND SITE. So…some BIG NEWS:

Our new ASHLAND CAMPUS PASTOR is looking pretty Pastoral here while waiting to board our flight in Columbus. Do you know this mug? Welcome BUD STANTON with me to the team!! (Read more HERE). Bud has been with us for several years in lay leadership. Now he’s about to enter a new calling. I praise families who are willing to step out and take a HUGE RISK to answer the call of GOD in their lives. But then again, is OBEDIENCE A RISK?

I LOVE this part of the journey when all things are new, fresh and unknown. I love the challenge of setting up and designing something, and praying through it, and NOT KNOWING at all what will happen, except that you have HUGE GOD INSPIRED DREAMS that are ripping at your soul. And you know that you must make his VISION a REALITY. wow.
When we start in an empty space, all I can think is: WHAT WILL GO DO HERE as we surrender to HIM? We will plan, practice, prepare, and pray, then we will PLACE THIS IS HIS HANDS. Then is up to the MASTER VISION GIVER to do HIS work.

Did this little tour @ the MOHICAN CAMPUS last month and ASHLAND today. My HEART is pumping. Not because of another campus, but for the lives that will be CHANGED FOR ETERNITY right in this space. I never imagined 5-1/2 years ago the insanity that we are involved with. ONLY GOD could use a sinner like me (and you) to help redeem the world. wow.

THE POWER OF EVERYONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN…yes YOU. ALL of you @ NEW HOPE are standing with us here. This is OUR vision given by GOD.

blessings!

awake.

In Ashland Campus, Church Leadership, New Hope Stuff, re:SOURCE conference on April 16, 2008 at 1:41 pm

not really yet. wow. what a weekend. catch the teaching if you can @ the website.

It looks like Ashland High School will probably be the place. What an answer to prayer. Now the bad part…but it is a good part: 2 SERVICES right away due to the size of the place. Don’t think about it, just PRAY.

The re:SOURCE conference is gaining steam…had a great talk with Mark Batterson and Dwight last week. We are all amped about teaching, networking and fellowshipping with Pastors in small to medium sized towns or that are in large cities who want an inside look at not just what is going on here, but in various models around the country (world). It’s an ALL-ACCESS look behind the scenes. It’s not your ordinary conference gathering. Look for the website and all info around the 1st of JUNE.

Heading out to help train church planters @ First Steps in Charlotte. Are you a church planter in need of comprehensive training? E-mail me…I’ll give ya the scoop.

And next Friday…be here for the official scoop on some BIG PLANS that God has given to us. Read it here first…

Last but not least…we have plenty of JOB OPENINGS. Check them out if God tugs @ ya.

It never slows @ the HOPE…nor should it. And man…the more we do lately, the better I feel. I am certainly a long way from who I used to be in that area where I did it all and loved this place more than my FIRST PLACE.

blessings and peace.

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/jamie-uk/577306923/

finally.

In Ashland Campus, Only God on April 10, 2008 at 5:40 pm

I have a meeting set up to review using the High School as our base for weekends for our Ashland Campus launching this fall. Pray! Tomorrow @ 1:00 PM.

One issue is that with only 200 seats we will probably be at 2 services right away. Great advantages and disadvantages to that! I always encourage church planters to be at multiple services quickly…but week 1?

Also pray as we start advertising and looking for the Campus Pastor and Arts Pastor positions this week. Should be up today or tomorrow as we begin. PRAY!

Tonights devotion time at our ASHLAND LAUNCH TEAM MEETING will be off the hook, the best ever. Want to know why? Come see. 6:30 @ the Ministry Center in ASHLAND.

And one more cool thing. A church talked about us from their pulpit this past weekend, and it got back to me as it usually does. THEY SPENT 45 MINUTES PRAYING FOR US AS WE PARTNER TOGETHER TO REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST! Insane and only God.

…and start following me on TWITTER…come on, only 3 brave souls? peace.

pic:http://flickr.com/photos/notsogoodphotography/503637906/

the start of something big?

In Ashland Campus, Big Church-Small Town;, church planting, evangelism on March 6, 2008 at 3:09 am

Wow…around 15+ (should have remembered the count) or so Ashland pastor’s gathered @ the Pump House Tuesday to hear the heartbeat of New Hope coming to Ashland. Are you a church planter? You better figure out how to enter a community with humility and love. Thank the Lord I had great training when I got into it…IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!

How refreshing to see the PASSION of each of them and their welcoming attitude to our ministry. We simply want to come along side them and make an IMPACT for Christ.

43,000 un-churched people in Ashland county, 16,000 in Ashland city. We all have some work to do, and we need each other and the power of God to make a dent in those HELLISH stats. That is *#$@*&#@*#! (Don’t count the letters…they are symbolic of nothing except my extreme anger and passion).

I pray this is the start of something BIG. There is huge news that we are working on for an event this summer like no other that I have been planting the seed for in all our cities we have sites in. Wait till you hear it…will let you in on it soon. I have talked to several pastor’s who are fired up about this…let’s pray the momentum continues.

Don’t miss this weekend. I promise a message in 25 minutes or less (I know…take bets on that one…) that will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF. I promise. Be there as we continue this series that has truly MESSED me up and several of you as well. That’s always a good thing.

Oh…and we have a NEW WEB SITE…I think I was the last to know…somebody e-mailed me from the church…thanks BRIAN! This is an amazing place with amazing people on fire for the King…and if you aren’t a part of NH, you are still amazing…anyone who reads this blog should be labeled amazing.

blessings, peace, luv ya all!

pic: from the meeting…courtesy of roepke

a new record…and some ice

In Ashland Campus, Church Leadership, New Hope Stuff on January 19, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Wow…new record to the re:gurge blog. Thanks for boosting the stats…I should give a false lead-in title all the time.

And if you are into some serious fundamentalist lists of “doctrine” you must check out this SITE…I am not into picking on other ministries, but may this serve as an educational piece on why we do things the way that we do, and I will leave it at that.

And an update on our Ashland Campus Site Location that many have been asking about at the Ashland Launch Blog.

It’s chilly today. Glad Pastor Tom took the kids to Ice…I mean Snow Camp this weekend. Hope they are roasting chestnuts on an open fire or something…That’s where the pic is from.

blessings and peace.