WholeHeartedLife

Why You Need GroupLink?

You're gonna be hearing a lot about this over the next 5 weeks...

On Sunday, September 21st & 28th, we will hold our 1st GroupLink event in the ROC Gym during our 11:11 service.

 

 

Unconnected People are tentative about taking next steps when it comes to the church. We currently have hundreds of attendees that do nothing beyond the worship auditorium. This is not acceptable because we KNOW that if people don't make friends they won't stay. There must be a connection. Our biggest priority, beyond their salvation, MUST be getting them into a community of believers that is going to spur them onto growing in their faith life. (Hebrews 10:24)

 

BUT WHY GROUPLINK??

 

For many, coming into an existing group is the equivalent to walking into a movie that is already in progress, you missed stuff that (at least to you) seems like it was important to know. Knowing that no one really wants to join a "movie already in progress", GroupLink will be the vehicle where people are encouraged to take that "next step", to join with others (a new group) like them who are ready to become a part of something more at hyde park.

 

In GroupLink, we will meet (during the 11:11 service) in the gym, around the tables, where they will sit with their new groups. Everyone's on the "same page", the same starting point which will ease tensions, after all, "we're all new".

 

We are currently planning to have options such as: Bible Fellowship groups are small groups of approximately seven married couples or seven individuals of the same gender that meet weekly for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. They are for adults of all ages, stages of life, and spiritual maturity.

 

Does this sound like you? Ready to take the Next Step with hyde park? Who will be the 1st to sign up themselves for GroupLink? SIGN UP HERE

 

(and by the way, those of you in the Pembroke area: don't forget that I'm speaking at Bear Swamp on Tuesday and Wednesday nite 8/19-20)

Sunday Nite

 11They overcame him
      by the blood of the Lamb
      and by the word of their testimony; 
        (Revelation 12:11 NIV)

Powerful, powerful day! I am beat... even more than usual. I am in a great mood - thankful for the people that I serve with... thankful for the priviledge of serving such a great church... Here's a peak into my mind today:

• All 3 services were very powerful this morning!
• Trying out some different formats lately in our services. I am always wanting to do all I can to keep us from getting "in a rut". I have rather enjoyed the structure (or the lack of it ) over the past 2 weeks.
• The time of invitation / nail it to the cross section was great and moving in all 3 services. I was so proud of our people... watching you nail the names of the people you love to the cross... I'm praying for you in your quest to help them connect with your "discovery".
• God is SO good!
• Baptism today! Do I even have to say it??? I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE SHARING HOW JESUS IS LEADING THEM TO "OVERCOME"!!!  
• What about the video that played during "Overcome"??? That will tear you up!
• Big props to our musicians AND singers. We've added a song to the end of the service - Doesn't it feel good to leave on a song?
• Coolest moment today???  Happened in 8:21 service - i sat them down for "The Stand". When we got to the big Chorus: "so i'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned - in awe, of the One who gave it all...." and the crowd did without my prompting. Love it when people are obedient.
• 2nd coolest moment??? 11:11, during "Overcome", we baptized while the song was going on... Really brought the lyrics to life.
• I begin a 2 day youth revival Tuesday nite in Pembroke. If you're in the area and wanna party with mike p - join me at Bear Swamp church on St. Anna road, Pembroke - 7pm nitely.
• So excited about some big stuff coming up over the next 4 weeks...
• Really pumped about the "ONE" service that we'll be having on August 31st! 10 am - huge worship - a CAN'T MISS Day!
• It was really great to have Deb C. with us today!!! She's always such an encouragement - which is funny, because she feels like we encourage her
• My bud Greg gave me the coolest picture today... it's a picture of Disney World pre-construction with a super imposed (yet "hazy") pic of Walt Disney (the man) standing there with another super imposed, hazy pic of the castle. Beneath the castle it says VISION. Greg knows that I think that Walt Disney was a freak (in a good way)... I am all about vision and the fact that vision is seeing what others can't - a great visionary helps those who can't see, SEE. Thanks for thinking of me, man.
• ...and speaking of vision - i had a BFG leaders meeting this afternoon and I really felt GREAT about it! I shared with them exactly what's coming up with hp bfg's in our immediate future. I think we all left on the same page.
• ...then, had the priviledge of watching our kingdom kidz perform. They were really, really great. This was a special night, as we saw the choir minus some "little stars" who have graduated to Crossover - the future for hyde park kidz is GREAT!
• ...then, went with some friends to San Jose' for a little mexican. Most amazing part: my mother-in-law ate mexican for the 1st time tonite! Is that not classic?!?
• Did you watch the Presidential Forum at Saddleback Church Saturday nite? I was really impressed with the way that John McCain handled himself - very impressed, especially considering that it was unprepared, off the cuff type of engagement.

Next weekend is going to be one of those can't miss days at hyde park (as if the past 2 weeks haven't been ). Every once in a while we have a service that not only should you not miss, but you should do everything in your power to get that lost friend to church with you - next Sunday is one of those days!

That's it. Nite.

On the Horizon - Part 4

Hopefully you've been with me this week as I've shared the things currently "on my horizon" - check out the post about Men's Conference here - Worship here - "The Gathering at UNCP" here

So the last thing on my horizon this week would be the usage of an increased spiritual boldness that God has made me aware of this summer. I have to admit that God has rocked my world this summer. That is a good thing. The thing that will shock many of you is how He's rocked my world:

HE HAS MADE ME MORE DEPENDANT ON HIM THAN EVER.

Psalm 51:16,17 (NIV)16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;  you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

• Sometimes God just has to "break you" so He can fix us again. It's not necessarily because He's mad at you - maybe it's because you've lost the ability to hear Him. So with me, He does stuff to get my attention, to get me on my knees, to get me to the place where I can truly say, "Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening."
  
  That doesn't mean I wasn't praying - I was. That doesn't mean I wasn't in the Word - once again, I was. What it means is that He was trying to take me to another level and I wasn't ready. I was reminded that "brokenness precedes blessing".
• I work hard. You can't see it, but my mind NEVER stops. What I have discovered this summer is that I can't solve spiritual issues with human solutions. I thank God for showing me this. No matter how hard I try or good intentioned I am there are some things that He's just gonna have to do (or break). He has taught me (once again) that prayer and what I'll call "face time" (time just listening and seeking Him) is more important than anything I do.
• Remember the message I preached on 6/8, the one where I preached "the wise men built his house on a rock..." (download it here)? God has made me "live out" this message and brought glory to Himself through it. I made a statement in it, "you don't wait until you're in the middle of a storm to begin working on your foundation, because by that time it's too late!". Well, this summer, Jesus has shown me that I DO have a foundation built on Him. And here's what it came to: when the storm began and the wind and waves got scary, I climbed into the home that was built upon the foundation of His word. When I got in that house, I watched the storm from within Him and I felt safe, protected and wasn't afraid. When that happens, my friends, you'll receive a mighty boldness from Him because you recognize HOW MUCH He's in charge and you remember that He cares way more than we ever could.

Because of this we will step out in bold ways this fall. We will do this at hyde park and hyde park will be extended to other places. Some of those places that God will put His boldness in us on display:

• August 19th & 20th - Youth Conference, Bear Swamp, Pembroke - I'll be Preaching
• August 28th - BSU Back to School Jam, UNCP - Narrow Way Band
• September 7 - Burnt Swamp Youth Revival, Berea (Pembroke) - Narrow Way Band
• September 12-13 - Commitment '08 Men's Conference - Galeed Church - Featured Speaker 
• September 21 - GroupLink 1 - Speaker - hyde park (more about this next week)
• September 28 - GroupLink 2 - Speaker 
• October 7 - Youth Nite RC Crusade - Narrow Way Band
• October 19th - "The Gathering at UNCP"

All of these things are on my/our horizon and they are HUGE! And I agree with my friend, Janice's, comment the other day - "when you look up on the horizon, what do you see? The SON, of course!". Clever, Janice, real clever . 

Buckhead Nite of Worship TONITE

Hey everyone! Just wanted to make you aware that Buckhead Church in Atlanta will be LIVE Streaming their "Night of Worship" on their blog tonite at 7:30PM. It promises to be an unbelievable evening of worship that they want to share with the world. I for one plan to be "there" - hope you'll join me for the interactive experience.

You can link to it here .

"The Gathering at UNCP" - On the Horizon - Part 3

This week I'm sharing with you things that are "on my horizon" - things that are coming up in my life over the next few months that I'm excited about. On Monday I shared about "Commit '08" - Tuesday we talked about what's on the worship horizon and today we talk about...

"THE GATHERING at UNCP". I have had Pembroke, specifically the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, on my heart for more than 2 years now. The following is the result (at least currently) of those 2 years of thoughts, prayers, musings, speeches, messages and leadings.

Beginning on October 19th, Hyde Park, in conjuntion with the UNCP Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Robeson Baptist Association, will be hosting a one-per-month, on-campus Sunday nite gathering called, "The Gathering" (how imaginative, huh?). "The Gathering" will meet on 3rd Sunday Nites at the brand-new UNCP Annex - centrally located on campus between the Student Center and The Givens Performing Arts Center

 

Music for the event will be provided by local worship leaders, Narrow Way Band - Mike Pittman will bring the message.

 

The purpose of "The Gathering": a place where all Christians from different groups, BSU, FCA, Campus Crusade and area churches can come together for the purpose of worship (in a context purposely designed to reach students), community, glorifiying God and most importantly, evangelism. "The Gathering" is going to be a place on campus where Christians can bring their friends and allow God to show them who He is. Sunday nites are a great time: not much is happening on campus - we are petitioning God to create a buzz among the students.

 

Our churches are struggling with reaching this generation. Statistics (LifeWay research) show the dropout rate of baptist 18-22 year olds is 70% (!!!!). These aren't ALL 18-22 year olds - these are OUR 18-22 year olds, the ones who are currently attending our churches. Tom Rainer, CEO of LifeWay, states that this is because "church is not essential to them.".  It's obvious that we are not "connecting" this generation and their college years are enormously foundational in the direction of the remainder of their lives. None of us is doing a great job reaching 18-22 year olds (often college students) - we want to see that changed!

 

Prayerfully, "The Gathering" at UNCP will fill a place in students hearts that will show them God's plan for them in this time and begin to show them how "essential" their faith is to their whole lives. And that, also on my horizon, is something that FIRES me up!!!

On the Horizon - Part 2

This week I'm sharing with you things that are "on my horizon" - things that are coming up in my life over the next few months that I'm excited about. Yesterday I told you about "COMMIT '08", a men's conference taking place next month. Today I wanted to talk to you about what's up on the worship horizon...

I am as excited about worship at hyde park as I have been in a long time. I have been seeking the Lord recently concerning vision, focus, clarity, direction...

My mind is always on for hyde park. When I worship JESUS CHRIST and serve Him - hyde park is the medium/vessel that I do it through. When I sense that people are getting a little on the stale side I have learned through the years to look at myself (which, by the way, we'll talk about on Thursday - so don't miss that).

What's on the worship horizon?? Our worship is preparing to go to another level, that's what! It's time to stir things up... to expect the unexpected... to get outside of our normality, our "box". You know, on 2nd thought, I think it's time to BLOW UP OUR BOX!!! God has brought some very fresh music into my life recently that has drawn me to a place of worship and it has been marvelous. But the most exciting thing is...

GOD HAS DRAWN ME DEEPER INTO HIMSELF. It's as if I have become more and more dependent on Him this summer and He has spoken some very real things into me, things that I needed desperately to hear...

I have sensed lately that many people don't come expecting God to work in our midst. We can't "BE" the church when we don't love the church and when we aren't worshiping with the church, we have a problem. We need to build a bridge and fix stuff with our brothers, amen?  (By the way... i'm in love with me "some brethren"). I'm not pointing fingers; just stating an observation. My prayers have been to the effect of:

"God - what can I do to make our corporate worship to You come alive? I try to offer my best to you week after week - I try to lead our people to living water but, Lord, I CAN'T force them to drink."

Jesus says, in response, "just worship ME. Worship ME with them, worship ME without them. Worship ME when you get up, worship ME when you lie down, worship ME as you go through your day. Worship ME and I will draw men and women to myself...". So that's what I have decided to do.

Not only am I challenging myself to carry the mantle of a "constant" worshiper, I am challenging my leaders in the worship ministry to step up their game as well. I'm giving people more opportunities to lead than ever before. I am desperately trying to make the ministry LESS dependent on me as a front man and MORE dependent on JESUS as the true Head.

I think that we'll all be challenged. I also think that, if we are willing, we will all be changed. If we truly seek Him we will find that this season of ministry will be one that brings transformation into many, many lives.

And that, my friends, is something to get really excited about.

On My Horizon - Part 1

I am currently preparing to hit one of the busiest stretches that I've seen in a long time...

On Friday I shared with you some things that are coming up for me in the next couple of months. This week I'm sharing with you things that are "on my horizon" - things that are coming up in my life over the next few months that I'm excited about. I wanted to share them with you in the hope that maybe you'll pray for me when the opportunity arises.

On September 12 and 13 (Friday & Saturday) I will be speaking on a local men's conference titled, "COMMIT '08".

"COMMIT '08" is going to be held at Galeed Church in Bladenboro and is being hosted in partnership with the Bladen Baptist Association. On the conference their whole message is to challenge men to a greater commitment in their walk with JESUS and their commitment to truly serve Him with their lives. The format is: Friday Nite meal /conference / adjourn - Saturday morning breakfast / conference / lunch and done by noon

On the conference I'll be sharing the stage with Mike Cummings, Director of Missions (Burnt Swamp Association) who is a flame-thrower preacher. When I heard that he and I were speaking together on the conference my question was, "are you sure you want ME to preach?!?". They graciously answered yes (to my astonishment).

Not only will we worship through the word, the music is going to be provided by some of the hyde park band! They want to bring some hyde park flava to their weekend...

It really is an honor to have the priviledge to challenge these men to a greater walk with Christ and to spend a few days with friends in what I know will be a gathering that will be life-changing for at least one person (that would be me ).

PS - these guys know how to eat and your meals are included. Is it time that you get serious about where you are - If so, this conference may be just what you need (and you don't have to go off for the night to get it!) Interested? register by calling Junior Callahan at 910-840-0291 or the church at 910-863-3407 and tell them how many you're bringing.

What a Day!

Were you there? You don't know how much I hope that the answer is "Yes! I was there!" because today was an amazing day at hyde park. Here's a really quick update because I gotta hit the road for Raleigh (and "memory road") to see one of my favorite bands of all time, Journey!

• After a huge opening number in all three services we connected, via "Skype" with our mission team in Senegal, West Africa. We had technical difficulties with the video on our end (they said that they could see us with my webcam). How exciting was it to hear a short word from each of our mission team members LIVE?!?
• After the connection with the mission team Pastor went right into an awesome message that explained in the most simple terms possible, the gospel message. Excellent message... 
• ...then, we had an invitation/altar call/prayer time that was sweet - an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the Lord's Supper. Song: Take My Life (Holiness)
• The Lord's Supper was moving, touching and 10 more adjectives - it was a very moving example and remembrance of what Jesus did for us.
• As we took the Lord's Supper we did our worship music. Rather than bunch it at the top we decided to sing while everyone was participating, allowing us to do more worship music than normal.
• I had many comments from people about how moving the service was...
• I saw many tears being shed...
• in the 1st service, we even had an impromptu prayer service, as time allowed us to go deeper into the place of worship. Like I said, a sweet, sweet spirit of worship.
• I REALLY STRUGGLED this week as I petitioned the Lord for our music this weekend. I'm glad I did, because HE was all in it.
• 11:11 - what can i say about this service besides the potential in what God is doing seems to be boundless. Week after week, I walk out amazed at how powerful God is in this service. I truly believe some of it comes from what seems to be a spirit of expectation, coming to church expecting God to do something great in our midst.
• I told 11:11, "you better not miss next weekend, because I'm telling you, it's gonna be one of the most exciting spiritual services you've ever experienced - even including today!". I'm not hyping - I'm sharing what I currently believe to be fact.
• I took the Lord's Supper at 11:11 with my 2 favorite women in the world, Keyna and Madie. What a priviledge, to hold them and share that special time with them. "Jesus, YOU were certainly among us - thank YOU for the priviledge of worshiping you with my family.". Yeah, I was crying at how present He was. Yeah, I know, I'm a baby.
• Oh yeah... almost forgot, when the congregation took over "Take my Life (Holiness)" at 11:11 - POWERFUL. JESUS!
• Oh yeah... when we busted out "Beautiful Jesus" at 11:11 - HUGE!

All in all, I am so proud of you hyde park! Thank you for the priviledge of joining my heart with yours as we journey towards our relationship with Jesus! This week on WholeHearted, I'm sharing my heart about the exciting things happening in my life - see you tomorrow!

"Kickin'" doesn't even begin to describe...

Friday edition (i'm just sayin' ), regular readers know the routine - it doesn't get anymore random than this...

• Really excited about Sunday's service! I told you last week that we would be doing things different - it's really come together - can't wait for the Lord's Supper segment of the service; not only will it be special from the "remembrance" side of things, but the music...
• If you were with us last Sunday you heard me hype the fact that you CAN'T BE LATE because... well, I can't tell you. Let me just say that technology is a wonderful thing when it comes to reaching the world... i've already said too much, but if you miss the top of the service don't say that i didn't warn you...
• If you missed my video update yesterday, check it out here to hear my interview with "Barnes & Miner", our comedy team headlining our "Nite of Laughter!" - Come on... you know you REALLY need to laugh.
• I spoke with our mission team yesterday. I AM SO PROUD OF THEM AND THE WORK THEY'RE DOING!!!
• Confession: i have had the most spiritually intense 3 weeks of my entire ministry. I tell you this to let you know that I am living out the stuff that I preach and guess what: it's true and it works. Brokeness precedes blessing - Hallelujah!
• Super Saints Alert (those who are casual readers or struggle with the good/evil thing happening in the spirit realm - this is the part where you think I've lost it  ). I want you to know that I have been informed by people "in the know" that satan is at work in this region (did i hear a big collective, "DUH!"? ). He's not working the way you think - He is in churches all around our region causing problems among believers. It's rampant right now. It is worse than at anytime in the past 2 years! If you know about this stuff you'll know that satan stirs up trouble when he needs to distract us from our mission (in other words, when he's scared). How does he do that? By making believers argue and doubt their mission because he knows when they aren't unified they can't be about their mission. 
• by the way... don't "read into" that. People have a tendency to think that you're speaking in code and trying to figure out "who" or "what" you're talking about - I said it all and I'm not referring to any particular thing. As a matter of fact, I struggled to sleep all nite as my spirit was restless and in a mode of what appeared to be intercessory prayer. I have friends in other churches throughout our region who have shared with me the struggles they are having. Our response: pray. (I am). Remember, "our battle is not against flesh and blood" - when you struggle with people you're praying in the wrong direction. Everytime.

On the other side of that I have also had an incredible 2 weeks:

• 2 messages that spoke to me exactly where I am at if they touched no one else...
• an unbelievable men's conference coming up in which i will be one of the speakers ("really? Are you sure you want ME to speak?")
• meetings with people in the Pembroke area about "the Gathering" that, well, were tremendous. God seems to be so in this...
• an unbelievable rehearsal Wednesday nite where i unveiled new music to the band and choir - WE WORSHIPED...
• i am walking so close to Jesus right now - He has shown me so much about my personal mission in the past 2 weeks. As a matter of fact, He has taught me so much that I have received a boldness (remember that word, hyde park?) that is beyond anything I've personally ever walked with. There's something about having a clearer understanding of "who" you are and what that means in the way of your calling - as you begin to see what He wants you to see and recognize that His sovereignty is at work in your life you can let your guard down and be amazed at what He's done and is doing all around you - even when the storms are blowing, you know that you're safe in "His house" that is built with the right kind of foundation.

So, next week I will try to expound (Lord willing) on the bottom 5 points - Can't wait to worship with you on Sunday... Gotta go - i got an appointment with HIM and I'm about 10 mins late! (He's always so forgiving  ). I love ya'll so, so much - return some on a brother sometime, will ya?

Video Blog - August 7th