An update...one year later

About one year ago, I wrote this post about a new area I felt like God was leading me to serve in.

I wanted to update you and let you know what all God has been up to.

We started the service in February last year in a small room that we called KidZone Theatre. It didn't seat very many people and it became quickly apparent that we had outgrown this space within the first few weeks.

People began coming that I had never seen before in our church. Different ages. Different races. Different languages. Different styles of life. Different ways of dressing.

The cool part? They ALL come to worship ONE God. And it's beautiful to watch!

On Easter Sunday, we moved into a much bigger location, our church's Christian Life Center and began setting up around 200 chairs each week.

Since then, we have filled all 200 seats and have added more. And this past Sunday, we even had to bring in more chairs than that! It has been an amazing journey learning what it means to truly worship and not worrying about what others around me may say or think.

Jessica Leah Springer wrote: "As John 4:23 says, Its time, as worshipers of God, to give him all we have. For when he is exalted, everything about me is decreased. So many times we stand in the way of really stepping into the secret place of worship with God. Just abandon tradition and the "expected" ways of Praise & Worship and get lost in the holy of holies with the sole intention of blessing the Fathers heart."

It has been such a blessing getting to help lead in this service. Some weeks the Spirit is moving more than others, but He is always, always there. Several weeks ago we sang a song called The Stand. The chorus says "I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll Stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered, all I have is Yours". I usually sing with my eyes closed, but I looked around for a moment during that song and saw over 200 people singing their hearts out, with their arms raised in worship.

Breathtaking. Beautiful. Blessed.

There have been ups and downs with this ministry just as there are with all. I still miss my choir family a lot and am counting down the weeks until I get to help with the Easter drama and see all of them more often. We still have weeks when it is a battle to focus on our role and purpose and in keeping ourselves pure as worship leaders. We have lost a few band members and it's been hard as we've struggled through missing them. But God has used it to grow me and my walk with Him and for that I am grateful. I have gained a second 'family' in my bandmates, and I have learned more than ever that it's not about ME in the first place.

Friend, what area is God calling you to step forward in faith in? What is He whispering to your heart and urging you to do? I encourage you to step forward in obedience. It may be something small such as greeting the new couple in your Sunday School class and inviting them over for dinner, or it may be something huge like missions work or church planting. I don't know what His call is on your life but I do know that He has one for you. And He will walk with you each and every step of the path. Promise.



I am grateful