COMMUNITY is a generous church and everything we do, every dollar we invest is about helping people find their way back to God. Each year we designate one weekend of the year where we give our entire offering away in support of initiatives that will help us accomplish the Jesus Mission. We call this weekend Celebration Generosity and on March 17 and 18, 2012, we are asking everyone to join a team and prayerfully consider how they can be generous with what God has given them. This year, we are focusing our teams on three key areas that help us accomplish the Jesus Mission. We call these areas the 3R's and each team represents one of the R's.
Reach - Reaching those far from God (Campus team)
Restore - Restoring the dream of God (Community 4:12, Haiti and the Philippines)
Reproduce - Reproducing the mission in others (NewThing)
Celebration Generosity is truly a celebration. COMMUNITY attenders have made a tremendous impact in the lives of others all over the world through their generosity in support of these teams and we know that this year will be different. If you are new to COMMUNITY and have not participated in Celebration Generosity the first step is to join a team. You will learn more about the team you have chosen throughout the coming weeks. Join the mission of helping people find their way back to God. So Join a Team and participate with us on March 17th and 18th as we Celebrate Generosity!
NewThing Gathering + Exponential = Incredible!
By Eric Metcalf, Director of NewThing
Last week, April 23-26 at the 2012 Exponential Conference in Orlando was our bi-annual gathering of NewThing church planters. Twice a year we bring together all of our church planters to celebrate what God is doing throughout this rapidly growing church planting movement. We began the Gathering on Monday with worship, wins and inspiration from the Lead Visionary of NewThing, Dave Ferguson. Dave shared with us that we are now nearing 125 churches and sites within NewThing, reproducing churches in places like Russia, Kansas City, North Carolina and Chicago.
Jud and Lori Wilhite joined our Gathering to talk to us about "leading out of brokenness". Jud is the Lead Pastor of Central Read More…
The Haiti Team - Full Speed Ahead into 2012
By Sara Simeunovic, Haiti Team Leader
The RESTORE Haiti Team is moving full speed ahead into 2012. Our dream as a team is to see churches in Haiti restored and the people of Haiti gain new hope and purpose in life. The ways in which World Relief is impacting Haiti is monumental and we are so grateful to be even a small part of that.
Since the earthquake in Haiti, World Relief Haiti aims to leverage its emergency response towards long-term, sustainable development where families and communities are able to live better lives than before the tragedy. Families will not only have new homes, access to clean water, and community health support, but also the opportunity to join agriculture initiatives that provide entirely new livelihoods which are Read More…
Philippines Team - Celebration Generosity is a Gift
By Becky Stevenson, Philippines Team Leader
Celebration Generosity is this weekend! During this time each year, I start to get nervous - did I share enough information? The right stories? How can I make each and every one of you love the people of the Philippines as I love them?
My mind wanders back to a time last summer when I held hands with the small boy in the blue baseball cap that you see in the upper corner of the picture. i don't know his name but he held my hand as we walked down a dark alleyway after a street feeding where we enjoyed coloring books, music and laughter. I think of his tiny, warm hand in mine. His skin was so dry and his scarred little hands were covered with infected cuts and bug Read More…
Community 4:12 Team - Looking Ahead
By Kirsten Strand, Community 4:12 Director
Over the past eight weeks, Ive tried to give you a glimpse of the programs and initiatives Community 4:12 is spearheading in East Aurora and Joliet. As we head into Celebration Generosity, I thank you for prayerfully considering how you can support Community 4:12 with a donation this weekend.
Community 4:12 really does not exist without the support that comes from Celebration Generosity. Everything we do, from Gift Marts to tutoring, to having space to run clinics and programs is fueled by the funding that comes in this weekend. Our hope this next year is to continue our various programs and events and to:
- Provide at least 150 kids in East Aurora and Joliet with tutors and mentors.
- C Read More…
Who Do You Want to See Find Their Way Back To God?
By Eric Metcalf, NewThing Director
This weekend is a big weekend for the NewThing Team and for COMMUNITY as a church. NewThing's mission is to be a catalyst for a reproducing church movement. We see this happening over and over again as we seek to help even more people find their way back to God; REACHING out to your neighbor, co-worker, friend, uncle, nephew, or daughter who may be far from God. We do this by reproducing churches all over the world.
In a previous article, we talked about Aaron and Tracy Monts, who planted IKON Community Church in San Francisco, CA. We shared how someone had been praying for 13 years for a new church to start in San Francisco and how Aaron and Tracy were an answer to a 13 year pr Read More…
