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Ok. Every Father's Day is a special day. But this summer it was extra special at the Elkhart Campus. This Father's Day we also celebrated our first ever Child Dedication in Elkhart.
37 beautiful children were dedicated. Dozens of parents publicly committing to raise their children in a home where they would have an opportunity to know, follow, and love Jesus.
Our media team did an incredible job of capturing the day for us. Thank you Jeff Peterson, Dale Ekema and others!
Click here for pics and celebrate with the families on this special day.
And check out the video from the day. But grab some Kleenex first.
II Timothy 3:14-15: ...Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
When we launched the Elkhart Campus, we made it clear. Launching this campus wasn't about convenience. It wasn't about saving gas money. It's not about just doing multisite to keep up with other churches. It was clear: we launched this campus to be a movement of IMPACT and CONNECTION. We've banded together to build a new outpost in a new community where the message of hope and transformation that Jesus can bring is communicated loudly through word and deed.
Saturday's Block Party in Washington Gardens was a huge step forward in that direction.
An estimated 600 people joined together for an evening of food and fun. Inflatable games. Cotton Candy. Snow cones. Popcorn. Hamburgers. Hot dogs. Goody bags. Water balloons. Face painting. Family portraits. Box fans. Food boxes.
All in Jesus' name.
Trust was built. Bridges were built. On this day, racial differences didn't matter. Economic differences didn't matter.
Physical addresses didn't matter. Personal stories didn't matter.
What mattered?
People. They matter to us; we all matter to God. That came through loud and clear.
For those who follow Jesus, every day is supposed to be like that day. Every day we are called to give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, comfort to the hurting, healing to the broken, love to ALL.
And true Jesus followers know that we are never more like Jesus than when we serve others.
Few days have I been more thrilled about this crazy, high-octane band of people called the Elkhart Campus. Watching friends I love serve others selflessly and with joy is nothing short of inspiring. Thank you GCC-Elkhart for loving people in a rich, sacrificial way.
Hundreds of people went home with box fans, full stomachs, and a budding trust in the church of Jesus.
I'm fired up about the big Washington Gardens Block Party we have planned for July 11th.
Washington Gardens is a government housing complex where low income and no income families live. Times are tough, and the 200 families in WG are feeling it the most. The Elkhart Campus has identified this area as a place where we want to be - bringing life, hope, and love to those who need it most. Our Block Party will be a bridge building and trust building opportunity to connect with these families!
