My Epic Journey

This past Sunday, Terry (our Senior Pastor) had a great vision to get the church to think and live “outside the box.”  He challenged the church to be more of a movement than a monument (a reference to Erwin McManus’ book, An Unstoppable Force).

We divided up into three groups and then went out to show the love of Christ in a practical way.  Two groups headed out to homes and passed out batteries for smoke detectors.  My group passed out 20 boxes of Panera bread bagels to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, ems stations, etc. 

the Smith family dropping off bagels at an Urgent

Care Center.

We don’t know the full results yet, but we do know that seeds were planted and on one Sunday in August, a church in Ohio decided to not only talk the talk but to walk it as well.

If you have been to Panera Bread recently, on a hot summer day, and ordered a frozen drink (mocha, caramel) you might have been a little embarrassed like myself.  I was embarrassed because a I had a HUGE PINK straw sticking out of my drink.

Now I feel feminine enough just ordering a frozen caramel and putting sweet and low in it.  They don’t have to humiliate me even more by making me parade around my drink with a pink FLAG sticking out of it.

Thankfully they have other colors like BABY blue and SEAFOAM green!!!!!!!!! 

During my most recent visit I ordered my drink with a "can you give me a ‘MAN’ straw?" and thankfully they put a regular black straw in my cup.

We had a great time today getting to know parents and their student(s) better.  From 12:00 to 1:30 pm and 6:00-8:30 pm, Anna and I made ourselves available to parents to hear concerns, prayer requests and suggestion on how to better partner with them in reaching their student(s).

Though it did get a little confusing when we had more than one family show up.  To better meet with the parents, I think we have come up with a plan to schedule times so there aren’t any overlaps.

But overall, it was a great time.  Thanks parents for meeting with us and once again for letting us serve you and partner alongside you as you continue to train your student(s) to love and live for God.