Branded With Love

People have been asking about the weather/snow/sleet that is being predicted for Sunday morning. We wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page and had enough notice concerning things happening at Forefront. Here is a little video update letting everybody know what’s going in…

So I posted the other day about our student ministry serving at P.I.N. during there “Destination Unknown” event. Well, here is a little video from their serving. So cool to see students and leaders helping others.

Destination Unknown 2010 from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

*jdel

The tree, lights, Christmas tunes, gifts to give, shopping to be done, parking places to battle over… it can get pretty chaotic. The season has a soundtrack that can turn us completely away from the reason we celebrate and from hearing the voice of God through it all. During this series, “Do You Hear?” we plan to hash through the real meaning of the season and how we can listen to God’s story of redemption through all the clutter. It all starts this Sunday, December 5th – Sunday 10am at Ocean Lakes High School.

Sunday, December 5, 2010: Do You Hear… Through the Chaos?

Sunday, December 12, 2010: Do You Hear… His Plan Unfolding?

Sunday, December 19, 2010: Do You Hear… The Stirring Voice Inside?

“Do You Hear?” Series Promo from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

*jdel

The only thing that would have made this better was if he would have had Braveheart face paint and yelled, “FREEEEDOM!” when he came up out of the water. So excited for you Kenny!

Forefront Baptism: October 31, 2010 from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

*jdel

Next Sunday we’re starting a pretty intense series, “Forgotten Virtues.” With a generation growing up almost completely unchurched, we’re beginning to see a rapid decline in some of the character traits that God holds so dear. Honor. Purity. Loyalty. Gratitude. Many times these things go unnoticed in today’s society. Well, over the next four weeks, we’ll take an in-depth look at how God defines these attributes and what they should look like in our lives as we follow God.

Forgotten Virtues from Forefront Church on Vimeo. (video embedded above)

Looking forward to seeing you all there with your friends next Sunday!

*jdel

Was turned on to this group after reading a post on a friend’s blog.
It’s not rock, fast, loud, over over the top.
But it’s great.
The video below is “All The Poor and Powerless” by Sons & Daughters

All the Poor and Powerless from Journey Franklin on Vimeo.

I’m loving all these connections to new music, art, and creativity.
It’s fueling this next year’s series and the culture we believe God is trying to create in the lives of His community here.

*jdel

While at Catalyst, I was faced yet again with an opportunity to impact a child’s life. I say “yet again” because on missions trips, at conferences, in youth group, by my youth leaders… we were encouraged for years to sponsor a child. My reason for never doing it? “Someone out there can do it, I have a lot going on.” (yeah, pretty crappy attitude to say the least).

So, as I’m sitting there watching this all transpire, I was reminded of the amazing moment I saw the year prior. It was an emotional meeting of a sponsor and the young man who received a major gift in the form of schooling, godly teaching, and the basic necessities. This all happened because a sponsor stepped up and wanted to change a child’s life. Check out the video of their meeting below…

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo. (video embedded above)

God just kind of stirred in me this year. They brought Jimmy back and interviewed him about his experience. Then, they showed of a video as Jimmy went over seas to meet the child he now sponsors. It was inspiring. God was tugging on me to be less selfish and more selfless. So, I walked out, went to their booth, and chose… Salem.

Salem was the only boy left on the table. (his picture @ the top of this post)
He’s 5 years old.
Lives with his mom & dad in Africa, 48 km west of Zeway.
House floor is dirt, walls are mud, and a roof made of scrap tin.
HIV/AIDS is a huge threat in their community.
He’s been missing school because his family didn’t have the money.
Family income is an average of $23 a month.
My family spent more than that at lunch on Sunday.

I’m so glad he is connected to our family.
We’re excited to write to him weekly.
Our goal is to go and visit him in the next few years.
And for $45 a month his life is changed forever.

He gets schooling, a godly influence, Bible teaching, clean water, healthy food, and HIV/AIDS treatments and education. For the price of a quick trip to the grocery store, he’s changing our lives more than we’re changing his. We’re better because of it. It’s teaching us discipline, sacrifice, and loving others before ourselves. When our spending money gets low and we think about how we won’t be going out, we’ll be reminded that we are choosing not to go out because Salem deserves a better life.

Want to sponsor a child through Compassion International?
Click Here To Get Started.

*jdel

A friend passed this video on recently. After seeing Gabe Lyons at Catalyst, I picked up his book “The New Christians.” It’s an interesting study/observation on a cultural shift with followers of Jesus. What do you think? I’m not going to stake my place in all of this until after I finish the book. But… I’d love to hear what you guys (and gals) think.

*jdel

We had a team go to Vietnam and lead a teacher’s conference for 40+ teachers. They also did some work on the school’s fence and continued building relationships in the Ta Phin village. I love seeing Forefront living out the Great Commission. You guys are amazing! (video embedded below)

Vietnam Missions: Sept 2010 Team from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

Also, this past Sunday, I had the honor and privilege to baptize a guy from my Gel Group. His name is Martin. He’s a young tennis pro at a local country club who was invited by a friend to “just come and check out the church.” Five months later, He’s giving his life to God. Just a great guy with a heart for others. If you see Martin around, please introduce yourself and congratulate him. So excited to see things like this happening. It really never gets old… (video embedded below)

Forefront Baptism 10-17-10 from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

I posted this video last year and stumbled upon it again today.
I need to hear it again. Over a year later it has just as much impact as it did the day I heard it.
At Forefront, we repeat and repeat this truth that God loves all of us. The ugliness, bitterness, and beat up lives that are broken- He wants to repair us and make us new. He desires the broken.