This past year we did a series in 1 Peter that was titled "Being v. Doing." As part of this series I challenged the congregation to do something different. On a Sunday in June we didn't take an offering. The message and closing challenged the congregation to prayerfully consider someone in need and give that week's offering to them rather than the church.

This blog post explains the prayer and thought behind this challenge.

Over the past 20 months, God has blessed Church of the Hills with many obstacles/opportunities, problems/possibilities. One of our most significant challenges has been finding a place for worship. Over the past 20 months, we had to move seven different times. The majority of our time was spent at the Nordonia Middle School. However, the school would not allow us to meet there through the summer months because of a heavy maintenance schedule. So we met in other locations like the high school, outdoors (3 times) and at the Nordonia Hills YMCA. Our local theater has it written in their lease as to not allow churches to meet there in an on-going basis.

Beginning in the Spring of this year, we began discussions with a local businessman about leasing space in his shopping plaza. There was a abandoned pool hall that we were going to convert to worship space. Adjacent to this space was a Day Care center, also owned by the businessman who owned the Plaza. We had a verbal agreement, had plans drawn up, and approval from the County and Fire Marshall. We had held our last service at the Middle School on June 14 and had a worship service outdoors at the YMCA on June 21. Then, at the 'eleventh hour' (while I was at the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville), the deal fell apart. While we were disappointed, we knew the Lord had something better in mind!

The next week, we met back outdoors, in the pavilion at the Nordonia Hills YMCA, because we did not have a building permit from the City of Macedonia and the Fire Marshall to meet inside. This was actually one of the sweetest worship times we have ever had! Well, the next week, we were in the YMCA and made plans to be back at the Middle School in the Fall.

Then, on August 12, I received a phone call from the Executive Director of the Nordonia Hills YMCA, Lisa Gillota. Lisa asked if we would be interested in meeting at the YMCA if they could provide us more space for worship, space for storage and office space. This YMCA Branch has experienced significant challenges over the last five years, with losses totally nearly $250,000. As we prayed and discussed the possibilities, it became apparent that God was in this. This YMCA desires to make the "C" big in the YMCA again. Both Church of the Hills and the YMCA has expressed a desire that this arrangement be more than just renting space. So, after a couple of months of negotiations, Church of the Hills and the Nordonia Hills YMCA have entered into a wonderful three year lease! See http://www.the-news-leader.com/news/article/4707725

So, on December 6, Church of the Hills will have a "GRAND OPENING" service at the YMCA!

While God was developing our faith and character in all of our moving around, it was difficult to build and maintain momentum. Our new location will provide us with MANY more opportunities for evangelism and ministry in the community!

2009 has been interesting. One doesn't have to look far to find complacent church folk. After noticing a number of our folks slipping toward complacency I began praying for God to stir us into the place of joyful service. Knowing this would have to be a work of God I asked a handful of faithful prayer warriors inside the church to help me pray for revival in hearts.
Our prayers are (present tense, still praying) specific. We ask God to convict us of sin and call us to a place of holy living. That is somewhat unheard of today, but it is foundational for a revival. We also ask God for a burden. May God burden every believer with a desire to share the gospel. Not just a burden, but to put specific burdens in our heart and mind. Let us see the faces of the people we see every day and have neglected to tell them the gospel message.
It didn't take long to see the works of God taking shape in the lives of our fellow believers. Many of the members of New Bethel Baptist began sharing the names of family and friends whom they desire to see saved. I have been keeping an active prayer list of the names given.
Members who have been missing in action are slowly returning back to the fold. A new desire for evangelism is being birthed in the New Bethel Baptist family.
One of our faithful members has put together a community wide outreach called "Coats of Blessing". We are offering coats to those who need one, a free meal and prayers on the spot for any need shared. Most important we are sharing the gospel with every person who attends this outreach.
We are also embracing the GPS initiative (NAMB). A member who is usually reserved and quiet approached me one day and began giving information on families in our community. He has been keeping up with who has moved away, who has moved in and how many children are in the families. I am excited to see where God will take us from here.
A simple prayer initiative has been the catalyst for bringing a church from a low heat to a slow boil. I am waiting for God to turn it up and set off the smoke alarm in our community and around the world as a result of God's people being open to the call of His Church to fulfill the Great Commission.

I would be honored if you could take 13 minutes and view our recent 3 year anniversary video. It says alot more than I could in regards to our young church plant in the Nashville area. God bless.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=name&id=742365668

We have been in New Orleans for over five years. We moved here from Colorado for a cultural adventure. My time at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has provided much more than just a story of hurricane recovery. As a culture addict, hopefully in the spirit of Paul, I have been fascinated by this city. Roman Catholicism is the societal, political, spiritual, and cultural glue that holds this fragile place together. Katrina exposed the frailty, and challenged everyone to rebuild more than their soggy houses.

New Orleanians are searching to fill an emptiness that can no longer be satiated by Hail Mary(s) and Holy Water. However, the shadow of St. Louis Cathedral casts a large pointing finger at those parishioners who seek answers from the growing protestant community in the Big Easy. Walking in the door of a church without kneelers has vast implications, including a family and social price to pay.

We started "Origins NOLA", a simple church, October 18, 2009. The first sermon series was titled "OK We're Out of the Boat, Now What?". As a house church we set out to build a faith community of sixteen adults before we started entertaining the notion of a network. At the conclusion of our fifth week our worship gang has grown to twenty four adults and seven children, with seven more adults loosely committed to the church. A three church network will be launched in January.

The house church is like a surgical strike strategy in the New Orleans Catholic culture. There is no more anxiety about denominational labels. People seeking Jesus can drop in with a friend for a genuine, highly interactive, experience with neighbors who love the Lord.

"I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazerene."

Check out what we've been talking about at www.originsnola.org