"...to the Highest"

As we began our small group last night, we had no idea that the Lord had something different in mind. Just as we were about to start, a man named Tony was standing outside on the sidewalk. He came because he remembered us from the summer. During our August block party, we offered him a cold glass of lemonade while he was working next to the James 5:16 center. But this time, the situation was desperate. His girlfriend had thrown him out of their apt.- he was hungry and had nowhere to go. He began telling us the whole story.



She was an alcoholic and very abusive to him. She did not work and he supported her. Earlier this year he spent 6 months in jail because of false accusations she made against him. Afterwards, he got a job with a contractor who didn't pay him the wages he was due - he found out later that the contractor was a crack addict!! Friday night he went to the contractor's house with a knife to "collect" his money. "Lucky" for Tony, the man's wife said he was asleep.



Tony came to us at the end of his rope - no job, no home, no food, no money, nothing. In his darkness, he found BridgePoint Church. We invited him to be part our our group that evening. We encouraged him ,prayed for him and I led him back to the Lord. His grandparents are believers and at an early age Tony had accepted Christ as his Savior. I could see the group was moved by compassion to want to help Tony in some way. I was so proud of all of them!



At the end of the night, Rick Balbo and I were talking with Tony. Rick felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask Tony if he wanted to go back to North Carolina, his home where he was raised by his grandparents. Tony said yes so Rick offered to buy him a bus ticket. Wow! Rick didn't even know that Tony had told me out on the sidewalk he tried to get a ticket that day but he couldn't without the money!!



I gave him a bible and my phone number to call when he arrived in North Carolina. Rick and I drove Tony to the bus station and he left at 11:30PM. At 7:00 this evening we got a call from Tony who was at his grandparent's house letting us know he arrived safely. He even wanted me to talk to his grandfather, George Clyde. George said, "Thank you to the Highest for helping Tony". He invited anyone from our group to visit if we were ever in North Carolina!!

I prayed for Tony once more before we hung up.



We don't know what might have happened to Tony if we weren't there that Sunday evening. We don't know what plan the enemy had to destroy his life. But we know that God is all powerful and all knowing- God had plans that night - and He used BridgePoint Church to "connect this real person to the real God!"

Reflections

Last night our daughter Alexandra called from Springfield, MO. to tell us she read my blog post regarding BridgePoint's 1st preview service. She also read P. Jeff's & P. Nick's mentioning the picture of the "sign". She told Francie, "It's really cool that you can see in the glass the reflection of the houses across the street from the James 5:16 center." What a great image of what the church was created for...to announce to people there's hope for their lives found in Jesus Christ who connects them to God. Once that connection is made we're to be the best reflection of Christ that we can be.

Reflections can also be meditative. Moments where we look back with fondness (hopefully) to the past events of our lives. In the movie "The Passion of the Christ" Mel Gibson effectively used reflections or "flashbacks" of the characters to move the story along.

Thursday is my fasting & prayer day. It's the day I spend extended time with God in prayer & reading His word. Today it started @ 6:30am and here are some of my reflections of the past week & preview service:

Jesus never fails to show up when we honor Him....

When people who love God come together to do His will there's nothing they can't do...

Praise & Worship with sincere hearts is inviting to the presence of God...

There's no such thing as "Lone Ranger Christians"....

God knows exactly which people to connect together...

The less we're able to do...the more He's able to do...

I love being a part of God's family...

What attracts people to church should be love...

God put forth His best effort & so should we...

Doing ministry as a team is extremely fun!...

Thank you so much to P. Jeff, P. Nick, the leadership of APC and all the churches in our network for holding us up in prayer for our service. Personally it means a great deal to me knowing that heaven is being stormed with prayers for BridgePoint. Words can't begin to express my feelings of how much that means. So, it's with excitement that I say...fasten your seat belts. This is just the beginning of what God wants to do in Tarentum & the Allegheny Valley region.

WAY TO GO, GOD!!!

The Day After

Yesterday, BridgePoint Church had it's 1st monthly service. 50 people attended...Praise God! The launch team arrived by 8:30am. After refreshments and a time of prayer we started the set up. Things went very smoothly with everyone working together...what an incredible launch team! Kudos to each team member!!


Nursery, Preschool, Jr. Church, Welcome, Hospitality & the Cafe area were ready to go. People began to come in and the service started @ 10:05am with kickin' worship! Each part of the service went well right up through the closing prayer. Afterwards everyone gathered near the cafe area lingering for a long time. There was a lot of talking & laughing... everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves.


We had three adults from the service attend our Sunday evening meeting. They even said they'd like to join the launch team...isn't God good?!!! We had worship, prayer & we talked about the service. There was still an atmosphere of excitement from the morning! Then we ate, drank & the kids played in the boxing ring. It was a good ending to a good day!


Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Lord, continue to build BridgePoint...Your house!

The Night Before

It's the night before BridgePoint Church's 1st preview service. It seems like it was just yesterday (2/17/06) we had the first small group meeting in Tarentum. To God be all the glory for the things He has done up to this point!


So, we accomplished the following this past week: cleaned the James 5:16 center (it looks great), gathered supplies & prepared the nursery & preschool rooms (AKA the Red corner & Blue corner"locker" rms). Rehearsed with the worship band (they're really "hot" sounding). Picked up the coffee, food & other refreshments for after the service (always a hit). Met with our Jr. Church leaders & picked up their supplies (the kids should have loads of fun). Mailed out 300 letters announcing the monthly services, passed out 400 flyers in West Tarentum and picked up the PA system. Replaced 4 panes of glass & started to repair the front of the building. Replaced all the light bulbs and took down the heavy bags in the Gym. God asks us to do our part & He'll do His.

God we need Your presence & Your power! Draw people to Yourself through BridgePoint Church. Holy Spirit, move on all hearts as we seek to worship Jesus!

400 flyers in West Tarentum

I just got back from passing out about 400 flyers in West Tarentum with P. Nick, PCO's P. Brian, Dalia, Rita & Dex. The six of us had opportunity to talk with a few of the residents. P. Brian told one guy, "Bring the whole family for the service and food...even the dog. We'll even feed your dog." (that's Brian). The point is we made a few connections & that' always good.

People need to know that someone is listening & cares, that their lives are important and that they're valued. Jesus went from town to town preaching the good news of the kingdom...on foot. While He & the disciples walked He taught them by His words & through His examples. As they walked He healed & blessed. The Bible says that Jesus did so many others things that they are too numerous to write down...it would take volumes to record everything that Jesus did.

There's just something about getting out there & listening. And there's just something about the name Jesus. After passing flyers, Dalia was telling me that during a PCO service she was singing "There's Something About That Name" (Dalia can really sing!) and the Spirit of God was so great that everyone was just in awe of His presence. (that's Jesus)

Pray for those residents who'll receive the flyers, that God will quicken their hearts with His presence and that Jesus will be more than just a name.

God's bringing it all together!

As Bridgepoint prepares for it's 1st monthly service this Sunday October 21st @ 10am, Francie & I have begun gathering supplies & needed items. The great thing is we aren't doing it alone! Each person on the launch team has taken ownership of an area of ministry. They've been out working to make a few repairs on the James 5:16 center as well as purchasing & gathering items from home to bring in for the service. When the doors open we'll offer the following areas: welcome/information, nursery, preschool, hospitality/refreshments, worship & others. What a blessing it is to be part of the family of God!

That family also includes the network churches we're a part of. P. Jeff, P. Nick & the staff @ APC has come along side of us supplying our every need from the use of the office machines to resources & everything in between as well as connecting us with Jr. Church leaders. P. Russ of SFWC also helped us to make an important connection regarding our worship band & sound system. This week the pastors of our brother churches will be praying for BridgePoint as we begin the first of 5 monthly services leading up to our grand opening on Palm Sunday, March 2008.

It takes a team, a family and the Holy Spirit to bring it all together! As Napoleon Dynamite says "SWEET!"

Window shopping

Hi! This is Francie. I'll be posting from time to time.I don't feel a need to have my own blog at this point but I saw something the other day that really struck me so here I go.

I was in Shadyside shopping(window, that is) and I saw a little pillow in a store with this on it.."May I be the person my dog thinks I am". Then it popped into my head, "May I be the person God thinks I am". WOW..God already sees the finished product!!Not what I do or fail to do everyday, but that I am like Jesus!!! WOW!! I am a co-heir with Him, my position and value is established thru what Jesus did on the Cross. I keep thinking about that- that I can choose to act and respond and speak and BE like Jesus, because that's how God thinks I am- and I can walk in THAT. So, MAY YOU BE THE PERSON GOD THINKS YOU ARE!!!!!

BPC "tale of the tape" - Tarentum

Last night, Francie & I attended a Tarentum Boro. town mtg. A year ago the community began what's called "Tarentum Revitalization". The leaders are wanting to see economic & residential growth in the next 5 -10 years. They're working with a development co. that's helping to put together a plan for revitalization that will be executed by community leaders, business owners & residents. Last nights mtg objective was to present results from the initial resident survey & allow the people to have a voice in the process. State, County & local elected officials or representatives were present. Bill Rossey, Boro. Mgr., invited us to attend.

Over a year ago while our group was mtg @ Jim Biernessers property in Tarentum, he handed me a letter saying "Here Reverend. Check this out." Every home owner received a letter from the Boro. announcing their plans for revitalization. The next day I emailed Bill telling him about our group, APC's network of churches & the Network of Hope. He invited Jim & I to his house the next week where we talked for about 4 hours regarding Tarentum, it's past, present & future. Bill & his wife were born & raised in Tarentum & have a real passion & vision for the community. Bill wants to make some positive changes that will result in a better life for the residents & business owners. He then invited us to take a walk with him around the town so we could get a better feel for what he was saying. Bill also showed us 2 small church buildings that were vacant & in poor shape. Jim & I thanked Bill for his time & told him we be praying for Him & Tarentum.

In last nights revitalization mtg the initial community survey results were published. Here are the top 3 in each category:

assets & strengths - Police, Fire & EMS and people & neighbors
problems/weaknesses - vacant/deteriorating land & buildings, need for new businesses and parking
specific community needs - attract new businesses with incentives, landlord accountability and programs for children & teens

An area of Tarentum targeted for revitalization is what's called "West Tarentum." Coming off of Rte 28 , before going over the bridge, turn right onto W. 7th Ave. It's a 4 or 5 block Main St. area with a small number of businesses as well as residential streets on both sides. Our first monthly service will be held in West Tarentum at the James 5:16 center on Sunday October 21st @ 10am. I believe God has a plan & His timing is always perfect!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

monthly service mailing & prayer

This evening Francie & I went to a town meeting in Tarentum. (more about that in my next post). When we got home we finished stuffing 300 letters that will go out tommorrow announcing our monthly services beginning Oct. 21st and the Grand Opening service on Palm Sunday 2008. Please join us in praying for the people who will recieve these letters. Especially those who don't have a relationship with Christ!

Father, we pray in Jesus name that Your Holy Spirit would touch the heart of each person who recieves a letter. For those who don't know You, open their hearts & their eyes to the fullness of Your love. For those away from you, bring them back by Your grace & mercy. Whatever situation each person might be going through, reveal Yourself to them in a POWERFUL way and bring them to a place of dependance on You. Jesus, be the bridge that connects each one to the Father. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Thanks for praying! Can't wait to see what God's going to do!

BPC "tale of the tape - the name"

On Sunday evening, September 9th 2007, @ 6pm our group began meeting at The James 5:16 Center in Tarentum. There is more room for us to stretch out for worship, prayer & study. The kids also have a larger space for activities, Bible stories & fun. And then there's the "Boxing Ring", after our meeting all the kids gather in the ring. Jim & Stacey have been incredible inviting us to use the building whenever & for whatever reason we want. Every week we not only pray for BridgePoint Church but also for the ministry of The James 5:16 Center.

Speaking of BridgePoint...how we decided on the name. I had been seeking God for sometime & had written down a few ideas. Nothing really moving or earth shattering hit me or anyone else I had shared my thoughts with. On a Saturday morning in July of 07 while meeting with P. Jeff & Nick Poole, I read to them the names I came up with. Nothing moved of them either. Then I felt strongly to say, "the Tarentum Bridge is a vital part of the community & the Allegheny Valley region. Hundreds of commuters & residents travel that bridge every day. So, the name has to have the word "Bridge" in it." After a few minutes and a few name attempts with the word bridge, P. Jeff said, "How about "BridgePoint?" I said, "That's It!." and threw both of my hands in the air. Nick had a big smile on his face and P. Jeff said, "We got it!"

My last two posts were about team. P. Jeff, Nick, me & the Holy Spirit were a team that morning. BridgePoint is God's name for the new church He's about to plant in Tarentum, reaching out to the entire Allegheny Valley region! The cross is God's bridge so that people can connect to God through a new life in Jesus Christ! BridgePoint is all about "connecting real people to the real God." People who face challenges everyday, people like you & me who need a direct connection to God resulting in a changed life for eternity! That's what BridgePoint is all about!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Teamwork

Concerning teamwork...a picture is worth a thousands words!

For the Good of the Team

"No man is an island...For Whom the Bell Tolls"
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main...Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

A famous passage by John Donne (1573-1631) from Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624.

"It Takes 10 Hands to Score a Basket"
We want a team made up of five boys at a time, each of whom is a forward, guard and center combined...No chain is stronger than it's weakest link...the team is first..."

A few phrases from legendary UCLA Bruins Coach John Wooden to teach his players how to become the best team they could be.

"apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
John 15:15


The words of Jesus describing how important "we" is. He knew it was going to take a team for His message to spread, one person could not do it alone! Success, accomplishment, etc... is sweeter when it's shared. There's no greater sense of fulfillment when people come together giving their best for the good of the team. Donne knew it & Wooden knew but Jesus said it first. It's all about the team.

It's All About the Stories

Yesterday, while at APC I was talking with P. Gregg Jacobs about country music, he really hadn't listen to much of it. Back in the mid 80's, I used to listen to it alot. One thing about country music is the stories. In fact, when Ray Charles transitioned from R & B to Country, his producers asked why switch? Ray replied...it's the stories, country music is filled with great stories.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Luke9:1-2

So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Luke 9:6

I bet the disciples returned to Jesus with great stories!

Ministry is about the stories, stories about changed lives, stories about redemption, stories about restored relationships, stories about healed bodies, stories about...

When we're connected to God and involved in peoples lives we should continuously have a great story(s) to tell.

BPC 'tale of the tape" recontinued

I sensed we needed to start the small group somewhere in the Allegheny Valley region, specifically between Harmerville & Natrona Heights. I shared this vision with my buddy Jim Biernesser to which he replied, "Hey Reverend, I have a house in Tarentum that I remodeled and am selling. We could have the small group there until it's sold". Jim, his wife Lisa and Francie & I began to put our resources together (extra furniture we had, coffee pot, microwave,etc..) and prepared the house for our first meeting. Remember it was just remodeled so inside it looked brand new! The perfect place to begin our new journey. P. Jeff of APC & P. Russ of SFWC gave us names of people who had visited their churches who were from the Allegheny Valley region so we could let them know about the group we were starting.

On Tuesday 2/7/06 Jim & Lisa, "JohnBob" & his wife Donna DeKleva from APC and Francie I held the first meeting. Up through 8/07, that house was our base of ministry. In June of '06 we had a neighborhood "Block Party" attracting 20 neighbors from the surrounding streets. In July of '06 Pastor Cal came to do 2 nights of Sidewalk Sunday School attracting 25 kids the first night & 35 the following week. 3 families became a part of our group because of those 2 outreaches! We had a small Fall Festival scheduled in Oct. of '06 @ the Riverview park in Tarentum but it was canceled due to bad weather. (I remember hail, rain and even some snow flurries that day.) Our group grew from 6 adults to 25 adults & 10 kids. God was on the move and we were all excited to be in His flow!

But the winds of change were about to blow. In 7/07 we scheduled "potluck" dinners for our group @ different people's houses during August. A week into August Jim said he had an interested buyer for the house but wasn't ready to tell me until he was sure it was a solid offer.
We committed it to the Lord & the deal went through, the house sold! But now where were we going to meet? Not to worry, about six months earlier Jim had, by "chance" met a Tarentum boxing gym owner by the name of...Jim. A devoted brother in Christ who heard about us & offered his building if we ever needed it. The James 5: 16 center is located @ 307 W. 7th Ave. in Tarentum. A christian organization that shares the message of Christ to kids, youth & young adults through physical fitness, weight training and ...boxing.

James 5:16 says..."Therefore confess your sins to each other and prayer for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

A man named John

I just got off the phone with a man named John. He came to our Block party in August but didn't fill out an information card. John called saying, "I got this phone number from your flyer & I need God in my life. I'm not a religious man, I used to go to church but don't anymore. I've had struggles and issues for years & they caught up with me. I need to get to church."

I spent about 15 minutes with John telling him about BridgePoint & our Sunday evening meeting. He said, "Boy, I wish this was Saturday so I could tell you I'll see you tomorrow." I thanked John for the call & told him we'd call on Saturday as a reminder. John said, "Call any time, tomorrow, the next day, Saturday or whenever you want. You call me on Sunday @ 4pm just to make sure." I told him I would call.

In my last post I wrote about our prayer groups in last night's meeting. One of the prayer points was "Salvation for the people of Tarentum." John lives 2 blocks away from the James 5:16 Center in Tarentum! God is always working even when we may not think He is. Our job is to pray, God's job is to draw people by His Holy Spirit! Pray for...a man named John.

"What ever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:23