Gotta say, this will go down as one of my top memories in ministry. What a GREAT privilege and honor to have my parents and grandparents share the platform with Sabrina and I today as well as baptize my own son. MAN what a day. Here are my ruminations.
— Today was such a great day at Element Church. We concluded Desperate Households by having my parents and grandparents share about creating a marital legacy. 30 people went public with their faith through baptism today. Jonah got baptized and we launched our parking team.
— No idea how parking team went. It was the first week so I’m quite sure there are some kinks to work out. In fact, Pastor Jason did say he had a list of fixes. Thanks for everyone’s patience and we hope it will make the parking, in and out flow of the parking lot much smoother.
— Please remember that until today, no one on the parking team had ever done a parking team so they are learning how it all will work. Thanks to all the guys who stepped up to serve in that. We will continue to make it better every week.
— I attended the KidFaith class last night with Jonah that Pastor Derek put on. First off, he did a fantastic job and it was such a blessing to talk with Jonah and see other parents talking with their kids about their faith. Then today I had the INCREDIBLE honor of baptizing my own son. WOW!
— So proud of Jonah for waiting until he understood what baptism was. He has wanted to be baptized for a while now but just didn’t feel like he was ready. He expressed interest recently and displayed a grasp on the power and truth of what baptism is to his own faith. Hope he never forgets that moment. I know I won’t.
— So cool to see different pastors baptizing people today. Pastor Jason baptized his son Nathan. Pastor Andy baptized several teens. Pastor Grant baptized his son Morgan and another student. Pastor Curtis baptized one of the SHIFTers and Pastor Derek baptized 20 kids. It was AWESOME!
— One young man who got baptized in 2nd service was a very powerful moment. He was moved to tears before even entering the water. Afterward his mother and he embraced in emotion for quite sometime. I told her “Seeing the embrace between you and your son was worth the whole day for me.” She said “God has brought my son HOME!” SO GOOD!
— Brian, it was an absolute HONOR to be a part of your baptism today. So proud of you and your family. Gonna miss you guys like crazy.
— And the SHIFTers went NUTS for their fellow members getting baptized. It was like a sporting event. HA! Way to go guys, that was cool.
— 62 years together, 89 & 88 years old for my Grandparents. 40 years together for my dad and mom. 102 years of marriage wisdom graced our stage today. I thought they did an AMAZING job.
— We didn’t rehearse any of the answers, I didn’t know how they would be answering any of the questions, and I’ve got to tell you, I couldn’t have asked for a better job from them. (Not that I expected any less)
— Seemed each service that something different would be added. I trust that what was said each service was given specifically by the Holy Spirit for someone who needed to hear it.
— At the conclusion of each service I asked my Grandpa to pray over the marriages in our church and for our church. His prayer to close 3rd service ended up being something TOTALLY different than any other prayer today. I felt it was anointed from God. He told me after church “I almost couldn’t finish the prayer” he was so moved. It was a powerful moment for me.
— One line today that stood out so much to me today was from my Grandpa. He was talking about commitment and love in a marriage. He mentioned how he became the chief caregiver for Grandma the last 8 years since she had surgery and treatments for cancer. He put his hand on her wheelchair and with tears in his eyes said “I haven’t once wanted to stop pushing this chair around.” MAN it was good.
— I am so thankful for my parents keeping the legacy that was passed on to them and giving it to us. I hope and pray that Sabrina and I can pass it on as it was given to us.
— I can honestly say, there has NEVER been a time I’ve questioned my parents love or commitment to one another or to Christ. I’m not naive enough to think they never had problems in marriage or their faith, but I NEVER questioned their commitment or resolve to make it till the end. Divorce was NOT an option for them and they made that clear. Their commitment to Christ was obvious. Thanks guys. I love you!
— Had several people mention after each service “That was just what I needed to hear” concerning an answer that was given. So many people said they were encouraged or challenged by what the panel had to say. Sometimes you never know how days like today will go. It went great.
— Alright, that’s it! Gonna chill in my recliner for a while.
— Element, thank you for being the BEST church in the world! You guys rock!
Till the end,
Jeff
