We LOVE Kids at The Fountain

We unapologetically value kids at The Fountain UMC! It happened yet again this Sunday. A parent was escorted back to our kids ministry with child in tow. After peering into one of our kids ministry environments, this parent's first reaction was, "Oh, this is nice." She was pleasantly surprised. As usual, volunteers were prepared for the kids, the space looked very fun and clean, music was playing, and kids looked like they were enjoying it. After the service, parents are usually equally surprised when they pick up their kids. Their kids were safe, they had a BLAST, and they can't wait to tell you what they learned about God.

After almost 2 years of ministry as a church, we've learned that the first time, parents bring their kids to church. After that, kids often wake up an hour or two early on Sundays to bring their parents to church. 


Here are 5 Things That Drive Our Kids' Ministry at The Fountain:

1) Kids are the future. Ministry to kids should never be an afterthought or secondary. They are a top priority at The Fountain. Your kids are your greatest treasure and we believe in being a good steward of our time with them. Babysitting is not enough. Jesus actually wants to do something in kids' lives...and He does! Our hope is that The Fountain will always be a church that kids LOVE to attend. Jesus once said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

2) Jesus should never be boring. We believe the story of God is the greatest story ever told. It can actually impact your life if you allow God to be part of it. Why should Disney, Pixar, and Hollywood have all the fun? We believe in telling the greatest story in the most engaging, creative, passionate way we possibly can. If you were a disciple during Jesus' time, it was far from boring. He healed people, fed the hungry, turned over tables, and even brought people back to life. Church should never be boring either. This does not mean we just use clever lighting, but we present the real Jesus, in a way that speaks to kids best. It's all about leading the kids closer to Jesus!

3) Great volunteers who walk beside kids on their journey in discovering God. Relationships make a difference! I can't say enough about our volunteers. They make everything happen. Kids love how their small group leader really cares about them. Our volunteers pray with them, play with them, sing about God with them, and cheer them on in their walk with God. Kids can't wait to get to church to see their small group leaders.

4) The Space. Every Sunday is treated like Super Bowl Sunday. We want to create the most engaging environment where kids can meet Jesus. Even though we are portable, we set up the space in a fun way every Sunday. Lake X-STREAM (K through 5th grades) looks like an outdoor, lake adventure. We bring in a large tent, a boat, camping gear, and other things to engage kids creatively. Deep N' Wide (Birth through Pre-K) has an ocean feel with fish, fishing nets, and circle rugs. Space is really important in creating an environment where kids can meet Jesus. Don't believe me? Read Exodus 40 about the elaborate preparations and care God instructed the people to have in preparing a space of worship. And they had a portable worship space at that point too. We're in good company.

5) If kids are interested and happy at church, parents will be too. Let's face it. It's scary to entrust your kids into someone else's care. If kids are happy and safe, it allows parents to relax, focus, and receive from God. The quality of the kids ministry affects the entire worship experience for adults. On the other side, if kids love church, they want to return. Valuing kids ministry has become one of our greatest forms of evangelism. If kids want to be there, their parents will come too...and they usually meet Jesus along the way as well.

9 Ways God Is At Work

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."  - Psalm 145:7

I want to share with you just a few ways I am seeing God's goodness at work right now at The Fountain because celebrating God's goodness and love is really an act of worship. (In no particular order)

1) I was blown away last Sunday during our 2 baptisms. Life changes in Jesus is why The Fountain was first planted. We keep seeing it happen over and over. Praise God!

2) Your generosity to give above your normal giving amount to support at least 200 children for X-STREAM GAMES (update coming on Sunday).

3) Our volunteers are the BEST!! You give of yourself so much because you love Jesus and what God is wanting to accomplish through us together. You set up/tear down, greet, impact children and youth, run sound and video, host/lead ReFresh Groups, and so much more. Thanks for what you do to serve the Lord.

4) I have seen incredible Kingdom mindsets from churches and people in the area looking to partner with us. WOW! We're a part of something much bigger than us. We're standing on broad shoulders.

5) Our Worship Band! They prepare throughout the week to guide you in worship every Sunday. They not only sound amazing, but have incredible hearts.

6) God is opening the door for several new mission projects coming up very soon! (Can't wait to share more.)

7) Guests in worship continually talk about the inviting community-feel of The Fountain. It's more than coffee and warm handshakes. It's dynamic because we're knit together in Jesus.

8) After a year of ministry, our people are still so passionate about being a church for the unchurched and creating ministry to connect Jesus to our community. I love that!!!!

9) I love being your pastor! I really do. There is nowhere else I'd rather be and nothing else I would rather do. God is so good to allow me to do life and ministry alongside of you. If you are new to The Fountain, our staff and I look forward to getting to know you more too. 

YEAR 1 Video - The Fountain UMC

The Fountain UMC turned ONE YEAR OLD on March 4th, 2013! Click on this video recapping what God accomplished in year one. All glory belongs to God! This is only the beginning of the story God is writing...

YEAR ONE Video - The Fountain UMC

Our Strength as a Leader

I want to share a message today for leaders. I believe that God has called every person to first be a follower of Jesus and then to be a Christian leader in some area of influence. That does not mean that we will always be the leader of an organization or have a leadership title. It could be a leader in your sphere of influence or in your family at the very least. Here's where we get it backwards. If we are not willing to first be a follower, it's impossible for us to be a Christian leader. You can't lead people where you are not willing to go. All people are called by God's grace to first be a follower of Jesus. Then you have the power to be a Christian leader since you have the gifts of the Spirit living inside of you. With that said, let me share a word about leadership to you.

Joshua 1:9 is a familiar verse, but gives us great insight into Christian leadership. God says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

After years of waiting to enter the Promised Land, Joshua is asked to lead the people of God to finally receive that land. Joshua was their new leader because Moses had just passed away. Talk about having to lead one of the most anticipated events in Biblical history as your first mission. Yikes! But notice God's words to Joshua. It's not to "man up" or just have a lot of self-conjured-up courage. The center of Joshua's influence and strength came from the reality of God's presence. God reminded Joshua that he was not alone and that God will go with him wherever he goes. So, leaders, if you are going in the direction of where God is leading you to go, you're not going alone. Let me state again. No matter how hard it seems at times to lead, you are not going alone! Bob Tuttle once said, "God has more invested in your ministry than you do."

A true Christian leader can be strong and courageous when we are intentionally seeking God's presence. Without it, we would not have much strength and courage to stand on. Andy Stanley has often said that as a leader, "It is not your responsibility to fill someone else's cup. Your responsibility is to empty your cup." Seek God to fill up your cup and then do everything to empty your cup for others. Your strength and courage as a leader, to even go where others have never been before, comes from your connection with your Creator, who is unlimited in strength. The world doesn't need more empty or dry leaders. The world is craving Christian leaders who have their cups filled. 

Leaders, ask yourself these questions: "How can I be a better follower and allow God to fill my cup? THEN, how can I pour out my cup to others?" God honors that kind of leader.

Official Launch Sunday - A Great Start

There are times in life when you get so excited that you say, “Wow!” For me it’s when Tennessee scores a crucial touchdown on an incredible play or when I open a surprising gift on Christmas. There are other times in life where you say “wow” under your breath, after experiencing something that leaves you absolutely speechless. The Fountain UMC had the Official Launch Sunday on March 4, 2012 at 10:30AM. We sent out all the invitations, the space was prepared, the punch was ready for the party, and we were left to simply wait expectant on what God would do. On our Launch Sunday, I left the service saying the type of “wow” of one who has been left speechless. It would be the kind where you see the Rocky Mountains for the first time after talking about them your whole life and realizing it’s even more majestic in real life. I have always known that God has given us a huge vision at The Fountain, but our Launch Sunday made me realize that God is up to something really big here. We’re watching it happen in front of us. We’ve talked about it for so long, but there is nothing like seeing it for yourself. I am so humbled to be a part of this new church and thankful that God has allowed me to pastor a church that is going to change so many lives. 

I watched that Sunday as people kept coming, and coming, and coming into the doors of Johns Creek Elementary School to worship at The Fountain UMC. Our parking lot team walked in starry-eyed as they informed me we only had a few parking spots left open in the main parking lot of the school. We had almost 170 people for our Official Launch. We also had over 40 first-time guests from the community! We started with 2 people in July with no church name, no structures, no launch team, and started out on a shoestring budget. After all the work and prayer, God left us saying “wow”. 

I preached a message from John 5 about Jesus being the Bread of Life who can satisfy us in ways that nothing else ever will. Jesus frees us from the bondage of always needing MORE and says to us, “Come to Me and I will be ENOUGH.” The District Superintendent of the Atlanta Roswell District, Ed Tomlinson gave a word of greeting about the excitement of him, Bishop Watson, and the entire UMC about what God is already doing through The Fountain. After the service, we enjoyed cake, inflatables for the kids, and had a great celebration of our opening Sunday. I love what God is building and I’m excited about the journey ahead. 

Opportunity

It has been a great week for The Fountain and I have a BIG announcement about our church! Before I tell you, I have to be honest. We have been completely overwhelmed by so many “wins” for us as a new church and I know without a shadow of a doubt that planting The Fountain UMC was God’s plan. I knew it before, but we have been completely blessed by seeing God open doors, open relationships, put together a stellar team, and move in the lives of people in our area. I’ve seen it and experienced it. So, if you are someone wanting to know if this God stuff is real, I invite you to come hang out with The Fountain sometime.

The big announcement is that The Fountain UMC will begin worshiping every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM starting in February. We will be officially meeting at Johns Creek Elementary School. We are so ready to move to the mornings as that will allow us to reach so many more families. Our official community launch will be on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM. If you are wondering how you can help launch The Fountain, plan on coming to our official launch service on March 4th. 

After six months, I also realize why planting a new church is absolutely a calling. It takes someone with a certain skill set and obedience to God. It’s also a team sport, as it takes passionate people to make it happen and a huge network of other planters that help to encourage. It’s so exciting, refreshing, fulfilling, but it’s also really hard work. We have experienced so many “highs”, but we have certainly had to overcome obstacles that can certainly be discouraging at times and can knock down those who are not completely sold out to God’s calling. 

I think so many times, we see an obstacle in life as a closed door; whether it’s a family situation, a missed opportunity, a crisis that hits, or a valley period in our spiritual walk. When we face an obstacle we have a choice to give up or find a way to move forward. I think we often forget that Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I have learned as the leader that when God is involved, any obstacle becomes instead an opportunity. It’s an opportunity for God to do things that only God can do and it’s an opportunity for God’s people to think creatively about new ways to faithfully move forward in following God. I have learned to get excited about obstacles because of the new opportunity that is ahead for God to move. We are seeing that over and over with The Fountain!

Sunday recap...Our 3rd Preview Service

We have now finished three preview worship services as a new church. We have been doing preview services once a month as we prepare to launch in the coming months. On Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching the good news of Jesus at two different churches. I first preached for two services at Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Douglasville, GA, which was a church plant about 15 years ago. It was neat to be there and see what God has done through that time. 

This Sunday night we also had our 3rd Preview Worship Service at Johns Creek Elementary. As Mandy and I drove back up to lead The Fountain, we noticed something really interesting. Going to The Fountain and seeing the people from our church is starting to feel more and more like we are going home. I simply mean, when we first started having services (just two other times), we did not know who our church people would be. Now, The Fountain feels like it's "our" church. I'm already excited for our Christmas focused worship service coming up on December 4 at 6pm at Johns Creek Elementary. The sense of community, belonging, and relationships that are forming at The Fountain are encouraging given our short history. I believe that is a testimony about how God’s hands are on us, molding our relationships, hearts, and somehow making The Fountain a place to experience the love of God in our church community. I believe that means that we are starting to have an identity as a church. 

Before The Fountain preview service, we circled up to pray with those helping with the service. As I looked around, it was pretty exciting and overwhelming for me as the pastor of this new church to have so many people so invested in what God is doing through our ministry. We had over twenty volunteers that assisted and many more that have recently committed to help us launch the church. When Mandy and I first moved into the area on July 1st to start this church, we were the church. Her and me. That was it. We are now only a few months into the planting process and I am already overwhelmed to have so many that are not just attending The Fountain, but are actively part of our team. They are starting to feel God’s heartbeat for the people in this area and catching onto God’s dream of reaching so many disconnected people with God’s love. I love it! 

On Tuesday, I got to speak with some people on our team about where we are going as a church. They spoke about the excitement and opportunity to be standing at the early stages of redemptive history that is being written right now. I love these people. Not because they want to build a church, but because they want God to touch the lives of so many new people through us. We have over 140,000 people within a five mile radius of our church and the area is projected to grow another 30 percent in the next five years. Right now, there are over 80 percent of the people in our area who are not connected to a church anywhere. I think we are all catching the burden and passion for how God wants to use us to stand in that gap. I’m learning when people ask me about our vision, that’s what they are really asking. They want to know what makes our heart tick and what is our burden for planting a new church. Standing in that gap to touch the lives of the 80 percent is my heart as the pastor and that will become the deep passion of The Fountain.