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!