10 Things I Love About Our Church

#10 - I love the fact that when someone walks in the door they do not feel as if they have stepped into a time warp and all of a sudden it is the 1950’s all over again. Our team does an awesome job of blending modern day technology with the traditions of Scripture. (Yes—the two can coexist!)

#9 - I love our volunteers! WOW—these people are amazing. Every once in a while I will walk outside and then walk back through our main entrance—just to be greeted by our incredible greeting team. I also love what I refer to as the “doughnut team!” They bring in Krispy Kreme every Sunday! WOW—all of you are so loved!!!

#8 - I love our children’s ministry! (No, I do not have children YET—but one day…and for those of you who are wondering if I really do want to name my son Boaz one day—the answer is YES, that is not a joke! Pray for my wife—her heart is hardened on this matter!) :-)

Now, back to the kids. Michael Brown, our children’s pastor, has a vision for the children in our community. He knows that parents basically have two questions for their kids when they pick them up. The first one being, “Did you have fun?” and the second being, “What did you learn?” If our children’s ministry can provide a positive answer for both questions then Michael believes we will continue to see incredible growth.

#7 - I love our youth ministry! Sammy Clary, our youth pastor, is probably one of the most unique individuals that I know! (I mean that in the best sort of way!) I know too many youth pastors who have a goal to be the “big dog” in a church one day and they are merely using the youth ministry as a stepping stone. This isn’t Sammy—his passion is for teenagers in the upstate…and he’s serious about his work. He has put together an awesome team of staff and volunteers that make ministry happen.

#6 - I love our tech guys! I know I sort of mentioned them already—but seriously, I love these guys. I have to—or else they could melt my computer or something worse! Our tech staff and volunteers are awesome! I think for too long the church has ignored people with the “nerd” spiritual gift. But the guys & gals that serve in this area are awesome—they have finally found a place where they can show their love for Jesus by doing what they love—wow!

#5 - I love our band! WOW—I don’t think there is a style of music that this group can’t do! (I am trying to get Lee to work on this polka song…) The only thing I do not like about our band is the fact that when they play a song and I like it…and then I go out and buy the CD of that song…I always am a little disappointed because our band did the song better.

The thing that makes our band real though is they are not performers—they are the real deal! Props to you guys and girls!

#4 - I love our new building! I was out there yesterday walking around and being in awe. Seriously, I can hardly walk around that place without crying. It amazes me that in five years that God has brought us to this point…and I honestly feel that our building is NOT the finish line for the ministry here at New Spring—it is the starting block!

#3 - I love God’s presence in our worship services! I can’t recall one single Sunday where I did not feel the presence of God with us. It might be at different times—sometimes it is in a song, other times in a video, and yet others during the message—but God has been so faithful to us! I know that we could work our rear-ends off throughout the week—but if God does not show up then nothing we do will matter!

#2 - I love the people in our church! I hear so many stories of people who had given up on church for various reasons—and then someone invited them to our church and they came…and they are still showing up. I see people who have received Christ and their lives have completely changed. I see people in suits sitting next to people in shorts—and they smile together, laugh together, cry together, and even pray together!

#1 - I love the fact that God is allowing me to be a part of this! There are some days that I have to pinch myself. I had a friend ask me the other day, “Hey Perry, what’s your dream in life?” I told him, “Dude, I’m living it—God is good!!!”