As 2011 is coming to a close, I want to give everyone an opportunity to consider an end of year donation to Center City Church. We are moving into 2012 with an incredible anticipation for all that God has in store for us.
Just this past week, we had a businessman in our community that I have recently met send along a $5,000 check. He said, "I have never been to your church, but if what I see happening in the community is half as good as what is happening inside your church, this is a great investment." That was followed by another gift of $5,000 from another man in our community that said, "Thanks for your investment into my family. Be encouraged."
Every gift is tax deductible and allows us to move into 2012 with momentum and a strong financial base to continue reaching our community. Thanks for your consideration!
You can give online via PayPal (click here) or send a check to:
Center City Church
401 Hawthorne Lane
Suite 110-219
Charlotte, NC 28204
**As long as a check is postmarked by December 31, it's still considered a donation for 2011 tax deductions.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
$6.02 (A Lesson in Generosity)
My oldest son, Max, was in the room the other day when I was telling the story of getting a $1,000 donation from an out-of-state friend toward Ebenezers Coffeehouse. The next day, I was reading the Bible with him and we started talking about generosity. Max has seen firsthand the way that God has provided for our family and he is so sensitive to God's voice (even at the ripe old age of eight years old).
A few moments later, Max came into the dining room with a jar full of money. He said, "Dad, I want to be generous. I have $6.02 that I want to give to help bring Ebenezers to Charlotte." I teared up. "Max," I said, "That's your money and you can do whatever you want with it." "I know, Dad, and I really want Ebenezers to come to Charlotte. Will this help?" "Absolutely," I replied.
I asked him again today if that's what he wanted to do with his money. "I already gave you that money for Ebenezers, dad. I really want Ebenezers to come to Charlotte."
And there you have it. An incredible lesson in childlike faith and overwhelming generosity from an eight year old. May my faith in Jesus be so pure. We're $6.02 closer to seeing our dream become a reality.
A few moments later, Max came into the dining room with a jar full of money. He said, "Dad, I want to be generous. I have $6.02 that I want to give to help bring Ebenezers to Charlotte." I teared up. "Max," I said, "That's your money and you can do whatever you want with it." "I know, Dad, and I really want Ebenezers to come to Charlotte. Will this help?" "Absolutely," I replied.
I asked him again today if that's what he wanted to do with his money. "I already gave you that money for Ebenezers, dad. I really want Ebenezers to come to Charlotte."
And there you have it. An incredible lesson in childlike faith and overwhelming generosity from an eight year old. May my faith in Jesus be so pure. We're $6.02 closer to seeing our dream become a reality.
Monday, December 26, 2011
1,050 Seeds (Ebenezers Coffeehouse)
Every Godly dream has a death before it fully comes to life. Jesus taught us this principle in John 12 as he teaches about seeds that must fall to the ground and die. The idea being communicated is simple: every seed has a hard outer shell. When a seed is planted in the ground, that outer shell "dies" as it begins to decay over time. When that outer shell is gone, the true life of that seed is released into the ground and comes to "life."
Dara and I have been dreaming of opening Ebenezers Coffeehouse (a non-profit coffeehouse & multiple use venue in Uptown) for over five years. We were thisclose last year to landing an amazing property in the heart of the city. We worked hard for ten months on plans. Walked countless thousands of steps around that property. And it all came to a screeching stop and fell through only days before it looked like we were going to get this property. The dream died. And I cried. Literally.
Four months (and no activity or plans being made) later, I got a random check in the mail. It was from a friend of Center City Church that had attended for a short season. She was now living in Tennessee and she wrote me a note:
"Pastor David, I wanted to be one of the first to invest into the dream to see Ebenezers come to Uptown Charlotte." Included in that envelope was a check for $50. I teared up and realized that this dream still had a pulse.
Fast forward 4 months. I just sat in a meeting this past week with two businessmen in our community that are incredibly supportive of our vision. After that meeting, I got an email from another out-of-state friend:
"I want to give $1,000 toward this (Ebenezers). It isn't much, but I want to sow a seed."
Every dream has to die before it can truly come to life. And now there are 1,050 seeds that have been planted into this vision. I believe with all my heart that we are about to see an incredible miracle of God's provision. And it all started with a random $50 check and a $1,000 email from two out of state friends.
What seeds are you planting into the dreams of others today?
Dara and I have been dreaming of opening Ebenezers Coffeehouse (a non-profit coffeehouse & multiple use venue in Uptown) for over five years. We were thisclose last year to landing an amazing property in the heart of the city. We worked hard for ten months on plans. Walked countless thousands of steps around that property. And it all came to a screeching stop and fell through only days before it looked like we were going to get this property. The dream died. And I cried. Literally.
Four months (and no activity or plans being made) later, I got a random check in the mail. It was from a friend of Center City Church that had attended for a short season. She was now living in Tennessee and she wrote me a note:
"Pastor David, I wanted to be one of the first to invest into the dream to see Ebenezers come to Uptown Charlotte." Included in that envelope was a check for $50. I teared up and realized that this dream still had a pulse.
Fast forward 4 months. I just sat in a meeting this past week with two businessmen in our community that are incredibly supportive of our vision. After that meeting, I got an email from another out-of-state friend:
"I want to give $1,000 toward this (Ebenezers). It isn't much, but I want to sow a seed."
Every dream has to die before it can truly come to life. And now there are 1,050 seeds that have been planted into this vision. I believe with all my heart that we are about to see an incredible miracle of God's provision. And it all started with a random $50 check and a $1,000 email from two out of state friends.
What seeds are you planting into the dreams of others today?
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas in the City
I want to personally invite anyone from the blogosphere to join us at 7pm tonight for Christmas in the City - a one hour candlelight Christmas service. We will be meeting at a beautiful, 100 year old church in the heart of Uptown Charlotte called Grace on Brevard.
The venue is located between 3rd Street & 4th Street along Brevard Street (near the Time Warner Cable Arena). I would love for you to join us as we celebrate this Christmas and enjoy our final gathering of 2011 together! This is a perfect opportunity to bring a friend to hear the message of Jesus and share a memorable evening in our beautiful city.
There is free parking starting at 6:30pm directly next to the venue.
Click here for directions to Grace on Brevard.
Hope to see you tonight!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Charlotte Family Housing
Check out this article on Charlotte Family Housing. We are privileged to partner with their aim to end family homelessness in our city. This has been one of the most eye-opening experiences in my life. CFH is holistically helping families break the cycle of poverty. Absolutely love and respect the people that are doing this great work.
Click the link to read more about their new shelter that just opened at a local church in our community. http://ow.ly/86HvP
Click the link to read more about their new shelter that just opened at a local church in our community. http://ow.ly/86HvP
Monday, December 12, 2011
28 Nice Things
This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen, and a beautiful representation of the life and love that comes from the heart of someone that loves Jesus with all their heart. Our dear friend, Lauren, decided to do "28 nice things" for her 28th birthday.
Instead of getting presents from her friends, she asked her friends to partner with her to love and serve our community in 28 different ways. So cool. Click the link to see for yourself. So inspiring.
Instead of getting presents from her friends, she asked her friends to partner with her to love and serve our community in 28 different ways. So cool. Click the link to see for yourself. So inspiring.
Some Things I Believe
I believe in the unlimited power of God.
I believe that Jesus saved me, set me free and changed my life.
I believe that Jesus loves you, no matter what you have done or where you have been.
I believe that there is no sin to great to make us unworthy of God's love or forgiveness.
I believe that our love for Jesus is the most important relationship we could ever cultivate.
I believe that time spent with Jesus, just sitting in stillness, silence and quiet is the most important break we can take in our crazy lives.
I believe that spending time with Jesus alone should lead us to love and serve others.
I believe that loving and serving others can be very difficult, frustrating and inconvenient.
I believe that loving and serving others represents, physically, the love and servant's heart of Jesus for all to see.
I believe in you.
I believe Jesus is calling you to a relationship with him.
If you don't know him, give him a chance. You won't regret it.
If you do know him, there's more of him to know.
I believe you were created to make a lasting difference in this world.
I believe in Jesus.
I believe that Jesus saved me, set me free and changed my life.
I believe that Jesus loves you, no matter what you have done or where you have been.
I believe that there is no sin to great to make us unworthy of God's love or forgiveness.
I believe that our love for Jesus is the most important relationship we could ever cultivate.
I believe that time spent with Jesus, just sitting in stillness, silence and quiet is the most important break we can take in our crazy lives.
I believe that spending time with Jesus alone should lead us to love and serve others.
I believe that loving and serving others can be very difficult, frustrating and inconvenient.
I believe that loving and serving others represents, physically, the love and servant's heart of Jesus for all to see.
I believe in you.
I believe Jesus is calling you to a relationship with him.
If you don't know him, give him a chance. You won't regret it.
If you do know him, there's more of him to know.
I believe you were created to make a lasting difference in this world.
I believe in Jesus.
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