I am back in the office today after an amazing weekend in church. I have to admit that the time change did impact the attendance but not the Spirit of God moving in our midst. It was a special time in God as so many responded to the message of Christ this past week. In fact my team just informed that 83 people got right with God in our worship experiences! It never gets old to see people come to Christ.
Also, during the 8:30 experience I felt led to buy everyone Starbucks right after the experience. Little did I know that people would take me up on it! We packed out the Starbucks as the line was out the door and wrapped around the building. There was a buzz and excitement as people were blown away at what we were doing. Guests were saying they had never been to a church that gave them something and that they were coming back after receiving such generosity. Remember, generosity is not a bucket but a lifestyle.
Then during the 11:45 worship experience, I felt led to buy ribs for everyone who would come to Lucilles's BBQ restaurant following church. Before we left we saw 25 people come to Christ and then follow us to Lucilles. I did not know that hundreds of people would show up and over run Lucille's. The management was overwhelmed but worked with us. They could not believe that I was paying for everything for everyone. When I got the bill I could not believe I was paying for it either! Then a guy stepped up and said he felt God nudge him to split the cost with me and I said Praise God!
One thing I learned is that generosity shows God is at work in all of us. The New Testament Church was known as a generous church. Believe me we did not do this as a gimmick but rather as a response to God's prompting.
I want to thank my team who stepped up to a 'Whole Nutha Level' and pulled it off. I am excited to see what happens this week in church.
Check out some of the pics.
Life of a Pastor,
Benny Perez