Why are we in a mall and a movie theater?




Overflow Friends,


Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support and please know that God is doing much as a result here in the area. I have never experienced anything as stretching as this, but at the same time as rewarding and as strengthening to my faith as we see God on the move and at work.

I wanted to answer the question why we are in a mall and a movie theater in this post with a simple statement and story:

The reason we have located in a mall and movie theater first and foremost is because that is truly where we believe God has led us and we can see so clearly why. We know that these two locations are the most neutral and integrated in the area and that they are also frequented by many who do not know Jesus. As Christ went to people throughout the gospels and engaged them right where they are we see the same happening here. Every day we have the opportunity to share a smile and God's love with people that may not know Jesus or have been estranged from him for some time. Here is an excerpt from an email (with permission) I received in the last couple of weeks:

"thanks for replying to my email and yes it was fate and the god's work that brought me to the church via you being at the mall. how funny, the motto is the church for the thirsty and I was thirsty for water that day and didn't even know that I was thirsty for jesus to come back in my life." (Amy Adams through email 6/19/08)
What an answer to prayer and the question why are we in a mall and movie theater! We also had a new family attend our Worship Celebration this past Sunday that heard about us from the movie theater and decided to come visit......God is on the move and doing it in a way that engages people right where they are at.

It is the church being the church and taking Jesus beyond the walls.....Overflowing into our community and world.

Please continue to pray for God's work to continue and for:
  • Praise: we now have a prayer director (Rose Hunt-Redd) and look forward to this new prayer ministry developing. May we be a prayer saturated church!
  • Our staff and leadership: wisdom, unity, balance in life and family
  • Our mall space: God's presence, peace, and power to be evident and to continue to reach new people
  • Our Worship Celebrations: growth and life change through God's spirit
Thank you for continuing to pray, support, and journey with us! In Pursuit, Brian
Phil 1:21

posted by Brian @ 11:24 AM, ,




6/10/08: Welcome to the Family!

What an incredible night we had tonight as God brought a 20-year-old female into His family at the Health Club where I work part-time. It was truly an awesome experience to be a part of and once again showed me how incredible God is and how capable He is of doing so much more than we can ever imagine!

Here is the story: This young lady (she is 20 and a college student home on break for the summer) started attending Overflow with her family about a month ago. Recently they stopped into the mall over the weekend and I discovered that she was a college tennis player and taking lessons with my brother in law Mark at the Health Club and that she was also interested in working on her fitness. We set up a first meeting for tonight at the club after her tennis lesson and that is where the story really begins.

We sat down outside at a picnic table to talk about her fitness goals, but before we really got started we talked about church music, Overflow, and her story with God. It became very clear that God was, and had been, moving in her life for some time and that she was in fact ready to receive and follow Jesus. We prayed together right there at the picnic table and she turned her life over to Christ! It was truly an awesome moment and one in which we will never forget and all of heaven was celebrating with us!

I hope this encourages you that God is at work through your prayers and support and that God is very much on the move here in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph! Please continue to keep this young lady in your prayers during the days to come. She has already indicated an interest in Baptism this summer and joining a college age life group. It is exciting to see how on fire she is!

I am so thankful for each and everyone of you and praise God for our team that continues to journey with Overflow!

In Pursuit,

Brian

posted by Brian @ 11:23 PM, ,