Love you all!
Allie and the Fresno Campus Staff
Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's April Y'all!!!
Hey Team!! April starts tomorrow and the countdown is on! Only 23 days left until the show launches! Here is a calendar of days we are planning on heading out into our community. As Pastor Rick said in his post earlier this week, we are desperate for souls to be saved in this valley... I challenge you to keep your shirt clean and in your car ready for "activation". It could come in the form of a text message, a phone call or on one of these planned days. As you saw in the video from yesterday, we are already out and about hitting the pavement and we have noticed that the more shirts there are, the more people wonder what we are doing. Whether you are outgoing or shy, this is YOUR valley! ARE YOU DESPERATE? Let's get 'em guys!
Love you all!
Allie and the Fresno Campus Staff
Love you all!
Allie and the Fresno Campus Staff
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Desperate For Souls
Ok team,
When was the last time you were desperate for something? I mean really deperate, as if life and death hinged on your efforts or lack thereof. Pastor Randy said something to us the other day that really caused me to re evaluate my thinking. He said "we need to be desperate for reaching lost souls." I honestly dont think I've been desperate for a cause before. In an effort to make this adjustment I have aggressively searched for a better understanding of this. I'd like to share with you what has impacted me thusfar. The word desperate means this:
DESPERATE: (adj) having an urgent need, desire, making a final, ultimate effort, giving all.
Now in light of this definition, read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 in the "Message" Translation.
19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
I hope this helps you adjust your thinking in being desperate for souls. Lets be on mission wherever we are. Love you
Rick and the Fresno Campus Staff
When was the last time you were desperate for something? I mean really deperate, as if life and death hinged on your efforts or lack thereof. Pastor Randy said something to us the other day that really caused me to re evaluate my thinking. He said "we need to be desperate for reaching lost souls." I honestly dont think I've been desperate for a cause before. In an effort to make this adjustment I have aggressively searched for a better understanding of this. I'd like to share with you what has impacted me thusfar. The word desperate means this:
DESPERATE: (adj) having an urgent need, desire, making a final, ultimate effort, giving all.
Now in light of this definition, read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 in the "Message" Translation.
19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
I hope this helps you adjust your thinking in being desperate for souls. Lets be on mission wherever we are. Love you
Rick and the Fresno Campus Staff
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Hello Team!
HELLO Fresno Campus Volunteers! Allie here! I just wanted to say THANK YOU! With your help and prayers, hundreds of lives were touched by God this past weekend and their lives will never be the same! As I stood over by KIC watching as families came to have an encounter with God this weekend, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride well up inside of me as I watched many of you escorted people across the parking lot with umbrellas. Many of you had wet feet and cold hands as you sacrificed your own comfort to touch the people coming onto the Fresno Campus. This past weekend, we had an amazing amount of connect cards turned in and I am confident that those decisions had a lot to do with the experience that the people had beginning as soon as they drove their cars onto the campus. From parking cars to passing the offering buckets to ministering to kids, God uses EVERYTHING that you do to draw people unto Himself. I am so excited for what lies before us as we continue to grow and are able to influence a greater amount of people on the Northwest side of Fresno. The new Fresno building sits before us waiting to be the stomping grounds for numerous signs, wonders and miracles.
Don’t lose sight of the promises that were spoken to the body of Celebration; salvation of 21,000 people, a Latino revival and freedom in the valley! The mandate of Celebration gets even more defined as direction comes to the leadership of Celebration. Thank you for your patience and support as we change and develop the structure of Celebration to connect to what God is doing and is going to do through us in this valley. Your involvement in the ministry teams of Celebration and what you do within your own personal realm of influence is an integral part of achieving that mandate. Without your prayers and dedication, it would be much harder for Celebration to do what it does and reach as many people as we are able to. Each weekend, the names of the people that give their lives to Christ are on your account. The breakthrough that you are believing and asking God for is right around the corner. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13 that when we seek God we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart. Continue to run after God! God is so much bigger than the problems that you are facing. Your decision to give God your time, talent and treasure is at work for you; even at this very moment as you are reading this.
Again, THANK YOU for everything that you are doing week in and week out. I am honored to be a part of the team that is impacting lives here at the Fresno Campus. Be in GREAT expectation for this coming weekend. New people ARE going to be on campus and people ARE going to be healed, delivered and set free.
It is going to be a great weekend! See you Sunday!
Allie and the Fresno Campus staff
Don’t lose sight of the promises that were spoken to the body of Celebration; salvation of 21,000 people, a Latino revival and freedom in the valley! The mandate of Celebration gets even more defined as direction comes to the leadership of Celebration. Thank you for your patience and support as we change and develop the structure of Celebration to connect to what God is doing and is going to do through us in this valley. Your involvement in the ministry teams of Celebration and what you do within your own personal realm of influence is an integral part of achieving that mandate. Without your prayers and dedication, it would be much harder for Celebration to do what it does and reach as many people as we are able to. Each weekend, the names of the people that give their lives to Christ are on your account. The breakthrough that you are believing and asking God for is right around the corner. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13 that when we seek God we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart. Continue to run after God! God is so much bigger than the problems that you are facing. Your decision to give God your time, talent and treasure is at work for you; even at this very moment as you are reading this.
Again, THANK YOU for everything that you are doing week in and week out. I am honored to be a part of the team that is impacting lives here at the Fresno Campus. Be in GREAT expectation for this coming weekend. New people ARE going to be on campus and people ARE going to be healed, delivered and set free.
It is going to be a great weekend! See you Sunday!
Allie and the Fresno Campus staff
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Obedience Provides Opportunities
Hey Team!
I hope your week is going well. I wanted to share with you guys an experience I just had that has really challenged my thinking in regards to ministering to people in our community. This experience has helped me see the push from God to reach people a little more clearly and my hope is that it will help you identify those moments for yourself when God places them in front of you.
Yesterday I woke up a little earlier than normal and thought to myself, "I feel like grabbing food on the way to work today and a coffee to boot." So on my way to the church, I made a stop by the Starbucks on Palm and Herndon. I first went into Starbucks to order my drink because if there's anything I learned about Starbucks, its that it is one of the busiest businesses to visit during the morning hours. My thinking was to order the drink and then sneak over to Subway for breakfast while it was being made. So after ordering, I went next door to Subway because I absolutely love their breakfast sandwiches on flatbread. If you haven't had one, I would seriously encourage you to try it because it's flippin amazing! When I walked in, there was a little old lady in front of me just beginning to order her sandwich. She looked about 70+ years of age but did not look feeble or weak by any means. She reminded me a bit of Betty White in apperance but not so in personality. She was quiet and to herself but kind looking with a smile on her face and a gentle demeanor. Mind you, this is all first impression. While her sandwich was being made, I found myself analyzing and checking my spirit man asking God if there was anything I needed to do while I was in the store...
Before I continue as to what happened, I want to give a little background on what God had been dealing with me about prior to this. About two weeks ago, God began to remind me of some things that I used to do very well when I first began to passionately pursue Him. The thing He had me pay attention to most was my former eagerness to be used by Him wherever and whenever He saw fit. What I mean is, I used to be in the habit of asking God in my spirit man if there was anything He wanted me to do in the moment that I was currently in. I mean wherever I went I would ask Him, "God, is there anything I can do for you in this moment? Is there anyone around me right now that You want me to talk to or bless or help? Holy Spirit, Your Word says you lead and guide me into all truth and that I am your Ambassador on this planet bringing people the news of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). I am your mouthpiece and Your servant, simply speak to me and I'll do it." Every time I asked Him this, HE ALWAYS had an assignment for me, without fail. Time and time again I saw people's lives touched because of that obedience to His direction. God reminded me of those instances and how I often came to Him with a willingness to be His tool, and as a result of those reminders, it compelled me to stir that up again.
So back to the story... I asked God if there was anything that I needed to do right then in the midst of the people around me. As I looked at the lady's sandwich about to be complete, I heard in my spirit, "Buy her meal." That command sounded simple enough, but the enemy is good at throwing a bunch of negative thoughts against that to try and persuade us to be disobedient. He tried doing that with me, but after a quick 5 second check, I thought, "Cool, I get to buy her meal!" When it was finally pulled up to the cash register for purchase I said, "Ma'am, can I buy your meal?" She stumbled for words and looked at me kinda puzzled and very surprised. The following conversation went like this:
Her: "O no please you don't have to do that."
Me: "O but I would love to."
Her: "WoW...ok well thank you very much..."
Me: "Absolutely! It is very much my pleasure to be able to do so!"
Her: "What makes you want to buy my meal?"
Me: "You know......I just feel compelled to do so...."
Her: "Well thank you sir, that is very kind of you."
Me: "Absolutely, it is my pleasure."
As she began putting her money away in her purse, I swiped my card and stepped back to give her space. As I did, she turned to me and said these words, "I'll bet you didn't even know my brother just died and I'm going to his funeral right now." It was at this moment that my heart dropped and I could see tears beginning to come down her cheeks. Here's how the following conversation went:
Me: "WOW, I had no idea!......... Were you two close?"
Her: "O YES very close actually."
Me: "Im so very sorry to hear that...."
Her: "Ya in fact my sister died this year too.......It's been a rough year for me so far."
At this point, I'm at a loss for words and don't know what else to do or say, so I stepped forward and embraced her for a moment before she thanked me again for buying her sandwich. I told her of course and that I will be praying for strength and peace for her. She said thank you and said "Maybe I'll see you again at this store." I responded with a "Yes, absolutely," and watched her walk out and leave. Immediately I thought "WoW, that's what the obedience was for and the Holy Spirit checked me and showed me something about obedience that I had never seen prior to this. He showed me what my response should have been when she shared that her brother had just died. Instead of me sympathizing with her and saying "I'm so sorry", I should have said, "No, I had no idea that your brother just died, but the God whom I serve did and He asked me to buy your meal so that I could express to you how much He loves you and cares about you and sees your grief and He wants you to know that He's with YOU!" That's what she needed to hear!!! But the problem was that up to this point, I had always viewed obedience as something that I DO to show God that I'm His. I thought obedience was for me to benefit from. WRONG!!! When the Holy Spirit showed me what I should of said, I immediately saw that obedience isn't for me, it's for the person I'm reaching out to. Think about it, what opened the door for her to share her pain with me, a total stranger? MY OBEDIENCE TO SERVE HER!!! It tore down walls quicker than anything else I could have done in that moment. Obedience to God's leading is a tool that creates a moment of trust with the person you're reaching out to. That moment creates an opportunity for you to speak the Truth of God's Word to their hurting situation without any hinderances because their walls have come down.
The point of this whole event is this: We are ALWAYS on MISSION!!! Wherever we go, we should walk around with an "On Duty" mentality. WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!!! We have a hope that people need to hear about! Our mission is 2 Corinthians 5:19-20. Our obedience to God's leading is a tool that allows us to share the truth that we've received to anyone we come in contact with no matter what their background is or whether or not you can relate with them. Let's make sure that when we go about our day, wherever we are, we ask the Holy Spirit if there is an assignment that we have while we're there and if there is, understand that the obedience we display is a tool that paves the way for us to speak the love of God into someones hurting and dying situation! We are the light within our areas of influence so let's live selfless and watch God win a city through us!
Tyler and the Fresno Campus Staff
I hope your week is going well. I wanted to share with you guys an experience I just had that has really challenged my thinking in regards to ministering to people in our community. This experience has helped me see the push from God to reach people a little more clearly and my hope is that it will help you identify those moments for yourself when God places them in front of you.
Yesterday I woke up a little earlier than normal and thought to myself, "I feel like grabbing food on the way to work today and a coffee to boot." So on my way to the church, I made a stop by the Starbucks on Palm and Herndon. I first went into Starbucks to order my drink because if there's anything I learned about Starbucks, its that it is one of the busiest businesses to visit during the morning hours. My thinking was to order the drink and then sneak over to Subway for breakfast while it was being made. So after ordering, I went next door to Subway because I absolutely love their breakfast sandwiches on flatbread. If you haven't had one, I would seriously encourage you to try it because it's flippin amazing! When I walked in, there was a little old lady in front of me just beginning to order her sandwich. She looked about 70+ years of age but did not look feeble or weak by any means. She reminded me a bit of Betty White in apperance but not so in personality. She was quiet and to herself but kind looking with a smile on her face and a gentle demeanor. Mind you, this is all first impression. While her sandwich was being made, I found myself analyzing and checking my spirit man asking God if there was anything I needed to do while I was in the store...
Before I continue as to what happened, I want to give a little background on what God had been dealing with me about prior to this. About two weeks ago, God began to remind me of some things that I used to do very well when I first began to passionately pursue Him. The thing He had me pay attention to most was my former eagerness to be used by Him wherever and whenever He saw fit. What I mean is, I used to be in the habit of asking God in my spirit man if there was anything He wanted me to do in the moment that I was currently in. I mean wherever I went I would ask Him, "God, is there anything I can do for you in this moment? Is there anyone around me right now that You want me to talk to or bless or help? Holy Spirit, Your Word says you lead and guide me into all truth and that I am your Ambassador on this planet bringing people the news of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). I am your mouthpiece and Your servant, simply speak to me and I'll do it." Every time I asked Him this, HE ALWAYS had an assignment for me, without fail. Time and time again I saw people's lives touched because of that obedience to His direction. God reminded me of those instances and how I often came to Him with a willingness to be His tool, and as a result of those reminders, it compelled me to stir that up again.
So back to the story... I asked God if there was anything that I needed to do right then in the midst of the people around me. As I looked at the lady's sandwich about to be complete, I heard in my spirit, "Buy her meal." That command sounded simple enough, but the enemy is good at throwing a bunch of negative thoughts against that to try and persuade us to be disobedient. He tried doing that with me, but after a quick 5 second check, I thought, "Cool, I get to buy her meal!" When it was finally pulled up to the cash register for purchase I said, "Ma'am, can I buy your meal?" She stumbled for words and looked at me kinda puzzled and very surprised. The following conversation went like this:
Her: "O no please you don't have to do that."
Me: "O but I would love to."
Her: "WoW...ok well thank you very much..."
Me: "Absolutely! It is very much my pleasure to be able to do so!"
Her: "What makes you want to buy my meal?"
Me: "You know......I just feel compelled to do so...."
Her: "Well thank you sir, that is very kind of you."
Me: "Absolutely, it is my pleasure."
As she began putting her money away in her purse, I swiped my card and stepped back to give her space. As I did, she turned to me and said these words, "I'll bet you didn't even know my brother just died and I'm going to his funeral right now." It was at this moment that my heart dropped and I could see tears beginning to come down her cheeks. Here's how the following conversation went:
Me: "WOW, I had no idea!......... Were you two close?"
Her: "O YES very close actually."
Me: "Im so very sorry to hear that...."
Her: "Ya in fact my sister died this year too.......It's been a rough year for me so far."
At this point, I'm at a loss for words and don't know what else to do or say, so I stepped forward and embraced her for a moment before she thanked me again for buying her sandwich. I told her of course and that I will be praying for strength and peace for her. She said thank you and said "Maybe I'll see you again at this store." I responded with a "Yes, absolutely," and watched her walk out and leave. Immediately I thought "WoW, that's what the obedience was for and the Holy Spirit checked me and showed me something about obedience that I had never seen prior to this. He showed me what my response should have been when she shared that her brother had just died. Instead of me sympathizing with her and saying "I'm so sorry", I should have said, "No, I had no idea that your brother just died, but the God whom I serve did and He asked me to buy your meal so that I could express to you how much He loves you and cares about you and sees your grief and He wants you to know that He's with YOU!" That's what she needed to hear!!! But the problem was that up to this point, I had always viewed obedience as something that I DO to show God that I'm His. I thought obedience was for me to benefit from. WRONG!!! When the Holy Spirit showed me what I should of said, I immediately saw that obedience isn't for me, it's for the person I'm reaching out to. Think about it, what opened the door for her to share her pain with me, a total stranger? MY OBEDIENCE TO SERVE HER!!! It tore down walls quicker than anything else I could have done in that moment. Obedience to God's leading is a tool that creates a moment of trust with the person you're reaching out to. That moment creates an opportunity for you to speak the Truth of God's Word to their hurting situation without any hinderances because their walls have come down.
The point of this whole event is this: We are ALWAYS on MISSION!!! Wherever we go, we should walk around with an "On Duty" mentality. WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!!! We have a hope that people need to hear about! Our mission is 2 Corinthians 5:19-20. Our obedience to God's leading is a tool that allows us to share the truth that we've received to anyone we come in contact with no matter what their background is or whether or not you can relate with them. Let's make sure that when we go about our day, wherever we are, we ask the Holy Spirit if there is an assignment that we have while we're there and if there is, understand that the obedience we display is a tool that paves the way for us to speak the love of God into someones hurting and dying situation! We are the light within our areas of influence so let's live selfless and watch God win a city through us!
Tyler and the Fresno Campus Staff
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Lucky Strike
Listen up y'all! Are you single and sick of it? Are you fed up with always being the third wheel? Well, guess what!?! You aren't alone! Celebration is hosting something called "The Lucky Strike" for all the lonely or not so lonely single people out there. It is Sunday, March 20th. Come find true love, a brand new friend or just have a blast bowling. Sign up this weekend at the table in the outdoor lobby. The cost is just $20. Hey... You never know, anything could happen.......!
Friday, March 4, 2011
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