6 posts tagged “staff thoughts”
Gene Jennings came on board TrueNorth Church towards the end of our second year. He is the Campus Pastor at the North Augusta location, and has been waiting for a church like ours in the area for a long time. Gene took a few minutes to talk about this, as well as share his thoughts on TNC's fifth birthday this weekend.
1. What does TrueNorth Church turning five mean to you?
TNC is literally a dream come true for me. I dreamed of this type of church in North Augusta when I was in seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1987. I prayed for it. I told God it would be great if I could be a part of it, but my ultimate prayer was that someone would see the need and start a church with a contemporary approach to ministry. I knew North Augusta was ready and ripe for this kind of church. God sent Steve Davis to start it. 19 years later (2006), I was asked to be a part of TNC. It’s been a great ride so far.
2. How has God used TNC on Sunday mornings to make an impact?
Obviously, our approach to ministry is a huge reason why we’ve impacted so many lives. Our casual style and contemporary music is attractive to people. We’ve taken the mystery out of worshipping God and made it more practical and relevant. Steve’s teaching style is engaging and easy to understand. We work hard to avoid “church lingo.” Our volunteers are awesome and their energy and excitement creates a mood of expectancy before each service. One thing is for sure, you never know what might happen at TNC on a Sunday morning!
We’ve baptized (dunk’d) in the neighborhood of 500 people in 5 years. That is almost unheard of! God has blessed us incredibly.
3. What are some of your favorite things about TNC on Sunday mornings?
Seeing people that I’ve known for years at TNC. When I began praying about this church 22 years ago, I knew that there were people that I went to school with, taught during my brief career as a teacher, and knew through other connections that desperately needed to be a part of Christ’s family. To be honest, there are some that I would have never thought I’d see in church but, sure enough, they come to TNC and worship Jesus. That is so cool.
I also love watching and listening to my son, Cliff, lead worship.
4. Where do you see God taking Sunday mornings at TNC in the future?
We will continue to transition our communication and worship style in a way that is relevant to the culture. Being culturally relevant is an important value at TNC. How that will flesh itself out exactly, I don’t know. But don’t expect the same old thing. TrueNorth will be different in five more years. We don’t want to get stuck in a rut like, unfortunately, so many churches have done. A.W. Tozer, a great pastor, writer, and theologian of the 20th century, said that the problem with churches is that they perform the rote, get stuck in a rut, and then they rot.
We don’t want that to happen here.
You can check out more of Gene's thoughts on his blog.
Join us for all the 5 Year Anniversary festivites THIS weekend, starting off with DUNK'D at Riverwalk Amphitheater this Saturday at 7:30 PM (tailgaiting starting at 5), and then our 5th birthday celebration Sunday morning, where there will be a FACEDOWN communion service and a BIG announcement! TNC, LET'S PARTY!
When he's not hopping a plane to Guatemala, dropping off school supplies or getting the occasional amount of sleep, Mike Fiedler, Missions Pastor at TrueNorth Church, is often seen around the TNC campus connecting with people. If it has to do with Global, Regional or Local Impact, Mike is all over it, and he wants you to be all over it, too! God is doing amazing things through missions at TrueNorth. Read what Mike says about what's been going on, what's ahead, and his thoughts on the fifth birthday of TNC.
1. What does TrueNorth Church turning five mean to you?
Well, for starters, it means it's been five years since a friend asked me why North Augusta needed another church. I think the answer remains true today--North Augusta didn't need another church, as there remain many great churches here, but it needed a different church. That is, of course, a church specially designed with the "unchurched" person in mind. A church where someone who is far from God could walk away on a Sunday morning saying, "I'm not sure I believe it all, I'm not even sure I understand it all, but I certainly felt welcome and accepted." A church where someone could walk away saying "I certainty enjoyed that." A church where someone could walk away saying "I had no idea the Bible was so practical."
I think we have done an extraordinary job at becoming that place, so to me turning five means we have to work even harder at remaining that place. We have to work even harder at remembering that to reach those no one else is reaching, we must continue to do things no one else is doing. We have to work even harder at continuing to stay as focused on those we are trying reach as we are on those we are trying to keep. For me, turning five means we have to work even harder at not becoming complacent and comfortable.
2. How has God used Missions at TrueNorth Church to make an impact?
Wow.... it would be real easy to talk about our local impact with 2nd Saturday, Adopt-a-Block and Link'd Up. It would be even easier to talk about how we not only send teams to Guatemala, but with our reverse mission strategy, how we bring in teams of Guatemalns to work in the CSRA as well.
But what I really want to say is this: I truly belive the greatest impact we are making are ones we'll never be able to measure while still on this earth. Picture this, hundreds of villiagers from some city in Mexico you have never even heard of surrounding you in Heaven and thanking you because they are there because you "sacrificed" one summer evening and visited a migrant workers' camp in Johnston, SC. Wow! To this day, one of my greatest memories of doing missions at TNC is when at the end of the summer one of the ladies asked if she could take the video curriculum they had studied back to her village with her.
Also, at this very moment, there are water systems in Myanmar, among other places, that were built by TNCers at Water Missions International in Charleston, SC. Can you imagine being surrounded in Heaven by thousands of Burmese people shouting, thank you for going to the beach, thank you for going to the beach, we're in heaven because you spent a week one summer in James Island, SC working at WMI!
3. What are some of your favorite things about TNC Missions?
I love that we have so many TNCers willing to leave their jobs, friends and families for a week or more and travel to other cities and countries to work with our church and ministry partners. I also love that these people usually have such a great experience that they choose to go on trips year after year.
4. Where do you see God taking TNC Missions in the future?
We are currently committing ALOT of prayer to the following three areas:
1. Locally - That the cultural and racial barriers that divide the local churches in our area would cease to exsit so we could unite together to make an even greater impact in our community. Just this week I heard Craig Groeschel put it this way, "churches should not compete with one another, they should complete one another." Paul puts it another way in Ephesians 4 Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people.2. Regionally - We are praying that the people of TrueNorth would become insanely passionate about being on the forefront of putting an end to the global water crisis through our groundbreaking partnership with www.Whatifthechurch.Us The crisis is real. It steals the lives of 5,500 people each day- more than war, natural disasters, aids or even hunger. Yet, it rarely makes the headlines in the newspaper, nor does it circulate in water cooler conversations in the workplace. It is a silent killer - one that quietly preys on the world’s most marginalized and forgotten people.
- One out of every eight people in the world, roughly 884 million, lacks access to safe water. (WHO/UNICEF)
- At least 2.6 billion people, about 41 percent of the global population, do not have access to latrines or any sort of basic sanitation facilities. (UN WATER)
- 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 5000 deaths a day, one every 20 seconds. (UNDP)
- Water-related diseases caused by unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation remain humanity’s most serious public health threat, causing 90% of the sicknesses in developing countries. (WHO)
- Providing water and hygiene education reduces the number of deaths caused by diarrhoeal diseases by an average of 65%. (WHO)
- 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related diseases. (UNDP)
- At any given time, half the population of the developing world is suffering from one or more of the main diseases associated with inadequate provision of water and sanitation. (UNDP)
3. Internationally - Early discussions by the TNC mission core-group placed emphasis on obedience to the words of our Lord expressed in the first chapter of the book of Acts, verse eight, which say that we will be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Guidelines established for identifying a location for our “ends of the earth” initiative has prompted us to narrow our focus to the 10/40 Region of unreached people groups, and more specifically, those of Muslim background. Subsequently, we looked at two areas. One was South Asia because of connections we had with Cedar Creek of Aiken, SC, and El Camino of Guatemala City and in respect of their ongoing efforts to reach those of Muslim background in that region. The other area we considered was South East Asia where D.A., J.A. and G.M. had extensive experience and considerable contacts with Kingdom workers. After several visits to both regions, it has been accepted that our connections, now strengthened by a relationship with Water Missions International and their workers in the area, are stronger in SE Asia. Therefore, our “ends of the earth” focus should be on the "Don" people of that area.
In surveying this estimated group of 3-4 million Muslims we working to narrow the focus to one or two villages near Major City, known to our contact, GM. Being roughly translated as such, we refer to this area as Pumpkin Beach.
It is our hope and prayer that we at TrueNorth Church will have “purpose in our hearts:”
- To have firsthand involvement in an “ends of the earth” initiative (Acts 1:8).
- Our initiative should focus on a traditionally Muslim unreached people group.
- This criterion aligns with the Don people of SE Asia. Our strengths and experience as a church best fit this group. Therefore, may we have purpose to narrow our focus to reaching this people group.
- Further, we have identified an area of need where indigenous workers have been prepared. May we purpose to narrow our focus to village level (adopt-a-block style), focusing our work on a couple of sights in or around the area known as Pumpkin Beach.
Let us have purpose to direct our initial outreach on self-sustaining community development (i.e. water purification, micro-enterprise, health education and medical clinics, etc.).
Through this interaction may we have purpose to identify persons of peace who will form a nucleus for the church planting movement among the Dons of SE Asia.
May we have purpose in our hearts to accept this role as a divine appointment, by God’s good grace, with unrelentingly intent to pursue it until He clearly shows us otherwise.
Join us for all the 5 Year Anniversary festivites THIS weekend, starting off with DUNK'D at Riverwalk Amphitheater this Saturday at 7:30 PM (tailgaiting starting at 5), and then our 5th birthday celebration Sunday morning, where there will be a FACEDOWN communion service and a BIG announcement! TNC, LET'S PARTY!
If you're a parent of a child between the ages of six weeks and five years at TrueNorth Church, Journey Land is likely a big part of the TNC experience for you. Today's staff thoughts are from Nina Fiedler, Director of Journey Land. See what she has to say about our fifth birthday and all God is doing in Journey Land.
1. What does TrueNorth Church turning five mean to you?
TrueNorth has made such an impact in our community over the past five years. If we asked, “If TNC didn’t exist tomorrow, will we be missed?,” I believe our community would know we weren’t here anymore.
I reflect back on where we have come and ahead where we are going, from just a few families meeting in a living room, to Hammond Hill Elementary School, to now, North Augusta High School. How many people along the way have been touched by TNC? How many lives have been changed? How many people have come to know Jesus Christ?
Turning five means we still have a long way to go. It means that we have done so much. It means that we aren’t done yet. It also means that I love my church, and I love Jesus Christ’s Church. I look forward to those who will come to know us and through us Jesus. I thrive each time I hear the stories that come from Journey Teams; the relationships and the love that is poured out to each other. Nowhere have I ever seen this kind of friendship; doing life together in a REAL way.
When I attend a 2nd Saturday event or participate in any of our outreach opportunities, I am in awe of what God is doing through TrueNorth Church. The people: that’s what it’s all about. The volunteer’s, their time and love they give, it’s amazing. Or, when you see a child run up to you and open their arms so wide to give you the biggest hug ever, well, there isn’t anything better. That’s what happens at TrueNorth Church. Lives are changed. 5 years means changed lives, 6 years will mean even more lives changed. Come and See!
2. How has God used Journey Land to make an impact?
Journey Land is just one part of the puzzle at TrueNorth Church. If we didn’t have this piece, parents wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend a service on Sunday mornings. We want to partner with them in guiding their children’s first steps on the journey to knowing God. We teach them that “God made me,” “God loves me,” and “Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”
Over the years, we have seen such a huge growth in our ministry area. Families are coming, and they are bringing their children. Parents want to know that their children will be cared for. Not just cared for, but loved on, held, cuddled, nurtured and given that special attention that every child deserves. In Journey Land, we have what I consider the best of the best volunteers ever. A lot of time goes into our volunteers, asking the right questions. The reason for this is because we desire that each volunteer truly wants to be in Journey Land. Not because they feel there is a need, but because they want to be there. This makes a huge difference in the lives of our children.
We also believe that every age child is able to learn something about Jesus each time they visit with us. We are not a babysitting serve, and we take that very seriously. Babies are sung to, crawlers are read to, toddlers and two’s have age-appropriate activities and 3’s, 4’s and 5’s participate in small groups.
In my leadership training, I always share a story. In short, it goes like this: “We may only have one opportunity to share Jesus Christ with a child who walks in on Sunday morning.” Let it be our very best!
3. What are some of your favorite things about Journey Land?
I ABSOLUTELY love the children. From the first moment they walk into Journey Land, I can’t wait to see what they are going to do. Their smiling faces bring me such joy. I know the idea is for us to teach the children, but honestly, I think I learn so much more from them. I could tell you story after story about the things they say, I laugh so hard at times. I love when I can get down on their level, being silly, dancing, singing and just having a good time with them. The hugs and kisses are just the icing on the cake for me. There is truly so much more to all of it. Bottom line: I love them and they love me, just for me, silly Mrs. Nina. I couldn’t ask for anything more rewarding.
The volunteers are another thing that blows me away in Journey Land. I can’t say enough about them. Their dedication to the children, their love, commitment, energy, time, patience, and so much more is done with EXCELLENCE. They know what they do truly matters, it's serious business caring for our precious children; making sure they are safe and healthy is a very important part of Journey Land.
I, again, could tell you story after story that would show you the dedication of our volunteers in Journey Land. If you would like to read more about Journey Land volunteers you can check out our blog at http://journeyland.wordpress.com. Look for “Volunteer’s at a portable church.” Here, I share what it takes to make Journey Land happen each Sunday morning.
A few words from the blog:
It takes approximately 42 volunteer per peek to make Journey Land classrooms work. That’s with 2 volunteers in each classroom; that’s not including any production, security or check in and out volunteers. We could add an additional 20 volunteers per week possibly more. That would give us a total of approximately 62 volunteer’s each Sunday morning. Let’s not forget the set up and tear down crew not in that figure.
4. Where do you see God taking Journey Land in the future?
I see God continuing to grow us, improving us and allowing us to minister to parents and children. This takes time, energy and people. God has always provided for Journey Land. He will continue to be our main focus as we look for creative and fun ways to reach the children.
Mark 10:14-16 - The Little Children and Jesus:
'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus; guiding their first steps on the journey to knowing who their Heavenly father is; showing them that “God made me,” God Loves me” and “Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”
Join us for all the 5 Year Anniversary festivites THIS weekend, starting off with DUNK'D at Riverwalk Amphitheater this Saturday at 7:30 PM (tailgaiting starting at 5), and then our 5th birthday celebration Sunday morning, where there will be a FACEDOWN communion service and a BIG announcement! TNC, LET'S PARTY!
Tommy Wafford, Students Pastor at TrueNorth Church, talks about TNC turning five and Element Student Ministries in this video. Check it out!
Join us for all the 5 Year Anniversary festivites THIS weekend, starting off with DUNK'D at Riverwalk Amphitheater this Saturday at 7:30 PM (tailgaiting starting at 5), and then our 5th birthday celebration Sunday morning, where there will be a FACEDOWN communion service and a BIG announcement! TNC, LET'S PARTY!
As you go throughout your week, you may be spending or have already spent some time doing life together in a small group. At TrueNorth Church, we call our small groups Journey Teams, because we are all on the same journey and connect with each on that journey. Jay Knotts is the Small Groups Pastor at TrueNorth, and shares his thoughts on our fifth birthday and Journey Teams.
1. What does TrueNorth Church turning five mean to you?
I am so excited about our 5 year anniversary at TrueNorth Church. This is a great cause for celebration as we reflect on all that God has done through TNC to add to and impact His Kingdom on this earth. We are blessed and honored in a big time way to be used by Him to do this work of taking His message to the nations, beginning right here in the C.S.R.A.
The meaning of this 5 year anniversary to me is that not only do we have the opportunity to celebrate the past, but we also have a great opportunity to expand God’s vision for us in a dynamic way. This is a moment and also a path to be seized through the power of Christ within us. This is the time to offer ourselves in a fresh and vulnerable way to Christ and each other so that He can transform our hearts and unite us together for His glory and His name.
2. How has God used Journey Teams to make an impact?
We are called by God to lift up His name, to love inward with each other, and to live out the calling He has for our lives. Journey Teams are the place where this happens at TrueNorth Church. I see these small groups, which meet in homes, as the environment and the ingredients for growth and transformation for our people. If we are to live out the purposes God has for us, we cannot do it alone. We must have each other! There are countless stories of life change that have occurred within Journey Teams at TrueNorth, each one with its own unique and personal flavor.
God has also used our Journey Teams to serve together. The contagious environment of Journey Teams fuels a hunger for serving each other and the community and we have seen great sacrifice among our groups. I am looking forward to our Second Saturday Explosion in October when we will unite together like never before and make a huge Local Impact on our community.
3. What are some of your favorite things about Journey Teams?
I love how our J-Teams are committed to excellence, transformation, and significance. The great personal stories of change which emerge from each team are testimonies to their heart for God and each other.
If the greatest form of confinement for anyone who has been imprisoned is “solitary confinement”, then why do we live our lives isolated from others or live superficially with them? This brings severe pain to the human soul and impairs our ability to handle stress, to develop our identity, and to hold on to our moral beliefs. We need each other! God designed us that way. It is who He is.
4. Where do you see God taking Journey Teams in the future?
There has never been a greater moment to seize in the history of TrueNorth Church than right now. It is time to unite together. It is time to embrace the purposes of God for our lives, to Lift Up, Love In, and Love Out. This must become our heartbeat, the drumbeat of our existence, the mantra of our core being. This is why we were created. This is our purpose! This is our moment to seize!
Check in all week for interviews with the TrueNorth staff, as they share their thoughts about our church's upcoming fifth birthday and their areas of ministry. With school starting back for many today, we start off with Sheila Mendell, Director of KidzStuff, where kids haven't stopped learning and growing throughout the summer.
1. What does TrueNorth Church turning five mean to you?
TNC Birthday, whether it is a 5 year mark, a 20 year mark, or a 100 year mark, it is a time to remember and celebrate all that God has done. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is a story of remembrance and continual celebration. In Joshua 4, after God held back the water of the Jordan so that His people could cross over and claim the land that He had promised them, He gave them one more command. One man from each of the 12 tribes, go back into the middle of the Jordan and take a stone. Why? To remind every generation of Israelites of God’s greatness, His power, His love, and His provision as He took them to the place of promise. So, for me, a TNC birthday is a time to look at all the stones we have gathered along the way…the spiritual markers of God’s greatness, His power, His provision, and His unending love as he has led us to places of promise, specifically, lives that have been transformed from spiritual seekers into passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
2. How has God used KidzStuff to make an impact?
Being a part of KidzStuff is like having a front row seat to watching God impact the lives of TNC kids, KidzStuff Leaders, and the community we love. I am reminded of how God is using KidzStuff to impact the lives of our kids every time one of them is dunk’d…and every time our youth who graduated from KidzStuff comes back in to serve and lead. I smile when a leader confesses they are gaining so much more than they could have imagined by serving in KidzStuff. It’s true! Then, I am reminded of Operation Christmas, a 4 week community outreach during the Christmas season. God used KidzStuff’s Operation Christmas to provide an awesome Christmas celebration and practical provision to several families that live in Ridgeview Manor. Through KidzStuff, God opened doors to share the love of Jesus and build bridges for further ministry to our neighbors in Ridgeview.
3. What are some of your favorite things about KidzStuff?
When I sit back and try to narrow down one favorite part of KidzStuff, I find it impossible!! Every piece of what we do has significant purpose…from the freeplay time of relationship building to the object lessons and games that introduce the points, to worship and memory verse moves, to teaching truth that transforms in kid relevant ways. And then there is our small group time where the kids have a chance to explore through small groups what the lesson means to them personally. It makes me smile when the kids know God’s word, but it really makes me smile when they share personal application…how God is working in them and through them as a result of the truth God is writing on their heart in KidzStuff. I have to admit, I do love it when they beg their parents to bring them back!!
4. Where do you see God taking KidzStuff in the future?
As I think about where I would like to see God take KidzStuff in the future, it isn’t the “bells and whistles” (although those things are good) that comes to mind. It is for God to create greater opportunities for our families to share spiritual discussions, application, and worship throughout the week. We have made a couple of moves in that direction by creating the KidzStuff Blog that is updated weekly with devotions that line up with what the kids have learned. Parents can visit the blog and learn together. We also try to periodically introduce worship songs that are also introduced in adult worship. The kids can teach their parents all the fun moves so they can have fun while they worship. The next big step to creating greater opportunities for shared worship experiences for our families is to line our curriculum up with the teaching of adult service. Many man hours and resources are required…which begins with much prayer and readiness to act as God drops the breadcrumbs along the way.
