It is the simple things that can really make a difference. Last weekend, we had over 100 volunteers serving in a simple way - just fixing up cars and loving on people while they waited. Car preps aren’t anything new for us, but I’m just beginning to see just how true it is that they are some of the greatest investments we make in this field we serve in called Baton Rouge. We’ve been getting some amazing feedback from the day. DeLynn read one testimony in last weekend’s service at Highland. Here’s another one:

I just wanted to thank everyone for being there on Saturday. I had a dilemma in which my car would not start that morning. I had plans to go to Walmart to buy cake mix so I could bake a birthday cake for my twin sons before 2pm. I was able to jump my car off and start looking for someplace to look at it for me. I found a small repair shop in Gonzales and they wanted $89 to hook it up to diagnostics…. I told them thank you and left.

I had my two sons with me, who were complaining they were hungry. I was very stressed and nervous and upset. Number one, I didn’t have time for this issue. Number two, I didn’t have the extra money to pay for repairs that day.

I decided to go to [another car shop] on Highland Road. When approaching HPC, I noticed black and white checkered “things” all over the place. My thoughts were … “no way” - it was that day. The day they were there for the single women. I felt a warmth come over me, as I know it was Jesus. Tears welled up in my eyes. I turned in and pulled up to the first table. I was asked, “what time was your appointment?” I began crying, telling them that I did not have an appointment. I explained my car issues and that I was afraid to kill the car, knowing it wouldn’t start again. They told me it would be just fine and assisted my children and me into the church. To my amazement, there were women everywhere, food and services especially for women. I still felt like it was Jesus and He was holding on to me that morning, to help me through. It took me 30 minutes to quit crying and we prayed when I regained myself. I told my two sons that Jesus even came to them, because they were hungry and there was food! Wonderful food which they helped themselves to, of course (they are 10 years old).

That day was wonderful and Jesus brought me to that very place. I knew of this wonderful thring the church did, but never paid attention because even though I’m a single mom, and yes I do struggle financially, I felt it would benefit someone else who might need it more than me. This day, it was me.

Thanks, Ray Aucoin, JP Brumfield, Jeff Rentz – just to mention a few - there are dozens of others – you know who you are. All glory to God.

There are a lot of things I’ve been thinking about today - actually woke up this morning with the thought, “Gosh, I really like this… and this… and this…” Here’s a few of the things I’m noticing that I really like today:

• Mark Batterson - class act, super-smart, great author… gave me really helpful advice on the book I’m writing right now (”Servolution”). I really like that guy.
• Coaching First Base - I have two words: “Steal!” and “Run!” I like that role.
• Mother’s Day - It is a well-deserved day in my opinion. I like moms.
• Gary Simons, Tony Perkins, Jonathan Falwell - These guys all rocked at the FRC Pastors’ gathering in Washington DC this week. I’ve been great friends with Gary and Tony for a long time and Jonathan is a new friend - I really like those guys.
• Grits - No matter what Paul Scanlon says, I’m eating them and loving them (but I still do like Paul and the killer church he pastors in the UK).
• My new Macbook - It’s black. It’s bad. Yeah, I’m a mac guy… u want some???
• One Prayer - What a God thing - it makes me like LifeChurch.tv even more for their stinkin’ unselfish heart.
• The Catalyst Conference - Do they put out the coolest stuff or what? They’ve even got enough faith to ask us to do a workshop. I like that kind of faith.
• This great book by the one and only Joyce Meyer, “How to Succeed at Being Yourself” - massively freeing. Go Joyce!
• The mercy of God that stood beside my bed this morning to say, “I’m here for you today.” Wow… Now I really really like that because I so need it!!!

What do you like today about your life?

I am back from England, and it is so good to be home. I had an incredible time with some great friends from across the pond. I’ve been flipping through a few magazines since I’ve been home and have come across some cool stuff in three magazines you should check out:

1. J. John, another great friend of Healing Place Church, is on the cover of the latest Outreach Magazine. J. John is such a dynamic personality and gives such a clear, precise presentation of the Gospel wherever he goes.

2. The latest Willow Creek magazine features Healing Place and a little bit about how we do multi-site church - what an honor. We say it all the time around here, but it’s just a fact - HPC is one church in many locations. If you are a Willow Creek member check out the latest magazine, if not you can read the article here.

3. I was looking through Fortune Small Business magazine and came across an article about “The Best Places to Live and Launch in 2008″. It makes me think of the list of ARC church plants from 2007 and those that will be planted in 2008. It amazes me to know that at the rate of one new ARC church plant every 12 days, it will not be long before we’ve launched in these cities, too.

The train station on our way from London to Leeds

Jerry Shirer, Kevin Mawae, Greg Taylor, Lee Domingue, Rob Ketterling, and in front, Logan and Conner Ketterling

Kevin Mawae and Julio Melara

My girl and I and a whole slew of friends went to the London Hillsong Colour Chick Conference. Very cool city, a premier church, and some wonderful people. Again I have been reminded of the amazingness of God - the thought that He cares for every single person of the planet all at the same time, whether in a kicking church service, or hanging out by Big Ben, or in a train station going to the English countryside… there are people that matter to God and that He loves. It’s a whirlwind of thoughts.

So, we ate well, shopping here is pretty strong, and now it’s off to Bradford to Abundant Life Church. Another first for me: North England ministry time. But I miss my Highland posse. Be home shortly.

Cheers.

driz

I never would have thought I would arrive at a point in life where I would be so happy to see pictures of concrete being poured!

Concrete trucks at the HPC St. Amant Campus.

Concrete poured for the St. Amant expansion.

These shots were taken yesterday of an expansion of Healing Place Church’s St. Amant Campus. This is where our Spanish Campus is located and also St. Amant Campus services, in English. Yeah, figure that one out. I love how God works. The expansion will be used for so many things, but all for one purpose - to reach more souls for Christ.

HPC is one church, many locations. Even as we continue to give sacrificially to build the Healing Place Church Arena, on Highland Road, we have added other campuses and locations, in other cities, states and countries. It is so cool to see the continuation of the HPC Arena and at the same time, two new campuses coming to life at our Baton Rouge Dream Center and HPC Swaziland. Thank you, Jesus and thank you HPC.

From the first year of my experience in Baton Rouge, I have always loved a part of our city which is known as North Baton Rouge. It is full of wonderful people and great opportunities to share the love of Jesus.

Today, 23 years later, we launched Sunday services at the Baton Rouge Dream Center on Winbourne Avenue. Our team did a great great job as nearly 200 people came to be a part of it all. Adam Hymel preached a great message about the woman at the well in John 4, and how her life was changed because Jesus was there. We remind each other all the time here at Healing Place Church that “Jesus is here; anything can happen.” Adam made a great point: her “anything” happened because Jesus was there.

So today is another first for HPC - another win for the Kingdom - another site for Healing Place Church where God is going to get all the glory.