We’re in a series at HPC that I’m totally convinced is right on time for our fragmented world today. TOGETHER is a look at the need we all have to be connected AND committed to each other as people… especially people in the body of Christ – a spiritual family. If you haven’t caught this series yet, you can watch it online in our online sermons site (click the image below to see part 1).

This past weekend we opened up something we’ve never done at HPC before: MEMBERSHIP. We feel that it is something that we’re ready to take that step into – taking a stand with each other as a spiritual family, committing to serve, support, and strengthen each other.

Check out the page we’ve set up for those who want to get on board right off the start – it’s a membership covenant, and for those who are part of the HPC family already you can sign the covenant online and also sign up for a membership class as well. Click the image below to go to that site.

When I read the book of Acts, one of the things that stands out to me is how the New Testament Church got after it with spreading the Gospel. They sent out missionaries, planted churches near and far, and literally took the message of salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ throughout their world.

That’s always been our prayer, and our ultimate goal for Healing Place Church – to spread the Gospel by whatever means we can. And in 17 years God has given us tremendous favor and opportunities to reach people. We’ve added multiple services, multiple locations, and helped plant other churches in our area and around the world. God has allowed us to establish campuses in our city, in Texas, and two in Africa, and to send out several of our staff from Baton Rouge to serve in those campuses and other churches. We’ve used video on a big screen, and we’re using video on computer screens via the internet. Tons of methods for spreading the Word.

Just a few weeks ago we were blessed to be given a church in downtown Baton Rouge. The great hearts of a group of people at Winbourne Baptist Church followed what they felt was God’s leading to give us their facility to use for spreading the Gospel through the Baton Rouge Dream Center. It’s humbling to see what God has done. When I look at our history, I see God’s hand, His blessing, and His favor… all for the purpose of spreading the Gospel.

Today, God is still in the business of reaching people and spreading the Gospel. I’m excited to let you know about a change we’ve made in our St. Amant and Donaldsonville Dream Center campuses that I believe furthers the cause of Christ to reach more people.

About a year ago, Mark Stermer and I discussed the idea of launching the St. Amant campus off into a new season as an autonomous church, and making the Donaldsonville Dreamcenter an outreach of that new church. After much prayer we have made this transition, and the HPC St. Amant campus is now The Church of St. Amant with Mark and Cindy Stermer as the lead pastors, with the wonderful responsibility and opportunity of the Donaldsonville Dreamcenter.

I was honored to speak in the Sunday services at the St. Amant campus yesterday and let them know that at HPC we’ll continue to support financially and serve the work in Donaldsonville as it serves the poor and hurting in that community, because that is our heart.

We’re very excited to be able to see the Gospel spreading out through the efforts of God’s people in The Church of St. Amant and the Donaldsonville Dream Center as well as at Healing Place Church.

This is such a great time to be alive and spreading the Gospel in so many ways God has given. We are blessed!

My heart goes out to the victims of the intense flooding in Pakistan. So many precious people going though such a huge tragedy. Check out what our friends at Joyce Meyer Ministries are doing about it:

Two weeks ago monsoons in Pakistan created flood waters that have now swept across one quarter of the country affecting 20 million people causing five times more damage than the 2005 earthquake. The floods have left a severe shortage of clean drinking water putting up to three and a half million children at a high risk of deadly water-borne diseases as well as an estimated six million at risk from such diseases as cholera.

As the rain and flood waters continue to pass through the country, Pakistan and the United Nations are appealing for aid and emergency response funds for much needed shelter and medicine. Joyce Meyer Ministries Hand of Hope is providing disaster relief funds to supply as much life-saving aid and relief to the affected areas as possible. We are also distributing many of Joyce’s books in the native languages of the region to provide comfort and hope in this time of adversity. As a partner of Joyce Meyer Ministries, your support is going directly to meeting the needs and displaying the love of Christ to those affected by this disaster.

I want to encourage you to pray for these people – every single one of them matter greatly to God. And pray about what God would want to do through you to help.

First of all, let me just say what an incredible time we had last night at the HPC Arena! Men, I hope each of you were able to be a part. There is nothing stronger in this world than when men worship – and last night as we sang about Christ’s strength in us – it was awesome. And as usual, Cooking for Christ brought it strong with great food. And I even got to take a snap from LSU football hall of famer and NFL All-Pro center Kevin Mawae… he was kind and didn’t break my hand – hahaha.

Kevin spoke and reminded that us as men we are warriors, and Lee Domingue challenged us to take up our crown because God wants us to be kings. And I want to make sure all of you know that we’ll be studying Lee’s book, Pearls of the King, in our men’s Bible studies this fall (starting next week). You can pick up the book and workbook in the Missions Cafe or from www.pearlsoftheking.com.

A few things you need to know:

1. Kevin Mawae will be speaking at the Highland Campus tonight as well, so whether you made it last night or not, you definitely want to come out tonight to hear him. (7pm in the HPC Arena)
2. Next Thursday at 8pm central time I’ll be joining Lee Domingue live online with Dan Ohlerking for a live Q&A about the new men’s connect group study series Pearls of the King. Make sure to RSVP and spread the word about it.
3. The new men’s connect group study series begins this coming week! Check out times and locations where you can join in by clicking here. (and don’t forget about our online men’s connect group, too – meeting every 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights at 9:30pm central).

And last but not at all least I’d love to invite you to watch TBN (Cox cable channel 270 in Baton Rouge) tonight at 9pm central. I’ll be on with Joel Osteen, Brian Houston, Stovall Weems, Rich Wilkerson, Carl Lentz and more in a special we taped a few days ago. I really would love for you to experience it!

God is doing amazing things at HPC – make sure you’re being a part and helping to spread the word! These upcoming events are great opportunities to invite your friends and family who may not already have a relationship with Jesus. Your invitation could make a huge difference in their lives. You just never know until you try.

Hey men… Just wanna quickly remind you about tonight’s special night for men at the HPC Arena in Baton Rouge. Kevin Mawae (17-year NFL veteran, and in the LSU Tiger Hall of Fame) will be speaking, and we’re going to have a ton of great time to connect and hang out. Make sure you invite a few friends and come check it out!