Join us at the Dune’s State park beach for a celebration of baptisms. We are going to have the baptisms at 2:30 but many will be gathering before that to just hang out. Hope you can come and celebrate with us. If you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.
doug
(doug.gamble AT suncrest.org)
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I want to introduce my family to yours – we are the Kaser’s (Andy, Rachel, Grace, Silas, & Zalia). What an amazing and humbling opportunity God has given us through your welcoming arms. The end of May began a journey for us as we take steps toward God’s call in church planting. Because of Suncrest’s partnership with New Thing (newthing.org) and passion of being a ‘reproducing’ church, you have graciously opened up your lives to us. We immerse ourselves into your DNA and I’m what is called a ‘leadership resident’. It’s similar to what a Doctor goes through before he’s given the green light to perform on his own. Because Suncrest-East is a new ‘campus plant’ it’s a natural place for me to learn, observe, and plug in. I’m also completely blessed to be mentored along this path by Doug Gamble and Greg Lee. These guys are high caliber leaders and I get to have them come alongside me in every arena of my life.
So who are we? We hail from North Liberty, a community just south of South Bend. Rachel and I both graduated from Huntington University – she’s an education major, but now she’s committed to being the best mom in the land – and she is! She stays at home with our kids loving on them like crazy. She is also an obsessed runner. Six days a week (50-60 miles per week) she spends an hour with God and runs 12 miles before I even wake up. She was an all-American runner in college and even has a couple of records at Huntington. I have served as a student minister in two churches, along with my most recent position with Youth for Christ. Grace is our daughter of compassion. I’ve never seen a child with such deep compassion for people that aren’t necessarily like her. Silas is our ball of energy. He’s addicted to sports. Zalia is our protege. She started standing up at 5 months. But, in spite of her quick advancement, she still will not be able to date until she’s 33!
We have a heart for the lonely and marginalized people of our generation. So many wander through life having lost hope that there is more to this life than this world has to offer. We know that our only hope is found in Christ, who loves unconditionally with wreck-less abandon. This is the love that we pray God to give us for all humanity. We believe that the Kingdom is here and now – and we walk ‘momently’ with Christ that IN HIM we truly live, and move, and have our being. We are excited for the journey…and we look forward to getting to know you deeper as we walk as one people longing for God and for people to know Him intimately.
“For Christ’s love compels us”
The Kaser’s (andrewkaser.blogspot.com)
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(From Julie Coons)
Summer is finally here. It was a long time in coming, but it is here! We love summer at our house – no schedules, lazy mornings, trips to the park, sleep overs – any excuse to just hang out and enjoy each other. This is true at Suncrest East, too. Moving to one service at 9:30am has been a smooth transition and definitely allows for a much more relaxed pace and more time to just connect.
Looking for more ways to connect? Be sure to mark Friday, July 10 on your calendar. Suncrest is joining with other area churches for a night of fun at Deep River Water Park. Check at the Children’s Welcome Center this Sunday to purchase tickets. They are $7 apiece and cannot be purchased at the door.
On Sunday, July 12, East is heading to the beach for an afternoon of sun and sand as we celebrate baptism on the shores of Lake Michigan. Are you interested in being baptized at the lake? If so, please contact Doug Gamble. Look for more information on this event to come your way soon.
Finally, what is summer without a summer party? Party on the Parking Lot is a chance for all of Suncrest – both East and West campuses – to celebrate summer at Suncrest West’s facility on Friday, July 17. Come ready for a great night full of food, friends, and fun. There will be music, bounce houses, and all kinds of activities for the whole family.
Don’t you just love summer? Hope to see you at one or all of these events!
Julie
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We had a powerful message yesterday on gratitude. It culminated with a challenge to experiment with gratitude for 21 days. I know most of you in attendance yesterday took up the challenge. If you didn’t the 21 day gratitude challenge card then email me (doug.gamble {at} suncrest.org or leave a comment and I will get you one.
Along the way let us know how you are doing! You can leave a comment here or email me.
doug
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I could say a lot of things on this Monday about how great of a Sunday we had. But nothing I would say is as important as this brief excerpt from a note I received (some details left out so the writer could remain anonymous):
I have been praying for years to find a good strong Christian Church that was growing, enthusiastic, and bringing people not just in the doors but to God. Suncrest has done that for me! I’m beginning to learn people & make friends; but I was really in the habit of not. It hurt so much for my family to move so far away I was truly afraid to make friends. Both of you have been so friendly to me it helped to break down my defenses a lot. When someone at Morning Grace said how much it meant to see older established Christians come in to the Church, I just couldn’t stop thanking God and praising Him to hear that. I thought there would be no use for me!
It is just so wonderful to want to invite people to come to church. I send emails and tell people wherever I go about the church. I am grateful for many things you do, but especially that…you emphasize that the building is not the church, but rather We are the Church.
Well, I know I babble on, but I want to say thank you. I was never suicidal, but for most of 2007, & part of 2008 I didn’t want to live. Now you can’t wipe the smile off my face, people ask me how I am and all I can say is wonderful. God has so blessed my life I pray that writing this is also praise to Him who leads your lives to the benefit of mine. Thank You!
This is why we do what we do.
doug
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I had a good time teaching at West campus this past Sunday, but I have to say I missed being at East! You guys are such a blessing to lead.
I heard great things about Greg being there in person and I know he had a great experience.
I look forward to this Sunday when I get to teach on “Leaving your mark.” I believe it is the one thing we can do that actually will out live us.
Also on Sunday we had a “going away” party for the Richardson’s. I know they felt the love from those who attended. Can I ask two things from you for them?
This coming Sunday you will see a couple familiar faces. Jason will be leading us in worship as he will be doing most Sundays while he serves as our interim Worship Arts Director. And you will see Julie Coons back as the Children’s director. Make sure to welcome them.
See you Sunday!
doug
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It is never an easy thing to say goodbye.
This Sunday will be Kevin and Patti’s last Sunday on staff at Suncrest. It will be a bitter sweet day as we say good bye but look forward to what God is going to do through their lives. Kevin and Patti both brought a unique set of skills and giftedness that were instrumental in launching East campus. They will be missed!
We are throwing a party for them at West campus at 1pm this Sunday (May 3) and you are invited! Please make plans to attend to express your love and appreciate to the Richardsons.
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Because you saw me on Sunday, you know we’re back from the Exponential Conference in Florida. Someone had to take one for the team.
In all seriousness though it was a great conference to be reminded about the reason our campus exists. I’m blogging this week over at my personal blog on some of the things I’m taking away from the conference.
In case you are new to Suncrest I encourage you to click on the tab labeled “multi-site” above to read how it was Suncrest’s desire to be a church planting church that actually led us to start a second site. We have helped launch many church plants over the years and multi-site it was a natural next step.
We don’t talk about it nearly enough, but church planting is a part of our DNA. In fact, I have the honor of being a part of the partnership team for the next church we are helping plant. And we are already talking about 2 more campuses in 2010! I can’t wait to see how God continues to open doors for His vision of church planting through Suncrest.
doug
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I wanted to post a note I recieved that is exactly why we do what we do:
“As friendly as I am…I have been making sure no one gets too close because I was tired of being hurt or me even doing the hurting.. I was broken and yet rejoiced so much from it…God is answering my prayers as I pray for Suncrest and see his majestic hand move in our lives there.”
I’m so excited to see God using Suncrest to change lives!
doug
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Hey Gang,
Just wanted to let you guys know that Kevin and I are at the Exponential Conference in sunny Orlando Florida this week. Don’t be jealous. We are here for serious learning about Church planting and multi-site. Also with us is Mary Beth, Suncrest Connect Director, Tim, Suncrest-East-er and fab drummer and Andy Kaser, a future Leadership Resident at Suncrest. I’ll talk more about that later. For now, if you are interested you can head over to my personal blog to read about what we are hearing from some fabulous church planting experts, like Ed Stetzer and Alan Hirsch.
doug
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