Hey Community! Ryan Kennedy is back this coming weekend! Fresh off of his Gospel Music Association “SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR” award, Ryan will be teaming up with our band to lead worship in all of our weekend services.

From July 12-15 in Anaheim, there is a very special event taking place. It’s called the North American Christian Convention. This conference is packed full of workshops and special opportunities along with some powerful worship and teaching main sessions.

For years now, Michelle and I have been going to this to get our batteries charged and to reconnect with good friends around the country. This year it’s right here in Southern California. So, it’s a great opportunity for you to check it out.

Go to the website for all the information and schedule. GOTONACC.ORG

If you can only make one day, I recommend coming on Thursday and plan on staying for the evening session. We’ll end the night with a concert by “For King and Country”!

Even if you can’t drive to Anaheim, you can still join the fun by watching online at NACC LIVE.

Most of our staff will be going for the fun and encouragement. We hope you can join us!

Now that I’ve been home for a few days, including a great weekend at Community, I’ve had a chance to reflect more on our mission trip to Kenya. By the way, if you had to miss this weekend, you can catch the Kenya trip recap and my message about why we do what we do with our missions right here: WEEKEND MESSAGE.

To go from Hemet to the Mathare Valley slums it takes time, money, energy and an open heart to walk into that situation and make a difference. Every bit of those resources were thoroughly and lovingly invested in the staff and students of Area 2.

A few take-a-ways from this experience remind me of the power of personal touch and attention that can make a difference anywhere…including right here in our Valley.

1-Learn people’s names—It makes them feel special and valued. This trip we gave the entire staff at the school name tags. They wore them proudly all week. It really helped us to call them by name and encourage them in a real and personal way.

2-We can learn from everyone. We might be more educated or have more life experience…but then God uses a child or a teacher or a person living in the slums to open your eyes and minds to a new way of looking at life. I learned more about genuine joy this trip. Joy, real joy, not based on the circumstances or the stuff, but based on an authentic relationship with Jesus. I learned in a fresh way, “JESUS is ALL I NEED.”

3-Mission is not a program, it’s a way of life for EVERY Christ follower. Every day I woke up in Africa I was very aware of the fact that we were on a MISSION trip. To be honest, I don’t always think that way here at home. But the truth is, I’m on a mission every single day. And so are you!

We said this past weekend we change the world one life, one friend, one family at a time. So, who is the ONE person you’re praying for? Who is the ONE person you’re building a relationship with? Who is the ONE person you’re sharing your story of life-change with? Who is the ONE person you’re inviting to join us this next weekend at Community?

We call it the Great Commission. We find it in Matthew 28. These are the words of Jesus:

“Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

I capitalized “GO” so you don’t miss it. He said to GO. So, who’s the ONE person you’re GOing to this week?

The amazing thing about this is found in the blessing of obedience.

When I GO, I too get changed!

When you GO and serve and love and build relationships… you’re blessed.

When you GIVE your money and effort with intentionality … you’re blessed.

When you SACRIFICE your time and love and your best… you’re blessed.

That’s just how it works! Jesus said, We FIND our life when we GIVE ours away!!

So…GO!

Our team made it back from Kenya, but before we left we had to say goodbye to faces like this…

Anyway, I can’t wait to see you all this weekend!

So good to be HOME.