FUN day! Mark went to Battle Ground to speak for the first time and I preached at Hazel Dell. It was a very strange morning to work separately at two different campuses, but until we have the transition complete and some new staff hired on, we will do what we need to do to function well!

Mark enjoyed meeting people and beginning the process of letting our new campus know why and how we function. Every church runs differently, so it’s important that we are all on the same page going into this new church situation. Lots of details to communicate and systems to put in place!

I preached on Nehemiah on the Hazel Dell side. LOVE the book of Nehemiah, probably because I love all things leadership and Nehemiah is one of the greatest leaders ever! I focused on the first chapter, which basically gives us a model of prayer.

We had a great lunch with Matt and Jamie Bumala. They have been attending the church in Battle Ground for quite some time, but before that Jamie was a student in our youth ministry. We’ve remained friends and I can’t wait to attend the same church again! Thanks for lunch!!!!

Mark attended our Deaf Church in Battle Ground yesterday as well! He loved the experience and felt the presence of God in their service. We are loving getting to know their lead pastor, Jim. He has been incorporated onto our team and we are glad to have him. If he teaches you sign language, don’t believe he’s telling you the truth! He’s tried to teach us a few signs that would just get us in trouble…

I didn’t spend any time at all in any kids rooms yesterday, since I was wearing a different hat. I have to admit…kids make church WAY more fun! I love popping into various rooms and connecting with a couple of kids here and there. They are always the most encouraging, have the best smiles, and remind me that how I live and love changes their picture of Jesus. They keep me on my toes!

My favorite part of this transition: watching our staff leaders grow in their leadership ability. The growing pains for all of us are evident, but even in the last several months, as we have each wrestled with our own STUFF, I am seeing God molding us. We simply cannot be the same leaders we were yesterday and make an entire other campus function. The good news: God is doing the work and we are just feeling the sore muscles from the workout. He is faithful!

So many things to do, but I couldn’t be more excited for our Battle Ground opening on April 8. Why? PEOPLE are coming and Jesus will change their lives just like He changed mine. Now that’s motivating!

We’ve had lots of questions about what we are doing with the Battle Ground teenagers in the midst of this collaboration. Currently their youth meet on Wednesday nights with a volunteer staff headed by Rob and Lori Ball. Our youth ministry, The Difference, meets on Thursdays under the direction of Kris and Joe Gray.

Our answer is a temporary plan, but one that will allow the teenagers of Battle Ground and their youth staff to quickly incorporate into our strategy, systems, and culture. We will be bringing them down to our youth ministry for at least several months with Rob and Lori working alongside Kris to adopt our DNA. It’s a great way for those teenagers to be dropped into an environment with strong worship, preaching, and small groups literally overnight. Their first combined youth group will happen on April 12, 2012.

In the future we will re-assess the situation as the finances and attendance grow in Battle Ground, but for now we are combining forces in order to have the strongest system possible.

If you are a parent of a teenager in Battle Ground and would like more information, please email Kris at kris@coffeechurch.com. She is excited to get to know you and your students!