Today was an amazing day as we went back home to preach at Mansfield First Assembly of God. I served as the associate pastor of this church for nearly 11 years. Our pastor, Tom Blair, his staff, and our Mansfield First Church family blew us away as over 1000 people gathered for today's celebration.
It was so much fun preaching to people that many I began preaching to when I was 21 years old. Mansfield First you made us feel so appreciated and so a part of your spiritual history.
You all made the launch of Embassy Metro Church possible and I thank you for that. It has been so great seeing old friends who feel like family this past week. We will always love you. I know Mansfield will always feel like home and our ministry with you will always be remembered fondly, but Woodstock is where God has called me and we have only just begun to see the fruit that will come from our ministry in Georgia.
Amie and I are so blessed to have been a part of Mansfield First Assembly. Mansfield 1st your best days are yet to come!!! We are also blessed to be a part of a great movement that is beginning in Woodstock, GA called Embassy Metro Church. All you EMC-ers, know this...we are just getting started. I can't wait until we together can look back on 10 plus years and be blown away by all God has done in and through us.
I love you all thanks for allowing Amie & I to be a part of two of the greatest churches in the U.S.A.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
On Vacation
I am enjoying my time away as we see old friends and hang out with family in Ohio.
I hadn't check out the internet much since being at my folks. So this morning I was doing a little surfing and came across a great story. I think I have lived in the south just long enough to really appreciate this. Check it out as Tim McGraw handles a rowdy fan that had just got stupid with a lady in the front row of Tim's concert. I really think if the guy would have kept it up Tim would have got sideways with him. It's probably wrong to think Tim did a great thing at the concert....but if that's wrong I don't want to be right. Great job Tim standing up for the honor and saftey of one of your female fans!
I hadn't check out the internet much since being at my folks. So this morning I was doing a little surfing and came across a great story. I think I have lived in the south just long enough to really appreciate this. Check it out as Tim McGraw handles a rowdy fan that had just got stupid with a lady in the front row of Tim's concert. I really think if the guy would have kept it up Tim would have got sideways with him. It's probably wrong to think Tim did a great thing at the concert....but if that's wrong I don't want to be right. Great job Tim standing up for the honor and saftey of one of your female fans!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sunday Remix 6-22-08
-We are well into Summer and attendance was great. Emc-ers continue to invite friends. I loved seeing so many new faces at the Embassy yesterday.
-A waitress that Amie and I invited to church came Sunday and she brought a friend. I love it when people that you have personally invited show up at the embassy!
-Pastor Steven Furtick spoke via video for this Sunday's "One Prayer". He spoke on how God will honor audacious faith. It was amazing the buzz I was hearing from our people. There is an audacity rising in the hearts of emc-ers that I believe will propel us to reach our city.
-On Saturday we did our first "Adopt a Block" as we brought groceries to the Noonday Valley Mobile Home Park. The team did a great job connecting with the amazing people that live in this park. The neighborhood children all loved the face painting and balloons. I know God encouraged the hearts of those we had a chance to pray with. Some of you will feel called to this community I want you to plan on going again next month.
-We decided we would leave a day early for Ohio. So right now I am writing this entry from my sisters living room while the kids are going crazy on the Wii. My 6 year old boy is going wild on the bowling game. He just bowled a 215...best score of the night. He's loving it.
-A waitress that Amie and I invited to church came Sunday and she brought a friend. I love it when people that you have personally invited show up at the embassy!
-Pastor Steven Furtick spoke via video for this Sunday's "One Prayer". He spoke on how God will honor audacious faith. It was amazing the buzz I was hearing from our people. There is an audacity rising in the hearts of emc-ers that I believe will propel us to reach our city.
-On Saturday we did our first "Adopt a Block" as we brought groceries to the Noonday Valley Mobile Home Park. The team did a great job connecting with the amazing people that live in this park. The neighborhood children all loved the face painting and balloons. I know God encouraged the hearts of those we had a chance to pray with. Some of you will feel called to this community I want you to plan on going again next month.
-We decided we would leave a day early for Ohio. So right now I am writing this entry from my sisters living room while the kids are going crazy on the Wii. My 6 year old boy is going wild on the bowling game. He just bowled a 215...best score of the night. He's loving it.
Monday, June 16, 2008
What a day at the Embassy!
-The "Most Dangerous Dad" Tournament went great as Jay Raymond and Daniel Shoemaker went at it in the final. Daniel in front of the big screen with cheers from a bunch of rowdy emc-ers brought the victory and a gift certificate home to momma. Congrats Daniel...valiant try Jay.
-Lately the band has been blowing me away. Yesterday was off the chain for sure. It's been great feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation during our worship experiences.
-Our people loved "Perry Noble" from NewSpring. The boy straight up brought it. It was great seeing God move on the hearts of people during the prayer time following the teaching. I don't think we'll have any problem getting a bunch of emc-ers to Perry's Unleashed Conference next year.
-I was glad our people responded well to the video format of Perry's teaching following live worship. This let's me know as we grow we can begin simulcasting a live video feed of me preaching from the main theater following a live worship experience. Right now we are using three theaters....that leaves us 13 to go!!!
-I'm loving the anticipation I am sensing in our folks. There's this sense that we can become all that God wants us to become as a revolutionary church. I have never been much for predicting numeric growth, but with what God is doing at emc I feel that we are poised to blow up. I know it's summer, but don't wait. Get in, get involved, invite your friends, and get ready to see crazy increase in your life personally and at the embassy.
-Don't forget during "One Prayer" we will meet at the church office for prayer from 6:30-7:30am. Also in June on Tuesdays we are fasting 1-3 meals. So carve out some time to seek God in prayer.
-It's exciting to think about how many book bags we are going to collect along with Revolution Church for "Give a Kid a Chance" during "One Prayer". Start bringing them in next Sunday.
-Lately the band has been blowing me away. Yesterday was off the chain for sure. It's been great feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation during our worship experiences.
-Our people loved "Perry Noble" from NewSpring. The boy straight up brought it. It was great seeing God move on the hearts of people during the prayer time following the teaching. I don't think we'll have any problem getting a bunch of emc-ers to Perry's Unleashed Conference next year.
-I was glad our people responded well to the video format of Perry's teaching following live worship. This let's me know as we grow we can begin simulcasting a live video feed of me preaching from the main theater following a live worship experience. Right now we are using three theaters....that leaves us 13 to go!!!
-I'm loving the anticipation I am sensing in our folks. There's this sense that we can become all that God wants us to become as a revolutionary church. I have never been much for predicting numeric growth, but with what God is doing at emc I feel that we are poised to blow up. I know it's summer, but don't wait. Get in, get involved, invite your friends, and get ready to see crazy increase in your life personally and at the embassy.
-Don't forget during "One Prayer" we will meet at the church office for prayer from 6:30-7:30am. Also in June on Tuesdays we are fasting 1-3 meals. So carve out some time to seek God in prayer.
-It's exciting to think about how many book bags we are going to collect along with Revolution Church for "Give a Kid a Chance" during "One Prayer". Start bringing them in next Sunday.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
"Father Make us Dangerous"
Tomorrow will be the second week of "One Prayer". The title of the teaching is "Father Make us Dangerous". Keeping with that theme we will host the "The Most Dangerous Dad" Wii boxing tournament. It begins @ 9:30 on the plasmas in the cafe'. The finale will at 10:02am in the main theater on the big screen.
You don't want to miss tomorrow. It will be a great day for fathers, but also a great day for The Father...God. The last few weeks God has been showing up and really touching the hearts of those at the embassy. I believe He's going to do some seriously significant stuff in the lives of people tomorrow. Can't wait!
You don't want to miss tomorrow. It will be a great day for fathers, but also a great day for The Father...God. The last few weeks God has been showing up and really touching the hearts of those at the embassy. I believe He's going to do some seriously significant stuff in the lives of people tomorrow. Can't wait!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thoughts on the rest of the week
-Tomorrow at 9am a bunch of emc-ers are going camping. We're headed to Lake Conasauga and not coming back until Saturday night. This is going to be a blast!
-Today is my last day in the office this week so I'm going a little crazy tying up all the loose ends for the rest of the week.
-Sunday is going to be a great day at the Embassy. I can't wait for what God is going to do. As our staff met Monday there was a great sense of expectation in what God has planned for this weekend and for the months ahead.
-"One Prayer" launched with a bang last week. This Sunday we continue with a teaching entitled "Father Make us Dangerous". Dad's come early Sunday. Starting at 9:30am a Wii boxing tournament will begin in the foyer. The final match up with the grand prize going to the "Most Dangerous Dad" will take place on the big screen at 10:02 am.
-Sold a couple of items on ebay. Hopefully I'll get a good chunk for my guitar I'm selling this week. With gas prices the way they are everybody's budgets are stressed. So is ours. We decided it was cool if I got a mountain bike so long as it was from money that I got from selling stuff that just sits. So gone is a pair of hockey blades
and a G.I. Joe from 1970 depending on what the guitar goes for I should have enough. Oh back to the gas prices...I have every intention on biking to the church office three days a week. See Amie it's fun and economic...so stop threatening to go all Dave Ramsey on me.
-Today is my last day in the office this week so I'm going a little crazy tying up all the loose ends for the rest of the week.
-Sunday is going to be a great day at the Embassy. I can't wait for what God is going to do. As our staff met Monday there was a great sense of expectation in what God has planned for this weekend and for the months ahead.
-"One Prayer" launched with a bang last week. This Sunday we continue with a teaching entitled "Father Make us Dangerous". Dad's come early Sunday. Starting at 9:30am a Wii boxing tournament will begin in the foyer. The final match up with the grand prize going to the "Most Dangerous Dad" will take place on the big screen at 10:02 am.
-Sold a couple of items on ebay. Hopefully I'll get a good chunk for my guitar I'm selling this week. With gas prices the way they are everybody's budgets are stressed. So is ours. We decided it was cool if I got a mountain bike so long as it was from money that I got from selling stuff that just sits. So gone is a pair of hockey blades
and a G.I. Joe from 1970 depending on what the guitar goes for I should have enough. Oh back to the gas prices...I have every intention on biking to the church office three days a week. See Amie it's fun and economic...so stop threatening to go all Dave Ramsey on me.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Sunday Remix 6-8-08
-The launch of the "One Prayer" Series was powerful. God put the smack down on us. From what I am hearing and the emails I'm getting God did some amazing things in the hearts of our people. It's awesome to see people ready to experience God and God's interests like never before.
-During our one prayer series you can keep track of what others are experiencing around the nation here.
-On Tuesdays during "One Prayer" Embassy Metro Church will be fasting on Tuesdays. Give up 1-3 meals on Tuesday and carve out some time to seek God. Also from 6:30am-7:30am we will be gathering at the church office for prayer. Who said summer's when you put spiritual matters on the back burner. I know God is going to do some amazing things in us and through us this summer!!!
-Gary Lamb did a great job with his video shout out to our people. We are excited to be partnering with Revolution Church to bring a truck load of back packs to Cherokee County's "Give a Kid a Chance" event in July.
-Had a great night with a bunch of our leaders last night. I loved celebrating victories with you and hearing what God is doing through you. Ya'll rock!
-During our one prayer series you can keep track of what others are experiencing around the nation here.
-On Tuesdays during "One Prayer" Embassy Metro Church will be fasting on Tuesdays. Give up 1-3 meals on Tuesday and carve out some time to seek God. Also from 6:30am-7:30am we will be gathering at the church office for prayer. Who said summer's when you put spiritual matters on the back burner. I know God is going to do some amazing things in us and through us this summer!!!
-Gary Lamb did a great job with his video shout out to our people. We are excited to be partnering with Revolution Church to bring a truck load of back packs to Cherokee County's "Give a Kid a Chance" event in July.
-Had a great night with a bunch of our leaders last night. I loved celebrating victories with you and hearing what God is doing through you. Ya'll rock!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Friday Five
-I can't wait for Sunday at approximately 10:30 to show up. I am about to burst with the message God has given me to preach. The "One Prayer" series is going to have a huge impact on us. If you are gone on vacation that's one thing. If you're home during the month of June you don't want to miss a week.
-Gary Lamb and I traded video greetings for our churches this weekend. It's great the two theater churches in Cherokee County are linking arms in making it hard to get to hell from Cherokee County!
-Sunday night I get to spend some time with a bunch of our emc leaders. Lookin' forward to it!
-Tomorrow night we are serving at the concert in the park in downtown Woodstock. The band playing is a chic band from Ireland. There called the Screaming Orphans. Can't wait to hear them do there stuff.
-My wife got 10 inches cut off and she looks smokin'... "come here baby and let me kiss your neck"!!!
-Gary Lamb and I traded video greetings for our churches this weekend. It's great the two theater churches in Cherokee County are linking arms in making it hard to get to hell from Cherokee County!
-Sunday night I get to spend some time with a bunch of our emc leaders. Lookin' forward to it!
-Tomorrow night we are serving at the concert in the park in downtown Woodstock. The band playing is a chic band from Ireland. There called the Screaming Orphans. Can't wait to hear them do there stuff.
-My wife got 10 inches cut off and she looks smokin'... "come here baby and let me kiss your neck"!!!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Summer is Here
This has been a great week having the kids out of school. We took Aubie and Grant to the mountain bike trails. They had a blast in the skills area. It was awesome watching my kids going over logs, see saws, and jumps. Yeah they fell…they fell a bunch, but they wouldn’t stop until they conquered the obstacles.
Addie didn’t go to the trails. She was with a friend, but at the close of school she had me bursting with pride too.
On the last day of school I went to her awards ceremony. When I walked into the class room I was blown away with how many kids came up to me and said, “Hey Pastor Ross….What’s up Pastor” etc… I had forgotten how many of her classmates and their families are now coming to the embassy. Nearly 25% of her classmates come to emc. It was great seeing these five kid’s and how well they did this year. Great job Nathan, Katie, Jessie, Brittany, & Addie! BTW There teacher, Charlie Delanuez , has to be one of the finest teachers I have ever met. His ability to connect with the kids blows me away. Thanks Charlie for such a great year!
Addie didn’t go to the trails. She was with a friend, but at the close of school she had me bursting with pride too.
On the last day of school I went to her awards ceremony. When I walked into the class room I was blown away with how many kids came up to me and said, “Hey Pastor Ross….What’s up Pastor” etc… I had forgotten how many of her classmates and their families are now coming to the embassy. Nearly 25% of her classmates come to emc. It was great seeing these five kid’s and how well they did this year. Great job Nathan, Katie, Jessie, Brittany, & Addie! BTW There teacher, Charlie Delanuez , has to be one of the finest teachers I have ever met. His ability to connect with the kids blows me away. Thanks Charlie for such a great year!
Monday, June 02, 2008
Sunday Remix June 1, 2008
-Shot a quick video for "One Prayer". The video will be a short shout out to Revolution Church. I'm looking forward to partnering with Gary Lamb and RC during this month's series.
-Worship was awesome today. The band rocked, but that wasn't it. God showed up in a powerful way. I love it when you can sense God is present dealing with the hearts that are lifted towards him.
-Finished out our two week series "Checkmate." This was a series dedicated to our singles. To be honest it was two of the most difficult teachings I have done. I just felt like I was missing it. I think it's just been so long since I was single. After listening to the podcast I felt better. It's wierd how crappy you can feel when teaching, but that not be known by those hearing the teaching. 9 times out of 10 when I feel like that, that's when the teaching was awesome. To be honest, I think it has something to do with spiritual warfare.
-Attendance was decent for the first Sunday of June.
-A bunch of 20 somethings had a BBQ at Jared and Charla's. I love all the young people at EMC and I love being your pastor.
-Worship was awesome today. The band rocked, but that wasn't it. God showed up in a powerful way. I love it when you can sense God is present dealing with the hearts that are lifted towards him.
-Finished out our two week series "Checkmate." This was a series dedicated to our singles. To be honest it was two of the most difficult teachings I have done. I just felt like I was missing it. I think it's just been so long since I was single. After listening to the podcast I felt better. It's wierd how crappy you can feel when teaching, but that not be known by those hearing the teaching. 9 times out of 10 when I feel like that, that's when the teaching was awesome. To be honest, I think it has something to do with spiritual warfare.
-Attendance was decent for the first Sunday of June.
-A bunch of 20 somethings had a BBQ at Jared and Charla's. I love all the young people at EMC and I love being your pastor.
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