NCC ***unplugged***

Here’s an option for any church planting team to learn from one of the great portable churches in the US.  National Community Church, led by Mark Batterson, is a leading, progressive church that drives on helping other churches.

They are hosting UNPLUGGED.

Unplugged is a relaxed no-frills, weekend that will provide an opportunity for church planters and leadership teams to get an in-depth, behind the scenes look at National Community Church. Attendance will be limited, but the Q & A time won’t.

Hear the inside scoop from the NCC leadership team on how they: launch new locations; disciple and create community in a multi-site and theater church setting; provide ministry for kids and families in mobile environments; cultivate a missional community through local and overseas outreach; and much, much more. Visit one of NCC’s five locations and meet with campus pastors and ministry volunteers.

Living Beyond Me Update

We are exactly one month along in our Living Beyond Me Special Offering.  We have a goal of raising an additional $40,000 for 2010.  We have raised almost 25% of our goal with about 10% of our church participating.

We can do anything when we do it together.  Let’s join together in this HUGE effort to make a larger impact on Long Island.  We can do this.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

We have 5 weeks left to reach our goal.  If you haven’t jumped in – take the plunge today and invest in our future.  If we ALL get involved we will see some pretty amazing things in 2010!

I can’t wait!!!!

8:00

It is snowing on Long Island.  Pretty thick.  Love it, but wish it was on Monday.  Just read the Mineola Update from Fox News – they are projecting 18-24 inches by morning.  Ouch.  We will be making a decision on our services by 8:00 am.  Please check back after that for an update.

Stay warm. Stay safe!

We will be providing a series of LIVE STREAM teachings IF we cancel the services – 10:00, 10:30 & 11:00 am – each teaching will last about 20-25 minutes – all of them will be somewhat identical.  Simply go to www.livestream.com/pointchurch and sign in to the CHAT box to the right of the viewing screen.  If you log in you can chat with other viewers and “ask questions.”

Park Avenue School ~ Westbury, NY

Here’s some photos from our Backpack Outreach at Park Avenue School.

Backpack Outreach

Wow … we prepared 725 backpacks for the students of Park Avenue School in Westbury.  It was two long days, but thanks to the amazing volunteers that came out over the last few days we did it!  Not possible without workers!  Thank you!!!!

Today we have the privilege of holding 2 school assemblies.  You heard it right!  On a public elementary school campus!  This is God’s favor!  So, today at 1:30 & 2:00 pm we will be handing out backpacks to over 700 students in 1st & 2nd grade!  Wow.  Go God!

PRAY!  Ask God to build this relationship with The Point & Park Avenue School!  Ask God for opportunities to connect with school administration and faculty!  Ask God that every letter inside each backpack would significantly impact the parents so much that they experience the love of Jesus Christ!

We Need Your Help!

We have the privilege of supplying 725 children at the Park Avenue School in Westbury with backpacks filled with school supplies.  It is an amazing opportunity to serve our community.

Join us tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7:00 pm to help us prepare the backpacks.  We will be working out of the offices (293 Castle Avenue – Westbury – off of Post Avenue).

If you have any questions or need directions or simply want to let us know you are coming email katherine@pointchurch.tv.

The Chase Begins @ NYIT

I love Thursdays!  Especially during the college year!  Today we re-launched our campus ministry @ New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury.  We introduced the vision of Calvary Christian Fellowship, the upcoming activities, and I shared a tiny portion of “Chase the Lion.”  We are spending the next 7 weeks to hunt down some lions!  Thanks, Mark Batterson, you are impacting Long Island students!!!

It was awesome!!!  We had 41 people!!!  The coolest thing is that 7 students offered their lives to God for the first time!!!  What a great start to the new year!!!

SIDE NOTE:  Last year we added about 10 students per week by the end of the year.  This year we have started larger already than last year!!!

Outreach Initiatives:

* Samaritans Purse – December 2008

* Human Trafficking Awareness Seminar – February 2009

CCF: One Ministry, Multiple Campuses

Our e*board from CCF had a prayer and planning meeting last night @ NYIT – Old Westbury.  It was an amazing experience!  We establish our vision … our beliefs … and some serious strategies for the new year …

Our vision is to see …

… lives changed

… lives connected

… lives committed

It’s amazing how simple a vision is when you are praying!!!

We also established a new event for the Spring Semester – an event that will bring awareness to the thousands of children/teens who are illegally trafficked into the United States.  This is something that we realized the whole campus can get involved in – beyond religion, race or beliefs!

I can’t wait for our first club meeting!!!

One Ministry, Three Campuses

Last night we had a “catch up” meeting with our campus ministry team @ NYIT: Old Westbury at Panera Bread.  It was great to see everyone.  It has been about a month.  Good food, good friends!

We talked about some of the highs and lows of the past year:

1.  30% increase in weekly attendance at our meetings

2.  Friendlier environment and higher quality

3.  No record of decision for Christ (very low point – not good)

We are going on a planning retreat in August to create our “systems” – communications, events, follow-up and discipleship.  It should be fun!

I also introduced the idea of One Ministry, Three Campuses.  Within a mile of NYIT are 2 other college campuses (CW Post and SUNY Old Westbury).  My goal would be to promote our CCF on those campuses as an option for spiritual growth and outreach.  The team seemed to be excited about the possibilities.