LifePlace - 2009

Well I thought I'd start off this blog by talking a little about the vision God has placed in our hearts for 2009. 2008 was an interesting year for me personally to say the least. About 2 years ago God placed a vision and dream in my heart for LifePlace Ministries (formerly called GraceHopeLoveUnited). We changed the name for a few reasons. One the first one was just too darn long. Secondly LifePlace otherwise known as 'The Place' has alot of deep and significant meaning. Unbeknownst to me at the time but 'The Place' is actually a name for God found only the most ancient of Rabbinical teachings. I did not know it at the time but when I found out I was completely floored. God birthed in our hearts the desire to create a 'Place' that was accepting, modern, relevant and life changing. We liked 'LifePlace' because our desire is that we will help others to find the 'Life' that Christ promised us.
In November of 2008 we had our first event. It was called Revolution '08. Performing at the event was an amazing group of local talent: Greg Minix, Universal Soldier, Whisper, Sonz of Thunda, Missio, and Relevant Worship. We had about 200 kids from inner city community centers attend, along with a few hundred other kids from various church groups etc.
Sometime I will post on here what I wrote in the months surrounding the event. I saw the hand of God in ways I never dreamed possible. However I was also faced with some personal challenges that tested my faith as never before.
In 2009 our goal is to organize a minimum of 1 event per month IN the community using the local talent that performed for Revolution '08. In addition to that, we want to step up and serve our community in every way we possibly can. We are working with numerous organizations right now creating youth programs that will be available throughout Central NY.
I believe 2009 will be the most incredible year I've ever experienced. I have faith that I will see the hand of God move in my life and in the life of the ministry is ways that I've never dreamed of.
The scripture that I would say is the 'anthem' so to speak for LifePlace in 2009 is Isaiah 43:19 "See I am doing a new thing, now it springs up..do you now perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and springs in the wasteland'.
My prayer for 2009 is that the body of Christ will rise up and actually DO what we were called to do. Jesus called us to seek and save the lost. Key word there being 'Seek'. He called us to love him with all our hearts and love others. When Jesus had a 'chance' encounter with a woman at the well, he never condemned her for her 'bad' life, he simply showed her love. My prayer is that we learn to stop condemning and start loving. The woman brought back her ENTIRE town to Jesus. It just shows what can happen in someones life when we show them the love of Christ.
We have met over the last year with over 30 community organizations in Syracuse and the perception that almost ALL of them have is that 'the church won't do anything to help'.
My prayer in '09 is that these organizations can say at the end of this year, Wow the church really stepped up to the task and impacted our community in incredible ways.
Remember the 'church' is not a building. The 'church' is US, the body of Christ. The early Christians were not even called Christians, they were called followers of 'The Way'. Jesus said 'I am the way, the truth and the life."
I pray that in '09 we follow 'The Way' with all our hearts. Because if we do our lives, and the lives of those in our communities will be changed for eternity.