More than stoked!

November - On a beautiful Georgia Autumn day, I had the opportunity to spend several hours with David Walters. First we prayed together through their building. It was some serious intercession stuff! Then we hopped in the car and went up to the land that has just been given to them to build on. We praised God together and prayed there on the land. David is more than stoked about this generous gift of 11 1/2 acres that his denomination has given their church! David started The Vine a bit over three years ago and is excited about the days ahead. He has a heart and vision to impact Braselton and beyond. And it is a privilege for me to journey with him as a friend!On the land!
David Walters
Lead Pastor - The Vine
Braselton, GA
http://www.connecttothevine.org/

10 November 2010

God's Timing

October - When we began feeling the stirrings about moving to Georgia we took several trips out South to prayerfully check it out. Kyle & Robin (Pastor of Athens Vineyard Fellowship) were the first to open their home and hearts to me, and then to our family. To me, Kyle has been the "man of peace" who provided an open door for us to this city (Luke 10). It just so happened (as if there are coincidences with God) that our lives converged just when they needed a voice of encouragement and support. Listen to what Kyle says about it...

.

I thank God for sending Steve to Georgia when he did! He providentially provided a knowledgeable and informed encourager to walk alongside me and help me think through my calling, strategy, and vision. He is aware of resources unknown to me, is able to see what I'm doing with fresh eyes, and provides non-judgmental advice in a pastor's world where it can be very difficult to earn the right to have a voice in someone's life. Again, thank God for Steve Smith. His timing was crucial for this pastor.

Kyle Wise

Lead Pastor - Athens Vineyard Christian Fellowship

Athens, GA

http:www.athensvineyard.com

30 October 2010

Ekklesia

September - Besides gathering together and praying with the lead pastors each month I also get to meet with individual pastors to pray one on one. Mark Palmer was one of these pastors whom I was privileged to pray with in September. Mark started Ekklesia this summer with their first service on June 27th. They met at the Creative Theatre at Memorial Park until just a few weeks ago when they began services at Seney Stovall Chapel. Ekklesia has a heart for those who are not connected to churches. One mid-week morning we got into their facilities and had a great prayer time focusing on their new congregation, its leadership (Mark & Rhonda included) and God's dream for them. Here is Mark standing right outside their historic meeting place. Mark Palmer

Lead Pastor – Ekklesia
Athens, GA
http://www.ekklesiaathens.com/

About Pastors Praying Together

September - Since arriving in Athens in January I have been building relationships with various pastors here. Last month we finally got together and prayed for one another and our city. Unity is an important part of expressing God's kingdom in the city. Psalm 133 says that it is a good and pleasant thing when brothers dwell in unity, so much so that God bestows a blessing with it!!! Jesus said that a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25), implying a house that is united does stand! It is truly a beautiful and powerful thing when lead/senior pastors get together and pray! Yesterday, we had our second of such meetings in Athens and here is the testimony of one of the pastors afterwards...

PRAYER IS POWERFUL

In two weeks I will be talking about the Power of Prayer in our B30X series…Today I EXPERIENCED it first hand. Just returned to my office from praying with 10 different Pastors, all from Athens - WOW!!!!!!

.

It was RAW…it was REAL…it was from “the gut.” It was POWERFUL & AMAZING to pray TOGETHER, BOLDLY, and UNSELFISHLY (that’s hard for pastors). My day will NOT be the same as a result!! We cried out to God to do something GREAT in our CITY. We begged God to help MEN to be the leaders in their families and this community God has called them to be. We asked God to protect MARRIAGES. We prayed that our generation would hand off well the promises of God to the NEXT GENERATION! We asked FORGIVENESS for our pride, prejudice, performance mentality, and lack of unity at times. We prayed that the WORD OF GOD would be preached BOLDLY and LIVES WOULD BE TRANSFORMED. BOO YAH!!!

.

…special thanks to Steve Smith for the vision, persistence, and courage to get us there!!

.

I don’t know everything that happened in Acts 2…I’m sure it will be debated until Jesus comes and I’m sure for many it was out of their comfort zone. I DO KNOW, though, that God showed up and showed off. I DO KNOW HIS POWER was UNLEASHED like NEVER BEFORE. I DO KNOW HE got ALL THE GLORY!! If I’ve got to be humiliated – so be it. If we’ve got to get out of our comfort zones – let’s do it!! BUT WHATEVER IT TAKES, let’s PRAY TOGETHER as one and BEG GOD BOLDLY as His church that our generation would experience HERE and NOW an UNLEASHING of GOD’s POWER that the church 2000 years from now will still be talking about!!

Jim Carpenter

Lead Pastor - Compass Church

Athens, GA

http://www.compasschurch.com/

09 September 2010

The Vine

August - It has been awesome journeying with David Walters over these past several months. David is the Lead Pastor of The Vine. We intially made contact before we ever moved to Georgia, but didn't actually meet until this past January. We have been meeting regularly ever since. The Vine is the church where the rest of our family attends in Braselton, which is about 45 minutes from our home in Athens.I consider myself blessed to know Steve Smith. I know that Steve’s sole desire for our relationship is encouragement and support of me, and he accomplishes those two things each time we meet. In Steve, I have found a man who seeks the Lord with all his heart. The overflow of his faith is the most encouraging aspect of our time together. Yet, during our time spent together, he’s also proven to be a resource of wisdom, revelation, and encouragement. Whether it’s a question he asks, a word that he shares, or a prayer that he offers, I always leave feeling challenged to grow deeper in my walk with Christ, better equipped to do ministry, and ready to face the challenges of pastoral leadership. I am grateful to God for Steve Smith and what he offers the Kingdom of God!

David Walters
Lead Pastor – The Vine

Braselton, GA

http://www.connecttothevine.org/