I hope you’re enjoying your summer and are taking opportunities to make memories with your family, spend time outside, and eat a little ice cream!  It’s going by fast!!!  I wanted to take a few minutes and update you on the goings on of Center Pointe.

First, Janelle and I continue to discuss with the elders and pray about the future of our ministry here.  We appreciate your prayers and patience as we seek the Lord’s will on this matter.  We feel blessed to be a part of such an awesome community of believers!

Secondly, in addition to the Senior Minister transition, we have a few others to mention.  After much thought and prayer, Sheri Sams has decided to join the efforts of Axis Church with Stephen.  She will be overseeing the music and worship services.  Center Pointe has been home to Sheri for 13 years and she has served as our Music Director on a part-time basis for the past 2 years.& ... Read More »

 “What is the biggest obstacle you have to ministry here in West Chester/Liberty Township?”  I asked the elders in my interview for employment nearly 2 years ago.  Their answer… materialism, self centeredness and lack of motivation to step out of our comfort zone and see the fullness of Christ’s gospel realized in everybody’s daily life.  Don’t we all struggle with this?  We tend to go about our day, worrying about ourselves, our families, what’s for dinner, how to excel at our job and then pull into our garage at night, shut the door and forget about the world around us.  Thousands of people living a life without hope, without food, clothing, help, medicine or Jesus…in our own backyard.  Well, the X-Focused ministry team has worked hard over the past 8 months to begin to identify needs of the hurting and struggling in our area and it is time to get to work.  Really, let’s do it.   Below are two sign-up links fo ... Read More »

Waiting...I’m not a big fan.  I only get gas at “Pay at the Pump” gas stations because I don’t want to walk in and wait in line to pay.  I’ve even driven away from a gas station after discovering it was payless at the pump!  I will drive 20 miles (or more) out of my way to avoid sitting in traffic.  I just don’t like to wait.  But, let’s be honest…neither do you!  We microwave our food.  We DVR our favorite TV shows.  We make phone calls while driving.  We use “instant” messaging.  We send an email and expect a response in two minutes or less.  Remember the days when you had to actually call people in order to set up a meeting…and you actually had to wait until they got home to call you back?  Crazy!  We don’t like to wait.  But here we are as a church…waiting.

I would submit to you that there is absolutely nothing better we could be doing right now than wa ... Read More »

The last few months have been a whirlwind to say the least.  I would have never predicted that on May 1, I would be sitting in the position of Interim Senior Minister filling Stephen’s shoes as he was off planting a new church.  I have processed a lot of emotions in the last 6 weeks, but the reality of it all still hasn’t completely sunk in.  Maybe you relate.  But, such is the journey of faith and my faith is being stretched in brand new ways.  It’s both exciting and unnerving at the same time.  I would be less than honest if I didn’t tell you that I feel completely inadequate for the task.  But in the midst of my fear, I have an overwhelming sense of peace.  I think God gives us that fear to remind us of our need for Him.  We cannot do it on our own.  Peace comes as a reminder that we can do all things through Christ.  So, it is with that feeling that I step into this new role…completely confident tha ... Read More »

So we know that we need to become more externally focused as a church, but how?  From an organizational standpoint, there are three things we need to do: assess the needs of our community, find out our strengths and abilities to help, and from those two evaluate what we will do.  Some ways that we can assess the needs of our community include doing a survey and speaking with representatives of different services within the community, such as schools, hospitals, social services and law enforcement.  It is also important to figure out what our strengths are as a church; we need to have some idea of what individuals within our congregation are willing to commit to, and what gifts and talents they have.  Once we have established these two things we’ll be able to match up our church with some important projects within the community.

Today’s meeting opened up with the question “What would the church be remembered for if it ceased to exist today?”  Unfortunately many churches today are known only to the outside world for the buildings they inhabit.  But I don’t think this is what Jesus intended; He and each of the apostles were actively involved in the communities around them, talking to, loving and serving others.  Why then has service to others become an afterthought to so many churches?  One reason could be that people don’t think of the poor and lost in their communities as in need when there are so many government welfare programs available.  However, this is a dangerous thought since government agencies at best can only meet physical needs, leaving the spirit as lost as ever. While the people serving their communities have the best of intentions, only Christians supplying water to the thirsty can provide a glimpse of the “living water” Christ spoke of, even without preaching a sin ... Read More »

In the month of November, our elementary kids were challenged to bring in quarters to pay for packaged meals for kids all around the world. This was to support Kids Against Hunger and these meals provide so much nourishment for the children that doctors would actually prefer these meals over medicine for the kids.  Each meal consists of soy, rice, a chicken stock base, and vitamins.  Each meal cost one quarter. Our kids brought in $458.70 which paid for 1,835 meals.  On November 23rd, our kids were actually able to package the meals and prepare to send them to Haiti.  It was a wonderful experience for our kids and they did an awesome job of forming an assembly line and getting 9,180 meals prepared to be shipped around the world.  We are extremely proud of our kids as they are making a difference in our world.

A few months ago my father was sharing with me a few stories about his life growing up.  My grandfather and grandmother on my dad’s side of the family passed away years before I was born so I was recently inquiring about his home growing up.  He was recollecting to me how Grandpa would work hard all day on the farm and with local farmers as a Veterinarian but would come home every day to sit at the table for dinner at 5:30p.m.  There, awaiting him would be a table full of food and kids (6 to be exact) where they gathered every night for dinner as a family.  As they would begin eating my grandfather would turn to grandma and say, “Well, Mother, how were the children today?”  And then the report would begin.

Dad said you always knew if your name was going to come up and you were always terrified when it was.  If you were included in the “bad report” you would go stand next to grandpa at the table where he would sit calmly ... Read More »

Hi Parents!

We just wanted to share the exciting things that are happening with your kids in Overdrive.
As you know, Overdrive is set up to expose kids to every aspect of The Wheel (Seek, Study, Share, and Serve Christ) that is the core value here at Centerpointe.  Activities are set up in a learning center atmosphere and kids have the freedom to pick and choose which activities they would like to do.  So far the kids are really enjoying it and doing a great job.

In September, the SEEK activity was to decorate a prayer journal that will remain in class all year for each child. The October activities are thought provoking ideas that help kids focus on God and prayer by writing or drawing their thoughts in the journal.  We also have time where we provide CDs players and praise music for kids to sit quietly in private worship.

The kids were most excited by our SERVE activities.  In September, we ... Read More »

On August 3rd, my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage together!  In today's world that is so rare and so beautiful. I am more appreciative today than ever about the stability they've provided and the example they've set for their family and others. 

When I asked them recently about what makes a great marriage endure and thrive for 50 years, they said things like "mutual respect and admiration, compromise and flexibility, and shared values."  To them, these are not just dream-world platitudes but a daily reality.  The most significant value they share is their commitment to Christ and His mission.  They made a mutual commitment, years ago, that their goal for our family was that we would be in heaven together when we die.  Beyond a doubt, their primary focus has always been to advance the kingdom of Christ in our home and in this world.  They have been committed to this cause even longer than they have been ... Read More »