11 Year Anniversary of NRHC

It seems hard to believe 11 years ago a handful of people were meeting in my little house with a common vision to do "church" different. A group of people who were tired of people saying they were Christian and acting Religious. (We saw that before... Pharisees!) A dream that maybe "church" could be done different. Maybe the "church" could make a difference in its city. Wow! Who would have thought how far we would have come.

Yes, we have grown in numbers meeting each week. We have met in 5 locations and have outgrown all 5 locations including our brand new building. We have went from a house, to a temporary facility, to a school, to the "domes," and now on a 34 acre campus. When it comes to buildings... we never have enough room! Wow!

But let me share with you what our greatest success is... a growing vision. We have never settled for where we have been. Over the years we were just happy if people showed up. Then we decided we needed a clearer purpose and began to focus on making disciples. Over the last several years we have moved from small groups and classes to now instituting a new system... one on one mentoring. However, our vision grew! Over the last several years we have been convicted that it is not about our church... but rather God's Kingdom. We have begun the process of reaching our city by partnering with local school, construction, and Movies in the Park for families. We have begun to plant churches. Currently we have supported 6 churches in US, 9 in Cuba, and 3 in Costa Rica. We have begun a Church planting center not only for Anglo Churches but also Hispanic. Wow!!!! The vision has grown!

Let me close with this thought. Our greatest days are not behind us... they are ahead of us. If this is what God can do with a few people... just imagine what He can do with a army of people who are committed to a big vision! What if not only our church had a big vision but what if we partnered with other churches who had big visions. We worked together to make our cities a better place to be. In 2009 we will ramp up our efforts to help people follow Christ in their personal lives, we will up our commitment to plant churches, and we will begin the process of collaborating with other churches to make our city a better place to live. Let us dream big... and ask God to allow us to be a part of something so great that no one person could take credit. Let us be a part of something God sized!

Happy Birthday North Rock Hill Church!