Greetings from Chicago
Hi all. Well it's 5.20 am here in Chicago and due to them being 6 hours behind the UK and 8 behind Zambia I've been wide awake since 4 - the joys of international travel!
I'm here for what they call 'Partnering to Prevail' which is a week long opportunity to see behind the scenes at Willow Creek and meet with their senior leadership team including Bill Hybels. It's all a bit crazy coming straight off the back of Zambia but I just felt coming here was too good an opportunity to miss as we look at what it will take to grow us to 2,000. A huge thankyou to everyone who has been praying for me and our family - I so appreciate it. I came here with a cold and an upset stomach but feel loads better now.
I've heard great reports back on the weekend in Bracknell. Sounds like new day local with the youth on Friday went well and that Sunday was full of life with great worship, preaching and personal stories from Clive and the Zambia team. Perhaps I'll stay away a bit longer!
I'm so looking forward to the start of the Christmas programme this weekend. I've been working on my talk for Sunday night this morning, as well as praying for the people on my invite list and for lives to be changed at every event. Can I encourage you to do the 3 things I spoke about 3 Sundays back.
1. Pray for the people on your invite list.
2. Do something socially with them.
3. Invite them to one of the events.
You just don't know what God will do. Can I also encourage you to come the next three Sunday evenings, even if you don't have guests - it makes such a difference to have a crowd of our people there. Or phone Susannah and offer to serve - we can never have enough smiling faces to welcome people and break all their stereotypes of what church is!
I'll try and post updates on what's going on here every day. Have a great rest of your day and be expecting God to surprise you!
Simon.
I'm here for what they call 'Partnering to Prevail' which is a week long opportunity to see behind the scenes at Willow Creek and meet with their senior leadership team including Bill Hybels. It's all a bit crazy coming straight off the back of Zambia but I just felt coming here was too good an opportunity to miss as we look at what it will take to grow us to 2,000. A huge thankyou to everyone who has been praying for me and our family - I so appreciate it. I came here with a cold and an upset stomach but feel loads better now.
I've heard great reports back on the weekend in Bracknell. Sounds like new day local with the youth on Friday went well and that Sunday was full of life with great worship, preaching and personal stories from Clive and the Zambia team. Perhaps I'll stay away a bit longer!
I'm so looking forward to the start of the Christmas programme this weekend. I've been working on my talk for Sunday night this morning, as well as praying for the people on my invite list and for lives to be changed at every event. Can I encourage you to do the 3 things I spoke about 3 Sundays back.
1. Pray for the people on your invite list.
2. Do something socially with them.
3. Invite them to one of the events.
You just don't know what God will do. Can I also encourage you to come the next three Sunday evenings, even if you don't have guests - it makes such a difference to have a crowd of our people there. Or phone Susannah and offer to serve - we can never have enough smiling faces to welcome people and break all their stereotypes of what church is!
I'll try and post updates on what's going on here every day. Have a great rest of your day and be expecting God to surprise you!
Simon.