Raised To Life

The vision of Elevation Church is very clear. It took me about 30 minutes in the very first meeting we had here to know what it was.  Elevation Church does what it does,  "So that people far from God will be raised to life in Christ".  What has been incredible is that God lets us be a part of that!  It doesn't have to be here in Charlotte, or at TMCC in Sierra Vista, but that can be the vision for each of our lives in our day to day business.  

In the month and a half that Philip and I have been here, we have already been able to participate in a few outreach/life changing events.  The one that has hit me the hardest was the "spontaneous baptisms" we got to witness and help with.  

Philip has been placed at one of the campus' for the first half of the prodigy program.  At that campus, 2 of the other prodigy guys have been placed there with him.  The second week in, the campus pastor (Philip's mentor) told them that they would be running point on the two weekends of baptisms... Well if they only knew what that would entail!  

They were in charge of delegating and organizing all the details for two weekends in which people would make the decision to get baptized, most of them having no idea when they came to church that weekend, that they would be doing that! (hence the spontaneity of it all) Throughout this process Philip was able to work with and get to know many of the key volunteers at the campus. 

Just a really quick rundown of how the two weekends went... Philip got to the church at 1 PM on Saturday and set up different tables up to get ready for the 100 plus volunteers about to show up.  When the volunteers got there they put together individual bags for each person getting baptized with shorts, shirts, underwear, flip flops, and then a ton of extras like brushes, blow dryers, straighteners, makeup remover... the list goes on and on.  They wanted to give everyone the opportunity to throw any and every excuse out the window as to why they shouldn't/couldn't get baptized that day. Then the volunteers set up the pavilion with a rented baptismal and bleachers. They also put tents together where people could change after being baptized.  Here's a picture of my man in action, giving the volunteers instructions.

Philip and the other prodigy guys were there close to midnight making sure everything was ready for the next morning.  On Sunday Philip got there at 6:30, while Parker and I got there by 8.   The morning was filled with prepping and praying over the people who would be taking their next step through  baptism. Pastor Steven preached an incredible message that led many people to stand up out of their chairs and walk down the hall to get changed.  You can listen to it Here if you are interested and have the time.  Here are a few shots of the line of people waiting to take the plunge and be Raised to Life!

  I had the incredible opportunity to host about 12 of these people.  I walked them through the line and helped explain and answer any questions they had.

Both weekends were incredible! Parker and I left around 2:30, but Philip stuck around to closer to 5.  By the end of the 2 weekends at our campus alone 458 people were baptized, and over 3,300 people at all the campus' total made this next commitment!  They were long and exhausting days, but only God can take days like that and make you feel so refreshed and rejuvenated at the end.  If you have ever served God in any way you know what I'm talking about, and if you haven't, I'm telling you, there's nothing like it!  Go to your church and ask how you can serve. Even if it isn't a weekend of baptisms, God can use you to help change someone's life. 

I think something that God is teaching me in all of this, is that ultimately ministry isn't about me and what works in my schedule or Parker's nap/bedtime. (all you mommies out there know how hard this one is to let go of)  Or even what I feel or don't feel like doing.  It comes down to the fact that it is all about Him.  It comes down to reaching people that are far from Him so that they can be raised to life in Christ! 

Philip and I are both learning that ministry isn't a job, it is a lifestyle.  Each day we have been called to tell anyone we can about God, and the gift of grace that He so freely gives.  Keep that in mind as this weekend comes to a close and a new work week begins... Make ministry a lifestyle!

Here's a video that Elevation put together after the baptisms, check it out Here!

With Love, From Charlotte