The Prodigy In Me

I know it has been too long since I have really sat down to update everyone on where we are in life and how the Prodigy Program is going.  But I figured now is better than never!  I have to begin by explaining in a little more detail what the Prodigy Program is all about.  However, Pastor Steven does a pretty good job here:

Why We Want You for Our Prodigy Program from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

The Prodigy Program is “a ministry apprenticeship designed by Elevation Church to give hands-on training to high-capacity leaders in a fast moving, rapidly growing, Christ-centered church environment.“  From leaving Sierra Vista, to the trip to Charlotte there was no question of whether or not we were in the right place.  God did mighty works to get us here and has provided for us while we have been here! 

On day one, as they oriented us to the program and help communicate expectations, there were six main points to focus on over the course of these 22 weeks:

1. Cancel the Audition.

We are here to seek to understand before we seek to impress.  I have taken this to heart as God has humbled me in showing me that there is so much more that God is doing and I am blessed to be involved in it on this level.

2. Learn to Fail Forward.

Through the program I have become more conscious of my weaknesses, but it isn’t my weaknesses that define me.  God has used these to show me how to depend upon Him more!

3. This isn’t a Balance, it is a Lifestyle.

How true this one is.  For so long I prioritized my life and ministry.  However I have seen that there needs to be a full integration of life and ministry.  Therefore it will be a lifestyle, and with this comes the flows of different seasons (extremely busy vs. regular busy).

4. God Called You, so don’t Start Qualifying Yourself.

It was the favor of God that got me here and it will be obedience to God that will keep me here.  I cannot depend upon my own strengths or skills to advance my position or to gain me favor.  God is calling me to be a better me in Him and He will take care of the rest!

5. Be a Student of the Culture.

This was one of the biggest changes for me.  We have such a unique culture here at Elevation, one that is contagious, but still much different than what I was used to.  Yet over the last several months it has been easy to lay aside my preferences because I have seen the impact that the singular mission has had on thousands of lives!

6. Commit to Being Developed.

This has been one of the greatest experiences, because as I look around me I see people eager to invest in me and make me a better leader.  We are reaching people far from God and they are being raised to life in Christ. 

Each one of these challenges has helped shaped me in some new ways.  It has been a challenge adapting to a new culture, but we have seen God work mightily in us and through us.  Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Here is a quick look at the guys I share my week with.  I will introduce you to them in the next blog post, but for now just enjoy their smiling faces!

With love, from Charlotte

Mommy Engle eGroup

Since Philip and I have moved here to Charlotte, we have had to learn and adapt to many things along the way.  One of the transitions I had to make was finding some mommy friends.  Back in Sierra Vista I had lots of friends, that were also moms, that I could text in the morning and know that most likely someone would be available and wanting to hang out with me and Parker at some point that day.  Here's a quick shout out to all my mommy friends back in the SV!!  I miss you and love you :)  Parker also misses you and your kids, we talk about you and pray for you regularly. 

Parker's good friend Savannah before we left for charlotte :)

However, being in a new place, I didn't have that luxury and I was getting kinda lonely.  So I started looking for a mommy eGroup. (What we call our small groups here at Elevation) Unfortunately, there weren't any groups that were in the right area or the right time for me and Parker.  I knew I couldn't make it til the next semester of groups to get into one, so I mustered up a little courage, and I decided to start one myself!  I'm not going to make any friends by sitting at home wishing I had some.  So in a period of about 3 days, I went through the process of becoming an eGroup leader. (quicker than it's usually done, but luckily my hubby knows some people and was able to pull a few strings :)  By the following Sunday I was promoting my group and recruiting members.  Kind of Really scary if you don't know anyone, but God provided about 7 incredible women to sign up!  

Two weeks ago we had our first meeting, I had 5 people in attendance.  That's actually really good, because if you know any moms, you know that we tend to miss a lot of things due to runny noses, fevers, and just plain forgetfulness! I typically blame my forgetfulness on the fact that my child took some of my brain cells, and that I haven't really slept in a couple years.  Anyways, that first week was a simple play date at an incredible park here in Charlotte.  It was so nice to be surrounded by these women, who were looking for the same thing in a group of moms.  Someone to chat to at the park, in between the chasing of our children of course, and hopefully finding someone we might be able to connect with, so that the next time we want to have a play date or have someone to pray for one of the many struggles we face as moms, that we know someone has our back. 

Our second meeting we started what I hope our group to look like from here on out.  We are going through the book The Power of a Praying Parent, by Stormie Omartian.  My mom gave it to me for Christmas and I have been wanting to dive in to it, but hadn't had a chance.  I read her other book The Power of a Praying Wife and knew that this would be a good choice.  So each week we will have read a chapter from the book and then come to the meeting prepared to pray for our children in a specific way.  I've asked the moms to bring their strollers and walking shoes.  When we get to the park we go on a walk and pray for our kids!  The first week was so refreshing to be out in the cool air, and to pray together as moms working to be prayer warriors for our kids.  After our prayer walk we meet back at the playground and release the kids to run around, while we once again chase after them to make sure they don't break a bone or steal another kids snack.  

One last thing that I've challenged these women with is to reach out to other moms that might need a group like this.  It just so happens that a group of moms from all over South Charlotte meet at this park at the exact same time on the exact same day as our group.  I don't know about you, but to me, this has "God Thing" written all over it.  Moms are desperate for friends, support and encouragement!  God placed this in our laps!  And the thing about it is that it isn't just this one situation that this is happening.  If you take a few minutes and think about your week, and who you spend time with, I guarantee that God has provided you with your "playground of mom's" to reach out to.  It may not be 20 people or even 5, Maybe it's just one person that God is calling you to invest a little extra time or a little extra effort in encouraging them.  I challenge you to make it your calling, and your mission to get to know them and allow them to get to know you and who you serve!  

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we seek God's will, and what He has for us.  We miss you!  Here's a quick pic of the little man... Simply because he's adorable :)

With Love, From Charlotte

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