Brentwood Tribe,
I am so proud of our church. The four service launch on Sunday was phenomenal, and it allowed us to reach 1,475 people, (a record number) on our first weekend. Amazing!!!

We baptized six people and I met several first-timers who either were not Christ-followers, or had not been in church for years. Most of them were blown away by the welcome we give to our guest. One girl invited her dad to witness her baptism. He is not a believer, but he left with two of our free Bibles. His daughter was so excited to see her dad taking a small step towards Christ. Those stories are why we gather, serve and give to our church every week.

Also, I was awed by the determination and commitment of our volunteers. Below is a snapshot of guys from our guest services and parking team going the extra mile to help a car get unstuck. Thanks guys for sacrificing your clothes for the team. Additionally, our musicians and production engineers (all volunteers) served and gave their everything throughout the entire day and into the evening. You guys are awesome.

Finally, I was so proud of our staff and leadership teams for creating an inspiring place to be the Church.

See you Sunday as we continue “What It Takes.”

Onward!
Jon

Night Services Launched:
Groundbreaking weekend at Brentwood. Yep, we started the Sunday night service track with a 4:30p.m., and we add the 6:15p.m. next weekend. Wow, did we ever need it. The morning crowd was so slammed we sadly turned away nearly 300 people and had to ask some of our regulars to come back at night just to let guest have their seats. Seeing the true-blue Brentwood giving up their seats was inspiring. You guys are incredible!!!

So, for all you night people serving and attending in the P.M., now you know why your shift is so crucial. Well done.

Haiti:
Additionally, you guys showed up big time on Haiti relief. Over 9,000 bottles of water were collected on Sunday. We delivered all the pallets this morning to Gleaning for the World and they were blown away by the amount from one church. Also, thirty people signed up to join the Haiti relief team that will be serving there in the coming weeks.

Bottom line:
The people of Brentwood are demonstrating Christ in simple and impacting ways: changing service times, giving up a seat and giving water and comfort to earthquake victims. Small things like this change the world and prepare heart-soil to receive the Gospel.

Onward!
Jon

Brentwood Tribe,

By now you know that the country of Haiti is in apocalyptic shambles with the recent earthquake, an already impoverished people have been hit with a nearly fatal blow. Yet, history tells us this is when God shows up “Big Time” through His Church.

For the last 24-hrs, Steve Pettit, our Life Development Pastor, has been in conversations with Blue Ridge Community Church to see how we can partner together to send relief supplies and a team to Haiti.

Here’s the 1st-draft plans:
1) Water: Brentwood people bring cases of bottled-water to the 9:00, 10:45A.M. or 4:30P.M. services on Sunday. It’s simple. Go to Sams or Wal-mart pick up some Card With Care and add a couple cases of water to your cart. We’ll be delivering them to Gleaning For The World on Monday.
2) Team Haiti: Right now, we’re making contact with a local Haitian church 100km outside of Port Au Prince. Most likely, we’ll be sending a small team of volunteers in the coming weeks. If you’re compelled, visit the NOW 10/40 table in the church lobby on Sunday.

Look for more details on Sunday.

Onward!!!
Jon

This past August, two Virginia Tech students were murdered near the Jefferson National Park in Montgomery County, Virginia. Both David Metzler and Heidi Childs were from right here in Lynchburg, so our community was stunned and grief stricken when the news was reported. So far, there’s still no leads in the case and the murders are unsolved, but the story would haunt me for weeks. Until, I finally decided to find out who David and Heidi were and why they were so special to so many people.

Lynchburg Living gave me permission to track down and write a story with few limitations. Honestly, I’ve never gotten so emotionally and spiritually involved in writing a 3rd-person story before.

Specifically, I want to thank Dr. Keith and Susan Metzler, and Don and Laura Childs for letting me into their lives and the memories and artifacts of their children.

So after many interviews and sleepless nights, here it is: http://www.lynchburgliving.com/story.php

NOTE: If you’re local, pick up a copy of the latest Lynchburg Living for more photographs and captions.

Brentwood Tribe,

Sunday will be our first Sunday of a new decade and I am stoked to dream some God-sized dreams with you. I have no doubt that our greatest years as a church are ahead of us. Already we have a goal to reach 10,000 new people with the Gospel in the next 10 years, but that’s just the beginning.

We start a series this Sunday called “What It Takes.” You don’t want to miss a week of it either. Why? Because we’re going to layout what it’s going to take to be a PREVAILING CHURCH not only in Lynchburg, but around the globe.

Let’s get this party started. See you Sunday.

Onward!
Jon