Meeting Others Where They Are At

Yesterday was a long day coming. After nearly a year of studying our area's demographics, planning and praying, acting and implementing, the day finally arrived.

This was an opportunity for the Strategic Initiative: CR 210 to breathe life into its existence. We hosted our first Community Invitational Event for Longleaf @ 210, A Branch of Mandarin United Methodist Church.

We arrived at 2:00 p.m. and unloaded our materials for the days events. Volunteers began to arrive to work their areas, the food trucks were arriving and music checks were being done. The weather was perfect, approximately 70 degrees and overcast with no wind.

At 3:15, all of our volunteers gathered for a time of prayer and we hoped for people to arrive! Arrive they did! We had people from the church as well as people from the community come, children were playing, youth were hanging out, people were singing, and community was being strengthened.

Our ministry booths were all set with information on our new Fresh Expressions. I was working the "Kayaking With Jeff" booth, Nick and Mary were working the "Sports and Faith" Booth, Pastor Will was working the "Brewery Booth" and my mother-in-law, Cheryl was at the T-Shirt table. Kathy was doing her incredible work with face painting with great help from Renee, Bill was leading the musicians, Andrea was welcoming people, John and Gerri were thanking people for attending, Chad was playing games with our older children and Jennifer was leading the little ones in games! It was so exciting!

We met many young families over the two hours at the Johns Creek Amenity Center. These families shared with us their desire to see more ministry opportunities along CR 210 as it just seems too far to drive to Mandarin multiple times each week. We had some share with us that they are so excited to come to church on Sunday to check us out. I had a discussions with a mother who wanted to know more about what it means to be "Methodist."

I felt like a pioneer in a new land yesterday as we journeyed out of the walls of the church into a new frontier! It's great to be in a place where everything is SO new! There is an excitement here and a movement of God's Holy Spirit in this place. It is my prayer that we can continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that will continue to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ and each other.

Looking forward to what God will continue to do!