Hitchhiking to Substance

I just got back from the first big “students with substance” tail-gate party.   Wow!  Talk about a movement waiting to happen!  The pavillion at the park was packed with college students.  And that grill had more hot dogs than I’ve seen in a long time!  

But seriously, in case you didn’t know, Students with Substance is the college ministry at our church filled with students from many of the major universities.  For the longest time, we’ve wanted to do a better job at mobilizing all of our young dynamos.  And the man who’s risen to the challenge is none other than our very own James Rogers.  (Or, as I like to call him:  ”Rogers, …James Rogers”)

Now if you haven’t met James yet, wow, you’re really missing out.  This guy is one heck of a rising leader. (And it doesn’t hurt that he’s ridiculously good looking too)…(ladies, see picture below).  As we watched him introduce seven of the leaders on his team, I got the sense that we have some sleeping giants in our church.

But honestly though: my wife and I were totally overwhelmed by the event.  It’s almost bizarre to me how many young people the Lord has entrusted to our church.  And when I saw all of them I couldn’t help but think:   Watch out Twin Cities… we have one highly explosive ministry on our hands!   And I realize that it sounds like hype.  But most people have no idea how profound this is.

About a year ago I had an older woman tell me:  You guys are really silly for pursuing college students.  She said, “you might have big numbers… but those numbers are almost worthless.  They’re here today… gone tomorrow.”   (And frankly, this attitude is probably why the American church is dying).

But, I’ll tell you what:  Four years ago this thousand member church wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for a few daring college students.  And just about every major missions and church planting movement began with college students.   So, as far as I’m concerned, bring ‘em in!  These guys are gonna take over the world.  And if I have anything to say about it, we’re gonna start right here in the Twin Cities.

So get to know these young up-and-comers!   We’ve got some real movers and shakers.

And get ready Twin Cities:   This Movement has just Begun!

Me & James, who's in U of M war paint!

Congrats to Substance Staffers Pastor Peter and Missy Morse on their new baby: Emmett Sullivan Morse!  7lbs and ?  I’m a man, so I don’t remember those things very well.  All I know it that my little 2 year old boy (Eden) saw my wife Carolyn holding the Morse’s little guy and my son immediately got jealous.  He came up to little Emmett and smacked him.  Emmett clenched  his tiny face, let out a little yelp and didn’t give another peep.  Wow!  That’s pretty tough!  (Probably gets it from his mom).
So I’m proud to say that, apparently, little Emmett Morse is officially a tough guy.  He’s already taken his first punch and has turned the other cheek.  (By the way Pete and Missy…Sorry about that… I’ll try to control my child better.)

But, alas, parenting is great!  As soon as we got our son Eden home – he vomited all over me – three times no less!   But again, Pete, you’re gonna love parenting — and all the juicy details ! : (
So congrats to the new mom and dad!  We love you guys!  And the church does too!

Pastor Pete, Missy & Emmett

What is up Substance!

I am completely excited to welcome you to my new blog.  For months my staff have been telling me: “Pastor, you need to get a ‘pastor’s blog’ going!”   And I have resisted… mainly because I am a natural writer.  And I’m afraid that I’ll end up lost in the blogosphere for weeks — only to find that my children have suddenly graduated from highschool.

But nonetheless, I’m excited to share about all of the cool things going on in both my life and the church.  God has been so good to us.  And I’m having so many exciting meetings with ministry captains, church planters and new believers from Substance.  So, this blog is just another way that you can be a part of all of the exciting things going on.

Even more, there are so many exciting additions to the substance team.  I’ve been looking at different places for office space too.  So, I figure that I can post some of these fun pictures as the trustees and I look at different locations.

But either way, I’m just excited to have all of you along for the journey.  God’s got some really fun things up his sleeve.  So be praying.

Of course, to celebrate my first blog, my daughters wanted me to take a picture and post it.  So, smile big and stay posted!

True, Peter, & Lijah celebrating our new blog!