Hitchhiking to Substance

Campus Launch Team at Northwestern

Today we officially launched a new Substance campus at Northwestern.   And, thanks to God, it was a wild success.  Using viral networking alone, we ended up getting over 400 new visitors at our new campus this Sunday… (And we’re not even going to do our “real promotion” of the new campus for another 4 weeks!!!!)  Wow!

Obviously, we’ve been growing all through out the summer; yet, we had over 400 college students gone for summer.  And we knew that, as soon as our students returned, we’d be out of seats (as Fridley High-school Theater only seats around 1400 in two services).  So, having the ability to launch a new site in Northwestern’s 1300 seat multi-media auditorium was perfect.

In fact, I did a short video diary of the entire day (I.e., I videotaped my thoughts as I travelled and experienced both campuses).  Check it out on youtube!   www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlQhySWKu1k

Of course, our fancy new video technology almost failed us for our first service at Fridley (where I preached live); but, never fear:  It was flawless for the second one (which was the one that counted).  Then I went over to Northwestern to preach at the 10:30 service.  Of course, Northwestern is gorgeous (& the sound & lighting system is equally amazing).

So hat’s off to all of our amazing ministry teams who made this happen.  Believe it or not, we’ve involved almost 300 new people into ministry in the last couple months.  And we not only expanded into Northwestern; but, if you pay close attention to Fridley, we’re upgrading both our video and our sound.  So great job everyone!

Also, I just want to re-clarify our new meeting times:  (So here’s the big picture).  

            Saturday,             5pm – Live Video Recording and cafe

            Sunday,             9 & 11 am – Fridley Highschool Auditorium

            Sunday,             10:30 am – Northwestern College’s Maranatha Hall

I’m actually going to be speaking live at all three locations each weekend.  (The 11am at Fridley will be a mix between creative video and live).  However, both the worship band and I are going to be mixing it up so that no venue feels like a “lesser” venue.

But let me warn you:  The first couple weeks may be a bit chaotic.  Attendance at specific services may fluctuate wildly for about a month.  But, just hold on; after all, by this November, everything will level off!

So, we appreciate your patience with all of our “growth chaos.”  But even more, we appreciate your volunteerism and prayers in the coming weeks.

I believe in my heart that the Twin Cities will never be the same!!!!  So let’s give thanks to God.  Agreed?

Symbolic of my Soul

Yes indeed, Brett Favre is coming to the Minnesota Vikings.  Who would have thought?

Of course, many of you know that I grew up in Central Wisconsin where they literally worship the Packers.  As pastor Lombardi once said… I mean coach Lombardi:  “The three most important things in life are family, religion, and the Green bay Packers.“  And this was really serious.  (Of course, you have to live there to understand it…& part of it is because there’s not much to do there : ) But the vortex of Packer football is almost impossible to resist if you really want any friends.  By the time I left Marshfield, I had experienced 8 solid seasons without missing a single game… (even my wife became a regular fan). 

Even more, I had made numerous pilgrimages to Lambeau… one of which was that Monday night Packer-Viking game where the Pack won in overtime (you know, that game when it was pouring rain & the ball bounced off of Antonio Freeman’s back shoulder then landed in his hands for the touchdown)??  I still tear up when I think about that.  (& if you’re a Viking fan, you probably do too).

So when we decided to plant a church in Minneapolis, the #1 question from our previous church was:  “How are you planning on staying true to the green and gold while living there?”  I mean, people were truly concerned for my NFL salvation.  I even had church members from Wisconsin offering to buy Sunday ticket on Directv so I would never miss a Packer game (it was offered like missionary support).

But I kept telling the people:  Listen church, I cannot antagonize the people of Minneapolis and still minister to them.  I’ve got to be willing to open my heart to Viking fans. Yet, their only solace was when I told them that I would adopt the Vikings like Abraham adopted Ishmael.  I could love both of them as my sons, but only one team came with the Promise… (specifically referring to Favre).  So you could imagine my shock when I heard that Favre was coming!  It felt like God was reconciling my two worlds.  (I’ve actually had dreams that Favre and I became good friends).

Of course, I was pretty angry when the Packers gave Favre the boot.  Sure, he put them in an awkward position; but, for goodness sakes… he’s not only a legend but he brought them to the NFC championship only months earlier.  I actually became a Jets fan for a year just to get over it.

So here’s the cool part.  Rumor has it that his daughter is coming to Mpls for college.  And you all know that Substance and college students are like chocolate and peanut butter.  Of course, Favre’s daughter is not coming to Substance, as far as I know (that was just a gimmick); BUT, I beguiled you with good purpose…  Prayer.

In a week in a half we are launching a new Substance campus at Northwestern!  And Substance, this is our Super-bowl moment; because, we’re estimating that we are going to grow by around 400 people in the coming 2 months!  So we need you to be praying like never before.  We cannot afford to cruise into the fall without being prayed up.

And, I suppose we could pray for Wisconsin too.  After all, Favre coming over here is nothing short of a state-wide church split.  So, Viking fans… I hope that you lend a compassionate hand towards our conflicted Wisconsin brothers.  After all… good things do come from Wisconsin… Right?

Billy Hornsby & me preaching at Lifechurch.tv

Well, I got to live out a dream of sorts.  As many of you know, I’m a big Craig Groeschel fan.  And if you don’t know who he is, well… he’s the pastor of the amazing and innovative lifechurch.tv.  He’s a younger guy (40′s) yet they already have a bazillion campuses.  Seriously, this guy is taking over the world.  And, of course, the staff and I LOVE listening to his messages.  (But don’t start listening to him otherwise you’ll know when I rip him off!  :  )  …j/k…

But, seriously, he’s kind of a hero to me.  So when Billy Hornsby, the President of the ARC church planting organization, asked me to speak at a small church planters conference at Craig’s church, I was freaking out.  After all, I’ve seen so many video messages of Craig, it was rather surreal to actually stand on the same holy stage and teach others.

In fact, when I put on the headset microphone & wireless pack, it said, “Groeschel” on the side.  Immediately, I felt like I was holding a sacred relic! …you know… as if I was wearing Michael Jackson’s silver glove, or wearing Elvis’ belt!   I mean, this was the very same microphone that has blessed me over and over again!  I felt like I was borrowing the Fonzes’ leather jacket!  (Yes…I was a child of the early 80′s).

And right before I was about to take a picture with me cuddling it… (you know, for staff humor that would only make sense to my staff) it started giving feedback… so the sound guy had to switch it out.  But I still had time to wipe off some of the anointed sweat.  (again, I hope you know I’m kidding).

Of course, the conference was really amazing.  The video feeds will be seen by thousands of people.  And, I got HUGE feedback from a good number of church planters. But despite the amazing conference, I still wasn’t able to meet Craig! 

So, a bit deflated, I was at the airport, getting ready to fly home.  I had just ordered the most amazing footlong chilli-cheese dog to console my milieu of emotions; and, take a wild guess who was behind me at the airport?!  It was Craig Groeschel… in the flesh!

Immediately, I was star-struck (which doesn’t happen very often).  A few awkward words flew out of my mouth.  And it turns out:  He knew who I was!  Can you believe that?  He’s heard stuff about Substance!  What a crazy deal!

So listen up:  As fun as that was, there is something far more amazing that I want to make you aware of:   God Himself knows your name!   I mean, THE God who created the universe… the author of all life… the maker of all things, knows who you are and is knocking on your door!   …That’s CRAZY.

I mean… as great as it was to meet a hero of mine, it is a far greater privilege to be able to meet with Christ himself through prayer.  In fact, it’s almost mind-blowing that such an important person would even care enough to initiate friendship with us, let alone meet with us.

After I gobbled down my endless hotdog over good fellowship, I had a great moment with God today.  I’m looking at the clouds outside my window; and, I just know deep down in my heart that he’s smiling at me.  He love to bless his children.

So wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, don’t let God’s invitation to meet with him go unanswered.  With such an invitation as this, we need to spend time with him.  After all, He’s not just good.  He’s Great.  But you can’t take my word for it.  You gotta experience it for yourself!

 I love you guys!

Well we just finished doing all of our new service times this weekend… and it all rocks. Wow.  Our Saturday recording at our Operation Center was stinkin cool!

In case you didn’t know, starting this last Saturday August 1st, at 5pm, we started an event called the Saturday Night Recording at our Operation Center studio auditorium. We have so many people listening to our audio podcasts from around the country that we decided to change to full video podcasts of our messages. Keep in mind, our largest “service” could easily be our online audience. Also keep in mind, our coffee shop will also be open on Saturday nights!!!! : )  (we gave free coffees to everyone who showed up this last Saturday!)…. perhaps we’ll do it again : ) ?  But when all was said and done it was AWESOME!!!!  So, if you have a free Saturday, come on out and hear the message before anyone else does!  (sorry, no child-care : ( we’re recording : (

 But make sure you read the vision document that I linked in an earlier post!  It has a lot of important information about the changes we’re making this Fall.

And remember, at Fridley, our Sunday morning services are changing to 9am and 11 am. (No more 8 am service) So if you attended 8 am, we’re asking you to “sleep in for Jesus.”
Of course, it will still be a month before we launch at Northwestern, but be praying: These are exciting times!  And watch out for changes at Fridley.  Because we’re unveiling our new lighting and video set up at Fridley in the coming weeks. (And it will look stinking cool!)   God is Amazing!
See you there!!!