Tweet Up - A Unique Invitational Idea

If you are familiar with social media, you recognize the name Twitter. Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as ‘tweets’. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers (called ‘Tweeps’). A ‘Tweet Up’ is a social gathering where Twitter advocates meet face to face.

We have done a lot of outreach and invitational evangelism at Living Word Christian Center, including a monthly Winners Luncheon for business professionals, job fairs, senior forums, and military family support events, but Tuesday night’s Tweet Up proved to be a gold mine in our efforts to reach those who don’t know about our church.

Several months ago, Carrie Rocha, a young entrepreneur in our church, launched a coupon cutters website call Pocket Your Dollars. PYD struck a chord in the hearts of thousands of followers and Carrie has quickly become a rising star, promoting her site through social media (Twitter and Facebook) and on local radio and TV programs.

When Carrie called to ask if our church would provide space for a ‘Meet and Greet ‘event where hundreds of her followers could get to know one another, it seemed to be a unique opportunity. She suggested that her followers might like to know more about Living Word’s dollar-stretching grocery ministry called Angel Food which gave me an opportunity to present its features and benefits.

So many PYD readers signed up for the event that Carrie had to limit attendance to 250. Carrie shared the story of how her vision to help consumers weather today’s economic pressures while staying at home with her two small children became a reality.

Our goal for the Tweet Up was to expose first time visitors to our facility, to greet them warmly and to treat them graciously. Carrie’s ‘Meet and Greet’ Tweet Up event more than exceeded our expectations and opened our eyes to another novel way to create exposure for our church.

Living Word helps Brooklyn Park Take a Bite Out of Crime

When Living Word Christian Center heard that the Brooklyn Park Police Department needed to replace retiring police dogs but lack funding, they responded with a contribution that defines LWCC's ongoing commitment to building community partnerships.

Last weekend, Canine Unit Supervisor Lt. Steve Pearson along with the dog handlers and police dogs 'Dingo', 'Falco' and 'Diesel' were introduced before the services. A special video was presented which explained how the new canines were acquired, trained and fielded.

It was heart warming to see the appreciation that was extended by our congregation to these public servants who place their lives on the line every day to maintain law and order in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis.

Living Word's cooperation with the police goes beyond financial support. The BPPD uses Living Word's facilities during the week to provide ongoing training in suspect search to the great delight of our staff and Maranatha school children.

The bible says in Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. The crime rate is down in Brooklyn Park, in great part to the cooperation between church and law enforcement.

Kids Studio: Where Kids Bring Their Parents to Church

My wife Annie and I took our grandson to Kids Studio at Living Word Christian Center this evening to enjoy "Eddie's Shake Shop", a 30 minute weekly serial stage-play designed to bring families a positive message in a powerful, entertaining way.

Kids Studio employs grade school aged actors and uses the latest multimedia technology including state-of-the-art lighting, high-definition video, and multiple plasma screens, widescreen projectors, and cutting-edge audio equipment to provide families with world-class entertainment while promoting strong family values.

What I have come to appreciate about Executive Director Mark Harper's unique stage production is the appeal that it has to the young unchurched families in the community. This fall my son and daughter in law invited their neighbors to the Friday night production and they haven't missed a single show. In fact they are now coming to church on Sunday morning.

Kids Studio: Another door of outreach. Another opportunity to impact our community for Jesus.

The Dream In Your Heart

Eric Rolland is using the promises in God's Word to achieve his dream. Although 34 years old, which is older than most PGA rookies, Eric is preparing himself to attend PGA Tour Qualifying School this fall.

“Pastor Mac has taught us to follow the dream in your heart”, Eric said, “so I am preparing myself physically, mentally and spiritually to achieve my life’s ambition to be a professional on the PGA Tour.”

Eric attends and is very active in ministry at Living Word Christian Center. In addition to ushering and street witnessing with Pastor Nick Kinn, he volunteers to teach swing fundamentals to the Crest View Elementary School junior golf team while incorporating life principles of determination and patience.

Eric’s accomplishments are admirable. He placed in the top ten at the 2008 Tapemark Charity Golf Tournament in South St. Paul and eleventh in the 2008 Minnesota State Open Golf Tournament. Eric hones his game through practice and by competing in local professional tournaments. He was "Man of theYear" for the Chippewa Valley Golf Association. Last weekend he won the event at St. Croix National Golf Club near Stillwater.

Eric's mission field is professional golf. “Without Jesus the life of any professional athlete is incomplete. I have wept in the middle of a golf tournament for the souls of these players", he shared recently.

Eric and his wife have a three year old child and live in Rogers, MN.

March Madness

February was a good month for me. Opportunities to reach out appeared daily. I found a new sense of purpose as I discovered blogging. I began reading again. The gym became an almost daily purgative to the press of ministry. Most importantly, my heart is turning more and more toward the needs of other people who are struggling amidst the economic downturn. (Probably needful for a pastor.)

Now March.

My assistant, Adam, and I have been counting days until the first day of spring. With the average high temperature at 34 degrees and college basketball playoffs in the air, I am making a commitment to Go MAD in March. That’s right. I am going to Go Make A Difference this month.

This month I am committing myself to:
• Keep my ears open for how God wants to use community outreach in a BIG way.
• Work closer with our food shelf Emergency Food Shelf Network

• Look for more ways to use our church facility for public access.
• Corroborate with local pastors and public school principals to promote mutual goals.
• Honor and acknowledge the value that lay leadership brings to the ministry.
• Help feed more hungry people through Angel Food Ministries.

What awesome opportunities to make a difference await us this month.

I’m going MAD in March! Join me?

The March to a Million

My sidekick in the outreach ministry is Nick Kinn. Nick has been the staff evangelist at Living Word since 1986. In that time Nick has recruited, trained, equipped and mobilized hundreds of soul winners while building one of the most active street evangelism ministries in America.

In his book "Have You Heard the Good News" Nick shares his testimony and how easy it is to lead someone to the Lord.

I have never met anyone who is more passionate about winning souls. One summer afternoon Nick agreed to help me drag hoses to a local Wal-mart where our teams were staging a car wash. No sooner was I unloading the van but Nick began sharing Jesus with a young man outside the store. He wasn't much help setting up the outreach that day but we both basked in the knowledge that eternity had been altered for several new Christians.

Since the beginning of this ministry, Nick has seen over 900,000 souls come into the kingdom of God! This year his efforts will top one million souls. Pastor Mac recently announced that when we reach one million souls we will have a party.

The march to a million. It's reason to rejoice and we plan to shout!