Hey this deserves some press. Not for us but for God.

God was awesome at My Church today. Every service was POWERFUL. Every service people gave there lives to Jesus and every service was almost packed. We reached an all time high and had 800 people in attendance. It’s completely mind blowing since we are only 11weeks old.

I wanted to say thanks to all our incredible volunteers. You guys are the best. You worked so hard today! You made MyChurch the most accepting place on earth. Thanks!!!

I can’t believe in just a few days it will officially begin. It has all gone by so fast. Mychurch is going to change the way people think about church and ultimately how they think about God.

Today our mailer went out and people have been calling all day. I am fired up to see what God does…

I look forward to seeing you all Sunday.

I have been saying it over and over so whats 1 more time.  We have the coolest launch team ever.  There is not another group of people that i would rather charge a hill with.  My Church is on the move and is going to take Columbus Ga. for Jesus!!!

What a great day its been… God has totally worked out a snag we had with our new building. We had great conversations with potential local band and worship leaders. Then about an 10 minutes ago we lined up 50 to 75 high school students to come the week before Easter for a missions trip here in Columbus…

How cool is all that.

This weekend we will ride up in a 40′ boom lift to raise 125 bikes for underprivileged children for Christmas. I will write more on this tomorrow.

Its time to eat dinner. Christy made her awesome lasagna.

My Church is headed to the river! Join us Sunday, October 19, for our next pre-launch party. This is no ordinary party. We’ll be catering dinner on an island–tiki torch style–you won’t want to miss it. We’ve promised to change the way you think about church–we’re going to start by changing the way you think about parties.
 
Meet at the Columbus Boat Club (Lake Harding) at 5:00pm to catch a boat shuttle over to the island. Bring your own blanket or portable chair. We’ll take care of the food, music & fun. Childcare will be available at the Murphy’s apartment if you need it (call Christy at 706-221-7223).
 
This party is for anyone who is interested in a different kind of church, anyone who’s said they’d never do church again, or anyone wanting a new adventure in life. Come on, and bring somebody with you!

I have been so fortunate this last year to have rubbed shoulders with some of the sharpest guys around. I spent alot of time at Mountain Lake church and learned a lot from Shawn Lovejoy and David Putman.  I went on many road trips and got to spend time with Stephen Furtick, Perry Noble, Troy Gramling, Clay NeSmith, David Hughes, Kirk Nowery, Franklin Graham, Matt Evans, Tadd Grandstaff, Gary Lamb, Brian Bloye, Michael Lukaszewski and Bil Cornelius.  I met many others and read a whole lot. So why do say all this??  As I think of this past year of learning it reminds me of the verse–”to him much is given much is required.”

God has given my family and I so much, and I want to use it all for His glory. He has taken us on a wild adventure to get us where we are. We learned to trade in our control for His companionship. I am blown away by what God is doing daily on our behalf. We cannot take any credit. We simply depend on Him, and WOW–He makes stuff happen.

I want to thank all those who have made an investment in us this last year.  There has never been a time in my life that I could see God at work more than He is right now. I am so fired up, I know God is going to do amazing things.

Continue to pray for the Columbus valley region. We are asking God to bring a movement here that would unite Christians and give them a passion for all who are far from God.

If you’re a former student of the Cascade Hills’ student ministry or Gapshack, then we want to invite you this Saturday night (Sept. 6) for a reunion party.  Food, throwback games, and some old videos/pictures are sure to make us all laugh.   Our goal is to have a lot of fun reminiscing about where we all were and dream of what life holds for us all next.  I want each of you to know how much I love and miss you.  My hope is that you would chase after God with all your heart.  If you’re plugged into a community, then stay plugged in–serve and give it your all! If you’re not, then find a church and get connected. There are alot of great churches in and around Ctown. 

As I have been planning to launch our new church, I have had the opportunity to  visit several of the churches in our area. What I found was several churches that God is using to do great things. Here are a few that I have seen…

Cascade Hills–as you know, has a lot of great memories for me. Pastor Bill has been someone in my life who has encouraged and challenged me. I owe much of my passion for helping people find Christ to Bill. He is one of my heroes. Cascade is a great church with great people–I highly recomend it!!

King’s Pasture–a new church only about 7 years old. They have an awesome worship service! Pastor Gino is a super kind, personable pastor. They have a very accepting community–it’s easy to get plugged in. A growing church full of happy people–I loved seeing Shannon “Carlisle” (now married) greeting at the front door.

Cross Pointe–I told pastor Brad that If I wasn’t starting a church, I would want to come and just listen to him. He is brilliant and has an incredible gift of teaching.  He has a heart to help people get and live the Gospel.

Christ Community–I actually hugged pastor Keith after church. I was moved by their heart-felt passion for people and their love for the community. He is very genuine.

Church in the County–I don’t know anyone more honest or kind than pastor Tommie Hart. He and their church really do put there money where their mouth is… They go out of there way to love people that no one else wants to love.  They have also invested in helping other pastors and churches in need.

Wherever you are in life, I want to encourage you to find all that Christ intended for you.  I hope each of you are learing how to live big, love big and give big!

Hope to see you Saturday night, Sept.6 at Wes Hargrove’s home in Harris County. RSVP by thursday.  If you need more infomation you can call–706-604-9970 or email me at mymurphys@gmail.com

We’ve been on the ground 2 1/2 weeks in Columbus, and God is already doing amazing things! I’m so fired up about all the people we are meeting and building relationships with. I am now convinced that if your going to plant a church from scratch, the place to live is in an apartment complex. 

Every day, we meet 4-5 new families in our new “neighborhood” Greystone Falls. We’re making a ton of connections!  My wife made a meal for a deputy sherriff who lives here, made dinner for a family with a new baby, grilled out at the clubhouse and fed some military guys around the pool, and brought krispy kreme donuts to the apartment management. I made friends with our manager. He’s engaged and was planning to get married at the courthouse. Now, I’m doing his marriage counseling and his wedding!

I bet we are averaging 2 families a day who say they will be at My Church on launch Sunday! By the way, that’s January 11, 2009 Our first information meeting is scheduled September 27.

We asked God to put us in a home where we could reach the people around us. We had no idea He had this many in store for us! I don’t think there is a better, more concentrated group of people going through life transitions than at an appartment complex. I pray God allows us to love and reach everyone here with the Gospel!!!

Tonight we are grilling out at the pool with the neighbors above us. So, I gotta go!

Hey we had a great time in Lynchburg visiting the Hindsons (Christys parents).  Dr Hindson should be getting released from the Hospital after being there for 90 days. He will have plenty of recovering to do at home so continue to pray.

While we were there we hiked up to the top of the Peaks of Otter. All my kids even J.D who is only 2 made it to the top with no help!!!  My kids are awesome.

I cant wait to see them grow up and do great things for God. I am already proud of them.

Christy and I had an awesome time with Clay and Kim Nesmith.  They are two great people leading a great church. Barefoot is not even 3 years old and running almost 1000 people!  They are really reaching people who are far from God. I know God is going to do incredible things through this church. They have all the right stuff!!!

Every sunday evening after the service they do a  sunday “Wrap up” video podcast.  Clay must have been short on good ideas to have asked Christy and I to be on it… But it was fun. You can check it out here on clays blog. 

Here are some take aways from our weekend:

Believe Big—God loves people who trust totally in him

God loves to use Ordinary People

Give generously–Barefoot puts on a full blown breakfast for both morning services

Location, Location, Location–pick the most accessible spot to put your church. Barefoot has the most amazing facility in the best location!

Clay you and your staff are a cut above!  Thanks for your gracious hospitality while we were with you. I can’t wait to get together again!

I forgot to mention that Barefoot is in Myrtle Beach SC.  Yeah I know you think that we played the whole time that we were there—and you’re right. We had a great time.  We went to the movies and saw Iron Man, jogged on the beach, and watched millions of bikers driving up and down the road (it was bike week). Christy and I couldn’t help but rent a bike and get out on the road. Check out the pic…