The Focus of All Thanks

I bet you're like me. This time of the year gets absolutely crazy and you feel like your going to lose your holiday mind. I tell myself every year that this go-around will be different. I'll get better control of my schedule and say no to a few bring a covered dish, can good, white elephant gift, and $10 to cover the rest family fun social holiday gatherings. I love a good party, but only in moderation. I tell myself I'll get my shopping done early. Then I look at my calender and realize I probably won't do that either. I tell myself I'll watch what I eat, but I just can't see it all when it goes by so fast. I also tell myself that I'll be more grateful. I'll stop and reflect on what God has done and give Him more than my usual passing expression of thanks. I'm usually like a teenager yelling "Thanks Dad" over my shoulder as I head out the door having just secured the car keys or a fist-full of unearned money for a night out with my friends. However, when I take in what God's providence has provided, I'm awestruck. I saw the blessings pour in. I stood helplessly as Katrina took them away. I learned, really learned, that Jesus is all-sufficient. I watched with great humility as He, again, poured out His blessings. I used to spend Thanksgiving being grateful for living in the United States, having a house and cars, having jobs that pay well enough to not worry about bills, and so on. Although I'm extremely thankful for all this, our time with nothing more than Jesus put things into perspective. All life owes its existence to a good and gracious God who loves us beyond comprehension. To this day I can't wrap my mind around the cross and the new life it brought me. I cannot fathom the greatness of my salvation; what it cost, what it covers. Nothing I think I own compares. Despite my foolishness, I'm forgiven. Despite my shame, I'm being sanctified. Despite the grief I've caused, I experience grace. True life flows from Christ and to Him alone, although with inadequate words, I express my ultimate thanks.

Now The Real Work Begins

After three Restoration Fests, a Hispanic outreach service, and numerous evangelism teams in the streets, the work of the Holy Spirit during Crossover New Orleans resulted in 168 professions of faith. We praise God for each and every one of them. But before we wipe our collective brow in thanksgiving that Crossover is, well...over, let us remember that the weekend of November 8 & 9 was only the beginning. The year plus that it took to plan and execute the various Crossover events only served to get us to this point. Now is the time for follow-up. Those 168 individuals made a decision; its up to our churches to make them disciples.

It may take five minutes or less to lead someone to Christ, but it takes a serious investment of time and effort to make them disciples. When you move from numbers to names the reality of the disciple making process begins to set in. Numbers can be easily filed away while we pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. Names remind us that there are people attached to those numbers and that our job is just getting started. Follow-up always brings to mind the parable of the sower from Matthew chapter 13. We faithfully sowed seeds during Crossover but really don't know for certain onto what soil they fell. The process of follow-up helps us make that determination and gives us the opportunity to try and cultivate the pathway, rocky ground, and thorns into good soil that will produce fruit. Crossover New Orleans has always been about starting something big for God, being a catalyst for a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit. Our obedience and God's faithfulness will produce permanent citizens for His Kingdom, but only if we are obedient.

"Do I Need To Apologizes To Jesus?" - A Crossover Story

When we were planning Crossover New Orleans and considering all the various aspects of the Restoration Fests, I knew we would attract a lot of children. Kids are easy to entertain. Give them snowballs to eat, room to run around and inflatables to go crazy in and you've got yourself some sticky yet content kids. The trick is to grab their attention long enough to for them to hear the gospel in a meaningful way. Luckily for us in the New Orleans area, we have Philip and Debbie Smith. They've got more tricks up their sleeves and tools in their bag than I can count, or at least it seems that way. When it comes to working with children, they're two of the best. That's why I knew I wanted them at our Restoration Fests.

In this particular instance, Philip was busy but Debbie was able to attend both the Central City and Westbank Restoration Fests. With the help of some volunteers, Debbie set up a multi-station area designed to creatively share the gospel with kids. Picture a group of loud, hyper and ,yes, sticky kids sitting quietly and listening with full attention to the good news of Jesus Christ. Its one of my favorite sights in all we've done since Katrina. There's just something special about connecting children with a God who loves them.

During one of Debbie's presentations of the gospel, an 8 year old girl asked this profound question, "Do I need to apologizes to Jesus?" That's more than just cute, its dead on accurate. Its the question everyone must ask and give an answer for. By the end of the weekend, Debbie had shared with 138 children and 10 adults and helped them gain a better understanding about Jesus and the fact that, yes, we do need to apologize to Him. Three of them made decisions for Christ and we rejoice with them.

Crossover New Orleans Report Coming Soon

News of what God did at each event, photos and more. Check back soon.

Kicking It Up a Notch.

One of the things I enjoy most in my ministry is seeing churches and individuals take their Great Commission involvement to the next level. Such was the case this past Friday night at First Baptist Kenner's Fall Fest. It’s come a long way from my first attendance several years ago. Crammed into our acoustically challenged fellowship hall, I would characterize that night as noisy, chaotic, and smelly. It was Lord of the Flies meets Parish Fair (or County Fair for those not privileged to live in Louisiana). After Katrina, our Fall Fest took a new and more purposeful direction. Although still crammed into the fellowship hall, the fest now carried a theme that allowed kids to move from booth to booth and hear stories from the Bible, including the story of Jesus; his death and resurrection.

This year, our Fall Fest took its next bold step towards being a true community outreach event. The stuffy confines of the fellowship hall were traded in for the spacious, and highly visible, field on the church's campus. By the way, I can't name five other Southern Baptist Churches in the metro area that have access to property like this. Nearly all our churches are landlocked, even the "big" ones, and to have open green space that's nearly the size of a football field at your disposal 365 days a year is a resource I wouldn't take a million dollars for. Its potential for outreach is staggering. (If any of my church family is reading this, let it sink in. That field is pure gold!)

Not only did the fest change venues, it also shifted from a children's event to one that offered something for the whole family. The best change was an increased emphasis on sharing the good news of Jesus with the community. Add a new pastor who got behind the event and greater ownership from the church and you have an event that does more than give out candy. You have a genuine outreach event that seeks to connect people with Jesus Christ and his church at First Baptist Kenner. Over 150 families registered at the gate this year and I know of at least two professions of faith. Those in attendance had a great time and felt welcome at First Kenner. More importantly, many of them heard the Gospel. Was this year's Fall Fest perfect? Of course not, however, it was a big step in the right direction and I'm already excited about next year's event.