Monday, March 31, 2008

Area 10 Faith Community


So what does our name mean? I was recently asked...what is Area 10 anyway?

So let me 'splain it to you. Realtors divide up the region into Areas. Like Area 30 for Chesterfield, or whatever. Area 10 is the area from Church Hill in the East, 195 in the West, the James River to the south, and I-64 to the north. It's a nice rectangle that encompasses most of the city of Richmond. It is the place I want to spend my life loving and serving.

I thought the name worked for the church because it's geographic and it describes the geography we want to serve. It's unusual in that I can't find any other churches with that name...and it is slightly mysterious in that it sounds like Area 51 which I believe is where the government is keeping the flying saucers.

So that's us...Jesus...Richmond...and flying saucers.

This church is gonna be awesome.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

A Worship Leader?

I just spent the weekend with a potential worship leader. This is a guy we met a few weeks ago in Cincinnati. We spent the weekend and showed he and his wife some of the sites of Richmond. We even checked out the Byrd (which they loved)

Worship is a big deal in a church. We really need someone who loves God, loves people and has a gift for leading His people in worship. I was a worship leader for years, so I'm probably a bit extra picky about it.

That being said, this guy is a quality guy. We had a great weekend. We'll see what happens. Please pray for us and this guy as we try to figure out if this is the right fit for both of us. More updates on that when I have them.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The cultural center of Richmond


The other day I told my friend Glen that I was hoping to get the Byrd Theatre for our church to meet in.  His response was something like:  "That would be amazing.  The Byrd is one of the top 3 most recognizable landmarks in Richmond."  I agree completely.  It really is a great place.  On New Year's Eve- roughly 20,000 people showed up on Cary Street to listen to bands, get ripped, and watch the ball drop...except here in Richmond the ball goes up...weird...Anyway, here is a photo from on top of the Byrd looking down at the crowd.  In the far left of the picture, in the darkness, you see some lights.   One of those lights is my house.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

A Byrd's Eye View


Here is the inside of the Byrd Theatre.  It's a gorgeous building that this picture doesn't quite do justice to.  I am praying already for the people who will fill these seats.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Coming soon to a theatre near you!


Area 10 has officially signed on with the Byrd Theatre! The historic Byrd Theatre has agreed to allow our upstart church meet in their awesome building, starting September 21, 2008. Major props to Todd the manager of the theatre for letting us do this! I hope this is the start of a great partnership in the city.
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for this to happen. Thanks to God for preparing the place for us in advance and seeing this whole thing through.
AREA 10 FAITH COMMUNITY IS COMING TO THE BYRD!

More pictures of the Byrd to come!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Now we are three!

In addition to Chris and Abby (though Abby is not official paid staff)  Area 10 has now hired what we like to call our Mediastrator, the great Laura Shibut.  She will henceforth in these parts be known as "The Great".  Laura has done a fantastic job creating all of our media & marketing pieces to date, and we are absolutely thrilled to get to have her on our team, officially!  Thanks to you all for praying about staffing, and to the Lord for persuading her to join our rag-tag little outfit.

Stay posted-  More news is coming very soon!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Area 10 Hires it's first full time staff member!

Me-  I'm full time now!  Woo-hoo!  I couldn't be happier.  Starbucks was a great 2 1/2 year journey.  I look at it as the coffee break of my adult life.   I made many friends there and have some great memories.  

The time has come now, for me to do something audacious-launch a church.  This is the craziest best thing I've ever been a part of.  I've been on the job all of one day now and I'm loving it.  

People ask me, "What will you do now with your time?"  The answer is, there is 1000 point checklist I have to slog through to get ready to launch this church on September 21st.  We have TONS to do.  Here are a few things I'm working on:

1)  Fundraising-  I'm talking to anyone who will listen about the church plant!  If your church wants to partner with us to launch this thing, let me know.  If you grandma wants to partner with us, I will come to her house and bring her tea, and give the pitch.  If you have money in your sofa cushions that you want to give to the project, that will be great too.

2)  Facilities-  I am VERY close to announcing something big about this.  Stay tuned for more info.  Area 10 needs a home in the city and I'm searching for it.

3)  Core Group-  The revolution needs some volunteers.  Who wants to join Area 10 to get this movement launched in the city of Richmond?  MWM  ISO anyone for God sized dreaming, fun, and long walks on the beach.  (OK there is no beach here...but a brother can dream can't he?)  If you live in Richmond, and want to love the city until it becomes a more beautiful place, contact me.

That's just a start.  I'll also be a more consistent blogger now, so look for some more updates.

PEACE!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Gas Station in Ohio

Abby and I are in Ohio traveling around talking to churches about the project. I'm praying that people will catch the vision for what we are doing and get behind us. It has been a fun and tiring journey.

One weird thing happened on our way here. We stopped at a gas station outside of Chilicothe, OH. It was the only station around for miles. While we were there I used the men's restroom. It was as wonderful as most gas stations bathrooms. But the best was that I stole the men's restroom key. Usually they give you the keys to the bathroom attached to something like a 2x4. But this place just gave me keys on a small keychain. That keychain ended up in my pocket and traveled about 80 miles West with me. So if you are driving on US 35, and you see Bud's Gas Stop and you think that might be a great place to stop to use the restroom, you better just hold it, cuz you're not getting in. I have the key! Call me...if I'm in the area, I'll come unlock it for you.