sharing with you not only the Gospel but my life as well
After the first trip, including the visit to Frontline, I performed a wedding for a friend who lives in Washington D.C. and works as a lawyer. His former law professor and current employer was seated with me at the reception. In making conversation, we talked about the “Interview Project” and my recent visit to the [...]
ADVENTURE # 5: NATIONAL COMMUNITY CHURCH (WASHINGTON D.C.)
Although popular today for churches to open or begin new services in movie theaters, National Community Church (NCC) adopted this approach to ministry out of necessity, before the widespread acceptance of the idea. Real estate prices in Washington D.C. caused them to open up in a theater in [...]
ADVENTURE #4: VALLEY CHURCH (ALLENTOWN, PA)
Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Valley Church originally existed as Christian Life Community Church. Under Eric Miller’s leadership, the church transformed into Valley Church. Eric’s brother Craig served on staff at a large Assemblies of God church near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After leaving staff, Craig relocated to Allentown to work alongside his [...]
ADVENTURE # 3: LCBC (MANHEIM, PA)
LCBC originally stood for Lancaster County Bible Church. At some point, the meaning behind these letters became Lives Changed by Christ, which better reflects the current vision and reach of the congregation. LCBC broadcasts their sermons live to a multi-site about an hour away. Since each uses a live band, [...]
ADVENTURE #1: MERCYHILL (STATE COLLEGE, PA)
The start of many churches contains unique elements. Mercy Hill’s genesis is perhaps the most unique church in the Penn-Del Conference of the Assemblies of God. In order to reach the population of twenty-somethings not attending State College Assembly of God (SCAG), Mercy Hill began through a staff member of [...]
The Beginning of the Journey
“What type of preaching reaches young adults?” is a question I ask myself repeatedly as I attempt to speak and preach about faith in Christ in a way that connects with twenty-somethings.1 With a variety of styles and values available to a speaker, how and what they choose reflects their own [...]
Essential Church?: One of my biggest passions/concerns is connecting with young adults (18-20-somethings) so they can experience God, connect with others, grow in their faith and serve others–that’s what the Interview Project has been all about. Since I love to read, I read every book and article I find that looks interesting or addresses the [...]
Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God
Nobody sets out to live a life full of regrets—never fulfilling their God-given dreams. Although a life following Jesus begins with excitement, it often becomes routine for many believers. Mark Batterson identifies the “cages” that keep people from living fully and experiencing the unpredictable adventure for which [...]
Frontline is one of my favorite places to go. There’s something contagious about stepping into a ministry that has literally thousands of young adults coming every Sunday night. The energy is tangible, the music is awesome and the preaching is deep, Biblical and relevant. To make things even better, they do a great job of [...]
Ever the student, I am currently working on a project for a class on preaching in a changing culture. In particular, my focus is on churches that are reaching young adults while in so many churches young adults (variously defined as adults age 18-25, 18-30, 18-35, 20-29, etc.) are conspicuously absent. My research assignment is [...]
