>>> LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. WE BELIEVE IN YOU, WE BELIEVE IN YOU FOR SAVING POWER, THE CROSS, THE INSUFFICIENT FOR MY SINS. YOU BECAME SIN SO THAT I WOULD FIND REACHNESS AND PEACE, UNDESERVING, BUT WE BELIEVE ALSO IN YOUR SUSTAINING POWER. YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH, NOT JUST SALVATION, BUT FOR SANCTIFICATION TODAY. LAPTOPS ON, JUST READY TO HEAR FROM YOU, BUT ALSO DECLARING YOUR GOODNESS ANDERSY BY SINGING THESE SONGS. WE RENDER THEM BACK TO YOU. THEY'RE TRUTHS THAT WE SAY. WE PREACH UNTO OURSELVES. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE LINE RACHEL SANG OVER THIS ROOM. THE BATTLES WE LOSE, BATTLES IN MY LIFE I LOST RECENTLY, BUT DESPITE LOST BATTLES, WE'RE A WAR ALREADY WON. WE WIN IN THE END. THANK YOU, JESUS. MAN. JUST BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, RACHEL, BRING US TO THAT MOMENT, THAT SONG, WHERE WE'RE ALREADY WON. JUST BEFORE WE SING, LET'S MAYBE -- MAYBE YOU LOOK AT YOUR LIFE AND IT WAS IN YOUR DATING, THE WAY YOU TREATED YOUR PARENTS, YOU'RE SO NICE TO YOUR ROOMMATE AND YOU'RE, SO YOU'D TO YOUR BROTHER AT HOME. YOU LOOK BACK AT THAT AND SAY I LOST THAT BATTLE, MAYBE CHEATING ON A TEST THAT WAS ONLINE TO DO IT AND YOU KNOW AS A CHRISTIAN YOU GOT THE BETTER GRADE, BUT IT WASN'T WHAT YOU WERE MEANT TO BE AS A LEADER. MAYBE YOU MESSED UP. IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO GO WHY WOULD I FALL BACK INTO IT. LET'S COME BEFORE GOD AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND. >> WE TRUST YOU, GOD, KNOWING THAT THE PATH IS NO SURPRISE TO YOU. HELP US GOD, WORSHIP YOU, INTENTIONAL AND TRIUMPH AND IN TRIAL AND THE MOUNTAINTOP AND THE VALLEY OF LOVE. WE NEED YOU TODAY. COME FRONT AND CENTER. YOU COME FRONT AND CENTER. YOU'RE THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, THE ONE HEAD IN THE CHURCH. WE LOVE YOU, WE NEED YOU. WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME, AMEN. YOU MAY HAVE A SEAT. GOOD MORNING. I HOPE THAT YOU'RE DOING WELL. WE HAVE WITH US PASTORS FROM THE CITY. THEY REPRESENT A SMALL DEMOCRATIC OF A VERY LARGE GROUP OF GREAT MEN AND WOMEN WHO LEAD OUR CITY AND HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAMS AND JUST PEOPLE THAT LOVE YOU AND YOU BELONG TO THEIR CONGREGATIONS. THERE ARE OVER 400 CHURCHES IN OUR CITY. WE JUST HAVE SEVEN PASTORS THAT ARE GOING TO BE WITH US. PASTOR JONATHAN IS GOING TO TRY TO GET OUT OF A BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING AND TRY TO COME AS WELL. IF HE'S NOT, IT'S BECAUSE HE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET AWAY. TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO HEAR FROM SOME PASTORS THAT ARE JUST IN THE TRENCHES NOT JUST ON SUNDAYS, BUT LOVE THE CITY WELL, AND THESE MEN AND WOMEN DON'T JUST LOVE THEIR CHURCH CONGREGATION AND DON'T JUST LOVE LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. IT'S GREAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ON A COUCH TOGETHER BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO SEE WE'RE REALLY ON ONE STEAM. JESUS IS A HEAD OF THE CHURCH. THERE IS ONE HEAD OF THE CHURCH. MULTIPLE HEADS IS A MONSTER. IT'S A DRAGON THAT NEEDS TO BE SLAYED. AS THE ONE HEAD HE IS THE ONE THAT LEADS THE CITY FOR US TODAY. TODAY YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO HEAR FROM THESE GREAT MEN. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE A FEW REMAINING SPOTS OPEN IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US FOR SERVE LYNCHBURG. SO TODAY, THIS AFTERNOON, THERE ARE ABOUT 350 STUDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND SERVE THE CITY WITH SERVE LYNCHBURG. SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE A PART OF THAT AS YOU'RE WATCHING THIS. TOMORROW IN THE MORNING, WE HAVE A MORNING SESSION AND IN THE AFTERNOON WE HAVE AN AFTERNOON SESSION. WE HAVE RIGHT UNDERSTOOD -- UNDER 100 PARTNERS WE'RE PARTNERING WITH. WE HAVE 1400 SIGNS UP. ABOUT 100 SPOTS LEFT. WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE UNIFORMLY TOGETHER, GOING OUT, SERVING ALONGSIDE THESE 100 ORGANIZATIONS. IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE PLANS, I THINK OUR SATURDAY AFTERNOON SLOT HAS SOME TIMES OPEN. I PROMISE YOU IT WILL BE WORTHWHILE. I THINK IT WILL BE A MENTALRY THAT GOD HAS BLESSED YOU IN YOUR LIFE. YOU'LL END UP RECEIVING TENFOLD. NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE TWO GUESTS WITH US. USED TO SPEAK AT THE LARGEST BIBLE STUDY IN THE WORLD. IT WAS CALLED BREAK-AWAY AT TEXAS A&M. GOD USED THEM IN A TREMENDOUS WAY. GREAT FAVOR WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR GENERATION AND THE WAY HE COMMUNICATES. A DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST. HE RECENTLY LEFT AND WENT TO WAGE MOUNT CHURCH. KNOWS HOW TO COMMUNICATE AT A LEVEL THAT RESONATES WITH YOU. THOSE MEN WILL BE WITH US NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. IT FELT AMAZING IN THERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN WE WERE INSIDE FOR CONVO. KEITH AND SON HAS GIVEN US PERMISSION TO MAX OUT AT 300 PEOPLE. BECAUSE OF THAT IT FELT, SO ANOINTED. WE FELT IT WAS EASIER AS WELL ON THE TEAM NOT EVERYTHING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER TO SET UP AND TEAR DOWN INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. WE'LL FINISH UP THE LAST TWO FOR FOR THE SEMESTER. IT WILL BE MY LAST TIMES TIMES AS CAMPUS PASTOR WITH YOU AND PREACH TO YOU. ON MONDAY THE TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE. THEY'RE FREE, BUT YOU HAVE TO REGISTER, RIGHT. THEY'LL BE GONE. SO YOU WANT TO SIT, GRAB THE TICKETS. THEY'LL BE MAXED OUT. IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT, JOIN US IN THAT WAY. WE HAVE A VIDEO FOR YOU. LET'S WATCH THIS VIDEO ABOUT SERVE LYNCHBURG FOR THIS WEEKEND. >> LET'S PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THESE AMAZING MEN OF GOD. FIRST WE HAVE JAMES HONEST SON. JAMES AND I USED TO BE ON STAFF TOGETHER. NOW SO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS CALL YOU PASTOR. PASTOR DAVID WEBER, COME ON, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR HIM. RECENTLY JUST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS GOD HAS BROUGHT HIM HERE. IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES IN THE CITY, RIGHT IN THE HEART OF SO MANY SERVE OPPORTUNITIES. THERE ARE SOME DAYS WHEN I SNEAK IN THE ROOM AND WORSHIP WITH YOU ON A SUNDAY BECAUSE SO MUCH OF OUR WORSHIP IS SO CONTEMPORARY. WE'LL BE HEAR, HEARING HILL SONG SONGS. SOMETIMES ON SUNDAYS I JUST LIKE TO HEAR HIMSELF WITH HAND BELLS. IT'S SUCH A GOD ANOINTED CHURCH. A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS ACTUALLY CALL YOU THEIR PASTOR AS WELL. SUCH AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE. CAN WE PUT IT UP. COME ON, PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR HIM. [ APPLAUSE ] >> I HEAR ALL THE TIME ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP, THE WAY YOU'RE IMPACTING THE CITY. THE BEAUTIFUL CHURCH THAT RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH YOU AND GAVE YOU THEIR FACILITY HAS BEEN SUCH -- SUCH A NEED IN THAT COMMUNITY. CAN WE WELCOME PASTOR BRENDON. AND CROSS POINT IS A GREAT CHURCH. PASTOR JOSH, HOW LONG AGO DID YOU COME ON STAFF? I'M SORRY? >> JUST A YEAR AND A HALF. >> NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. MOST OF IT COVID SEASON. YOU'VE MANAGED THAT THE WAY YOU SERVED THE CITY. LET'S WELCOME HIM TO THE CITY, NOT JUST LIBERTY, AS THE YOUNG GUY ON THE BLOCK. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND P.J. IS THE REASON THAT HIS OWN SON HAD TO LEAD AROUND ON COUCH TODAY. HE RECENTLY HAD SOME BACK ISSUES. HE SAID I HAVE A HARD TIME SITTING ON A STOOL. WE'LL BRING COUCHES TOGETHER. HE'S ALSO ON OUR STAFF. JUST A PHENOMENAL LEADER. PASTOR P.J. IN THE HOUSE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND THEN JOHN DUPIN, I GOT TO TELL YOU, JUST FROM THE MOMENT I DROVE UP AND PEOPLE WALKED TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND WELCOMED ME ALL THE WAY TO THE MOMENT THAT I LEFT. PEOPLE WERE LIKE THANKS FOR BEING A PART, THE HOSPITALITY OF CHURCH, THE EXCELLENCE OF WHAT YOU ALL DO. SUCH A DEAR BROTHER, GREAT LEADER. WE WELCOME YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> PASTOR JONATHAN MIGHT SLIP IN HERE. IF HE CAN MAKE IT. HE WANTED ME TO SAY IN CASE HE DOESN'T MAKE IT HE LOVES YOU. HE IS PROBABLY MORE EXCITED ABOUT THAT CONVO THAN ANY OH GUESTS WE'VE HAD. I'VE GOT JUST TWO QUESTIONS. IT'S THE SAME ONE RETUNEDLY FOR THIS MAN BECAUSE I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO HEAR FROM THEM A LITTLE BIT, BUT THE QUESTIONS ARE REALLY SIMPLE. THE FIRST ONE IS WHAT ARE YOU DOING BETWEEN SUNDAYS? YOU CAN BE THE ONE SOME LOW GUEST AND TALK ABOUT IT FOR 45 MINUTES YOURSELF. TALK TO ME ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE SERVING. TODAY IS SERVE DAY FOR US. SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU DO ISN'T JUST BEING A PROCLAIMER OF GOD'S TRUTH ON A SUNDAY, BUT PRO SPELLING PEOPLE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS BETWEEN SUNDAYS. I WANT TO HEAR SOMETHING FROM YOUR CHURCH IS INVOLVED WITH. MAYBE SPOTLIGHT ONE FOR US, IF YOU WOULD. PASTOR JAMES, WILL YOU GROW FIRST? >> PRAISE THE LORD. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING US. IT'S A BLESSING TO BE SITTING HERE. MY WIFE IS HERE WITH ME. I'M A BETTER MAN BECAUSE OF HER. SO WHAT WAS IN MY HEARTED IS NOT PHYSICAL WORK THAT YOU CAN BE SERVING IN, BUT I WANT THE PHYSICAL WORK TODAY IS VERY MUCH NEEDED EMOTIONAL WORK. WHAT I WANT TO SAY AS A NATIVE OF LYNCHBURG, YOU'RE ABOUT TO GO SERVE LYNCHBURG. I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN YOUR MIND AS ALSO WILLING TO BE SERVED BY LYNCHBURG. SO YOU'RE GOING TO SERVE SOME INDIVIDUALS, SOME LOCATIONS, SOME ORGANIZATIONS, SOME NONPROFITS, SOME BUSINESS, MAYBE A CHURCH, BUT YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER SOME STAFF, SOME VOLUNTEERS. I MEAN, I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU, OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND HAVE CONVERSATION. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SO MUCH ABOUT JUST MOPPING, SWEEPING, CLEANING, BECAUSE IT'S SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, NOT NECESSARILY PHYSICAL, BUT EMOTIONAL, RACIAL RECONCILIATION. THERE'S MORE PROTESTS HAPPENING NOW BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING. SO ESSENTIALLY I THINK THERE'S A NEED RIGHT NOW, IN PARTICULAR, FOR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RECONCILIATION BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE IS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DIVISION, WHY WE'RE CONTINUALLY DIVIDED, WHY THERE'S A CONTINUAL RACE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN PUSHING AT OUR CHURCH IS AGAIN, THERE'S NOT A RACE PROBLEM, BUT START SAYING WHAT IS THE RACIAL SOLUTION. PART OF THE WORK YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING TODAY THAT YOU DON'T REALIZE IS WORKING WITH MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK LIKE YOU. I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU, FIND SOMEBODY WHO IS LIKE TOTALLY OPPOSITE OF YOU. YOU LIKE SNEAKERS, THEY LIKE COWBOY BOOTS, WHATEVER THAT THING IS. I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU TO BE AWKWARD AND SAY WHAT IS YOUR NAME, WHAT IS YOUR STORY, WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE. THERE IS SOME EMOTIONAL WORK THAT SHOULD BE TIED TO SOME PHYSICAL WORK, GRASS-ROOTS FEELING. YOU MIGHT THINK I DON'T HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS, I CAN'T DONATE THIS, WHATEVER. THE HERO OF TODAY WORKS A NINE TO FIVE. AS YOU STUDENT YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER SOMEBODY WHO JUST REALLY NEEDS A CONVERSATION, THEY JUST NEED TO BE LOVED, HUGGED. TIE INTO YOUR EMOTIONAL WORK, YOUR SPIRITUAL WORK. >> YOU TOUCHED ON SOMETHING SOMETIMES WE FORGET TO SAY. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP. YOU CAN GO AND SERVE YOUR ENTIRE SESSION AND NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH ONE HUMAN BEING. YOU CAN LOOK AT THE GRASS AS YOU'RE CUTTING, MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT WITH EXCELLENCE BECAUSE YOU WANT YOU TO DO IT IN EXCELLENCE BECAUSE YOU DO IT IN THE NAME OF CHRIST AND YOU CAN GO AND TOUCH SOMEONE'S LIFE WITH AN ACT OF SERVICE AND NOT REALLY HAVE ONE CONVERSATION WITH THE PERSON YOU'RE SERVING. I THINK YOU'RE REMINDING US LIKE LOOK UP, TALK, MEET THE PEOPLE YOU'RE SERVING. >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. BE WILLING TO BE SERVED BY SOMEONE IN LYNCHBURG. BECAUSE WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN YOUR MIND IS I'M A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, I'M EXCITED, I'M READY TO GO OUT AND SERVE, I'M READY TO DO IT. DON'T ASSUME JUST BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NOT BE SAVED, MIGHT NOT BE FROM LIBERTY THAT THEY ALSO DON'T WANT TO SERVE. SOMEBODY MIGHT WANT TO SERVE ALONGSIDE YOU AND CONSIDER IT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE THAT BLESSES YOU WHILE YOU'RE GOING TO BLESS THEM. SOMETHING AMAZING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT ENCOUNTER. WALLS ARE GOING TO COME DOWN. YOU COULD STEP INTO AN ENVIRONMENT OR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THE LONG WRONG LIBERTY STUDENT HAS BEEN THERE AND HAS LEFT A WRONG PERCEPTION, YOU CAN LEAVE A RIGHT PERCEPTION, A DIFFERENT NARRATIVE BASED ON DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> MAKES A LOT OF OUR SINS WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU IN A MINUTE. I HEAR ALL THE WORK ABOUT THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. WILL YOU SPOTLIGHT ONE THAT COMES TO MIND? >> I THINK AS WE WERE JUST HEARING, EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN GOES ON IN LYNCHBURG, OUR NATION, THE WORLD, WITH COVID, IT'S BEEN AMAZING. WHAT IS HAPPENING WEEK TO WEEK IN OUR OUTREACH. I KNOW PROBABLY ALL OF US CAN SAY THAT SO MUCH OF OUR ABILITY REACH PEOPLE, TO SUCH PEOPLE WHO IS SURRAILED. HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO GET NO PEOPLE'S LIVES AND CONTINUE TO SERVE THEM. ONE OF THE THINGS I HOLD DEEPLY, OUR CHURCH HOLDS DEEPLY AND IN OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER ANOTHER I KNOW OUR BROTHERS HOLD DEEPLY IS THAT THE GOSPEL HAS AN OUTWARD PUSH TO IT AND CONSEQUENCES, SO I'M PREACHING THROUGH THE BOOK OF GALATIANS RIGHT NOW. THERE'S THIS REALLY INTERESTING, ALMOST A THROW AWAY VERSE, IF YOU WANT TO THINK OF IT THAT WAY. AT THE END OF CHAPTER 2, PAUL IS TALKING ABOUT HOW HE HAS BEEN ORDAINED TOWARDS A MISSION TO THE GENTILES AND THE APOSTLE ELSE IN JERUSALEM WERE TO THE JEWS. AND HE SAID THAT THEY SENT US OFF AND ENCOURAGED US NOT TO FORGET THE POOR, THE VERY THING THAT WE ARE DESIRE RUST TO DO. LIKE WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE GOSPEL AND WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US AND THEIR JUSTIFICATION IS BY FAITH ALONE, BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE, BUT THAT HAS AN IMPLICATION THAT WE WOULD NOT FORGET THE POOR. PRESBYTERIAN, YOU KNEW I WOULD BRING THAT UP. GOD SOVEREIGNLY ESTABLISHED THE OUTREACH THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. AS YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO OVER THIS WEEKEND, THIS IS SOVEREIGNLY ESTABLISHED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL, TO MANIFESTO THE GOSPEL WITH YOUR WORDS AND ALSO WITH YOUR ACTIONS. AND SO AT RIVER MONTH, WE HAVE A MINISTRY WE CALL NO WALLS, AT RIVERMONT. WE DO THINGS LIKE WE HAVE AN APPLIANCE MINISTRY, WE REFURBISH ISSUE OLD APPLIANCES, MAKE SURE A FAMILY THAT MIGHT NEED A WASHER OR DRIER OTHER YOU HAVE CAN GET ONE OPINION WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC NEED WE CAN MEET. WHO IS IN NEED RIGHT NOW. WE HAD A MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH THAT SAID OUR NURSES, OUR H. ARE REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW. THEY'RE FACING DISEASE AND DEATH AND HARDSHIP AT A RATE THEY'RE NOT USED TO. SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE STARTED DOING DURING THIS COVID SEASON, I'M SO GLAD, SO PROUD, IS TO REACH OUT TO COMMUNITIES WE CAN, PROVIDING MEALS, PROVIDING PRAYER. WE GOT ALL THE NAMES OF THE NURSES AND H. AT LYNCHBURG THAT WERE IN THE COVID UNIT AND WE'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR THEM. AND WE DID THIS KIND OF A RIB ON OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. WE DID OPERATION CARE GIVER. PUT TOGETHER SHOEBOXES WITH THINGS THAT WOULD BEST YOU -- BLESS OUR CAREGIVERS THAT THEY WOULD KNOW IN THIS TIME OF HARDSHIP, THIS TIME OF STRUGGLE, THAT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST CAN MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE, MEET THEM IN THEIR NEED AND REALIZE THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE FACING DISEASE AND DEATH THAT CHRIST HAS OVERCOME THOSE THINGS AND THEY CAN WALK IN THAT HOPE AND WALK IN THAT POWER. THAT IS SOME OF THE THINGS I'M EXCITED ABOUT. >> THAT'S EXCITING. CAN I STOP AND SAY IF A LIBERTY STUDENT HEARS THAT AND I WANT TO BE PART OF NO WALLS, CAN COLLEGE STUDENTS JOIN THAT AND HELP MAKE MORE BOXES? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT -- SO THE NO WALLS IS SOMETHING SEPARATE FROM OUR MINISTRY TO THE H. SO NO WALLS IS A MINISTRY THAT WAS STARTED OUT OF RIVERMONT ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF OTHER CHURCHES. IT'S LAUNCHED AND BECOME SOMEWHAT OF ITS OWN TOGETHER. RIVERMONT HAS A BIG PART TO PLAY IN THAT. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN NO WALLS I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO ONLINE, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT ADDRESS, BUT GOOGLE IS AMAZING. NO WALLS AT LYNCHBURG AND YOU DEFINITELY WILL FIND WAYS TO BE CONNECTED TO OUR UNIVERSITY. >> THAT IS AMAZING WHAT ALL YOU GUYS ARE DOING. I KNOW YOU ARE IN THE WEEDS. THAT IS WHY YOU CHOSE THE LOCATION YOU'RE PRAYING GOD WOULD GIVE YOU. WHAT HAS COME INTO MIND THIS MORNING THAT YOU CAN SHARE ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AS A CHURCH? >> OUR CHURCH IS FORMED BY A BUNCH OF LIBERTY STUDENTS. WE STARTED IN 2006 AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO SERVE IN THE CITY. WE FELT LIKE THROUGH THE YEARS, THAT GOD GAVE US A HEART TO SPECIFICALLY BE IN A DOWNTIME COMMUNITY BEFORE IT IS WHAT IT IS TODAY, WHICH IS THIS BEAUTIFUL THRIVING, GROWING COMMUNITY. BEFORE IT WAS THAT WE FELT THAT IS WHERE GOD HAD OUR HEARTS. THEN HE PUT US AT A NIGHTCLUB IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK THAT WAS NOWHERE NEAR THAT SPACE AND KIND OF LOST THE HEART OF OUR MINISTRY, THE HEART OF OUR IDENTITY IN THE CITY THROUGH THOSE YEARS. THE VISION WAS THE SAME, THE STRATEGIES WERE IN TACT, BUT WE'RE DISTRICT LOCATED FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES WE WANTED TO LONG TO. LET'S JUMP IN, LET'S SERVE AND JUMP OUT AND GO BACK TO WORSHIPS AT A NATURE CLUB IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK. SO THE PART OF THE STORY THAT GOD ORDAINED THAT IS JUST A MIRACLE THAT THIS IS WHAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT IF YOU GAVE ME THE 30 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE THING WOULD YOU THE WAY GOD BROUGHT ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP, A MOSTLY YOUNG KIND OF UPWARDLY MOBILE WHITE CONGREGATION AT A NIGHTCLUB OF OLD, MOSTLY OLDER ADULTS, WHITE CONGREGATION IN A DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD, RATIONALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY. THE WAY GOD STEWARTED THIS TO FAITHFULLY SERVE IN THAT COMMUNITY WAS BEAUTIFUL. THEN THAT WORK BEGAN. THAT HAPPENED IN 2017. NOW WE'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SPARKS ARE GOING TO FLY BECAUSE THERE'S DIFFERENT CULTURES, DIFFERENT WORLDS, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. WE CAME WITH A HEART TO SERVE, BUT WE REALIZED WE NEEDED TO STOP AND BE CURIOUS AND HUMBLE, WHAT WAS GOD ALREADY DOING. THE MONDAY TO SATURDAY COMMUNITY OF GOSPELS THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS. THERE ARE TONS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE. BUT THAT OLD CASTLE THAT USED TO FEEL LIKE A FORTRESS IN WHICH THE NEIGHBORS DIDN'T BELONG HAS TO BECOME A FAMILY THAT WE TAKE OWNERSHIP OF. THIS IS OUR CHURCH, THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE PROUD OF THIS. SO WE HAVE A MINISTRY CALLED THE CONNECTING POINT THAT WE INHERITED THAT WENT BEFORE US. WE GET TO STEWART IT NOW. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, IT'S GOT A FOOD BANK, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THERE AND WE'D LOVE YOUR HELP. IF YOU EVER WANT TO SERVE, BE A PART OF THAT, THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO CONNECT. I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAME THIS YEAR OUT OF THE PANDEMIC WERE MANY OF THE THINGS PASTOR DAVID IS MENTIONING. THERE'S A LOT OF GRIEF, LONELINESS, ISOLATION. WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN UP SOME ROOMS FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, SPACE TO GRIEVE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS. THAT HAS BEEN A TANGIBLE WAY TO JOAN JESUS. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PHYSICAL NEEDS THAT WE CAN MEET, THAT WE NEED TO MEET, BUT THESE RELATIONSHIPS, CREATING GENUINE COMMUNITY ACROSS PRETTY MASSIVE BARRIERS, RATIO, SECRETARY OF STATE I DON'T RECALL -- SECRETARY OF STATE ECONOMIC, GOSPEL WORK THAT WE ARE THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT AND DEFINITELY THE HARDEST. >> WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THIS, BUT WHEN YOU UNINHERITED THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REMNANT THAT WAS AT AT RIVERMONT THAT KNEW THE NEXT GENERATION OF THEIR CHURCH WOULD BE ALLOWING THIS PARTNERSHIP, THIS MERGER, WHICH IS A BET OF A MURDER OF THE OLD AND THE NEW, WHEN YOU WALKED INTO THAT, WERE THERE SOME SENIOR CITIZENS THAT GOD JUST IMMEDIATELY GAVE YOU INTO YOUR BODY, LIKE A YOUNGER CHURCH, AND THEN WERE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE SENIOR CITIZENS. THE REASON I'M ASKING THAT IS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY EASY TO PUT ACTION POINTS OUT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO SERVE INNER CITY WORK, TO SERVE ORPHAN CASEWORKER. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE WIDOW, THE ORPHAN AND STRANGER, IMMIGRANT WORK, THE STRANGER, ORPHAN, EASY, SEX TRAFFICKING, LET'S GO FIGHT THAT, EASY, LET'S GO HANG OUT WITH THE ELDERLY. THEY'RE ALONE. ONE NEEDS SOMEONE TO GO AND READ TO THEM EVERY DAY. LET'S MEET A NEED FOR THIS GRANDMOTHER WHOSE GRANDCHILDREN ARE WAY TOO BUSY CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER. SHE JUST NEEDS SOMEONE TO SHOW UP AND BRING FOOD TO HER. 40 DEGREES IS FREEZING TO HER. DID YOU DO SOME OF THAT? DID YOU INHERIT -- >> WE DID INHERIT THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. SPECIFICALLY THROUGHOUT COVID, THAT NEED BECAME A.M. IDENTIFIED AND INTENSIFIED. >> WHAT DO YOU MEAN? >> FOLKS IN A MORE VULNERABLE POPULATION, THEY CAN'T COME. EVEN WITH MASKS ON THEY'RE NOT LEAVING THEIR HOUSE FOR ANYTHING IN A LOT OF WAYS. THAT EFFORT NEEDED TO BE TRIPLED IN PHONE CALLS. IT'S A DIFFERENT WAY OF CONNECTING. NOT EVERY OLDER ADULT, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. STANDING OUTSIDE OF DOORS, WAVING THROUGH PEOPLE THROUGH SCREEN DOORS, CREATING WHOLE TEAMS OF PEOPLE, WE'VE NEVER HAD AS ROBUST A CARE TEAM AS WE HAVE IN OUR BUILDING NOW. ONE OF THE PRIORITY GROUPS THAT BROUGHT THAT ABOUT ARE THOSE WHO ARE OLDER. THERE'S BRIDGING GENERATIONAL GAPS AS WELL AS SECRETARY OF STATE ECONOMIC RARAL BARRIERS. -- SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS. IT'S NOT EASY, IT'S PAINFUL TO WATCH SOME OF THESE PEOPLE WE LOVE SO DEARLY, LOSE THEIR SPOUSES, TO GRIEVE WITH THEM, WEEP WITH THEM. IT'S NOT ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING FOR THEM. SOMETIMES FOR US RIGHT NOW IT'S A LOT OF TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO BE TOGETHER. >> YEAH. THANKFUL FOR YOU, PASTOR. JOSH, TALK TO US THAT CROSS POINTED DOES, ONE THING MAYBE YOU'D LOVE FOR OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO KNOW ABOUT. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY I APPRECIATE PASTOR BRENTON THAT THIS IS GOSPEL SINNER WORK. THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM IS SIN, AND WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE COME TO JESUS AND GET OUT FROM UNDER CONDEMNATION. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THE GOSPEL IS JESUS IS LORD. THE FACT THAT HE'S LORD MEANS THAT HE'S LORD OVER THE CITY, HE'S LORD OVER THIS BROKEN CITY, AND WHEN THE GOSPEL CENTERED PEOPLE SHOW UP, RIGHT, THAT SHOULD BE GOOD NEWS TO EVERYBODY. NOT JUST, HEY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO HELL WHEN YOU DIE, WHICH IS AMAZING NEWS, BUT IT'S ALSO THAT GOSPEL PEOPLE ARE HERE, SO THE GOOD NEWS IS HERE. SO I APPRECIATE LIBERTY GETTING OUT THERE. I THINK ALSO THE FACT IN JOHN CAN'T 20 THERE'S ANOTHER COMMISSION WE DON'T OFTEN TALK ABOUT. THEY DON'T YET KNOW WHAT THE VICTORY IS. HE COMES AND SAYS PEACE BE UNTO YOU. IT'S A TRADITIONAL GREETING, BUT IT'S NOT TRADITIONAL TO SAY IT TWICE. HE SAYS, AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO NOW I'M SENDING YOU. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE SHALOM BRINGERS TO OUR CITY. AS A PASTOR WHAT I GET MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS THE STUFF I GET TO HEAR ABOUT THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH OR CAN TAKE CREDIT FOR. I GET EXCITED WITH PEOPLE LIKE AMY AND KATHY SMITH. I GET EXCITED ABOUT COURTNEY AND END ZONE TRA LEADING LOVE HEALS -- ESRS. SO I GET EXCITED WHEN PEOPLE GO I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SHALOM MAKER IN THE WORLD. IF I CAN TEACH THAT, BE A PART OF EQUIPPING PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO. WE'RE IN A HURTING CITY, A CITY THAT NEEDS RACIAL RECONCILIATION AS MY BROTHER DOWN HERE WAS TALKING ABOUT JUST A MOMENT AGO. ONE OF THE THINGS OUR CHURCH TRIED TO DO IS WE TRY TO HAVE THOSE DIALOGUES WHERE WE SAY LET'S HAVE A PROGRAM I CAN STRUCTURE, TAKE THIS SHALOM, WHICH THAT IS THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL, RECOLLECTIALIATION, TAKE IT TO YOUR WORKPLACE, FORM INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM. I THINK AS A CITY AND AS CHURCHES IN THAT CITY, UNTIL WE REACH THAT REVELATION SEVEN VISION OF ALL GOD'S PEOPLE, JUST LIKE WE WERE SAYING TODAY, EVERY TRIBE, NATION, AND TONGUE, THEN WE PRAY, GOD YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS ON HEAVEN. WE HAVE SEEN THAT COME TO FRUITION YET. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS GOING ON AS WELL. WE HAVE A DOWNTOWN TEAM THAT IS PLANTING A DOWN TOWN CHURCH RIGHT NOW, AT 603 GRAY STREET. THEY HAVE TAKEN 170 PLUS-YEAR-OLD BUILDING THAT HAS HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS IN IT OVER THE YEARS, ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS, WE'RE TRYING TO BRING REDEMPTION BACK,. JOSH IS DOING A GREAT JOB SERVING. WE SERVE ONE AND I MEALS A WEEK OUT OF THAT TEAM. WE WANT TO BRING SHALOM INTO OUR COMMUNITY. >> YOU TOUCHED ON SOMETHING AGAIN I THINK ALL OF YOU JUST CONTINUE TO BRING NEW IDEAS HERE. WE ARE NOT THE HOPE -- EVEN YESTERDAY YOU CAN PASTOR JONATHAN TALKED ABOUT HOW LIBERTY UNIVERSITY EXISTS IN THE PARKING LOT OF GOD'S CHURCH. GOD HAS ONE PLAN TO REACH THE WORLD, WHERE THE FABRICS -- FABRIC IS TORN HE WANTS TO MEND THE FABRIC. LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CANNOT BE THE ANSWER UNLESS WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE CHURCH. AND SO I LOVE WHAT YOU WEREZATION IN THAT WHEN SOMEBODY THINKS ABOUT CROSS POINT, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY THINKING ABOUT ONE OF THE JOSHES WHO ARE PREACHING PASTORS. THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT A GROW THAT SHOWS UP, THAT IS CROSS POINT. I WOULD SEE OUR STUDENTS INVOLVED IN LOCAL CHURCHES, SO WHEN YOU DO AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING, WHEN YOU DO A WORK AND PEOPLE GO OH MAN, THANKS FOR SHOWING UP, WHO ARE YOU, WHAT ARE WE? YOU GOT A 74-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO JUST SHOWED UP AND LOVED ON AND NOW YOU'RE GOING WHERE DO I BELONG TO YOU. YOU'RE LIKE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENROLL AT LIBERTY. THEY NEED TO BELONG AT CHURCHES, THEY NEED TO BECOME HEART OF HILL CITY. WAYMAKER IS THE ANSWER. LIBERTY'S JOB IS TO SUPPLEMENT AND PUSH PEOPLE TO THE LOCAL BODY. SO I WOULD MUCH RATHER YOU HAVE LOCAL CHURCHES THAT YOU REPRESENT AS THE OVERRIDING FLAG OVER YOU THAN THIS UNIVERSITY. WE'RE GOING TO COME IN, DO THE WORK AND LEAVE. THAT WAS HIS PLAN A. THERE IS NO PLAN B. THE PLAN WAS THE LOCAL, THE BRIDE. TALK TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE WORK YOU'RE DOING. SPOTLIGHT ONE FOR US, BUDDY. >> THIS VERY WEEK WE DO WHAT IS CALLED LOVE WEEKS, WHERE WE PAUSE A THIRD SUNDAY DURING THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH, WE PAUSE AND GO OUT AND SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE DON'T HAVE IN-PERSON WORSHIP GATHERINGS LIKE WE NORMALLY THINK OF IT, BUT I TELL PEOPLE THAT WE'RE EVERYTHING CHURCH, BUT IT LOOKS DIFFERENT. SO WE'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR STILL FEE IS WE PARTNER -- FILL FOE IS WE PARTNER WITH OTHER PHYSICIANS THAT ALREADY 60s. WE DON'T WANT TO REINVENT THE WHEEL, BUT WE DO WANT TO PUT 20 TOMES ON IT. >> I LOVE THAT. >> WE WANT TO ADD VALUE TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE GO AND SERVE. >> THE SALVATION ARMY ACTION HOW DO YOU MAKE IT BETTER, LIKE THAT. >> YEAH. ONE EXAMPLE, WE'RE ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. WE'VE BEEN DOING THE SALVATION ARMY ABOUT ALL THOSE FIVE YEARS OF OUR EXISTENCE. WE GO EVERY THIRD SUNDAY. EVERY THIRD SUNDAY A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW WE'RE COMING, SO THEY SHOW UP BECAUSE WE PREPARE THE MENU, BUY THE FOOD, COOK THE FOOD AND WE LOVE ON PEOPLE IN THE MORNING AND AT DINNER TIME. SO WE USED TO CALL IT SERVE SUNDAY, BUT NOW WE'VE EXTENDED TO TWO DAYS. >> WHEN YOU SAY THIRD SUNDAY, DOW GO IN THE AFTERNOON, IN THE MORNING? >> IF THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF IT, GO TO OUR APP AND YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT IT, BUT IT'S ALL DIFFERENT TIMES. SALVATION ARMY, THEY SERVE BREAKFAST AND DINNER. DAILY BREAD DOES JUST LUNCH. WE HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS. ONE THING THAT WAS MENTIONED, WHAT WE ALSO DO, SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK WE SERVE COOKIES AND BROWNIES TO FIRST RESPONDERS, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE FIRST LINE, EVEN TEACHERS AND EDUCATIONERS SO WE JUST BEST THAT -- BLESS THAT. >> SOME AWESOME. WAY MAKERS ALL OVER THE CITY. ALWAYS SERVING, ALWAYS LOVING. >> WORSE, I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE LOCAL CHURCH AND THE CRITICAL NATURE OF THAT, AND WHAT THAT'S YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ULTIMATELY, WHEN THEY LAUNCH OUT OF HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO POPULATE IS THE LOCAL CHURCH. I WANT TO SAY THIS, I FELT MY HEART BEATING PASS THROUGH THE WORSHIP AND JUST SEEING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE LEAD IN SUCH A POWERFUL WAY. I BELIEVE THAT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY IS GOING TO BE A TIDAL WAVE IN THE WORLD, I DON'T MEAN JUST IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IN THE WORLD IN THIS NEXT SEASON AND YOU GUYS NEED TO KNOW THAT, YOU NEED TO REALLY OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR HANDS TO WHAT GOD IS REALLY DOING THROUGH THIS SCHOOL BECAUSE I REALLY BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL COMING. THE A LOT OF THAT IS THE FOUNDATION YOU SET IN YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOU NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED BY THAT AND YOU GUYS NEED TO COMMISSION THAT. IT'S GETTING READY TO HAPPEN IN A WAY AS A '99 GRAD WELL, I GRADUATED FROM HERE WITH A HISTORY DEGREE, NEVER OPENED A HIS DEGREE BOOK AFTER THAT, BUT THIS UNIVERSITY IS SPECIAL. I KNOW PEOPLE SAY THAT, BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT AS A LOCAL PASTOR IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE STUDENT BODY, WHAT YOU GUYS GIVE TO THE CITY IS MONUMENTAL AND IT'S JUST GOING TO GO OUT THROUGH THE WORLD. BIG THING FOR US, WE STARTED AS A RESTART CHURCH IN CAMPBELL COUNTY. WE KNEW OUR DEMOCRATIC WAS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. DEMOGRAPHIC. POVERTY LOOKS DIFFERENT. WE MOVED CLOSURES TO THE CITY INTO INTO THE SUBURBANNERS. POVERTY ISN'T ALWAYS A RESOURCE ISSUE, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A RELATIONAL ISSUE. PEOPLE WHO COME TO OUR CHURCH, THEY DRIVE OUT OF BEAUTIFUL HOUSES WITH BEAUTIFUL CARS, BUT THEIR MARRIAGES AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE CRUMBLING, SO WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A MINISTRY WE HAVE TO LEAN INTO THERE. WE ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL CHURCHES THAT ARE REACHING URBAN AND DOWNTOWN. AS P.J. SAID, WE TRY TO COME ALONGSIDE AND CELEBRATE AND RESOURCE CHURCHES THAT ARE IN IT. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BLESS SOME OF THE CHURCHES JUST WITH RESOURCES, EVEN IN PAST YEAR, THAT NEEDED THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE ON THE FRONT LINES OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THAT SAID, WE KNEW ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A BIG GAP THAT WE COULD COME IN AND FILL, THERE'S HOMELESS SHELTERS, KITCHENS, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, A LOT OF AMAZING THINGS ARE HAPPENING. THAT IS THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT BEING IN A COMMUNITY WHERE THE LOCAL CHURCH IS THRIVING AND THE PASTORS LOVE EACH OTHER. LIKE WE LOVE EACH OTHER. WE COME INTO EACH OTHER'S HOMES, WE BREAK BREAD TOGETHER, WE LAUGH TOGETHER. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING. BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE MORE POSITIONER FAMILIES, FOSTER PARENTS FILLING IN THE GAP FOR THE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF FOSTER KIDS WHO GO IN THE SYSTEM AND SO WE LAUNCHED SOMETHING IN 200010 CALLED MOST QUICK. IT IS ESSENTIALLY WE WANT TO CALL -- WE WANT TO CALL PASSER PARENTS, AND WE WANT TO BE THERE FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHEN THEY'RE TAKEN INTO CARE WHERE GIVING THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED: LIBERTY STUDENTS WHO ARE A PART OF OUR CHURCH, THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE'RE GOING TO FUNNEL THEM TOWARDS IN RESOURCING THESE FAMILIES. THEN SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT GOD CALLED THE STUDENTS NEXT SEASON, YOU TALK ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, USUALLY WE TALK ABOUT THAT IN A GLOBAL OUR SINS IT IS IT IS -- GROUND ZERO IS VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA AND ATLANTA. THE U.S. IS NOW A PLACE WHERE THAT IS HAPPENING. WE PARTNERED WITH ZARA'S HOUSE IN APPALACHIAN WHERE THERE IS A MAJOR DILEMMA, WHERE SOME OF THESE FAMILIES ARE TRAFFICKING THEIR OWN CHILDREN IN THAT AREA, AND THIS HOUSE IS SOMETHING THAT WE SAID WE'RE GOING TO RESOURCE THAT HOUSE WITH PEOPLE, WITH HUMAN AND CAPITAL RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THESE KIDS ARE -- HAVE A REFUGE, WHICH IS REALLY HEARTBREAKING FROM EVEN THEIR OWN FAMILIES. SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING AFTER IN THIS SEASON. >> LOVE IT, MAN. IT'S AMAZING. AND AGAIN, IT'S A WEIRD POSTURE WHEN SOMEONE IS ASKING YOU, TELL ME SOMETHING YOU'RE DOING, I DON'T WANT TO PEACOCK AND SHOW OFF, BUT GOD GETS ALL THE GLORY. THIS IS A SMALL WINDOW INTO THE MANY THINGS THAT THESE GREAT CHURCHES ARE INVOLVED IN. JUST SLEEVES ROLLED UP, IN THE TREENSNESS, IN THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE, DOING THE GOSPEL WORK. REAL QUICK, WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LEFT WITH EACH OTHER, 90 SECONDS, 60 SECONDS. ONE THOUGHT, MAYBE A WORD, MAYBE A PRAYER, THIS COVID SEASON, NONE OF US EXPECTED IT COMING INTO IT. GOODNESS, JOSH, YOU JUST HANDED -- LANDED THERE, ALL YOU HAVE BEEN IS A COVID PASTOR PRETTY MUCH, BROTHER. TALK TO US WHAT DID GOD TEACH YOU. VETERAN'S MINISTRY, YOU'VE BEEN AT IT A LONG TIME. YOU DON'T HAVE THAT MUSCLE YET. SOME THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT GOD TOUCHED YOU, HUMBLED, THIS PANDEMIC SEASON. >> MAN, I HATE THAT I GOT TO GO FIRST. I WILL SAY SOMETHING, THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MY MIND IS I FELT CHALLENGED IN MY LEADERSHIP BECAUSE WHEN COVID HAPPENED, UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE FIRST THREE TO FOUR WEEKS, I DIDN'T CAST VISION TO OUR CHURCH, LIKE WHAT ARE WE DOING. EVERYONE IS SAYING WHAT ARE WE DOING, WHAT ARE WE DOING, WHAT ARE WE DOING, WHAT ARE WE DOING. I REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRAYING, RESEARCHING. OF COURSE, NO ONE KNEW IT WAS COMING, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THE IMPACT AND VALUE WE HAD. THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS, SERVING THROUGH OUR COMMUNITIES. I WAS CHALLENGED AND CASTING VISION DURING DIFFICULT TIMES. >> THAT'S PRETTY HONEST. THANK YOU. >> TWO THINGS. ONE IS RIVERMONT NEEDED TO GET KICKED INTO THE 21st CENTURY WHEN IT CAME TO TECHNOLOGY. WE DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THAT HE IS LESS THAN TWO, 300 YEARS OLD, INTERNET. SO MAN, JUST A RADICAL ADOPTION OF DIGITAL RESOURCES, TO BEGIN TO LIVE STREAM OUR SERVICES USING ZOOM TO DO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES, ALL THOSE RESOURCES WE COULD LEVERAGE TO GET THE GOSPEL OUT. THAT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING. I THINK PROBABLY THE HARDEST THING WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS YEAR IN OUR CHURCH. IT'S CREATED SO MANY POINTS OF DISUNITY. WHY AM I WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY DON'T BELIEVE THE SAME THING I BELIEVE ABOUT. MASKS, THEY DON'T BELIEVE THE SAME THING I BELIEVE ABOUT RACIAL RECREATION, THE SAME THING I BELIEVE ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES AND SO WE HAVE TRIED TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT SAYING YOU'RE UNITY IS BASED ON SPIRIT WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. FAITH IN CHRIST IS WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER. THESE OTHER THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE EVERYTHING ELSE THROUGH THE OUR UNITY IN CHRIST JESUS. SO -- THAT'S DIFFICULT. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PRESS INTO THAT. I THINK THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE, I THINK IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, I'M NOT HERE BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY, SAME EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, SAME RACE AS ME. I'M HERE TOGETHER WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS BECAUSE WE BY THE POWER OF GOD AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVE BEEN JOINED BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST, WE ARE -- SORRY I'M TAKING TOO MUCH TIME, THAT WON'T JUST BE MANIFESTOED. WE ARE JOINED TO ONE ANOTHER. THIS YEAR TAUGHT US IT'S THE PRIMARY THING, WHICH IS CHRIST AND FAITH IN CHRIST. >> SO GOOD. YOU KNOW HOW THAT FUNCTIONS, THE GUY WHO HAS A VAN IN THEIR PARKING LOT IN THE CHURCH, WHO HERE OWNS THEIR OWN VAN? -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] -- GUYS LOAN IT TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE VANS. WE'RE NOT USING IT ON SATURDAY, WHY DON'T YOU USE OUR BUILDING. THE GUY WHO HAS A TON OF TECHNOLOGY, WAYMAKER, IT LOOKS LIKE A CLUB WALKING IN THAT PLACE, ENDS UP IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS. AND THERE'S A MOMENT HE'S GOING TO GO I NEED YOU BIG-TIME TO HELP ME IN SOMETHING. >> RIGHT, TO LAUNCH THE HAND BELL MINISTRY. [ LAUGHTER ] >> I'M SAYING THOSE MEN AND PASTORS IN THE CITY DO THAT REALLY WELL. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON THAT. WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT? >> IS THE CHURCH FAMILY OR NOT. DO WE HAVE A THEOLOGY THE CHURCH IS FAMILY OR ARE WE REALLY GOING TO BE FAMILY. FOR US IT REALLY REQUIRES THIS SKILL THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, A CHALLENGE THAT FACES OVER AND OVER AGAIN, CITY WITH ONE ANOTHER IN PAIN, SITTING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN CONFLICT AND IN LOSS AND IN GRIEF. IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO THAT IF I HAVEN'T SAT ON MY OWN. SO THERE'S AN EMOTIONAL HEALTH, RECKONING WITH OUR OWN STORY, THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THAT GOSPEL. YOU PREACH THE SERMON AND THAT IS THE CHALLENGE FOR US, BEING A FAMILY, MOVING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE, REACHING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE LEFT, PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT OF ME, POLITICALLY, CULTURALLY, IN EVERY WAY, BEING HUMBLE, BEING CURIOUS, MAYBE TALKING A LITTLE LESS, LINGENING A LOT MORE. THAT HAS BEEN THE CHALLENGE. >> PASTOR JOSH? >> I WOULD SAY IN ONE SENTENCE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY WITH COVID TO THROW AWAY THE OLD SCHOOL CARD. I DON'T HEAR A LOT OF PASTORS GETTING TOGETHER BRAGGING ABOUT THE WRONG THINGS. WE'RE ACTUALLY TENDING TO MEASURE THINGS DIFFERENTLY NOW. SO I THINK MAYBE THROWING OUT THE WRONG CARD HAS BEEN A GIFT OF COZY AND PICK UP THE RIGHT ONE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SERVING, ENGAGING IN DISCIPLESHIP AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS. IT'S A SOVEREIGN BLESSING GOD GAVE US. >> IN THAT SENSE HAS IT BEEN A GIFT, YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO BEGIN YOUR MINISTRY HERE WITH THAT PAUSE AND RELAUNCH? >> ABSOLUTELY. FOLLOWING A PASTOR THAT WAS THERE 15 YEARS, COMING IN AND KIND OF GETTING MY FEET UNDERNEATH ME HONESTLY GAVE US A CHANCE TO KIND OF STEP BACK AND SAY WHO ARE WE AS CROSS POINT CHURCH AND WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS GOD CALLING US TO BE, NOT FEELING THAT, LIKE, PRESSURE OF THE JUST CONSTANT DRUM BEAT OF WHAT IS THE STATISTICAL THING BECAUSE HONESTLY, WE MAY NOT BE QUICK TO SAY IT, BUT THE TRUTH FOR ALL OF GUYS IS PASTORS HAVE THAT DRUM BEAT IN THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS. SO TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE AROUND THE RIGHT THINGS HAS BEEN A REAL BLESSING. >> SO GOOD. >> ONE OF THE THINGS LORD TAUGHT ME LEADERSHIP WISE IS HE SPOKE TO ME ONE DAY, SAID YOU CANNOT MAKE A DECISION BASED ON WHAT I'VE TOLD YOU AND LOOK FOR THE APPROVAL OF MAN. HAD TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS OVER, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION AND DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO, BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SEE THE BURNING BUSH OF MOSES. >> DO YOU REALIZE THE PRESSURE ON US DURING THE COVID SEASON, WHEN A GOOD CHURCH MEMBER, A WISCONSIN CHURCH MEMBER SAYS HAVE THE FAITH TO KEEP MEETING, DON'T LISTEN TO THE INTERNET, YOU GOT TO MEET SUNDAY MORNING. ANOTHER GODLY PASTOR SAYS HAVE THE FAITH TO NOT HAVE TO MEET. YOU GLOW WHO DO I ANGER ON SUNDAY. I GOT TO PUT MY HEAD ON A PILLOW AND SAY GOD, WHAT DO YOU THINK. THESE PASTORS HAVE TO EVERYDAY LISTEN TO THEIR CONGREGATION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY GO WE BELONG TO THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS. THAT IS SUCH A GOOD WORD. JOHN? >> I WOULD AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT THESE GUYS SAID. I WOULD ADD TO THAT ONE OF THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGES IS DEALING WITH A MESS WHO IS A HUMAN BEING, WHO IS STILL WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A FATHER, A HUSBAND, AND THEN A PASTOR, AND JUST GETTING OPEN AND HONOR EGGS WITH THAT, WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE. AS GOD IS TAKING WHAT IS DARK IN ME, LIGHTING UP, GET TO GO THE SURFACE, REPENTING OF THAT, ALLOWING GOD TO FILL THAT WITH THINGS, THAT IS A GUT WRENCHING DIFFICULT PROCESS OF FORMATION. I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH, IT HAS HELPED ME WITH WHAT P.J. JUST SAID AND THAT IS KNOWING THAT GOD'S VOICE IS GOING TO ALWAYS BE AS JESUS SAYS, AT THE BACK OF THE LINE, TO KEEP GOING RIGHT BACK THERE TO THE LAST PLACE, AND BE THE FIRST ONE TO REPENT, BE THE FIRST ONE TO WASH PEOPLE'S FEET, BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY NO, YOU TAKE THAT SPOT, YOU TAKE THAT SPOT. SO I WOULD SAY MY DEALING WITH THE GUY IN THE MIRROR THROUGH A PANDEMIC AND THROUGH SOCIAL, POLITICAL, RACIAL UPHEAVAL AND EVERYTHING TO LEAD THROUGH THAT AND LEAD OTHER PEOPLE OUT OF THAT AS WELL. >> YEAH. START WITH ME. THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM YOU. I LOVE THESE MEN AND THEIR CHURCHES. AGAIN, I THINK YOU REPRESENT WELL THE OTHER 400 PLUS CHURCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY. THANK YOU FOR BEING FAITHFUL. THANKS FOR MODELING IT IN BETWEEN SUNDAYS. YOU'RE ALL AWESOME PREACHERS. I HAVEN'T HEARD YOU YET, JOSH, BUT I'LL BE AT YOUR CHURCH PROBABLY SUNDAY. I REALIZED YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I HAVEN'T HEARD PREACH YET. I'M COULD GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU, SO THANKFUL FOR YOU TO ALLOW US TO PARTNER. WE NEED YOU AT LIBERTY, WE NEED THE LOCAL CHURCH THAN YOU NEED OUR VOLUNTEER WORK, OUR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR THE FAITHFULNESS OF YOU. I PRAY WE COLLABORATE AT THE DEEPEST LEVEL WE EVER HAVE. LET ME PRAY FOR THEM. WE'LL WALK OUT OF HERE SIX MINUTES LATE. GOD WE LOVE, HE WE PRAY FOR THE CHURCH, WE PRAY WE WOULD BE THE BRIDE WITH THE WEDDING DRESS AND THE COMBAT BOOTS ON AND GOD WE WOULD SERVE WELL. THE CITY, WHERE YOU HAVE CALLED US. LOCALLY TO LOVE PEOPLE, TO KNOW PEOPLE, TO WALK WITH THEM. EVEN AS I'M PRAYING I'M THINKING ABOUT BEN, WHO JUMPED ON STAGE WHEN JORDAN PETERSON WAS HERE, BEING ABLE TO CALL JAMES HOBSON, I BELIEVE HE BELONGS TO YOU, JAMES IS LIKE I GOT HIM, AND THE COUNSELING AND THE WORK THAT HAPPENED THAT I COULDN'T DO. BUT THE CHURCH COULD DO FOR THAT BROTHER. THANK YOU, LORD, THAT THE CHURCH IS THE HOPE, GOD, THE STRATEGY BY WHICH YOU'RE GOING TO REACH THE CITY. HELP US AS JUST A UNIVERSITY, ONE UNIVERSITY, COME ALONGSIDE AND BE A PART OF THE BRIDE'S GREAT MANIFESTO WORK. WE LOVE YOU, WE NEED YOU. PROTECT US TODAY AS WE TRAVEL ALL OVER THE CITY TO SERVE. WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME, AMEN. CAN WE PUT OUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THESE MEN? [ APPLAUSE ] >> WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK. YOU'RE DISMISSED.
