One of the questions we have about multisite is, “Will there be live worship?” And the answer is an emphatic YES! We want to have the same authentic and transformational worship we have at the Cedar Falls campus. Jon will be developing creative and artistic teams that will lead us each weekend into moments where we can experience and respond to God. If you see Jon this next weekend make sure to walk up and say hello! He is very excited to get to know his new PLC family! Until then, send him a quick note, to welcome him at jon.lloyd@prairielakeschurch.org.
"Hey guys!My name is Jon Lloyd.My wife (Michelle) and I just moved here from Southern Indiana, and are so excited to join God’s story here in Iowa.We wereon quite a journey to get to this point, butwe are right where God wants us to be. I’ve been leading worship for almost ten years and have been in full- time ministry for almost six years.I’ve been on staff at a large church and two church plants.I’m looking forward to using my gifts and experience to make “His” name more famous in the Cedar Valley.
I’m so excited to be at Prairie Lakes and serve with such incredible people.I’m looking forward to leading people in worship and creating a place where people can engage authentically with their creator.
Ok, I don’t think that is his official title, but when you meet him you will know what I am talking about! Every time I get up on the platform I am keenly aware that it takes a team of people to get “the Message” out. Jeremy is integral to our team and will be behind the scenes training and leading our tech teams to spread the Word all over the Cedar Valley. Jeremy has been producing the news for KWWL for years and works great under pressure! He is a seasoned professional, a true technical Jedi! Feel free to welcome Jeremy at jeremy.ott@prairielakeschurch.org.
"Check. Check. Sibilance Check. Hello PLC! (reverb...PLC...PLC...PLC) I'm Jeremy Ott, the Waterloo Campus Techie.
I'm very excited about the new campus and the NEW technology that will be implemented to help share the PLC vision with the Cedar Valley. Getting the Word and Message to an entirely new community is exciting and I am all about a life-sized HD images, lights, graphics, etc. aiding to that Message. Even though I am currently enthusiastically waiting for a physical location to begin setting up,I know that worship will happen wherever two or three are gathered (and the presence of a lighting board is not all that necessary).
I look forward to meeting all of you. Fade Audio, Fade Black."
Can you believe that we are just a few days away from gaining 2.6 pounds and experiencing tryptophan induced comas?! As the day approaches I find myself doing some reflection. What is it I am thankful for? Who am I thankful for? Why should I be thankful? And for that matter, why do I feel compelled to reflect now instead of throughout my year?
It seems our culture drives us away from the things that are most important. Even with Thanksgiving just a few days away, Black Friday looms the next morning. I certainly am not condemning shopping at 4AM, there are a lot of good deals on The Snuggie, you know, the blanket that has sleeves, and other fine products, but I get this sneaky suspicion that we lose some of the essence along the way.
You know, before I had kids I could never understand why parents kept all those goofy hand paintings and drawings their children made, but now I am starting to get it. I know I only have so much time with my family and every time I see one of those pictures I find myself so thankful for the gift God has given me.
So here is the challenge: Do whatever it takes this season to hold fast to the things that will last and fight with every fiber of your being to be genuinely thankful and gracious! When you and I are standing in a long line to get a digital toaster that has GPS this week, let’s reflect on the things that truly matter…
Psalm 136
1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
4to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
6who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
7who made the great lights— His love endures forever.
8the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
9the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
10to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.
11and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever.
12with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever…
23to the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.
24and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever.
25and who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
How do we invite people toward faith in a natural, practical and authentic way? As I look around at those that do it well, here is what I am learning…
#1 Always Develop Relationships
Invitation is not a one-time event, it is a spectrum. Sometimes God prompts you to a stranger, but most likely He has been prompting you for years about the SAME people. Now should you intentionally build a relationship with someone to see them come to Christ? YES! Everybody has an agenda, let yours be LOVE! You should never be in a relationship that you do not desire for them to come to Christ!
#2 Always Be Yourself
Be assured that when you are prompted by God to take a step, God has already decided that who you are is enough for the invitation. No extra tools required! Be authentic. God has uniquely designed you, he has perfectly planted you in space and time to Invite those around you to another step toward Him.
#3 Always Be Ready
Only God knows when salvation is right around the corner for someone. Our job is to always be ready. One of the surest ways is to have an INVITE CARD in your wallet or purse. Now look, this isn’t about inviting someone to church just b/c. When God stirs your heart for your friend or neighbor across the lawn, it has nothing to do with getting them to church. It has everything to do with getting them to a place where they can experience and respond to God.
For some, that may mean having them in your home, fixing something in the garage, watching a movie, serving at the NEIFB, but a sure fire place where we are intentional about that is here on the weekend!
#4 Always Have A List
You know, if my wife didn’t make me a list every time I went to get groceries I would always end up with the same thing: a can of Easy Cheese and a 3 poundsummer sausage, but forget everything else! I admit, sometimes I have spiritual ADHD. I need a list to anchor my prayer life. Every one of us should have a list that we are begging God just to be a part of their invitation into new life.
#5 Always Give Hope
Be bold with the promises of God.
To those overwhelmed with shame, He invites them to grace and forgiveness.
To those bound up in destructive habits, it is clear “If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!”
To the weak He becomes their Strength. To the weary, Jesus promises rest.
To the lacking, He gives us our daily bread. To the grieving, He gives comfort.
To the sick and dying, there is hope for eternal life and new bodies to come.
#6 Always Do What You Love with Christ in Mind
What are your hobbies? What are the things you love to do? If you love riding Motorcycles, you should do that with people who need to take another step toward God. If you love camping and the outdoors, grab some guys and do that! If you love making jewelry or quilts or scrapbooks or whatever,do it with Christ in mind and a lost soul on your heart!
#7 Always Start at Home
This one could possibly be the most important of them all.
I am not trying to step on toes here. But can we just be transparent for a minute? You can’t give what you ain’t got! Are you personally being transformed? Is your personal life inviting those around you into a deeper relationship with God? Are the steps you are taking in response to God’s invitation, leading you to love your wife/husband more and more?
Is your response to God’s invitation leading your children closer to stepping over the faith-line? Are you personally inviting them into a growing relationship with Jesus? Do they know that God made them? God loves them? And Jesus wants to be their forever friend?
You gotta start at home! As disciples of Jesus we need to be intentional about our kids.
Last night I was at Panera Bread working on a variety of projects when I overheard a conversation. Now I had turned my ipod up about as high as it would go, but these young ladies were in a passionate conversation that I was destined to enter.
When I took my headphones out I heard one tell the other, “Yeah, the worst day to work is on Sunday after church with all those Christians!” She continued to question those that pray over their food, and leave little or no tip. The other even commented on someone who gave a fake $20 bill that was a “salvation track”. She seemed pretty cynical of how Christians “tip” with fake money.
Now, before I had a chance to say anything, they jokingly wished somebody would preach on tipping! I told them if they came to Prairie Lakes this weekend I would mention it. I invited both Amy and Kelsey. Now before this turns into some perfect story, let me tell you what I found out. They both have attended churches in the area and Kelsey is involved with the River college ministry. So this wasn’t some come to Jesus moment, but a great reminder that when inviting people to take a step toward God, maybe the best thing they can say is, “Hey, I know you! You go to Prairie Lakes right?!”
So, be bold and invite someone this weekend to hear about cheap tipping Christians!
(This was the actual ship I was on in the Navy at then end of the Gulf War.)
Today I sat down with my son at HyVee for a little guy-time (aka: donuts!). After we picked up our breakfast we went to sit down. The place Jack picked had a sign on it stating “Reserved” and a table tent with Veterans Day written on it. I tried to explain to him what a veteran was, but kept coming a little short.
I think mostly because there are not enough words to express the gratitude a citizen of the United States can offer to those that willingly serve to protect my freedoms, especially my ability to love God, love people and influence the world freely!
So THANK YOU to all that have served, are serving and to the families that support their efforts while waiting anxiously for them to come home safely!
Are you a veteran or family of a vet? Let us know! Write a note below telling us a little about them…
Hey everyone! Just getting back into a rhythm this week, so expect several new posts as I process all that has been happening over the past two weeks! One in particular is the new staffers coming on board!
As a father of a 19 month old and a new baby girl expected in February, I was on the lookout for someone who has been a part of our children’s ministry and could take that experience into Waterloo. God gave us Nicole!
"I’m so excited to be a part of how God is moving in this Valley! This new ministry will have its share of challenges but what a great opportunity to work for God’s glory and bring many new families in Waterloo to Christ. I am looking forward to sharing the 3 basic truths of our God to the children at our new campus: God made me, God loves me and God wants to be my friend forever. These are powerful statements and they speak volumes about our amazing God!
"What an awesome team we have going to Waterloo and I am lucky to be a part of it. I look forward to serving alongside each of you while partnering with the wonderful people at the Cedar Falls campus!”
