UNLEASH the Ridgestone Hounds....

Yesterday I had the privilege to travel to Anderson, SC with 40 other Ridgestone Church members and staff to attend the first ever UNLEASH conference at Perry Noble's Newspring Church. It was a nice day off from the hustle and bustle of the office and an incredible reminder of what can happen when a group of people are dedicated to reaching the world for Jesus.

Here are some of my fondest memories of the event, before I forget:

1. Riding in a van with Stoner's that I really never get the chance to speak with more than 3 minutes on Sunday morning. Our friend Adam (from Home Team) drove and brought his iPod along. He played some awesome music from his collection that kept us all entertained. On the way home we were excited and tired but ready to be difference makers in the church and therefore in people's lives.
2. Seeing Newspring church for the first time. I was so excited to see our people look at what COULD be in the future. It is not that we need a building today but I think they (and I) saw what can happen when a group of people make a commitment together. Their building was nice, not outrageous in style or gaudy as I've seen other churches. It reminded me of a mini Fellowship Church in Texas.
3. Listening to the Newspring band play in the auditorium with an incredible sound system. The songs they played were a good mix of cool contemporary and some incredible versions of your more 'traditional' songs like Amazing Grace. Plug the Ridgestone band into that sound system and lookout.... we would be rocking. I think our band is so talented.
4. Getting a chance to hear Perry Noble in person rather than just reading a blog. He is a talented speaker, a guy with a passion and someone who says what he believes. I can tell that Gary Lamb is friends with Perry, they have some of the same mannerisms, passions and vision.
5. After each breakout session it was fun to share our thoughts and lessons learned with each other. I really believe some true change, for the better, will come as a result of this. We need to keep the momentum going and remember what we learned.
6. The chance to make friends.
   

That's all for now, have to get back to work but as I remember more details I'll update.


RELEASE THE HOUNDS!!