Since our wallets are such a big indicator of deeper spiritual issues, this is a clear sign of our growth.

Thinking back on when we started as a church, when our in-house receipts were just made up of my family’s tithe, through our initial explosive growth to the point where we became fully self-funded, we were consistently taking ground in the area of giving. But around the time of the talk of recession in our economy, it seems that we became fearful and were not willing to give as quickly or faithfully. As a result of our lean giving over the previous 18 months or so, we have steadily cut back on our budget needs to the point where we have gotten to the very essentials of what we have to do (not that there was that much more added in before).

I know that times have been tough, and there are many people who have struggled financially. At the same time, there’s no better chance for us as a church family to demonstrate total faith that we know God is our source by trusting Him with our finances. We also have a better chance to make a difference as we show God’s love to our community during these times.

Since the start of 2010, I can see that we are ready to step out and do more than ever before. So again, I want to applaud our success in February! And March has started off strong too!

Just FYI, we made an initial payment of $15,000 on our new location that takes care of the months while we’re building it out. In July, our monthly payments will start up and by that time, our budget will need to have risen from $27,848 a month to $35,847. We’re stepping out in faith because we know that God can do ANYTHING! And He’s called us to follow Him boldly through the doors He has opened for us.

Related posts:

1. A Church Planting Church

The Big Hunt 2010 from The Connection Church on Vimeo.

We’re getting ready for The Big Hunt 2010 on April 3rd from 10:30-1 at Thunderhill Raceway. The Big Hunt was the very first event that we did when we moved to Kyle in 2004 and that started the whole thing. It’s crazy to think that TCC started with something as simple as an Easter Egg Hunt, but God uses these simple events to bring about BIG change in people’s lives. How does that happen? Well, we provide a fun and friendly environment and offer something that people are looking for, a free family event. At the same time, something else is going on on another level. We are creating a positive impression of a church that’s all about giving back to our community and serving people in practical ways.

God is also on a BIG HUNT.  2 Chronicles 16:9 says that “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” We have a conviction that God loves people and so we love people too! And somehow, through an event like The Big Hunt, God reaches out to people right where they are to bring people to make a connection with TCC and ultimately an eternal connection with God through Jesus Christ! And we get to be a part of it!

So how can you help people make the connection this Easter?

• Be at Thunderhill Raceway at  8 a.m. on April 3 to help out on one of the teams.
• Buy and stuff eggs with non-chocolate candy or prizes. Do it as a small group, families, or individuals. Get your workplace involved. Be creative! The goal is 30,000 eggs!
• Pick up a case or two of bottled water the next time that you buy groceries. We need 200 cases of bottled water.

Remember, God will take what you give and multiply it to make a difference in people’s lives all around our community. And that’s what we’re all about: To see Hays County changed one life at a time!

Related posts:

1. The Biggest Hunt
2. Taking a Spiritual Survey
3. Jesus Freaks of the Week: The Castillo’s

Just to bring you up to speed, it’s 18,000 square feet of space in an industrial-type facility right between Kyle and Buda just off of I35. One of the craziest things about this site is that it used to be the home of a huge indoor shrimp farm. But we’re done thinking shrimpy. This is going to be the BIG home of a place that will facilitate changed lives starting first in our county and extending through this region between Austin and San Antonio.

Some of the initial work is being done by sub-contractors in our church family. But soon, we’ll have tons of volunteer work that needs to be done. But just imagine with me how incredible it’s going to be when we’re able to meet there anytime for any need, from a home-base for ministries to the community, to our kids and student ministries, our deaf ministry that is exploding, and more!

One of our goals is to be able to meet at the new location for our Easter services this year, but due to delays at the start, this is going to be a hard goal to meet. So please pray with me that this is going to be possible. It’s also going to take big money and plenty of sweat equity. The dollars that a step this big takes are staggering. I have total faith that God is going to provide everything we need through each of us who believe in the vision of TCC. TCC is a dream born in God’s heart that we get to be a part of for His Glory! So hang onto your seats, folks, and get ready for the ride of your life!

Here are a few pics of some of the first steps at the new building:

Digging the plumbing trench

Prepping the Ceiling

Fueling up the Wet Saw

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1. Office Block Party
2. Building a Garden Planter Box
3. Top 10 Reasons We Like Meeting at Hemphill

Nic and I have recorded some leadership training audio resources for anyone who is in a leadership position. I’m going to be posting these free resources here over the next several weeks so you can check them out. My prayer is that you will grow in your leadership as you make a difference in lives through your group.

Are you having trouble filling up your group? This first audio podcast will give you some practical ideas about how to find people and invite them to join your group. So get ready and “Fill ‘er Up!”

Quickshot: Circles of Life

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1. Free Training Material for Small Group Leaders

At one time, the Jewish people were not allowed to even read Song of Solomon because of its steamy content. But, today, you hear explicit talk everywhere you turn. And yet most people will admit that they’re like Mick Jagger and “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” And in our age of Sexual Revolution, people are more frustrated and unfulfilled than ever.

Right now, there’s a song on the charts from Trey Songz called “I Invented Sex.” I’ve got news for you, don’t believe him. God is the One who invented sex. And He knows how it’s best.

At TCC, we never shy away from addressing real life issues and neither does God’s Word. So over the next six weeks, we’re going to dig into what God has to say about sex and relationships. And I’m already pumped about the potential this series has to take our marriages (or if you’re single, your future marriage) to a Whole ‘Notha Level!

I’ll see you this Sunday as we kick it off with “The Spark of Attraction” at 9:30 and 11am!

Related posts:

1. There Is a Remedy
2. I’m Phlippin’ Out

• We saw 101 people make first time decisions to trust and follow Jesus!
• We baptized 48 people (211 people since 2004)!
• We served over 7,000 people from our county through our community events like The Big Hunt, Mega-Sports Camp, Trunk or Treat, and Connection Christmas Eve’s Eve!
• We prepared and delivered 825 Lunches of Love to hungry children in our community!
• We sent 20 people on a mission trip to the interior of Belize with the PALMS Puppet Team and saw 100’s make decisions to follow Jesus!
• We commissioned Zak, Amber & Couper White and their team to plant Revolution Church in the Schertz/Selma/Cibolo area to start a spiritual revolution!
• The many volunteers who put in countless hours to create the best opportunity for people to connect with God, others, and others with God!

As we begin 2010, I’m more excited about our future than ever before! We’re already beginning work on building out our new location on FM-967 between Buda and Kyle to position us to fulfill our vision to see Hays County changed one life at a time. Greater Things are still to come!

Related posts:

1. Jesus Freaks of the Week: The Castillo’s

Last summer, we overhauled our group system in some key areas and have improved our group system to make it healthier and help them grow.

I am making our most recent Connection Group Training Guide available for free to anyone who wants to use it for their own groups. I recommend that you adapt it to your own setting and culture. If you’ve got questions about some of the specifics, feel free to comment on this post. I’d also love to hear from you about what’s working in groups at your church so that we can learn from you too.

Click on the link to download:
Connection Group Leader’s Training Guide

Related posts:

1. Group Leader Quickshot: The Circles of Life
2. Making Church Sticky

On Sunday, Javi was one of the first people at Hemphill. Instead of striving for position, he said, “I may not get to preach every week, but if you’ll let me be responsible for setting up the chairs, I’ll be the best Minister of Chairs you’ve ever seen.” WOW!

They have stepped up to lead a Connection Group, and on Sunday they filled the group in one day just by meeting people and inviting them to their group.

And then, I was totally humbled after everyone was gone to see Javi & Juanita in the broom closet mopping up water that had leaked all over the place (the water was there when we got there in the morning, and not even our mess).

Their enthusiasm, support, and encouragement are off the charts. So Castillo’s, you are our Jesus Freaks of the Week!

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TCC's First Celebration at Hemphill

Sunday was a great day of victory with our first day at our new temporary location. There was a great “feel” with many new faces. The vibe was a return to the days when we used to meet at Tobias. So I want to give you the top 10 reasons we like being at Hemphill for now:

10) It gets us Lean, Mean, and Back to Basics. We get to remember that we’re not about buildings.  At the core, we’re all about seeing lives changed. TCC has never been about all the bells and whistles. We’re flexible and can adapt to whatever environment we’re in. We’re going to see more growth while we’re at Hemphill.
9) The Bathrooms are “Fun-Sized.” Only in an elementary school can you relive your early years of school with miniature toilets.
There’s more Freedom and Less Rush. Now, we’ve got more time to connect with each other in a relaxed atmosphere, something that TCC has always been about. This move helps us do what we do best.
7) Indoor Baptism! We can move into the warm school for baptism instead of being outside in the freezing cold. Sign up for our next baptism on January 31st.
6) Serve a Service, Attend a Service. Moving to a smaller meeting space gets us back where everyone can serve every week and still get to be a part of worship. Are you plugged into a ministry team?
5) Interactive Sermons. Yes, occasionally I accidentally spit when I’m speaking. When we are this close, everyone can personally get involved in the message.
4) Saving Money. Because it’s not as expensive to rent the school, we’re able to save the difference to invest in our soon-to-be location. Give online here.
3) No More Rattlesnakes. By the time we left the PAC, there had been over 30 rattlesnakes found since the start of school this year. We even found one in Volunteer Central.
2) A Missionary Move for our Future. AT TCC, we do Whatever It Takes to fulfill God’s vision. It’s never about our comfort. It prepares us for our future, but while we’re there, we want to reach as many people in the surrounding area as possible.

And the number 1 reason we’re glad to be at Hemphill for now is:

1) Coffee and Donuts in the Service. Yes, now you can stay hyped up on caffeine and sugar during the Celebration Service!

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Our family wants to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a new year full of God’s blessings. I am blown away by all of the incredible connections that God has brought into our lives and you are an important part of what He is doing in our lives! We trust and pray that 2010 will truly be Our Best Year Ever and look forward to walking through it with you.

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