1 January 2008
Year End Reflections (updated)
What a year it was for us at Southbrook Church! And there are so many things to be thankful for. But there were some heartaches as well. In fact, looking back I keep coming to the same conclusion about this year. It was a Charles Dickens kind of a year—”The Best of times and the worst of times.”
Our young church saw families lose young fathers tragically and without warning. We saw couples whose marriages were really just getting started broken apart by death as well. And just when it seemed our hearts couldn’t break anymore, along came more tragedy.
I guess as you grow to this size these things are going to happen more and more. Maybe we should have been better prepared. But, it’s just that it all seemed to hit at once and I witnessed heartache again and again along with the rest of the Southbrook Church family.
But then we all witnessed something truly unique to Christ followers. We saw God bring something awesome out of something tragic, every time!
Each time we said goodbye to a father or a young husband, lost folks gave their lives to Jesus as we all realized that this life is just a dress rehearsal for all of eternity. Over 100 people gave their lives to Christ at three memorial services this year!
Friends, only God can do that. In fact, I do not know how people who do not know the Lord ever make it through these tough times in life. Without Christ, where is the hope?
There is none.
This year made me realize how short life is and made me want to redouble our efforts at SCC to reach a lost and confused world with the hope and love of Jesus. Because of that we have much to be thankful for. Here are just a few things I’m ;remembering with praise that happen in 2007…
* Over 1100 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ!
* We baptized nearly 400 people!
* Christmas and Easter saw our biggest crowds yet and Southbrook really made stride in becoming known as a relevant place for hope and love and life transformation for people no matter what baggage they bring through our doors.
* Marriages restored.
* Families put back together
* Everything wrapped up for the start of our new worship center.
* A home for Southbrook Monroe
* on a personal note—on a weekend my family and I took off, the entire church took up an offering to honor the pastors. Thank You Southbrook for your love and generosity to me and my family!
Now some fun ones…
Favorite Series?
That’s truly tough. I don’t know whether to look at the creativity or the results, so I’ll look at both and give you a couple of answers.
1. Planet Earth — Visually and topically this was incredible. Thanks to the creative team!
2. Presents — Because God just moved in an unbelievable way! Christmas weekend saw 175 people come to Christ and there were over 200 for the whole series!
Favorite Visual?
1. Had to be the “Lost” video that we resurrected for the final message in our “Presents” series You can click here to see it. This thing is incredibly creative! Close on its heels was the video about outreach that is now playing here, Check it out quickly as it will only be up for a couple more days (make sure the sound is on when you watch it). The song by Leeland is gut wrenching!
Favorite Blog Post?
1. Even though I’ve only had this blog since march of last year, Clayton King left a comment about archives going back to the 90’s. Hey Clayton, did they even have blogs then? Favorite blog series? There are a few, “The Shelf Life of Your Average Christian Commitment” “Southbrook Urban Legends” that one was just fun. And, the single post, More CHRISTmas.
Favorite Song?
There were so many, but the winner is not so difficult here. Many of you do not know the behind the scenes stuff that goes on as we prepare each week for services. One thing is that our talented group of musicians often WRITE the songs for the weekend so that they will be a hand in glove fit. The one that blew us all away? Had to be when Andy Cherry knew I was preaching on the 10 lepers and wrote, “Where are the other nine?” What a killer song. And, ‘no,’ he has not yet agreed to record it. Our loss.
And so much more. But it’s late now, (3:17 am 2008!) and I need to get ready to hit it hard for the new year. Know why?
Because God’s going to blow away 2007 by what He has in store for us in 2008!
Fasten your seat belts and hang on!
4 Comments currently posted.
bigdadgib says:
Kitty H says:
Southbrook was well prepared in 2007 for the tragedy that hit our family. The heart of the church is Christ. The leadership shows it and is well positioned to expand Christ’s reach in Union County. Thank you.
Calculatorgames says:
I think 2007 has been great just for my family alone. My husband and I committed our lives to Christ in the beginning of March (Clayton King Pick up Thy Cross), I got baptized at the end of March while my 4 year old watched, we dedicated our children in May ,my husband got baptized in August and we joined a great small group in October! Thank you all for being part of it! I can’t wait to see what 2008 brings to Southbrook!
The Crawley Family
John Kearney says:
It has been a year of blessing for Southbrook. There are churches that don’t ever see anyone come to Christ and knowing that God used the body of believers at Southbrook to see over 1100 come to Christ is awesome. The fields are white for harvest…how great will our faith be this year to allow God to work through us to see more come to the knowledge and acceptance of His saving grace? What will I do to grow in my relationship with Christ and to be a part of all of the great things happening at Southbrook…all I can do. We can certainly hamstring ourselves wrangling with things that distract, and deter, us from seeing more people come to Christ. As we advance against the enemy…counterattacks are inevitable… Please continue to pray for the protection and accountability of our leadership.
Happy New Year!
I have not met you yet, but if not here, I’ll see you in Heaven. (He has a truck lane on the streets of gold)
Love through Him,
Gib