Outreach Roundtable

Recently, Dad and I got to roadtrip to Austin, TX for an Outreach Roundtable at Celebration Church. Wow. I learned so much.

Getting to meet other people from across the country who have the same passion to serve others and to bring the Church to life is an incredible thing. I met a LOT of new heroes.

Huge thanks to Ps. Joe and Lori Champion and to Ps. Derick and April Zwerneman and the whole team for creating such a great environment.

Here are just a few of the "Golden Nuggets" I brought back:

It’s about listening to people's stories – giving people validation. Not counting them as just another number or stat. We work to create environments of DIGNITY for people, giving them attention as individuals. -Dr. Joe Carson (Life Church, Memphis Dream Center)

The secret is in your “stay”. I’ve quit many times, but I’ve never left. – Jim Harrison

It’s not just about eternal salvation but salvation NOW. - Dr. Joe Carson

Without Hope, people give up. People must see the correlation between the Church and Hope. - Dr. Joe Carson

We don't want to label people according to their circumstances. That's not who they are. Hence, we have a “Downtown Friends” outreach rather than a "homeless" outreach. -Kelli Carson (Life Church, Memphis Dream Center)

For those serving with us, be sure to share the big picture with them. Tell the whole story! So that they can understand the true magnitude of what they're part of. -Ps. Ron Hogland (Church of the Highlands)

As outreach leaders, one of the best roles we can play is in being GUARDIANS of the heart of the Church. (thought taken from Ps. Joe Champion and Derick Zwerneman)

We want to see the Church (the body of Christ) be the HERO. -Ps. Lori Champion (Celebration Church)