janiemehaffey

A 40 Day Sequel

Matt and I are dusting off our copies of The Purpose Driven Life. This Sunday we launch the 40 Days of Purpose at The Pursuit.

When Traders Point went through the 40 DOP in 2003, I could walk into any Starbucks in Indy and see people reading The Purpose Driven Life at every table. Now if I was to tell someone up there I'm reading the book, they'd look at me like I said I just loaded a hymn onto my iPod.

I love how fresh things are down here. I've asked my a dozen or so Pursuit friends if they've read the book and they have no clue what I'm talking about. They don't even know who Rick Warren is.

I can't wait to see LIFE unfold in front of these peoples' eyes. Over the next 40 days, God's going to pour into them biblical principles about why He created them. This is going to be fun!

I Love South Florida

I have lived in South Florida for less than a year, but it already feels like home. The journalistic nature in me loves to learn from my neighbors, who represent every country in the world. The sunshine, big city amenities, great food and so many people make it an incredibly unique place to live.

Yeah, some parts make me cranky: rude drivers (#1 city in this area for the third year in a row!), obscenely high mortgage payments, habitual bait-and-switch sales tactics. But maneuvering these challenges is what makes life here such an adventure.

I'm mega excited about The Pursuit's upcoming message series: We Love South Florida. Throughout the summer, we'll follow Paul to Corinth, a new testament city that, from what I hear, really resembles Miami. During our visit, we'll be challenged to show love for South Florida in tangible ways: helping out a neighbor, buying a stranger a cup of coffee, getting some kids in need ready to go back to school. Let us know if you have ideas for how we can be good news for SoFlo by serving and meeting needs

Ready to join the movement? Everyone's invited (even if you don't live in South Florida!)

Learn more and join the community at www.WeLoveSoFlo.com.

From Addiction to Healing

The Pursuit wrapped up the Hooked series with a poignant communion time. When we went up to take the cracker and juice, each table had a canvas printed with "addictions" that people had anonymously written down during one of the prior weeks.

Each of us had the opportunity to take red paint and cover the canvas. Some people chose a specific issue to cover while others kept it general.

Being a person who very much values and appreciates efficiency, I was pleased to find that "approval," "work" and "self image" were conveniently written in close proximity. So my slash of red was able to swiftly tackle the big three in my life.

I love the visual of "blood" covering our sins. Again, quite freeing.

The Ultimate Rest Stop

Yesterday, my friends, Linda, Liz, Liz's son Sam, and I got together to make soaps and bath salts for
The Pursuit's Relay for Life theme. It was a messy project but a lot of fun.

If you're planning to be at Pembroke Pines Relay for Life this weekend, be sure to stop by The Pursuit's "Ultimate Rest Stop." For a small donation to the Cancer Society, you can get a massage, hand scrub, foot soak and take home some yummy smelling soaps and salts to pamper yourself at home. :)

14!

Just got out of a meeting with Matt and Bob, going over the Connection Cards that people turned in from Launch Sunday. I came away from that meeting absolutely in awe of what God has done and is doing through The Pursuit Christian Church.

14 of the people who came to yesterday's Celebration Service want to become Christ-followers!

That's 14 people who God has been pursuing and yesterday they decided to let Him take over their lives. Unbelievable.

Alex has a terrific overview of Launch Sunday. Read his review, then get on your knees and pray for:
-The follow up calls being made to first-time guests.
-The invitations that these first time guests will make to friends and family, asking them to come to Celebration Services next week.
-Continued connections to help people find their way back to God.

A Very Fishhook Christmas

Fishhook has played a major role in The Pursuit Christian Church becoming a reality:

-Evan extended me the opportunity to work with Fishhook last Fall to begin our (very healthy) transition away from Traders Point.

-The exposure I have had to churches around the country has been just about the best training a church planting communicator could ever have.

-The Fishhook team has shown us massive amounts of love, encouragement, prayers, interest and a little bit of jealously when they see the sunshine and palm trees in the background when I'm Skyped in on team meetings.

And now this! WOW!

Thanks Evan and all of the Fishhook team for helping to bring the GOOD NEWS of Jesus to South Florida! You're the best.

A Welcome Solicitation

Matt and I went around our neighborhood this week, asking people to donate canned goods and baby food for a local agency, Family Central.

This has been one of my favorite Pursuit projects so far. I absolutely love the transition on people's faces when they first come to the door thinking, "Oh crud, what does this chic want from me" Then, when we tell them we want something for somebody else - babies and kids - they suddenly smile and extend their hand to take the bag to fill. THEN, when we tell them we're new(er) to the neighborhood, they become our best friend, filling us in on all the latest happenings of the folks along the street.

Our dog, Jeter came along one day and made a new friend. Marta, our neighbor a few doors down, loved him so much she had us take her picture with him on her cell phone camera. She's asking her friends at work to donate items for the Food Drive.

If you would like to donate, stop by and see us this Friday, December 14, at the Winn Dixie on Pines & Dykes in Pembroke Pines. We'll be collecting bags between 2 and 4 p.m. (Sorry, Jeter won't be with us this time.)