A bunch of specialty work is happening

This week a number of things are happening. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of things we can do until next week (but don't let that stop you from coming by and checking things out). Space has tightened up as a number of specialty workers are in there. A crew of 8-1o drywall guys are finishing the sheet rock in the classrooms and office space. There are 9 labors working on studs in the storage, worship and youth spaces. There are 3-4 guys working on duct work for the air conditioning system, 2-3 electricians and 4 regular LakePointe guys. If you consider the equipment and and potential 30 people, space is tight. Once they finish up we will have more to do.

Thank you for coming out last week. As things are less hectic and there's more room for us to get in and help out, I'll update the blog with things to do.

July 4th Weekend Puts Things Into Perspective

WOW! Despite scattered showers all day Saturday, LakePointe's weekend family celebration was a huge success. I did a lot of walking around and observing Saturday and Sunday and what I saw really stuck with me. I saw a family. Sure there were regular families there but there was a larger family there too. God has been developing relationships over the past two and a half years and each day he brings new people into his family and person by person and family by family we are all growing closer together.

Imagine what it must have been like for Satan to observe this weekend. Saturday people are setting up, hanging out and enjoying time together. Satan looks on reluctantly. The rain begins and we tear down equipment and cover things up so they don't get wet. Satan smiles and we question God, "Lord, is this really what you want - please make the rain stop." Despite the rain we press on and continue into the early evening. Satan looks on reluctantly. We still have a good time. The next morning the sun breaks through the thick fog and reveals a warm sunny day. Service continues and reaches its pinnacle during the baptism bash. Person by person and family by family people come forward to be baptized. Person by person and family by family people are adopted into God's family. We rejoice and celebrate with God and all the angel's in heaven at the 36 people he brought forward to be baptized. Meanwhile, Satan sulks and seeks out these people and others as a way to take out his frustrations for what's just happened. When the day was done I reflected on what God has done. God is alive and well in this town and in the ministry of LakePointe.

We have a lot to be thankful for. Many lives were changed. New people were added into God's family. Satan lost a fight. But his battle against our family will continue. We must stand firm and continue to grow in the love of Jesus Christ and put on his armor to help one another as we struggle in this life or until Christ returns. One thing is for certain. There is power in God's Word! Power to change lives, power to create new beginnings and power to sustain the lives of His church. Pray that His work continues with the same boldness and determination as we saw this weekend.

Talk about the July 4th weekend putting things into perspective. It's clear that we are not building a building for the sake of having a building. We are building a building to take the power of this life changing Word to all of Hot Springs. We want His Word to transform our community person by person and family by family. It happened for 36 people Sunday and it's going to happen to many more. I wonder what He has in store for us next? Thank you for coming out and supporting LakePointe and letting God use you to reach out into our community!!

Smiles all around

We passed electrical, plumbing and construction inspections for all the classrooms this week! The inspections went amazingly smooth and everyone was all smiles and giving thanks to God.

The LakePointe crew went through all the kids classrooms and insulated all the walls. That means we can begin sheet rocking. The building is undergoing a major transition as all the classrooms, offices and part of the worship space is up. I love giving personal tours and sharing my excitement about what God is doing. Come by and check it out and let me take you around.

Here's what's happening Saturday:

• We're putting up more walls in the worship space
• Smoothing out the concrete and fill in holes
• Picking up trash and sweep areas clean
• And maybe we can put insulation in the offices

Pray God's continued blessings on the project; that he would bring people out and that everyone would be kept safe!

LakePointe Staff out at the Building Tomorrow!

Hey wanna catch up the LP staff? They will be out at the new facility all day, getting dirty and building the church! It's going to be something you don't want to miss; part of the staff culture at LP is to do whatever it takes. They are putting that mantra to work tomorrow by digging in and helping with construction of the new worship center! Come out and join Pastor Greg, PI Scott, Nate Dawg, Brian, and Intern Aaron “W” as they build a church that is “Built To Last!”

We got a start

Thanks to the people who came out Saturday and got us started. We began working on the concrete floors and cleaning off the ceiling. This week I'm going to invite everyone who signed up with Mad Skillz construction and make a few calls too. Hopefully we'll get a few more people and make a big impact this Saturday.

Big turn out Saturday??

We're hoping for a big turnout Saturday. We have an opportunity to show up and keep the project on schedule. What is the schedule? You'll have to wait until later this week to find out. I have seen it, its aggressive but it's do-able. Do-able if we get behind it and keep it moving. That's why Saturday is important. Beginning each week I'm going to email and tell everyone what has to happen for us to meet our opening date.

This Saturday we have to:

- Brush the ceiling clean in the worship space. Wear dirty clothes and masks. This is one of those Mike Rowe dirty jobs for sure. The ceiling has gotta be clean so the paint will stick.

- Patch concrete. It's time to fill in holes and cracks so the floor will be level.

- Put in blocking. This is putting wood boards between the studs so that grab bars, mirrors, and stuff on the restroom walls will stay put and not get pulled out.

- Pick up trash. There are trash items laying around and trash that can be taken out throughout the building.

- Buff the floors. Hang on. We are going to have 2 floor buffers going to clean up the concrete.

- Lend an extra hand. There are also places where you can lend a hand with the other laborers.

Show up and ask for Bob. Bob knows what has to be done and he will make sure that everyone who comes gets plugged in!!

What's it like working with Laborers for Chirst?

If you have been out to the building and helped out you know what it's like working alongside the laborers. For me it's like working alongside your best friends. I'm getting ready to go on a camping trip in July with two of my best friends. Whenever we get together, no matter how long we have been apart, we begin clicking, laughing like we have never been apart. Have you ever experienced that?

Paul, a writer in the New Testament says that , "as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." When we are in the building we might look different or act different but we are one in Christ. There is something about being one in Christ. As soon as the laborers arrived they felt like they have been with us forever. It feels like being around your best friends. One of the LakePointe guys who have been coming out to the building noticed it right away. At men’s fight club he said, "You know, working with those guys I immediately felt a unity like I do with you here. It's the first time I've experienced that." That's cool! We are one in Christ and that's how it should be when we are around other Christ followers.

That's a little of what it's like working with Laborers for Christ. Come out and experience it for yourself! This week we will put up more metal studs, sweep, put in blocks for support in the walls. There's something for everyone.