First 100 Days

This past weekend marks our first 100 days since our official launch January 18th, 2009. Wow! God is so gracious and good. Who would have thought we would get to see the wonderful things that He is doing in the Platte County area when we came over? It has been an exciting 100 days and I am looking forward to our future together at the KCI Campus.

We started our journey with 3 Big Rocks as our focus:
(1) Worship – we wanted a dynamic worship service with contemporary music and connective worship with God,
(2) Children - we desired to have an engaging children’s ministry that kids would enjoy learning about Christ and where parents felt at ease at leaving their kids, and
(3) Community Groups – we developed opportunity for youth and adults to engage in group life together.

Here is a synopsis of each Big Rock
(1) Worship
a. We have had incredible worship music and messages during our two worship times. The first at 9 am and the second service at 10:30 am. I have heard several comments from folks who get together with others for lunch and appreciate beating the lunch crowd. (Ha! We got the Methodists and Presbyterians beat! :-)
b. Megan Eastland has done a phenomenal job with the band and tech team. Megan has grown the band into a great team of individuals who love to worship and connect with God.

(2) Children
a. What a team Karyn Chastain has in serving the nursery and preschoolers! I love the story of a 3 year old boy whose parents hoping to find a place where he could feel comfortable. He enjoys his class and teachers. Plus, there are more stories of kids who are having a blast in their classes with the DVD curriculum. Yea God!
b. Ace Chambers and the Cross Street team (K-5th Grade) have created some wonderful engaging opportunities for the kids. From the elaborate decorations to the Elevate DVD Curriculum, the children are having a blast! You should watch them move and jump around to the music - not to mention the volunteers! I think I even caught Ace wearing a hula skirt! Ha!
c. We are blessed to have such creative people to help our children engage the Word of God and learn about Jesus!

(3) Community Groups
a. Blessings:
i. God blessed us through the building manager the opportunity to utilize some space on the second floor for Youth and Adult community goups.
ii. We started groups!!
b. Adult
i. The Booth family, the Harris family, and the Lohnes family have officially launched our ‘Linkubator’ on campus (temporarily) Community Group. The purpose of this group is to ‘link’ people together and incubate (prepare) them to begin meeting in homes. The group meets on the second floor at 9 am on Sunday mornings. Feel free to join in anytime. Our goal is to spin off new groups all throughout the year. It has been great to see people get to know each other and partner up before going out into the homes.
ii. Speaking of spinning off, the Nagel family and the Grace family have begun their own community group hosted in the Grace’s home – and complete with someone who teaches the kids while the adults do Bible Study. Very cool! I appreciate all those who pitch in to help support the children’s teacher.
c. Youth
i. Talk about investment these days and you will probably think about the economy. Well, when it comes to investing in the next generation, Chip Bruce cares for our youth and their walk with Christ. Chip is sensitive to the pressures that the students face today and passionate in encouraging them in their relationship with Christ. Because of Chip, we have seen a steady growth in our youth (not just in numbers but also in attitude). Many of our students are engaged in service opportunities, such as during other worship hours and the Prompted ministry.

We could not do ministry together without all of your help - from the Hospitality team (lead by Bob Clements) to the Courtesy Team (lead by Jim Daum) as well as the countless volunteers who help with Discover PV, Discover Your Design, Starting Point, Prayer Team, and more. Thank you – Thank you!

Plus, during the past 100 days, we have developed community partnerships with:
· Hillcrest Ministries (http://www.hillcresttransitionalhousing.org/)
· SPEAC (South Platte Emergency Assistance Center)
· United Services (http://www.uscaa.info/)

For example, we collected over 120 bags of groceries and necessity items for the food pantries at SPEAC and United Services. For ServeKC (June 20th), we are looking forward to partnering with Hillcrest Ministries for projects to help out their residents (people who are trying and wanting to get back on their feet). We have truly begun to make wonderful connections with

For those who want to know numbers, we are averaging between 276 to 336 people in attendance each week at the KCI Campus: approx 60 in the first service, 120 in the second service with total of 60 volunteers and 60 children and youth. We have had our first baptisms with more on the way. God is soo good to us!

What’s Next on the Horizon
Here is a quick bullet list of what we hope to see over the next year:
1. Serve KC – June 20th
2. More Community Groups: On Camps (10:30) and Home Groups
3. Discover PV - Quarterly
4. Discover Your Design - Quarterly
5. Scripture Summit – Special Weekends with Seminary Professors and Speakers with topics surrounding God’s Word.
6. Leadership Summit – August 7th-8th (http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2009/)
7. Previews for International Mission Trip (possibly Haiti, Africa, or Thailand – or all three!! For 2010).
8. Coffee House Sundays (with great music and discussion topics)
9. Community Socials (Movie Nights, Fish Fry, Chili-Cook Offs, Barbecue Fest – or is that Feast?)
10. Evangelism and Sharing Your Story Training
11. Starting Point – Quarterly
12. And MORE!

Our Needs:
We need YOU! We have plenty of opportunities to you to get involved with the KCI Campus. Be looking on the blog and the Connection for opportunities to serve. We are cathedral of people working together to connect with God and others. It is great to have you with us!!

Our Lord is doing an amazing work and we get to join Him. The 100 days have been fantastic! Just imagine what the next year will bring! God is good!