Jeff Bell - Elkhart Campus Pastor

ElkhartPastor.com Has Left The Building

2009-08-06T04:39:00.011-04:00

I've launched a new blog and will no longer be updating this site. Don't be sad - we've saved room for you at the new location!

Click here to go directly to the new blog.

For those who have been a subscriber to or reader of this blog:

1. Thank you! Join us at the new blog and let's keep hanging together.
2. We're moved all the posts and comments from this blog to the new site, so nothing's lost.
2. You'll need to begin a new subscription at the new blog. (don't worry - it's really simple)

Thanks - see you there!

Jeff Bell

Child Dedication

2009-07-14T23:48:00.003-04:00

Father's Day was a special one this year.

Ok. Every Father's Day is a special day. But this summer it was extra special at the Elkhart Campus. This Father's Day we also celebrated our first ever Child Dedication in Elkhart.

37 beautiful children were dedicated. Dozens of parents publicly committing to raise their children in a home where they would have an opportunity to know, follow, and love Jesus.

Our media team did an incredible job of capturing the day for us. Thank you Jeff Peterson, Dale Ekema and others!

Click here for pics and celebrate with the families on this special day.

And check out the video from the day. But grab some Kleenex first.

II Timothy 3:14-15: ...Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Now THAT was a Party

2009-07-14T01:16:00.001-04:00

Photos by J. Tyler Klassen of the Elkhart Truth

When we launched the Elkhart Campus, we made it clear. Launching this campus wasn't about convenience. It wasn't about saving gas money. It's not about just doing multisite to keep up with other churches. It was clear: we launched this campus to be a movement of IMPACT and CONNECTION. We've banded together to build a new outpost in a new community where the message of hope and transformation that Jesus can bring is communicated loudly through word and deed.

Saturday's Block Party in Washington Gardens was a huge step forward in that direction.

An estimated 600 people joined together for an evening of food and fun. Inflatable games. Cotton Candy. Snow cones. Popcorn. Hamburgers. Hot dogs. Goody bags. Water balloons. Face painting. Family portraits. Box fans. Food boxes.

All in Jesus' name.

Trust was built. Bridges were built. On this day, racial differences didn't matter. Economic differences didn't matter.
Physical addresses didn't matter. Personal stories didn't matter.

What mattered?

People. They matter to us; we all matter to God. That came through loud and clear.

For those who follow Jesus, every day is supposed to be like that day. Every day we are called to give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, comfort to the hurting, healing to the broken, love to ALL.

And true Jesus followers know that we are never more like Jesus than when we serve others.

Few days have I been more thrilled about this crazy, high-octane band of people called the Elkhart Campus. Watching friends I love serve others selflessly and with joy is nothing short of inspiring. Thank you GCC-Elkhart for loving people in a rich, sacrificial way.

Hundreds of people went home with box fans, full stomachs, and a budding trust in the church of Jesus.

I went home with full joy.

Let the party continue.

Block Party Article

2009-07-14T00:18:00.001-04:00

Did you catch the article in the Elkhart Truth about the Block Party last Saturday? If not, check it out here online.

What a day. :)

Psalm 115:1 - Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory...

A Party With A Purpose

2009-07-01T10:08:00.006-04:00

I'm fired up about the big Washington Gardens Block Party we have planned for July 11th.

Washington Gardens is a government housing complex where low income and no income families live. Times are tough, and the 200 families in WG are feeling it the most. The Elkhart Campus has identified this area as a place where we want to be - bringing life, hope, and love to those who need it most. Our Block Party will be a bridge building and trust building opportunity to connect with these families!

When: Saturday - July 11th, 4:00-7:00pm.

Where: Washington Gardens Park & Community Center

What: Cookout, games, inflatables for the kids, giving away boxes of food, giving each family a box fan (none of them have AC), and more.

How to Get Involved:

Sponsor a family: Buy a fan or buy a meal for $10 (do this at the "Block Party" display at the Elkhart Campus)

Volunteer: Stop by the "Block Party" display this Sunday for info on tons of places to help make it happen!

Be there! Bring the whole family and be a part of making a lasting impact in this community.

A Chance to Start Over

2009-06-18T17:05:00.002-04:00

I've been reflecting this week on Mark Beeson's message from last weekend. Mark reminded us that we have a good God who is waiting on us. He calls us to be people of focus, people who walk in the light, people who mark moments on the journey.

I keep thinking about Mark's words that he challenges us with so often: "if you take steps in this direction, you'll end up over here..." The steps we take today determine where we'll be tomorrow. Don't like where your life is heading? Then change direction! Point your feet the other way.

This brings me to where my focus has been this week: we serve a good God, a gracious God who allows us to start again. He allows us to change direction. He allows us to hit the reset button over and over and over. Can you imagine a God who wouldn't allow that? What if He had a max - "you get 3 restarts and then you're disqualified". Not our God! Even when others won't allow us to start over, even when we struggle to allow it in ourselves, the One who made us never runs out of fresh starts for his children.

Wow. A God who not only allows restarts, but cheers us on and embraces us when we do.

Thinking Arithmatic.

2009-06-07T22:49:00.008-04:00

From a Ben Arment blog post:

"Once there were two preachers. George Whitefield amazed crowds with his preaching ability, led tons of people to Christ, and died with a great reputation. John Wesley organized his converts into discipleship groups and equipped ordinary farmers to become preachers who carried on the mission long past his death."

Read it yesterday. It's still messing with me. Challenging me.

Was one man right? Was one man wrong? Is it both/and?

Is it Calling? Methodology?

Resources. Time. Energy. Focus.

Where? Where are they best invested for the greatest impact?

Addition. Multiplication.

Thanks for the post, Ben.

Incredible Day.

2009-06-07T22:13:00.004-04:00

GCC.
Elkhart Campus.
This morning.
Over 80 stakeholders met at 9:15am for our campus Huddle.
Close to 400 high energy, fully engaged people attended our 10:30am service.
Inspiring worship.
Unreal arts.
Powerful, impacting message.
81 people filled out cards in response to the service.
Five people signed "It Begins Today". They gave their lives to Jesus today.
Incredible Day.

Incredible.

Open Prayer - Impact

2009-06-05T00:24:00.006-04:00

I loved it last year. I'm pumped about it this year.

And it starts this Sunday!

Last year over 1500 churches across the globe came together for One Prayer. The purpose is for the church at large to gather as a force, using its collective resources and energies to have a large, sweeping impact. Last year there was impact.

Boy, was there impact.

The resources collected from last year's One Prayer have resulted in 667 new churches being planted in China, Sudan, India, and Cambodia in less than 12 months. Through these new churches, 44,618 people have engaged in Bible Studies, and 7,112 people have been baptized to publicly acknowledge their new faith in Jesus.

That's IMPACT!

This year we're teaming together again, and once again One Prayer will involve some incredible teaching. Here at Granger, we're slated for the following:

June 7 - Craig Groeschel (LifeChurch)
June 14 - Mark Beeson
June 21 - Andy Stanley (North Point Community Church)
June 28 - Stephen Furtick (Elevation Church)

Four gifted teachers. Four impacting weeks.

Join us at the Elkhart Campus this Sunday at 10:30am.

Thank You...

2009-05-25T16:45:00.002-04:00

photo from arlingtoncemetary.net

The Place to Be - and One Comes for FREE

2009-05-23T10:00:00.002-04:00

Summer is finally here! Ready for some sun and a vacation? Have you considered Granger, Indiana as your next vacation destination? No?!

Hmm. How about considering Granger as a learning destination then?! Join us June 25-26 for top notch training in a variety of areas.

It's easy. Pick one of the following workshops to attend all day. Come for one day or stay for two. Your materials and lunch are included. The experience? It will be packed with real-life examples of what works and what doesn't, with space for questions and interaction. The cost? Just $99 per person, per day.

Thursday, June 25 [9 a.m.-4 p.m.]

- Less Clutter. Less Noise. [How to get the word out.]

- EnterMission [Engaging your people in local and global missions.]

- First Impressions [Keep guests coming back to your church.]

- Kids [Creating safe, fun space for kids to know Jesus.]

- Multi-site Church Practicum [Strategies for launching new campuses.]

Friday, June 26 [9 a.m.-4 p.m.]

- Less Clutter. Less Noise. Day 2 [Extend Day 1 with consulting.]

- Lasting Impressions [Keeping guests growing and engaged.]

- Simply Strategic Volunteers [Finding and keeping great volunteers.]

- Information Technology Practicum [IT best practices, resources and tools.]

I'll be leading the Multi-site Practicum and would love to connect with you!

Oh - and I have a FREE registration to give away. The first person to email me directly (jbell@gccwired.com) and get registered gets an extra registration for FREE! Have a friend, staff leader, or volunteer join you! Sign them up for free in the same workshop OR another workshop of your choice.

All that and rows upon rows of cornfields. Where else would you want to be in June?

I'm Back.

2009-05-22T10:00:00.005-04:00

Time to start blogging again. :)

The break has been a good one for me. It's recharged my energy for this medium of communication and influence. It's allowed me to reflect on the why and what of blogging for me.

Three big thoughts as we more forward:

1. I'm in this to give, not get. I don't want this blog to be about self-promotion. I hate those kinds of blogs, they're everywhere. I'll give you what I have, not so I can be known, but so Jesus can be known and life can be shared.

2. This won't just be a bulletin board. I'll continue to keep you posted on what's going on at GCC-Elkhart (and it's going!), but I'll be making a clear shift. The bulk of my posts will be focused on life - living well and leading well. Sharing insights, sharing failures, what Jesus is teaching me, celebrating stories. Life stuff. Leadership stuff. I look forward to that.

3. I want this blog to be OUR blog. I want to interact more. I want to hear from you. Agree or disagree with me, I want to hear your voice. I don't have it all figured out yet, neither do you. But together we can make some big dents.

I hope you'll see this reflected in the journey ahead. I'm also making some other BIG format changes to the blog. In the next couple of weeks we'll role out a whole new layout. So stay tuned!

Thanks for hanging in there with me. Good to be back. Ready to move forward.

Poolside Reading

2009-05-05T13:50:00.004-04:00

Still on a blogging break. In fact tomorrow I leave for a real break.

South Florida. Seven days. Sun, sand, palm trees. Just me and my bride.

I plan to read. I plan to rest. I plan to get a tan.

Ahh.

Blogging Break

2009-04-29T23:56:00.004-04:00

I haven't been blogged as much over the last few weeks. For the most part all I've posted is announcement info - new service time, program launches, etc. We've just come through a very busy run at GCC-Elkhart. A great run - but a busy one. And I've needed to pull back a little. I feel a need to recalibrate - bring the RPMs down to a healthier, more sustainable pace again.

One area I've decided to pull back in is blogging. Normally I enjoy it, but lately haven't had as much energy for it. I've also felt a need to reduce some of the 'noise' in my life. Being real: I'm often too quick to give priority to the urgent (email, twitter, my blog, read other blogs, news updates, etc.) rather than that which truly grows my heart and character (spiritual disciplines, solitude, reading, etc.). I've sense some 'soul splinters' lately. I want to hear that still, small, drawing voice of Jesus again in a deeper way than I've been hearing lately.

So among other things, I'm taking a few weeks off from blogging. Thanks for following; we'll journey again together soon.

Starting Point Begins Monday

2009-04-20T20:54:00.005-04:00

I love connecting with people. I always have, it's how I'm wired. I love sharing life with people, making new friends, exchanging stories. I truly get energized by it.

And I get energized when people connect with other people. Especially around a great purpose. I believe healthy relationships are vital to real life-growth. Spiritual transformation always takes place best in the context of community with others.

That's why I'm jazzed about our Starting Point launch next week! People everywhere are looking for opportunities to develop friendships and connection. As a church we can't force people to become friends, but we can provide a fun, safe environment where life-giving friendships can happen.

Interested in being a part of Starting Point? Here's the scoop:

Begins next Monday night (April 27th)
6:30-8:00pm
Meeting at the Elkhart Campus (RV Hall of Fame)
Runs for six weeks (shoot...you can keep a job you hate for longer than that)
Groups for both married and singles.
Come as you are, where you are - come to connect.

Just started coming to GCC-Elkhart? Great This is for you!
Been coming to GCC-Elkhart for a long time? Great. This is for you, too!

Sign up here and let us know you're coming. I'll be there - look forward to connecting with you!

Yep - Don Reynolds is in the House

2009-04-20T13:36:00.012-04:00

With the move to our new location, worship at the Elkhart Campus is now led by a live leader and band (in the theater our entire service was on the screen). It's been a big win for our campus. GCC has some incredible, talented artists with passion to lead others in worshiping Jesus. As we develop campus bands and campus vocal teams, Don Reynolds will be leading the charge in Elkhart.

I couldn't be more thrilled.

He's what I love about Don:

Don is an amazing artist. Man does he have talent. He's incredible on the piano, and he has amazing chops. Click here to view a powerful recent weekend special he's done. Or click here to view one of my favorites he's ever done (and one of my favorite songs).

Don is a great blogger. His blog posts are packed with authenticity and a hunger for a rich life in Jesus. Click here to check out his most recent post.

Don is the real deal. Humble, authentic, passionate. He has a love for Jesus that oozes out of him, and it's contagious. Don wants people to know that they are loved by Jesus.

Don loves his family. He and Caryn have a great marriage and two awesome kids, Noah and Nina. (not to mention a cool Greyhound).

Don loves GCC. And he's jazzed about making Jesus famous by shaping and leading worship at our Elkhart Campus.

Don is flat out life-giving. He's fun to be around. He has a great sense of humor and isn't afraid to laugh. He's also not too cool to give a huge hug.

Every time I walk away from a conversation with Don I walk away encouraged and thankful to call him a friend. I love him and his family, and I'm excited to have them involved in leading the campus.

Hang on GCC-Elkhart. Don Reynolds is in the house, and it's gonna rock!

10:30am. New Start Time This Sunday.

2009-04-14T18:27:00.006-04:00

Say it with me...

10:30am.

New service time.

Not 9:30am.
Not 11:30am.
Not 10:37am.

10:30am. This Sunday. Elkhart Campus.

10:30am.

What time? :)

See you there.

The Elkhart Project

2009-04-13T21:36:00.000-04:00

Seen this yet?

MSNBC has recently launched "The Elkhart Project" - a webpage discussing the effects that economic realities are having on our local economy. They've moved a team here to give an ongoing, long term report on what's happening in Elkhart.

Take a peek. Great site with great discussion.

Monday Musings

2009-04-13T15:02:00.002-04:00

Reflecting on our Easter weekend at Granger. Some random thoughts:

GCC celebrated Easter at two campuses for the first time ever. 8 services. 620 attended at Elkhart, over 11,000 total at both campuses. Big impact in many lives.
Wonder how many campuses we'll have at Easter '10. Wonder where they'll be.
I connected with numerous families coming out for the first time ever. Many came because of postcards from our mail out and blitz. Many said they'd be back. Way to go teams.
Justin Moyer looks good in a tie. The purple shirt was a bit much though. He looked like a marshmallow Peep. I wanted to gnaw on his arm.
I'm so glad my family is part of this church. I don't just lead here. I GO here. This is my church. These are my friends. This is my mission.
We have an amazing senior pastor. Mark Beeson did a great job all weekend, speaking six times, with energy. I have a sense that he has so much passion for this that he could have gone another six.
We have amazing artists at GCC. The live band at Elkhart was awesome.
We have amazing dancers at GCC. I'm not one of them.
Seth Bible has way too much talent for one person. It's not fair.
Kristin Baker has way too much talent for one person. It's not fair.
We have some of the most amazing volunteers on the planet in Elkhart. I love our volunteer teams - the way they serve is impacting, and the joy they serve with is contagious. Nothing happens without them.
I caught myself a dozen times on Sunday just watching people. Watching them clean, pray, drop their kids off, drive a golf cart, slide a lever on a sound board, welcome people they've never met. All for Jesus. All because Easter is real. We know it. We want others to know it.
Church isn't just what happens for 75 minutes in a service. It's what happens before and after the service, and all week long. Church is Jesus Followers who live and breathe His mission intentionality.
I'm a goof ball for forgetting to announce our new service time at the end of the first service (it's 10:30am - and it starts this Sunday. doh)
I love what I get to do.
I love who I get to do this with.
I love Who we do this for.
I'm excited that we get to do this again on Sunday.

This Sunday. Easter.

2009-04-09T07:00:00.001-04:00

Let's see...

a beautiful, new campus to meet at.
a group of energized people - busting with expectation.
piping hot worship, arts and teaching.
Over 20,000 postcards mailed out - to every house in Elkhart.
Over 3500 additional postcards hand delivered to friends and homes in Goshen, Union, Bristol and beyond.
an amazing, uncomprehending story of a Creator bringing hope and restoration to a broken world.

Yep. I think we're going to have an amazing weekend.

Two services to choose from - 9:30am and 11:30am. Click here to order free tickets.

And be early.

It's gonna be packed. And you won't want to miss a minute.

Hillsong in Concert at Granger

2009-04-08T18:36:00.005-04:00

The word is spreading. And the tickets are selling. Fast.

Tuesday, April 21st - Hillsong London will be in concert at the Granger Campus. Enjoy the worship we experience on the weekends? Then you'll LOVE this concert.

Get your tickets here. And hurry.

Check out a cool video sneak peek here.

Who is Jesus?

2009-04-04T23:15:00.004-04:00

Words certainly can't describe Him. Or what He means to us. But we took a stab at it.

It's Blitz Time.

2009-04-03T08:36:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow (Saturday).

9:30am. RV Hall of Fame.

Help 6000 families know that GCC-Elkhart is here and invite them to Easter!

It’s this simple:

• Meet at 9:30, join up with a blitz team.
• Drive to neighborhood indicated on provided map.
• Here’s where it gets tricky…walk up sidewalk, hang card on door. That’s it!

No knocking on doors. No hitting people over the head with a Bible. No skinny black ties & white shirts with a backpack on a bicycle. Just hang a card on a door. Simple.

We have 6000 cards bagged and ready to go. We just need people who want to help impact and invite the community. Hey – if you love what’s happening at GCC, don’t you think others in the community might, too?

Leslee, Lauren and I will be there – bring the kids and join us!

15 Years ago today.

2009-04-02T11:30:00.003-04:00

I asked. And she said yes.

whew. :)

Here's the story, in Leslee's words:

I know what you're thinking. We were pretty cool dressers with great hairstyles, huh? :)

I was asked a very important question, 15 years ago today. I really can not believe that it has been that long ago. I remember it as if it were yesterday. My parents and I drove up here from Bloomington to meet with Jeff and his parents - he was going to ask for permission to ask to marry me. I can close my eyes and experience that moment all over again. I am getting butterflies in my stomach now as I remember Jeff starting to bring the whole subject up with our parents. We were sitting in Bonnie Doon on Grape road (the old Politos that burned down recently) and some old 50's song came on saying, "Paula, I want to marry you..." wrong name but it was a good segue. :)

Jeff and I took off together in his old Chevy Celebrity -Pretty cool wheels I must say. We went over to University Park mall and picked out my ring. We were so happy. At the time, Jeff's parents lived in Juday Creek and so we went over to the golf course for a little stroll and that's where he officially popped the question. Wow - I'm so glad I said yes! Life just keeps getting better and we are still so happy! I love you Jeff Bell!

Leslee is my best friend. My bride. The love of my life.

I'm so glad she said yes.

6000 homes. Let's Blitz.

2009-04-01T10:27:00.005-04:00

Want to help invite 6000 families to Easter?

THIS SATURDAY - Meet at the Elkhart Campus (RV Hall of Fame) at 9:30am.

In addition to 20,000 cards being mailed, we'll also be blitzing neighborhoods in the area. Union, Bristol, Goshen, and the east side of Elkhart are all on the radar. 6000 postcards have been bagged and are ready for distribution - we just need people to hit the streets with us. And nope, we’re not knocking on doors or riding bikes wearing skinny black ties and backpacks. We're just leaving a card on their door to let the community know that we're here, inviting them to an off the charts Easter service!

Join us this Saturday - 9:30am. And bring the kids - it's for the whole family.

Click here to order tickets or send an Easter e-vite to a friend.