Sailors, Saints, & Sinners

Hijacked Blog: Special Announcement

matt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:28:18 +0000

This is Carla Bray, Matt’s assistant, and I’ve hijacked his blog

The reason for my bold move is to announce a “Drop In Shower” hosted by friends of the family to celebrate Matt & Beth’s adoption of their two precious boys, Eyasu and Abreham. Anyone is welcome to come so spread the word!

Monday, March 22nd: Rock Bridge’s Stage 123 — drop in anytime from 4:30-7:30 pm

If you want to get them a gift, Matt & Beth are registered at Babies R Us; Butterfly Kisses (Thornton Ave in Dalton — used to be Davies); Target; and Wal-Mart. Gift cards or love offerings are also great ideas that would bless them as well!

If you have any questions please email me at Carla@rockbridge.cc.

Why We Need Vision Services

matt — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:35:14 +0000

During our March 18th and 21st services at all our campuses we will casting and renewing the vision of Rock Bridge Community. I think this is one of the most important services we do all year. Here’s why:

-1) An identity crisis can be fatal. Churches like people need to know who they are and who they are not. We must be both comfortable and clear about who God created us to be as a church. We are not trying to be any church but Rock Bridge Community Church. Our vision service reminds us exactly who we are (and who we are not!).

-2) Vision leaks. Over time vision becomes less clear, less apparent, and seemingly less important. Life and time are hard on visions. Interruptions, busyness, and urgent matters cause us to forget why we do what we do and what really matters most. Our vision service calls us back to the roots of why what we do is so eternally important.

-3) We’ve got lots of new people. There are hundreds of new people attending Rock Bridge compared to last year. They’ve gotten snapshots of the RBCC vision but never a full description, which they will hear during our vision service.

-4) The good is often the enemy of the best. A compelling vision gives focus and clarity, inspiring us to strive for the best instead of the good, the okay, or the “average”. True vision comes from God as revelation and calls us to pursue God’s best for our church.

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained …” [Proverbs 29:18a]

Weekly Rundown (3.7.2010)

matt — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:18:02 +0000

I’m loving preaching through Jonah!! What a story … it gets even more intense the next 2 weeks!!
I saw a few “communication cards” from today … SALVATIONS!! … people deciding to let God love them and then love Him back!!!
Next weekend is Disciple Now for our students. I made some very important decisions at events like these when I was a teenager. I’m praying for God to really speak and manifest Himself to young people. Can’t wait to worship with them! Click here for more information.
March 18 & 21 is VISION WEEK at RBCC. Great time to invite a guest as we reaffirm God’s vision for our church … absolutely LOVE preaching this particular message!!
Had a great lunch with some church planters from around our area (Hixon, Ringgold, LFO, Elijah, and beyond). Blessing for me to be around these guys. New churches are the one of the most effective ways to reach new people for Christ … we need new churches to be planted!!
The “vibe” in the Thursday night service rocks!
Finally getting some practical, nuts & bolts clarity about global missions.
- Our first “advance” team goes to Haiti next month!!
- Hope to take a trip with Living Water International in 2011 to help provide clean water for a community.
- Could be working with an orphanage in Zimbabwe (Africa) to sponsor children and help upgrade their facility.
I’m a new dad

Legally Parents!!!

matt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:03:39 +0000

Our adoption agency just called … our court case was heard on Tuesday and we passed!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are now the legal parents of Eyasu-3 years, (uh-ya-sue) and Abreham-5 months!!!!!

Adoption Update

matt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:37:19 +0000

We received news today that our court case was once again not heard as scheduled. Apparently, the government agency in charge of the adoption process in Ethiopia had other priorities that day and so court cases were postponed until later dates. At this time we do not know when our case will be rescheduled.

This news is of course very disappointing as we felt like the light at the end of a year+ long tunnel was approaching. While we know the theological answers (ie. God is in control, In God’s time, etc. etc.) for this situation, the emotional ones are harder to swallow. But we press on, praying all the more fervently for this process that God began in our hearts to be completed, knowing that He finishes what He starts (Phil. 1:6).

Beth & I continue to be overwhelmed by the prayers, support, and encouragement!! Thanks so much and we can only ask that you continue to pray with us, for us and for these two brothers.

“He is father to the fatherless … He sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:5, 6

Weekly Rundown (2.28.2010)

matt — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:55:26 +0000

We are officially ONE church in THREE (or in MULTIPLE) locations: Dalton, Calhoun, and now Chatsworth! We had over 300 people in attendance which is huge!!
- I use Rick Warren’s theory that if you get over 200 people to a new service or effort you have staying power. Typically, new starts (services, plants, campuses) have a surge and then attendance dips. Clearing 200 gives critical mass and momentum moving forward.
- I am so proud of BOTH our Campus Pastors, Gus & Carll. They have done an amazing job instilling vision and executing our mission at their respective campuses.
Great start to our JONAH series this week.
I think our worship leaders are taking things to a whole ‘nutha level!!
Our foreign missions strategy and approach continues to develop. I had an amazing conversation this week with Living Water International. We have helped build or repair 2 water wells with them in Haiti and may have an opportunity to travel with them in 2011. Still praying but looks promising.
- The work of Living Water is fantastic. It is amazing what clean water does in a community and the opportunity it gives for people to hear about Jesus.
Adoption update … we need PRAYER TODAY …
- Our court date is Monday, March 1st. Last week we missed court apparently because of some incomplete paperwork. We are praying everything is in order and for God’s favor in the court and upon our boys!!
- We got a crib for the baby … I just hope he likes to sleep as much as we do
More prayer needs — I’m speaking at an evangelism conference Tuesday afternoon in Warner Robbins … would appreciate the prayers and that God’s Word comes out of my mouth and nothing more, nothing less.

Weekly Rundown (2.14.09)

matt — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:00:38 +0000

So much snow … in Georgia!!
Headed up to WV for the Student Ski Trip later this week. Always a blast to hang out with the teenagers and enjoy some mountaintop worship and a good word from THE Word
I still can’t believe Rock Bridge Chatsworth is down to ONE more rehearsal/practice service before the launch on Feb. 28th. Praying …
Had some God directed and appointed conversations this week … praying that I am more alert for those opportunities — I know they are all around me.
Did an altar prayer time during our services this weekend … we felt it was needed … I know I needed it.
I really enjoyed this Fool Proof series … can’t wait for Jonah to kick-off. Amazing story!!
Some of our staff are taking some well deserved time off. Because ministry is so personal and so intense, it can be hard to get away. However, you always come back better and more able to serve.
I love the vibe of the Olympics!! Vancouver sure looks like a beautiful place.
I met someone running for Congress this week. I asked him how I could pray for him and then I prayed with him … pretty cool.
Our new court date is February 22nd. We’re cautiously optimistic. If we pass we could travel sometime in March!! The house is almost ready … got some reorganizing and “childproofing” left to do.
SEC Spring football practice starts in early March
Have a great week!!

Adoption Update: Court Delay

matt — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:44:39 +0000

Right now we have been told by our adoption agency that our court date is being delayed until Feb. 22nd.

As we have learned this is all part of the journey of adoption … a journey God is using greatly in our lives and in the end we know it will be worth the wait!!

Thanks so much for everyone’s prayers and encouragement!!

Some specific ways to pray:

For the children
For the court process to go smoothly
For Beth & I: peace that passes understanding!!

The Road to Chatsworth

matt — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:54:34 +0000

I can’t believe that we are just weeks away from launching our 3rd campus in Murray County!! We’re officially launching this campus on February 28th at North Murray High School. We’re going to start with TWO SERVICES as well!! Check out this blog to stay informed about all things relating to Rock Bridge Chatsworth!!

This is a BIG move for our church family and for God’s Kingdom. This is a BOLD move to continue operating our church by our core values and God-given vision to reach people and connect them … to live in Christ. This is also a BODY move, meaning that the entire Rock Bridge body of believers must work together to make Rock Bridge Chatsworth a healthy, God-glorifying campus. Here’s some ways we need YOU to be engaged with US:

1) PRAY! The only reason we are in Chatsworth right now at this time in God’s history is the BIG & BOLD prayers of people. We must pray for people to come, to be hungry for God, for their hearts to be opened, and the love/grace/mercy/life of Christ received!!

2) SERVE! We need some “missionaries” from our Dalton & Calhoun campuses to volunteer for a few weeks to help get the new campus “up and running”. We especially need some folks to assist with Sunday morning set-up as we transform a school cafeteria into an amazing environment to worship our amazing God.

If you are interested in helping in anyway, please email Gus: gus@rockbridge.cc

3) INVITE! Start spreading the word that we launch on the 28th of February at North Murray High School.

INVITE ALERT: This Weekend @ RBCC!

matt — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:01:50 +0000

I don’t normally like to hype any particular service over another … BUT this weekend (Thursday & Sunday) is a GREAT weekend to bring a guest and to pray BIG for God to open hearts.

We’ll be finishing the Fool Proof series and the final principle could be the most powerful and offer the most hope. The application of this principle is almost universal …

Struggling to overcome mistakes & regret? Don’t miss Sunday!
Marriage on the brink and need a breakthrough? Don’t miss Sunday!
Need hope for the rest of your life? Don’t miss Sunday!
Need a God-sized breakthrough? Don’t miss Sunday!
Know someone who might need any of those things? Get them here Sunday!!