Class 101...

Wow! Last night we had our first "Class 101" (membership class) of 2009. Including children we had over 45 people in one home for the class - that's insane (a good insane)! We had an awesome time...so much energy, excitement, and desire to be a part of what God is doing at Lifepoint Church.

During the course of "Class 101" I share the story of Lifepoint Church, we cover Salvation, Baptism, Communion, our purpose, statements of faith (what we believe), our strategy, structure, and the future of Lifepoint Church. If it sounds like a lot of info...that's because it is. But it's all so very important for those considering membership to know actually who we are as a church.

I'm so pumped about everyone who became a member last night...wow! We've got a ton of great people who love God and want to partner with us to reach people in this area. I'm praying and believing that 2009 is just going to be unreal & unbelievable for us as a church...and more importantly, for the Kingdom of God!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Amazing (Sunday & Recording)...

We had another AMAZING day at Lifepoint! A great crowd, strong worship, and great teaching...lots of good feedback today. After we packed up and everyone left...we recored and filmed our 1st ever Lifepoint worship album. Man, our band is one of the best bands around...period. The talent level, style, attitudes, and anointing on these guys is ridiculous! In the words of MC Hammer "you can't touch this!"

So...here's the plan: we're going to mix and master the audio and edit all the video footage...with the intentions of having the video portion done 2 weeks before Easter so that we can have it on our website as a "sneak peek" of Lifepoint Church for all of our guests on Easter and Sundays to come. We're also going to press a bunch of CDs - probably 1,000 for the first run - and sell them to our attenders and members. Here's the cool thing...for every CD you buy...we'll give you one for FREE so you can give it to a friend, neighbor, co-worker OR classmate as an outreach / invite tool...pretty cool, huh?!

All that to say...I'm exhausted and continually thrilled at what God is doing and the fact that He chooses to use us to reach people in this area. Enjoy a few pictures from the recording session today (you can check out more on my facebook page).


Hope to see you Sunday.

Today...

Wow! What an amazing day at Lifepoint Church. We started a brand new series called "Red Letters." This morning we looked specifically at the first three verses in Matthew chapter 5. I'm not going to recap today's teaching...you just need to listen to it on our website (lifepoint-church.net // click on the podcast link on the main page). This series of talks is going to be just amazing...I'm not the only one who's thrilled...the feedback today was tremendous. It's fun to be part of something awesome that God is doing.

After church this morning we had our monthly staff lunch and meeting. Let me just tell you that there isn't a better staff around...I'm constantly impressed with their gifts, talents, creativity, and willingness to do whatever it takes to see people come to God. The next couple of months are gonna be great...lots of stuff on the schedule and ultimately things that will help us reach those who are far from God.

Next week...get to Lifepoint Church early...I wouldn't want you to not get a seat!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Differences...

A very wise and amazing pastor recently posted this...I thought it was worth a repost:

The Differences I'm Thankful For:

* Social conscious of the United Methodists.
* Emphasis on being born again from the Baptists.
* Focus on holiness from the Nazarenes.
* Power of the Holy Spirit in the Charismatics.
* Evangelistic hearts of the seeker sensitive leaders.
* Message of grace from the Lutherans.
* Attention to right doctrine from the Bible Church leaders.
* Heartfelt worship from Pentecostals.
* …and much more more!

I’m thankful that God uses different Christian Churches as His light in a dark world!

I'm thankful that Lifepoint Church is full of people from almost all of these backgrounds...God is using us to be the light in a dark world!

Hope to see you Sunday.

State Of The Church '09...

This past Sunday, January 4th - 2009, I gave the first ever Lifepoint "State Of The Church" address. We revisited the vision of Lifepoint Church (Lifepoint Church is a community of real people committed to connecting individuals to Christ through: Genuine Relationships, Engaging Worship, and Relevant Teaching). We also made sure that each and every person understands our mission, which we refer to as "L3" (L3-live, learn, lead - live life together, learn about those around us and more about Christ, and lead others to God). Just so we're on the same page - our "vision" helps us accomplish our "mission."

In Sunday's "State Of The Church" message I clearly laid out the rules for 2009, that Lifepoint Church will follow, and casted vision for what is to come. What does that mean for Lifepoint Church?! It means that 2009 is going to be an amazing year for Lifepoint Church, it's attenders, and those in the surrounding communities!

The rules for 2009:
1. We're going to break the rules.
We're going to do what nobody else is doing, to reach who nobody else is reaching!

2. We're going to believe God for the impossible.
Salvations, healings, land aquisition, future building, greater missions giving, etc...

3. We're going to redefine success.
We won't use the same standards that the "church" in America uses.

I fully believe that God will use Lifepoint Church in 2009 and the coming years to reach thousands of people...thousands! You have no idea how excited and honored I am to be part of what God is doing.

Hope to see you Sunday.

2008...Where Did You Go?

This past week and a half for me has been just a blur...parties, food, gifts, food, phone calls, food, cards, food, returning gifts...the list goes on. I wanted to make sure, before 2008 was gone forever, to post a handful of "moments" from 2008 that hold a great deal of significance for myself and Lifepoint Church.

Here we go:
* Dozens of people giving their lives to Chirst (first time & re-dedications).
* Our first ever staff retreat...what a great time of bonding.
* Record attendance at Easter & our 1 year anniversary.
* Our first ever "mega sports camp" for elementary aged children (tons of kids & great adult volunteers).
* An amazing Easter outreach.
* Our first ever missions trip as Lifepoint Church (Mexico outreach with Palm Valley Church - Mission, Tx).
* Lifepoint Church's inaugural "Bap-ti-que"...which is baptisms & a BBQ at the lake...what a great event.
* 1st ever baptisms (goes along with the "bap-ti-que").
* Families healing and growing closer to God and each other.
* Our 1 year anniversary (some thought we wouldn't make it...HA! God is awesome).
* A great "fall fest" outreach.
* Tremendous growth (we saw over 40 people become regular attenders just between between September & November).
* Lifepoint youth group grew to well over 20 students.
* We consistently gave at least 10% of our general fund to missions each and every month!

God is amazing!

What does 2009 have in store for Lifepoint Church?! I have no idea... I have hopes, dreams, and desires...and I know that God is in control. Please pray that we continue to have favor with God and man as we pursue several HUGE things in 2009! Thank you for being a part of Lifepoint Church in 2008.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas from: Me, Asher...and the rest of the Thompson crew (Emily, Greyson, & Tatem).