Out of nothing into something

Great kick off of our new series called "Twisted." This series is one of those game changers so do whatever it takes to experience it. Go HERE to access any of our past sermons online.
We are currently tweaking some of our ministry environments at Ridge Church and we also introduce new stages sets and themes in several of our environments each time we begin a new series. Here are a few pics from today (read the captions for context). For reference, we meet in the Levine Senior Center and have to create these environments from scratch every week. These are just a few of the rooms we transform weekly. In addition to these pics we also transform a weight room, computer room, and hallway space to become Waumba Rooms. It's literally amazing resourcefulness and commitment by the volunteers and staff each week to create all of this. Great environments begin with great people! Thanks ridge vols!

When we arrive: This is a Senior Center Foyer complete with tons of trinkets and doo dads. The Black drape covers some type of display case. Most of our regular attendees have never even seen it or know that it's there.
When we arrive: This is a Senior Citizen's banquet hall. Lot's of bingo happens here:-) Not on Sundays though:-)
When we arrive: this is just a hallway but becomes our welcome area for upstreet families. They have a western theme currently. Saloon doors just around the corner (literally!)
When we arrive: this is a senior citizens dance studio. This is the upstreet stage during rehearsals.
When we arrive: This is normally "just a hallway" but become our foyer for teenagers to hang out. Complete with donuts each week.
When we arrive: This is a storage room where we keep all of our equipment. We transform it to become our middle school and high school environment. Not bad for a large closet:-)
When we arrive: this is a game room complete with 4 poker/game tables (no joke). We turn it into two waumba room for our infants and crawlers.
When we arrive: this is a craft room but it is transformed to become a Waumba large group room complete with Zebra carpets and curtains and tons of other amazing decor not shown here.

"I used to be on the outside looking in"

We wrapped up our "Just Ask" series last week in a really awesome fashion. Go HERE to listen to the interview with Zach Sneed. Zach recently spent 7 months in Nicaragua serving underprivileged children but his journey didn't start there! It's an incredible story. You and I should "never underestimate the power and potential in simply asking!" Every week at Ridge presents something inspiring and potentially life changing. We start a brand new series this weekend. More on that later...

I can't dance

We had a great weekend at Ridge Church as we kicked off a new series called "Just Ask". Having spiritual conversation or inviting people to church can sometimes be intimidating. Sometimes we don't know what to say or we fear what they will say in response so ultimately we often just don't ask. One of the things we discovered this weekend is that sometimes an immediate NO paves the way for an eventual YES. So don't give up. Take advantage of opportunities this week.

You can catch the message "I can't dance" HERE if you missed it. Also, this coming weekend the services will be incredible. You'll hear first hand experience of how powerful and life changing a simple "ask" to church can be. I can't wait for it. NOTE: Pay attention to guest services this week...you just never know what's on the other side of your ask:-)

**We need your help: We have two services 9:30a.m. and 11:00a.m. We are running out of space at 11am so if you can arrange to worship with us at 9:30a.m. you will help us keep creating open seats at optimal times. Thanks!

FUSION Gatherings--Charlotte needs this desperately!

Our philosophy at Ridge Church on trying or launching new things is simple. We must answer this question: "What problem are we trying to solve?" If there is no problem then there is no need for a solution. If there is a clear problem that needs to be addressed then we keep the conversation alive. For me the problems are often identified by paying attention to what "bothers" me or "bothers" our team. That's how I arrived at the decision to launch something called FUSION. Our partner church, North Point Community Church, has a similar idea but we have adapted it to address our specific needs here in Charlotte. We believe that Ridge Church and Charlotte desperately need a place and pathway for college and single adults to get connected into mid sized gatherings and eventually into smaller community groups. That's why we are launching FUSION!

Here's the low down on FUSION:
"Fusion is an environment where college and single adults come to build authentic friendships and get connected. Fusion Gatherings are mid sized gatherings of 15-25 people who meet three times a month in the Charlotte area. Fusion Gatherings also provide smaller break out groups called Fusion Groups where accountability, belonging, and care can be experienced."

We are just launching these groups so we are keeping them open for the next several weeks. So this is the time to invite people and to get involved. We know this is a huge need and the potential is even bigger. So spread the word. Women's Fusion Gathering will be on Tuesday nights, and the Men's Fusion Gathering will be on Thursday nights.

Go HERE to contact us if you are interested or would like additional information. Just put FUSION in the memo line.