Puerto Rico

I came to Puerto Rico on Sunday, Aug 16 and will be headed home on Wednesday, Aug 19. I came down here as a follow up to our last mission trip here in June. We just knew that God was calling us here for something bigger! We just had no idea what that was. Yesterday, I meet with several churches from all over the island at what they called a Pastor Conference. After meeting with them God began to really show us why we are here, why he has called us to have a presence here in Puerto Rico.
God has given us the vision at the Anchor to understand the culture and take Him to that culture. What we see a lot of here on the island is the mentality that if I build my church building they will come.
The call that God has placed on us is to take Him to the people! We are to be the light into the culture! The vision of the Anchor is to ENGAGE the community. What do we mean by that? Mark 1:1-5 is the story of the paralytic man. This was a man that was in great need. His life was that of need, of desperation. There were 4 men that saw his need and went to him. They knew that this man was in great need and that the only one who could meet his needs was Jesus. These men went to him and engaged him on his level, right there where he was.
We have found that this is a principle that we can apply at the Anchor as well as in puerto Rico and around the world. We do not have to have buildings to meet in or places to go, we just simply need to meet people where they are and be intentional about them ENCOUNTERing Jesus, the one the can meet our needs.
A major part of our vision is to ENGAGE people where they are!

Check back with me as I talk more about the vision God has given to me and how that vision plays out on a larger platform!

"PG" Parental Guidance

I cannot think of a better message series to follow up RADICAL with than "PG". On one of our pieces of literature created for this series we ask: Why do Dads and Moms experience isolation, anxiety and doubt that drain their tanks of influence while dealing with their children? Are you tired of running on empty? Do you need to fill your tanks again?
The PG series will deal with Spiritual Leadership in the home, Discipline, Finances, and Who is the CEO of your home?
You will NOT want to miss one week of this series...as a matter of fact, you will want to invite everyone you know!

Season of Growth!

Over the past couple of days I dealt with some, well, let's say not so great subjects. A few years back I would have had no idea how to deal with some of these very sensitive subjects. Another, I would have just been a complete jerk and hurt a lot of people with the shrapnel from the deal.
Last week while I was fasting and praying I was able to spend a lot of time reading more scripture than I normally would and God really spoke to me! John 15 Jesus talks about the vine and branches. He tells us that there are seasons in our life, in our careers that we will go through some tough times; some pruning. Some of the things that we love, needs to be cut back. Some of the things that we want, need to be gone.
Our Executive Pastor, Kevin, came to help us out 7months ago. Our church was headed into that season of pruning, that season of dormancy. I am convinced that we have to go through those seasons so that we can position ourselves for an even greater season of growth. Kevin and I know that God has brought the Anchor to a place where we are postured for growth and that He has postured Kevin for that next season in his life.
Be in prayer for our church as we go thru this season of growth and for Kevin and his family as they go thru this season of transition.

AWE...I am still in awe

Yes, we had a huge crowd at the Anchor today. Actually, the biggest crowd we have ever had! I use to think that I would be in AWE when we had a big crowd like we had today. I mean...I was soooo excited! But not in awe of the crowd. Many people do not know this, but just 6 months ago I was ready to give it all up. The finances of the church were horrible, we were in this sort of stagnate place, I was doing all that I could do and absolutely no good results were coming forth.
I brought in a friend to help us through tis tough season and I really had no idea where to turn! My relationship with Jesus was good, I was giving, praying, serving and felt like I was doing everything right. I was even praying to that God would give me the answer to either walk away or dig deeper or something.
Then, over a period of time I really began to hear God's voice. He was telling me "Stop, stop trying so hard. Chuck, I got this!" But, this was my baby. God you entrusted this to me. I don't want to fail you! All the while I was failing!
We struggled through the move and all that went with it. Finally, right after Easter...I resigned! Yes, I quit! I resigned from being involved in everything. I resigned from stressing over every detail. I resigned from taking the lead from God! Actually, things got worse....for me at least! Our church still wasn't fulfilling the vision. I was saying God, what the heck! What is going on here? He continued to tell me "I got this!" We went into the summer with some big goals. Goals that I was hopeful for, but not totally sold on. I mean, it was the summer. Heaven does not even grow in the summer! Or so I thought!
I am in awe because when I resigned and gave back to God what was Gods! He did far more with his church than I ever could!

God...I am in AWE of you! I love you!
Chuck

Prayer and Fasting

All through the scriptures we can find people praying and fasting. My wife, myself and 2 oldest girls (10 & 8) are all fasting and praying this week. Each one of us has a different reason for doing so. One day into the fast I was reminding my girls that they were not simply cutting various foods out of their life, but rather when they desired those foods it served as a reminder to pray.

We are on day 3 of our fast (Although we did cheat a bit while at Six Flags) and I would like to invite you to join with us on this fast. You fast from everything food and only have water, or you can fast like I am and only have juice and a cup of coffee, or you can fast like Leigh and the girls and pick something of meaning like bread and sugar (or desert for Emma!)

Follow me here all week and we will talk more about prayer and fasting...

Radical Questions

Look out...things are heating up! No, its not just the summer heat, it's all the cool stuff that is coming down the pipe.

- Mother's Day, Parent/Child dedication this weeked (shoot me an email at info@anchorchurch.us if you want to participate)

- Questions, the first week of the Questions series will be Rated M for mature audience. Do I need to say more! In case I do, trust me you will not want your kid under the age of 11 in the service. However, our children's ministry is looking forward to having them!

If you have any question as it pertains to relationships, finances, being a Christ follower or anything else please shoot me your questions. info@anchorchurch.us

- Radical, this summer is going to be off the chain! We will be kicking off the first stages of our Parent/youth ministy. We are bringing in a summer intern, we are planning a summer camp, every week will be random acts of kindness, a mission trip, as well as we are hosting a team of missionaries for a week!

WOW...can we really do this? Yes, it is time to get Radical! It is time to be radical for Jesus! Are you ready?