This weekend was truly amazing. Trust me, I know that Easter is every church’s Super Bowl and I also know that your attendance is usually about half of that the following week, but it still exceeded every expectation I had.

Eggapalooza 2011
I want to thank the almost 100 volunteers that sacrificed so much time Saturday (and many of them Friday) for our Egg Hunt. It was still a downpour an hour before we started, but I was impressed with the crowd that came out (a few hundred people) and almost every person there that I talked to said there kids loved it! I honestly believe we were prepared to handle thousands this year. Let me just thank a few groups:

1. The South Point Volunteer Fire Department. You guys did a great job and we can’t wait to partner with you again next year for the biggest egg hunt in the history of the Midwest. Did somebody say “Easter Bunny in a helicopter?”
2. Team Leaders. You guys did a great job. Parking seemed to be really smooth while several of those attractive greeters did their thing. Registration was good and organized while moving people through quickly. Security was great. I thought that would be our biggest problem, but we safely and securely checked kids back faster than I could have imagined. The inflatables also helped keep things running smoothly. The prize redemption area in the concession stand was perfect. I also thought it was cool to have most volunteers come back to the school to eat and relax. The food looked awesome.
3. Volunteers. I looked out from the press box once and it was literally a sea of orange shirts everywhere. You guys are what makes C3 the greatest group of people in the world (even if I am a little biased). Be ready though, because we are hoping next year is 30,000 eggs, a helicopter and even more bigger prizes!
4. Donations. To so many of you that donated Nintendo DSes, bikes, baskets, etc., you made Eggapalooza legendary. I have already heard a story from one boy that loves his new bike and how excited the family that won the Nintendo Wii was. Thanks for your generosity.

Easter at C3 2011
We don’t talk much about numbers at C3. Not because I don’t think they’re important, they are! Every number represents one life that can be changed by the Gospel. I just don’t feel like a weekly attendance update is that important in the grand scheme of things, but I do like to focus on how many gave their lives to Christ (Salvation) and how many first time guest we had (Evangelism) along with how many people are reading Cross Training (the daily devotional at C3) and serving or in small groups, etc. (Discipleship). However, I asked the church to pray that we would have 300 people in attendance this Easter. We have never broken the 300 barrier before and I figured that would require about 75% of our average weekly attenders to invite at least one person.
I know that seating was extremely chaotic. Trust me, when you look out 5 minutes before we are supposed to start and we are out of chairs with about 50+ people standing in the back, you start to freak out a little. However, our volunteers stepped up with chairs and moving people into the hallway and parking people as quickly as possible. When it was all said and done, we had almost 450 total in attendance with over 100 kids birth through 12 in attendance. We had 39 first time guest while guessing that there was probably another 20 or more that didn’t fill out a card. Most important, we had four people raise their hands to receive Jesus as Savior during the invitation. That TRULY NEVER GETS OLD and reminds me of exactly why we do what we do every single week.
This picture isn’t the best quality, but it’s the only one I have so far.

Here are a few highlights:
- The band was bringing their A game. Those guys put in a ton of practice the last two weeks and it really showed. If you get a chance, thank them for the sacrifice they make each and every week.

- I thought the overall flow was a good as it’s ever been. Jimmy put in a ton of work to make sure things went off smoothly and it really helped during the worship time and before the message. I also appreciate Erron Archer and Brian Hayton learning the lights in 10 minutes and then running them Sunday.

- Rob Porter and Dan Curd have put in about 80 hours or more for the stage, projectors, lights, etc. and it made a huge difference. I appreciate both of those guys working 10-12 hour days and helping us out in the evening for several hours (several nights).

- Jeff and Bob Marks and Company did an amazing job with parking. That is one job I would not have taken yesterday for a million bucks, but they had it streamlined (and looked pretty awesome in those orange vests).

- To everyone that brought the 25,000 doughnuts required, thanks for having all of that setup and ready to go. It makes a huge difference for hospitality.

- Johnda, Dustee, Brad Carpenter and Michelle West (who filled in). Thanks for handling so many kids and sacrificing not being in the worship area so others could hear the message. You guys did an amazing job with the kids. I want to give a special thank you to Angel Perkins who had her mother back for the first time along with several other family members and stayed to help with the nursery. We really appreciate you doing that for C3 (more than you know).

- Pallbearers. If you missed it, I rode out in a casket for the opener. I thought I’d try to lighten the mood for a message that can be kind of dark or depressing (except for the Good News of the Gospel). Anyways, I’ve had several people tell me we needed more pallbearers because they looked like they were struggling. I tried to lose some weight for you guys!

- I had several great friends show up for the first time and I was truly honored they came. To everyone else who invited someone or had a friend or family member show up, thank you!
To all guest, we were truly honored to have each and every one of you yesterday.

I’d also like to add that we’d love to have you return anytime (or even better next week), but if C3 wasn’t for you, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We will do anything we can to help you get plugged into another church that you feel can help you learn and grow more as a follower of Jesus. I promise we won’t be offended or hurt. We truly believe that all the churches in the Tri-State are on the same team anyways. You can email staff@aroundc3.com and let us know if you need help.

I can’t wait for what’s to come!

It was a great Sunday at C3!
– We continued our series “three” with three questions we all need to ask. One of the questions was “Who have I found?”. If you haven’t done so yet, go to aroundc3.com/three and give us your three for Easter.

- The band brought some major energy despite a few sound problems. It didn’t hit me until a few hours later, but we also had 70 Cross Kids this Sunday! I can remember being pumped at a church once when they had 70 kids for VBS and we are close to averaging that every Sunday. Which is why we are also thinking/praying about a Cross Kids Pastor. We had several first time guests this week along with a ton of new kids.

- Our new stage looked awesome! We appreciate everyone that showed up Wednesday to tape boxes, hang lights and clean. We also want to give a super shout out to Rob Porter and Dan Curd. Those two guys spent several hours (usually until 10 pm or later) Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to put everything together. Without their equipment and skills, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.

Here’s a pic that Erron Archer took 10 -15 minutes before we started:

- Easter is only two weeks away! We have a few surprises that morning (and one big surprise) and you will want to make sure you invite as many people as possible for that Sunday!

- Speaking of Easter, we are also doing Eggapalooza 2011. We are partnering with the South Point Fire Department to host an Egg Hunt that includes free prizes (bikes, Nintendo DS, etc.) the Easter Bunny and 10,000 eggs. If you’re interested in volunteering, please show up for the Eggapalooza Meeting this Wednesday at the elementary at 7pm.

- The C3 Teens are also hosting a team at the Huntington Autism 5K Walk/Run on April 30th. Brian has asked if anyone would be interested in sponsoring a teen walking or running in the race. If you’re interested, email him at brian@aroundc3.com and let him know.

- We had three people raise their hands to commit their lives to Christ and two people re-commit on their connection cards. I’m truly amazed with everything that is taking place around C3 but even more excited for what’s in store!

- It’s still not too late to join us for the “three challenge at aroundc3.com/three!

It was great to be back at C3 after a little Mickey Mouse break last week. Here are a couple of important things to know if you weren’t there or reminders if you were:

- “It’s T-shirt time!”
It was our annual free T-shirt Sunday at C3. I have to give credit to Jimmy for the design… and I guess ordering them, however I did pick them up!

- I’ve really appreciated the band the last few weeks. They have been more intentional about leading people into worship and have been sounding great. I also really appreciated Chase for being there with his grandfather passing away last Friday (also please pray for his mom and family). Chris has also been doing a great job of organizing those guys (which is like trying to herd cats).

- We kicked off a brand new series called “Three”. We are asking everyone to do three things for the next three weeks – READ :: INVITE :: FOCUS. To break that down a little further:

1. READ the daily devotional at www.aroundc3.com/crosstraining for the next three weeks (one chapter a day for 21 days).

2. Start praying for and INVITE three people to Easter at C3. Submit those names at www.aroundc3.com/three so we can join you in praying for your three.

3. Give up something for the next three weeks to FOCUS more on the Resurrection (like Lent).
- I’m also thankful for every Cross Kids’ volunteer this morning. Most kids don’t handle change very well & we really changed it up for them this morning, but our volunteers shined.

Along with those three, we want as many C3ers as possible to try to pray everyday at 3pm (for 3 minutes or so). You can find more details at aroundc3.com/three

- To sum the up the message on Sunday… We cannot claim to be followers of Jesus and not be concerned for people that are far from Him. It’s the Great Commission not the Great Suggestion. It is what we are called to do as a church and as individuals.

- I literally cannot wait for Easter 2011 at C3! We have more than a few surprises for everyone that shows up that Sunday.

- Eggapalooza 2011 is coming April 23rd. We will be giving more details in the next few days. Please bring candy or plastic eggs to C3 this Sunday so we can add to the 7,000 eggs we already have!

- We had two people raise their hands to commit their lives to Christ and two people re-commit. That is absolutely amazing!

- The NCAA championship game is tonight. No #1 seeds are playing or were even in the final four. Like the teams playing, I would say to each of you, “don’t let anyone else define you”.

In our bracket challenge, the only exciting thing is a fight for 2nd place among three C3ers and the fact that Chris Lafon has locked in last place.

- Go to aroundc3.com/three and join us for the “Three Challenge” right now!

All I can really say about this morning is “wow”! I was so proud of so many C3ers.

- I thought the band did a great job again this week with several guys flipped.

- We decided several years ago that we wanted to reach men & focus on families being stronger in our church. I could not be more proud of all the parents who committed to raise their children in the most God-honoring way this morning. It’s now our job as a church to lift them up in prayer whenever possible.

- I was also honored to have every parent, grandparent and family member join us for the dedication today.

- I’m also thankful for every Cross Kids’ volunteer this morning. Most kids don’t handle change very well & we really changed it up for them this morning, but our volunteers shined.

- I also received news this evening that one child asked Jesus to save them and forgive them this morning. To every volunteer, your investment helped change one child’s eternity forever. That’s awesome!

- I talked about an extremely important fundamental called honor. One of our leaders told me this past week that he was sure it was one of my biggest passions and he’s right. It bothers me that we have abandoned honor in our culture. I think one major difference between God moving in your life or not might depend on your choice to show honor.

- It’s also important to note the difference between respect and honor. Respect is earned, but honor is given. In the Bible, honor was never based on someone’s actions, but a choice to give it or not. Give honor to your parents and anyone in authority every chance you get.

- We also had several people raise their hands for salvation. That amazes me every single week!

- We had 19 first time guests today! Please never take any of this for granted. It’s not ordinary or common and neither is the Savior of the world! I literally can’t wait to see what God has in store for C3!

Several of my friends (church leaders & pastors) have said that today was a low energy-low attended morning for their churches. For C3, it was the complete opposite!

The band was fired up and ready to go this morning. I thought they brought some major energy even with everybody losing an hour of sleep.

I think this past week’s conference will be a game changer for our band (and our church)!

We talked about a fundamental this past Sunday morning that we all can improve and focus more on (Gratitude). We have to ask ourselves the same question that Jesus asked the ten lepers. “Will you be the one?”

Also, don’t forget your homework assignment this week. Write a thank you card or send an email to one person in your past that has influenced your life greatly and one other person that has helped or served you spiritually. Redefine what it means to say “Thank You” and say it as often as you can.

Speaking of gratitude, I want to “Thank” every C3er that volunteered Saturday for the Lawrence County DD 5K Run/Walk. We had a great turn out and several people (including runners) told me they couldn’t have pulled it off without you guys.

I was honored to have Bethany Bibb and her parents join us this morning. She has been an encouragement to me over the last few months and I’m thankful we have the opportunity to help them out with raising the money they need.

It was awesome to give them a check for $2,000 from C3 and even MORE awesome to take an additional offering for another $2,000. You might want to read that last sentence one more time! Not to mention that this all took place after one of our highest weekly offerings! I’m extremely grateful for so many C3ers that give sacrificially. Your generosity is making a difference in the Tri-State.

Speaking of making a difference, I’m also “Thanking” God for the two people that committed or recommitted their lives to Jesus this morning. It never gets old.

To close out, let me list a few things that I’m thankful for:

- an amazing wife that I’m about to celebrate our ten year anniversary with this Wednesday.

- two awesome kids that may never go to school again because of the flood.

- the opportunity to win the 2011 C3 Bracket Challenge.

- the small group we’re in on Wednesdays and the other group I lead on Sunday nights.

- the greatest church (the church being people) that I have ever been a part of. I’m always amazed with you guys and how you serve, give and continue to do whatever it takes to reach people.

- the most amazing group of volunteers that go above and beyond each and every week. (including the girls that bring me an iced coffee every Sunday )

- a “really committed” group of people that live out the 3 C’s by Celebrating (Sundays), Connecting (small groups) and Contributing (outreaches).

- Jesus

Remember, the best is yet to come!

We kicked off a brand new series this Sunday called Fundamentals and talked about Integrity. I’m pretty sure Integrity one of my core values (for all you Chazown participators out there). I’m really pumped for the next three weeks of this series. Next week will be focused on gratitude and we have a surprise or two for all C3ers if everything goes as planned.

A few quick highlights and announcements:

- I had one guy that just moved here from Oklahoma talk to me after our gathering. We was excited (to say the least) and said he had never experienced anything like that in church before. He promised me he’d be back next week (which was really cool)!

- We had several first and second time guests again. Keep inviting your friends and family!

- One lady committed her life to Christ Sunday. I know you have never heard me say this, but that never gets old! It always reminds me of why we do exactly what we do.

- Our family was given a peach cake with butterscotch afterwards on Sunday. It was amazing.

- We are partnering with the Lawrence County DD for their 1st annual 5k walk/run this Saturday. If you want to volunteer or already signed up to volunteer, please be at the Coal Grove Middle School at 8 am. Wear your orange C3 outreach shirt. If you don’t have one, wear an orange shirt and we will get you one asap (I don’t know if our order will make it in time for Saturday yet).

- C3′s first Child/Parent Dedication will be Sunday, March 20th. If you are interested and didn’t check it off on your connection card, then email us and let us know at staff@aroundc3.com. This is also a great time to invite family and friends to C3. The message that Sunday will focus on honor and I know must of us could improve in that area.

- This Wednesday, 17 C3 men (just filled up our last 3 spots today) will be driving to South Carolina for a one day conference then driving back home that evening. Please pray for traveling mercy. I don’t know what “traveling mercy” means, but I know church people use it and I think it involves safety

- Think through the question “what’s my integrity worth?” this week.
Remember: if you have integrity, that’s really all that matters and if you don’t have integrity then that’s all that really matters.

- Thank you C3 volunteers for doing all that you do every weekend! You are making a huge difference in the Tri-State and in the lives of people every single week.

And girls, thanks for the iced coffee again!

Cupidity has now left the building.

We finished our February series Cupidity yesterday with what I think might have been one of the most important messages that EVERYBODY needs to hear.

If you’re married, not married or maybe you never want to be married, the bottom line is we all have appetites that God created, yet sin distorted and distracted. If you constantly find yourself wanting more or always hoping something new will come along, then you will never be content in any relationship, job or even a church. It’s an appetite problem that sin has distracted.

Here are a couple of quick highlights from this series:
- We have several couples working through some big problems (and pain) to make their marriages work. I’m extremely proud of them for being willing to do whatever it takes and will continue to pray for all of them. The biggest problem with any marriage is that it involves two people with baggage, hurts and sin. No marriage will ever be perfect because no marriage has two perfect people in it.

- We exist as a church to encourage, challenge, and pray for each other. If you are struggling in your marriage or just personally, email us at staff@aroundc3.com and let us know. Don’t wait around and think the problem will slowly fix itself. That’s what I try to do anytime one of our vehicle’s check engine light comes on. Trust me, it doesn’t work in a relationship (or for the vehicles at our house).

- We had numerous first and second time guest during this series and 8 people committed or re-committed their lives to Christ during the month of February at C3. I’ll say it again, “THAT NEVER GETS OLD!”. However, this message series was more than just romantic relationships, the focus and answers every week kept returning to our relationship with Jesus and why the gospel and the church are the best picture/example of any marriage.

A few other “Need to Know” items:

- This Sunday, we will kick off a brand new series called Fundamentals. You can check out the promo video here. I honestly think there is one question this week that will literally change your life. I’ve been asking it myself for the last few weeks.

- The Lawrence County DD and Open Door 5K Walk/Run is Saturday, March 12th in Coal Grove. It’s also C3′s March outreach project. We will have a ton of volunteer opportunities that you can sign up for this Sunday. You can also participate by walking or running in the 5k. You can be healthier and support a great cause all within an hour or so.

- We are currently planning an Egg Hunt in South Point the day before Easter. We’ll be partnering with the SP Volunteer Fire Department and I can’t wait!

I want to thank all of the C3 Kids volunteers this past month, but especially Dustee (our volunteers coordinator). During this series, several C3ers wanted to be able to hear the messages (which caused a scheduling nightmare for our kids volunteers). To everyone that filled in or switched your rotation, Thank You for your willingness to serve.

I’m still enjoying the Iced Coffee each morning

FYI, this Wednesday is my wife’s birthday, so any suggestions would be welcomed.

We continued week 3 of Cupidity with “3 Things Every Woman Needs to Focus On”.

- Everyone (especially the ladies) should read 1 Peter 3 a few times this week.

- As our series continues, the messed up relationships and marriages has been really difficult for me to handle. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL MARRIAGES AT C3!

- However, I was also encouraged by a couple this past week who are moving past the pain and willing to do the “hard work” of making their marriage last for the long haul. A great marriage has NEVER been easy.

A few thoughts from Sunday morning:

- The band was back and they were awesome. They are honestly my favorite band in the world. Those guys will never know how much I appreciate their faithfulness and loyalty to our church, not including the time and effort they put into what we do each week.

- We had 160 little surprises this week. About 160 brand new “cushioned” chairs were donated for us to borrow each Sunday.

- It was a little more quiet this past Sunday and I’m not for sure if it was because most women maybe wanted to fight me OR the flu epidemic moving through the area OR if everyone was asleep from the amazingly comfortable chairs we have now.

- The first and second time guest were down compared to the last few weeks, but we are always grateful for each and every person that shows up for the first time each week. I honestly can’t remember a time in the last few years that we haven’t had at least one first time guest each Sunday. Speaking of guest, there is truly no better week than this one to invite somebody to C3. This message might be the most important one of the series.

- One lady raised her hand and acknowledged that she had prayed and asked Jesus to save and forgive her. No matter how many people we have cross that line each week, IT NEVER GETS OLD! An eternity was changed for somebody.

A few really important things to be thinking about:
- This is the last week of Cupidity and you need to be there. You will help you possibly SAVE your current or future marriage from being RUINED or SALVAGE your marriage from the RUINS.

- We kick off a brand new series called FUNDAMENTALS the first week of March and I think it can be a game changer in your personal life.

- Our March outreach project is sponsoring, volunteering and participating in a 5K for the Open Door school. We’ll be giving you more details over the next few weeks.

- We are doing a Child/Parent dedication one Sunday in March. This is a great time to honor parents and children (and always a great opportunity to invite a family member to church).

Last thing.
A special thanks for my iced coffee again and the unknown C3er that brought me two creme horns. You are awesome!