Exciting News

As many of you know, we are excited that Kevin and Kristal Beachy will be with us the weekend of July 26th to interview for the Lead Pastor position at GCWC. This is an opportunity for you to get to know them and for them to get to know you. This Sunday we will be announcing a few more details as far as what the weekend will look like and how you can get to know them better. We will also have a CORE Leaders meeting this Sunday evening at 5:00 PM for all those in any area of leadership at GCWC. Please feel free to comment or ask questions here.

Join The Chase

We continue in a series entitled "Chase The Lion" at The Coast tomorrow. I am excited as we focus our attention on Defying Odds. What is it that seems too big for you to overcome? What is it that you want to do but it seems impossible? What odds, What lions are you facing? Why is it that we can't seem to set God-sized goals? Why is it so hard to pursue God-ordained passions? Why is it we seem to fear going after a dream that is destined to fail unless God intervenes? You don't want to miss the next few weeks.

Summer Break

This has been everything but a slow summer for Julie and I. So many irons in the fire and so much to do. However one thing I do miss is The Gathering, our Wednesday night student ministry. It gives me more study time for Sundays, but as I read facebook comments, its evident to me how much it means to the students as well. The Gathering will relaunch August 12 and will look and feel totally different. Until then...Join the Chase!

Chase The Lion

Have you ever looked back and asked yourself what if? I am convinced that the greatest regrets we will have near the end of this life are not the mistakes we made, but the things we never attempted out of fear or uncertainty. This Sunday kicks off a brand new series at Gulf Coast entitled "Chase The Lion". You don't want to miss it as we calculate how to step out and take risks in this journey called life. This Sunday we will focus on "Defying Odds". If we listen to the critics or our culture, we will always be pinned in a corner and scared to death to charge the largest mountains. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Join the Chase!

"The Risky Life"

What a great day at The Coast this morning. We collected tons of commitment cards from people ready to take a risk for Jesus. I am excited about seing the people of Gulf Coast rise up in a time of transition. Someone asked me after service what they needed to do to get me to skydive. I will tell you what I told them. Present me with a scenario and we will see what happens. I get weak in the knees just thinking about it. Can't wait til Sunday.

"Feedback"

I am so excited about this Sunday. I believe men are the catalyst for change in our culture. I believe Sunday will be a challenging day for not only dads, but for all men. I need your help by telling your story. 1. What is your favorite dad moment(your dad or as a dad) ? 2. What is the most challenging thing about being a man? Leave comments here. No names will be used, but would love to get your feedback.

Carl

Driven or Called

So many times in my life I have been told Carl you are so driven. People would say things to me to encourage me that probably over-inflated my ego and played to my dark side more than I ever realized. I have always been challenged by anything that seemed risky...(except skydiving) and will generally run head first into any challenge, because like "The Little Engine That Could...I think I can." This can be dangerous for me if people like myself if were not careful. I don't want to be driven to succeed or driven to accomplish a task for the sake of conquering something bigger than me. Instead, I want to be called, and there is a difference. One is rooted in what I think I can do, the other is rooted in who God made me to be and what He expects me to do. I will say that I have gotten these things backwards in the past. But right now, as it relates to the decisions made recently in our ministry, family, and church, I truly believed I am in a season in which God has called me to lead in a different capacity than I really ever expected. It's the capacity of "transition." For the next few months I believe God has called me to unify the board, staff, and people of Gulf Coast Worship Center towards one goal...the goal is not just to find a new pastor, but to be a unified group of Christ-followers who understand their role in this time. This Sunday I will be sharing a few thoughts on what I am calling RE-Charge. If you are apart of GCWC, focus your attention the next few days on the book of Ephesians and prepare your heart to hear what God is doing.