Meet my former load in partner!

Our church, Ridge Church, is fast approaching our 5 year anniversary. We met about two Sunday nights a month for a "very long" two years then "finally" in 2008 we had our first Sunday morning worship service and began meeting every week. About four months ago we moved into our first 24/7 permanent facility and this new chapter of our existence has been amazing. In the last five years we've had the privilege of baptizing over 60 people and every time it's a reminder of why we started this church. Recently we baptized our first 7 people in our new facility, one of which was my load in partner for almost 4 years. She showed up faithfully at 6:30am for that entire time! Ridge Church wouldn't exist if it weren't for faithful servants like my friend Jessica. So it was my privilege to baptize her. Here's her story:

Stop having fun or else!

Recently I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes casting vision for our "Guest Services" team at Ridge Church. I got to talk about our organizational culture and how it impacts guest services. One of our cultural values as a leadership team is "FUN". In relationship to this value we often ask the the question, "How are we creating memorable experiences?" The reality is, most people don't expect to have fun at church, so when they do it's memorable. AND, fun also increases productivity. Dale Carnegie said it this way, "People rarely succeed in what they are doing unless they are having fun."

Two recent examples where fun elements became memorable:
1) Guest Services: Usually our guest services team are the ones greeting people in the parking lots, checking people in, answering questions, and creating a warm and inviting environment for guests. So for the Guest Services Training our GS director brought in a "stand in crew" to greet the normal team as they entered for the training. They dressed crazy, parked cars on curbs, sent people the wrong direction, and did virtually everything wrong. It was fun...it was memorable!

2) Student Ministry: Our student ministry set up a harlem shakes video on youtube that now has over 400 hits [and still climbing]. All of a sudden church wasn't simply endurable it was enjoyable. Every middle school and high school kid at our church is proudly inviting their friends to "their" church this week.  It was fun...it was memorable.

Are you a Christian?

Are you a Christian? Well, that depends on how you define it doesn't it? This series will literally change the way you think about Christianity. Join us in our brand new facility 9:30 or 11am for this fantastic teaching series. We work diligently to create environments that are welcoming for people in all stages of life. I can't think of a better time to bring your friends to church with you. Check out the series teaser video below. See you at Ridge Church very soon!

Please Fasten Your Seat belts!

2012 was a great year full of milestones for Ridge Church. Without a doubt the most notable milestone was having our first service in our newly renovated building on December 16th. It was also the highest attendance in our history as a church. These new environments will enable us to to open our doors to a whole new group of people as well as bless our city in new and improved ways.

We kick off 2013 on January 6th with a great new year's challenge called "This One Thing." I want to challenge each of us to care enough about the people in our lives to invite them to join us at Ridge Church. It could literally change their lives. Fasten your seat belts--2013 is going to change everything. Don't be a spectator!

NOTE: New Service Schedule
9:30 Waumba Land (birth-pre-k) Upstreet (k-5th) and Adult Worship
11:00 Waumba Land (birth-pre-k) Student Impact (6th-12th) and Adult Worship

New Adult Worship Space

 New Upstreet Theater

You can help change countless lives in 2013!

There are many great organizations who ask for a donation this time of year. When you choose to give to Ridge Church, it enables us to create irresistible environments where people are inspired to take steps in their spiritual journey and to bless those in need. Recently as part of our “Be Rich Campaign” Ridge Church provided an entire red carpet Christmas experience for 10 families in need. We bought gifts for all family members, paid water & electric bills, bought groceries & gas, took care of basic needs, and so much more. But most importantly we were able to inspire hope! Listen to a few heart felt thank you’s and know that you can help us change countless lives in the upcoming year by choosing to partner with us through your year-end gifts!

Year end giving made easy-Two ways to give: 

1. Egive (December 27th is last 2012 posting day for EGive!) Give HERE! 
2. Mail Giving (2012 donations Must be posmarked by December 31st                                                                                                                             Ridge Church P.O. Box 1292 Matthews, NC 28106

When is our Grand Opening?

We are in the home stretch on the up fit for our new facility. This week volunteers are showing up Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 5-8:30 and Saturday 8:30-4:30 to paint and do small construction projects. Our project has been a cash project to date which means two things:

1. We are debt free in this construction effort to date
2. When our funds run out we will push the PAUSE button on construction

The million dollar question that people ask me every week is "When are we getting into the facility?...When's the grand opening?" At this point our Grand Opening has about 5% to do with construction time lines and about 95% to do with funding. We have two things between us and the finish line and you can help

• We have 250 remaining chairs to sell. Each chair represents a person we hope will sit in the seat one day as well as a portion of the renovation. We've sold over 200 already!
• We need to increase our monthly budget by $5,000 more per month to absorb construction & facility related costs. We've already increased by $5,000 since we began the campaign so we are halfway there! (see chart for details)

You can give online HERE and help us get to the Finish Line

Concert in the Commons

We have an exciting night planned for October 5th. We are doing a concert in the commons (Sycamore Commons) from 6-8:30pm. We are also doing a pumpkin patch that night and all proceeds will go to support Piney Grove Elementary School, the title one school that we partner with. In one great night we get to combine great fun in our community and serving our community. Admission is FREE but we do have tickets so you can invite friends. Pick up tickets from guest services on Sunday and start inviting!