"I'm not afraid to die"

I can remember clearly one particular night from the early days at Ridge Church. We were doing a series of what we called "Core Gatherings" and this night a generous count would have placed 30 adults in the room (assuming 3-5 people were in the bathroom:-). I was doing my very best to cast vision of a preferred future to that handful of adults and I was hoping they would lean in and buy in! I told the story of an imaginary person and what that person would "one day" experience at Ridge Church. A person that wasn't a "church person", and had left all that spiritual stuff behind years before. If I'm honest, the story seemed far fetched even to me--it felt light years away--like a pipe dream. Now, a few years later, a lot of sacrifice later, a lot of vision later, we've all had the privilege to attach name after name after name to that imaginary story as it consistently becomes REAL! Listen to Barb's story and know this is "the story" I told that night so long ago...even though we had yet to meet her or know her name at that time. I'm humbled to be a small part of what God is doing in peoples lives. Maybe you should be part of it too?

Barb's Baptism from Ridge Church on Vimeo.

Simply Undeniable

Ridge Church kicked off a brand new series yesterday called "On your Mark". You can catch part one of the series HERE. The truth is, every single one of us could walk into church any given Sunday and find ourselves mentally arguing with what the pastor says. We think "Yeah...but" and "What about..." or "If he only knew my story..." and we come up with all sorts of reasons why something that might be slightly challenging doesn't actually apply to us. BUT--over the years I've been in ministry the one thing that is "SIMPLY UNDENIABLE" is life change. When a person is literally changed by the grace of God people may not understand it but they can't deny it. Check out this story and Baptism from our service on Sunday.

El's Baptism from Ridge Church on Vimeo.

Box Crate and Some lights

Absolutely phenomenal final installment of our "Balanced" series. This series was so well timed! Band was incredible today--lead by the stellar Chris Kincaid. You can listen to the final message installment HERE. Our Program Director Rust Burchard designed a very creative stage set using box crate that he got for free. (All in a load in church:-) We are using neutral stage sets currently so that our students can use the adult environment for their service that follows the adult service. Packed house today. Don't be late next week or you LITERALLY might not get a parking space:-)

Circles are better than Rows-September 18th

"Circles are better than rows!" We use this phrase all the time at Ridge Church but we don't want you to take our word for it--we want you to experience community groups for yourself. Two times a year we have an event called "Group Link" and the next one is September 18th. Group Link is a great opportunity for people to get connected in an non threatening environment while learning what groups are all about. At the end of the night you will have an opportunity to form what we call a Starter or Formational group that last for 8-10 weeks. Go HERE to sign up! NOTE: If you live Fort Mill, Pineville Ballantyne, Waxhaw sign up soon. We are trying to open up a group or groups for you!

**We have 3 types of Groups that people can sign up for. Limited Availability for some groups**

1. community groups--married couples groups, men's groups, women's groups
2. starting point groups--people who are seeking answers, new to faith, or returning to church or faith
3. financial peace groups--Discussion groups around Dave Ramsey driven content about finances.

GroupLink Promo from Ridge Church on Vimeo.

It's time to do something...600 back packs!!

I'm a big fan of Miles McPherson, pastor of "The Rock" in California. He has adopted a mantra and simple challenge for his church "JUST DO SOMETHING" (He framed it as a book as well "Just Do Something"). My brother is the Chief Editor of "Outcomes" magazine and you can read his interview with Miles on this mantra "Just Do Something" HERE.

The reality is this: Most of the great and extraordinary things that happen in this world happen under the initiative or authority of people that weren't experts when they started whatever it was that they started. Sometimes the answer to change is to "JUST DO SOMETHING"

That is our challenge to Ridge Church! It's time to do something (AGAIN). We are partnering with a local title one (81% free and reduced lunches) school called Piney Grove Elementary. We've set an audacious goal of providing 600 filled back packs for children as they start back to school. This is just one of many initiatives at Piney Grove over the next year.

BACK PACK ORGANIZATION DAY: We have our first organization day Monday, August 15th 6-8pm at New Charlotte Church. Map HERE. Email melissar@ridgechurch.net to confirm your attendance. Lemonade and cookies provided.

Andy Stanley coming to Charlotte

Back in 2006, following an undeniable passion God had placed in my heart, I began talking with a handful of people about the idea of starting a church in Charlotte that would create environments that un-churched people would love to attend and a church that prioritized authentic community among believers. By the end of 2006 through a series of what we called "Core Gatherings" we had rallied about 30 adults to join us in this effort and we had officially named the church "RIDGE CHURCH" .

Fast forward to 2007...North Point Community Church founded and led by Andy Stanley contacted me and extended their hand to us to form a formal partnership. Our team launched a series of 25 evening worship services in 2007 and then FINALLY in 2008 (in the worst economic downturn of our lifetime:-) we held our very first Sunday morning worship service and the official journey began.

We have seen and experienced unbelievable life change during this journey. NOW: We are excited to welcome Andy Stanley to come speak at Ridge Church in Charlotte on September 15th to celebrate with us--both what God has done and what is yet to come for Ridge Church. We hope you'll join us for this event! Space is limited. You can register online HERE.

Back in the Black

We are in a really great series at Ridge Church that is incredibly timely in light of the economic turmoil and fear our country has been experiencing in the last few weeks. The stock market is going crazy, the country's credit crisis has caused a frenzy and people are wondering if 2011 is going to close out like a bad replay of 2008. So...our series called "Balanced" couldn't be more perfectly timed. Join us this Sunday as we continue to answer the question "How can we stay in financial balance personally when it seems like the entire world around us is out of balance?"

You can listen to last week's message by clicking HERE.