Christmas Eve-Barn Reflections

Last night without a doubt was the most authentic and special Christmas Eve Service that I have ever experienced as a Christ Follower. Because of that I personally needed to write down what I experienced so I would not forget all that God did in my life and in the life of our new church.

• Thankful that God led our entire staff to do Christmas Eve this year in a barn. Being in the barn brought everyone back to what really took place that night.
• Love leading a church that has more partners wanting to serve than we have spots for. Blown away to see 50 plus partners coming up to set up when I was leaving the barn to go change before the service.
• Getting a quiet moment in the horse ring with Heath and Leslie to once again thank God for the night.
• Watching one of my good friends Mike get slobbered on all night by a horse. He was making sure this one horse didn’t reach out and bite a child. That is a servant.
• Thankful for everyone who put up with all  my facebook folks with the invite posted.
• The number of people that I met that said this was their first time back in church in 10 plus years and that they loved it.
• Had a gentleman who was 82 come up to tell me that he had never experienced something so powerful before in church.
• The story I heard of a gentleman in our church who stopped smoking after 25 years after God spoke to him during our Baggage series. So proud of him for taking that next step.
• For the horses who made all that noise before I spoke, perfect timing. Glad they got my cue.
• To the lady who told me she already memorized our mission statement (to encourage people to know God and take their next step with Him) and that this was her first time to our church. Cool stuff.
• To the lady who was visiting from another church who said that Five Stones has done more bold things to reach people for Christ then her church has done in 15 years.
• Reminding myself that it is a God thing to have over 625 people come out to a service for a church that is only 15 weeks old. Its easy to gather a crowd but our desire is for people to know that they met with God. Only the Spirit can do that.
• For trusting God with our finances by not taking up an offering on this night of Engaging Culture.
• Thankful for Cedarhill Farm for letting us pull off this crazy idea in their barn. If you are looking for your child to take riding lessons or for a place to board your horse you have to check out this great barn.
• From the people helping with the shuttle all the way to the hot chocolate group thank-you.
• Walking out after the service to see the Cross and the manger together.
• For starting new family traditions: hanging up a manger nail and placing a cross in your nativity scene.
• For the clear gospel message that was song and preached may it bring back much fruit.
• God I am so thankful for all that you are doing at Five Stones and that you are letting me be a part of something special.
• Please let me hear some of your stories/comments from the night. What was one of your favorite parts?
• If you have pictures of the night I would love for you to e-mail them to me. www.gking@fivestoneschurch.com