If it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon, we can pretty much bet that you’ll find several of our Impact members playing “futbal.” Although the above photograph was taken at a Men’s Retreat, it is not atypical to find a good representation of the mix we have at Impact. Sure, the games are dominantly Hispanic, but we are encouraging more and more involvement from the English-speaking portion of the congregation. This is just one of the avenues we have for coming together as a body, as well as evangelizing in the community. Its great to have something that attracts non-Christians and the un-churched to a place where they can experience the genuine joy and fellowship that can exist among a group of believers in Christ.

It may be the soccer that draws some people, but it is acceptance and friendship that brings people back. Its funny how we still have to learn something so basic. Our Impact groups have been a great training field already in how to interact with people while keeping Christ the center of all that is done. We have to admit that sometimes we just don’t have the right balance of elements. It is so easy to make our time as a group primarily a Bible study. Sometimes it can become just a social gathering dominated by small-talk, or maybe even a prolonged planning meeting. What we learn, as leaders meet together every other week (and weekly for the Hispanic leaders) is that our Impact groups are much more than a study time or a planning session or a party, though each are expected elements of these groups. We may see how one group was so touched in their time of worship that they extended their praise and shortened their time in the Word. The result might bring about hearts so prepared for sharing or for service that big ideas are spoken, prayer and planning ensues, and dreams are pursued. The multiplication that we talk about in Impact groups is SO much more than a growth in numbers of attendees, but growth in excitement and enthusiasm for the body, for Christ, for service, for the community that God is developing! As Les Rose described it this morning in our weekly ministers meeting, there is a Great momentum that is welling up within our members. We need to continue being that church that says, “You are welcome here. We will be your family. Look what God is doing over here. You want to work with us? Come on!” It’s not just an invitation to a place, but to a community and a walk as well. We have much to develop regarding spiritual growth and leadership training that is uniform and church-wide, and we are taking those steps, but until then pray for our wisdom as we develop and lead each other actively in the process.
It seems like just a couple of weeks ago I submitted my last report, and so much was going on. I almost feel that, after having all the Spring break groups come and go and the Garage Sale drawing closer, that there seems to be a slight lull. Not so, at all. It just feels that way after such activity. We remain very busy with activities and plans, but most of all we stay busy experiencing the adventure of encountering interesting people, offering whatever we have, and seeing what God will do.