Yesterday was an extra special day as I got to baptize my son Luke.  It was just one of those awesome tender moments.  Luke was very excited, he asked me all day; “are you going to baptize me tonight” and when it was all over he could just not stop talking about his baptism and following God.  What made it extra special was he was able to be baptized with a couple of his close friends, Emily and Wes.  It was really cool for me as well since Sandi and I really view Emily like part of the family.  Luke was also really excited to be baptized at Pastor Byron’s home.  It was just a really great setting for baptism and Luke said he’ll now be calling the Pastor’s pool the baptistery from here on out. 

Another really cool part of the night was that we were able to baptize all but one child who had just finished our Great Adventures class that same Sunday morning.  I love teaching the Great Adventures class.  It’s a really sweet experience where I really get to spend time with kids who have usually just accepted Christ and I get to dig into God’s word with them.  This class is offered for any child who is finishing up 1st grade through 5th grade.  If your wondering why we make sure the child has finished 1st grade - well, as you probably have figured out, we here at C3 are not into legalism at all or just making folks attend a class just to attend a class.  But with Great Adventures it really allows us to make sure each child fully understands and comprehends what it means to be a Christ Follower and what baptism is all about.  To do that effectively we have them do some reading and writing that’s at a 1st grade level.  - I don’t know if you really wanted to read all that about Great Adventures, but now ya know.

There are just so many awesome things happening at C3 right now.  Last Friday night we had a kick’n dinner to honor our volunteers here at C3.  It was a great time and it was just so cool to have a time to honor these folks who give so selflessly to C3 and the cause of Christ.  Thanks guys for all you do!!! 

Then Sunday was one of those “off the chain” kind of Sundays.  Pastor Byron did his message for the one prayer series on “make us love.”  It was phenomenal!!!  I pray that God burns that message in the hearts of all of us at C3 so we can go “eat with” and not “point at.”  Also, this Sunday we had Discovering C3.  I love DC3, it is such a cool time to hang out with folks who just have a heart for being a part of what God is doing at C3.  Then to top the day off, despite the pressure of early movie times, our Crew broke down the theaters in record time!  You guys rock!!!   

This Friday is the C3 food drop.  This is going to be an awesome event where C3 is partnering with Feed The Children to provide food and basic necessities for 400 families here in Central Florida for an entire week.  If you would like to come out and help or if you know of a family that would benefit from this event, we’ll be at the OURM Food Warehouse from 8am until around 1pm.  The food distribution starts at 10am.  OURM’s address is: 3250 Old Winter Garden Rd. (exit 408 at John Young - take immediate left at Old Winter Garden Rd. The building is green and white and NOT MARKED - you’ll see the address on the fence surrounding the property).

Ya know, just thinking about the food drop, I want to thank everyone who is participating in 90 for 90 here at C3.  One of the reasons Sandi and I are participating in 90 for 90 and enjoy giving is that we love to see how those gifts can turn into changed lives.  We love that our gifts can be a part of things like; feeding families, supplying a children’s ministry where kids actually like coming to Church, helping our youth stand for Christ - really the list is endless.  Thank you for being a part of what God is doing through C3.  

OK, so how many times have I started a blog with I’m Jacked or pumped or something like that.  Well, I’m do’n it again.  I’m so jacked about C3.  We have so much going on right now that is just off the chain.  This past weekend we kicked off 90 for 90.  This is  where we as a church well be joining together to bring the faith gift (tithe) to the church.  I can’t wait to here the stories on how God moves during this time.   

Also on Sunday we had a great meeting with our Crave students about summer camp.  This year our students are heading to Big Stuf camps in Daytona and from what I’ve seen and heard this will be one totally awesome camp experience.  If you’re thinking about going, there is a $50 deposit due this Sunday.  You can turn in your deposit on Sunday morning or during Crave-N that night.  

Then on April 23^rd, we’ve been asked by PCI – the company that made all the cool stuff that our Crew loves to unpack and pack back up every Sunday – to help them showcase their stuff during Exponential 08.  This is a huge conference for church planters and I can’t wait to meet pastors and their staff who are starting churches with the same desire and passion as C3 to reach the unchurched. 

We also have another Discovering C3 experience coming on Sunday May 4^th.  Discovering C3 is a great way to take a behind the seines look at what makes C3, C3 and why we do what we do. We dive into the vision and direction of the church and it also gives everyone the opportunity to join the C3 family.

Then if that’s not enough, on Sunday May 11^th, we have our Great Adventures class. Great Adventures is a class for all children who have prayed to receive Christ and have finished 1^st grade and would like to be baptized.  During this class we will discus what it means to be a Christian and the importance of baptism.  After Children have completed this class they eligible to be baptized here at C3.  If you would like to reserve a place for your child please give myself or Verna a call at 407-380-0707.

Told ya there was a ton of cool stuff going on

This has been one of those up and down kind of weeks.  The week started off with some good friends losing their father over the weekend and he was only in his 40’s.  They held services on Monday and Tuesday and it was just a sad start to the week.  However, the awesome part is that just days before he passed away, Elvis prayed to receive Christ as his personal savior.  I love the Rosario and Torres families, you guys are awesome.  Please know Sandi and I and the staff are praying for you every day. 

Then also this week, it seems that I’ve pulled something in my shoulder.  It’s driving me crazy because I’m trying to take it easy so it can heal, but as you know I don’t do easy very well. 

I’m extremely pumped about this weekend; there are just a ton of awesome things going on.  The service is going to be off the chain as Pastor Byron continues to dig into the Big and Rich series.  This is just one of those series where you get so much practical and life changing info on how to experience God and the abundant life that He desires for us.

Also this weekend we have a summer camp meeting for our Crave students and their parents.  I’m so jacked about summer camp this year.  We are heading over to Big Stuf camps in Daytona Beach and it will be a camp like our students have never experienced before.  So Crave students and parents don’t forget, even if you’re just a little interested in camp this year make sure you’re at the meeting this Sunday from 5 to 6pm. 

Hey Power House Leaders don’t forget we have a mini team meeting this Sunday between services in theater 6.  We have some awesome things planned to really take Power House to the next level, but to get there we need you.  You guys do an awesome job, see ya on Sunday. 

I so love Sundays at C3!!!  It is so sweet to be a part of a church that believes you should have a blast as you worship God.  God’s not some boring, stiff, quite God, He’s passionate, creative and fun (just look at creation).  And I think He wants us to experience that same passion, creativity and excitement every Sunday.  Even this Sunday I had another parent come up to me and say that their kids were so excited to come to church (imagine that).   

This Sunday was extra sweet in a couple ways.  First, Pastor Byron helped us to see that God wants us to live a life that is full and free.  However, we so often miss that life because we carry around the guilt of our past mistakes.  So what do we do?  We need to be able to forgive ourselves just as God has already forgiven us.  It was an awesome message.  If you missed this Sunday, you can checkout the message online at www.c3orlando.com.

Also this Sunday we made a few changes to C3 Kids.  Our floor space was getting a little cramped for our Power House and Play House ministries, so we moved them into some larger theaters.  Those larger theaters really helped to jack-up the environments.  It gave us a ton more space for the kids to dance, sing and do some cool activities.  Not only that but it also gives our leaders more space to be creative as they help kids have fun as they learn about God.

Then Sundays wrap up with Crave.  I get so pumped at Crave.  We have the most awesome students around.  What I love most about these guys is that they are real, they don’t try to be someone their not and they just try their absolute best to live for God.  Keep up the good work guys – God has some amazing things ahead for you.

I love writing blogs like this, it just gets me even more pumped-up for next Sunday.  Which by the way is Easter, so don’t forget to invite some friends and I’ll see ya at C3. 

Happy Birthday D-Lo