The Big Move-in 1

Ok, friends... as was announced this past Sunday, we have secured new office and meeting space at 118 Great Bridge Boulevard! This has been a long and exhaustive search, and we are grateful for the doors that God has opened (and closed) for us.

As such, we need to move in as quickly as possible. Our staff has begin moving items in this week, but we will certainly need more help moving and unpacking. If you are available any time this week, send me a note via facebook or email (bowens@verticalchurch.tv) to let me know. We are also having a move-in day on Saturday, September 4 from 9am-whenever we finish. Our goal is to get everything we are bringing from storage into the facility by Saturday so next week we can prepare for our Open House on Saturday, September 11 from 2-4pm!

I know this is Labor Day weekend, and there is a hurricane a-comin', but we would appreciate any help we can get. The hurricane should be passed no later than Friday morning, and it looks like we will only get a bit of rain and maybe some wind. Still, be safe!

This is an exciting time! Make sure to be a part of it...

verticalCHURCH... all things point to Christ!

See you soon!

Pastor Brian

Reflections on Portable, Week 1

So many of you have already posted reflections of today. I have read a lot of them, and I agree with them all. It was truly a day unlike any other. We have said similar things so many times in the past few months, that I wonder if this fact loses its punch. Then we have another wonderful experience and I realize that God is changing our default... He is changing our perspective. He INTENDS for us to expect blessings. He wants us to EXPECT His presence and anointing.

For so many people involved in this group of believers, the challenges of the past year have been like wearing cement shoes while swimming in the ocean. Every time we would pull our heads above the waterline and get a breath, another wave would come along and force us under water again. Our family arrived in Chesapeake one year ago this week, and I know the swells I have experienced, but others that were here before are even more waterlogged.

God has been faithful to us despite circumstances that would have completely destroyed most other churches. Some might say that our church HAS been destroyed. She lost her entire leadership team, most of her attenders and a beautiful multi-million dollar facility. I simply disagree.

Have you ever seen a master craftsman restore an old piece of furniture? First he strips away all of the residue... the dirt, the old paint or varnish... everything down to the bare, exposed wood. It is at this point that the piece is at its most vulnerable. It is exposed to the elements, and the potential for irreparable damage is high.

Next, he begins restoring. He sands it to smooth out the rough, exposed areas. Then, he carefully re-paints or stains the piece and seals it with a protective varnish so that nothing can damage the integrity of that piece of furniture again. When he is finished, you have something that was old and ready for the landfill, but has been restored to the beauty that was always there. It was hidden under decades of neglect, but now it is a showpiece that awes and inspires.

Well, friends, the Master craftsman has been hard at work. It has not been a comfortable process to be stripped and exposed, with all of our imperfections bare for the world to see. But now, we are a brand-new showpiece... something to be proud of again.

This past week has been incredibly intense. I have felt it emotionally and physically, but most certainly spiritually. Many see how much we have lost. I don't. I see what we have gained. We have re-gained our reputation. We have gained relationships that have been forged in fire and tested mightily. We have gained a group of people who WANT to be together, no matter what. Most of all, we have gained a laser focus on the cause of Christ that will not be altered or blurred. Our mission is to be a church where ALL THINGS POINT TO CHRIST. If something we want does not line up with this focus, it will be abandoned. Period. We will be about the cause of Christ.

I am so proud to be a part of verticalCHURCH. The electricity in that school building today could have powered the City of Chesapeake. It was a sense of freedom that we could never have given ourselves. It came from God, and it was intense. It was not about one or two individuals, but Christ alone.

Thank you for making this journey with us. You have chosen to fight FOR something, rather than fighting AGAINST something. Will everything be easy from here on out? No. Do we have some challenges ahead of us? Absolutely. Are our best days ahead of us? By the power of the Holy Spirit, there is no doubt.

I have thought about the Israelites and the early New Testament church a lot this week. The challenges they faced make ours look ridiculously easy. Through them, God changed the world. It is worth the fight... as long as we are fighting the right fight... and we are.

We are the church. We are... verticalCHURCH, where all things point to Christ! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Pastor Brian

Words are simply not enough...

to say thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly as we have transitioned out of the Shell RD property. This transition was completed today, and I am so grateful for all that was done.

There is no way I could remember everyone who has helped. It has been an amazing case study in highly motivated people accomplishing an insurmountable task in a very short period of time. Thanks to you all.

There are a few folks that I want to specifically mention:

1. Jim Ballentine, Lou Sarratt and Tom Varella: Don't let these guys fool you. They worked circles around people 1/3 their age, and did it with the best attitudes and commitment. These gentlemen worked so hard, with nary a complaint. Thank you.

2. Stacy Lowe: At the end of the day today, some of us got together and decided that Stacy deserves the gold medal for The Big Move. This lady had invested SO many hours of tireless and mundane work, and did it with pride and incredible organization. Thank you.

3. Kelly and Daniel Jones: Natural leadership is rare... these two have it in abundance. They had worked side by side me and (my) Kelly through this entire adventure, and we have LAUGHED the whole time. Thank you.

4. Stephanie Russell and Christina Kelly: These ladies took several weekdays off to help, especially with organizing our offices. Great job! Thank you.

5. Our staff. verticalCHURCH is incredibly fortunate to have an entirely dedicated and committed staff who love Christ and this church... Pastor Josh and Hope Butcher, Tara Joyner, Angi Baker, Julie Gaumont, Travis Morrison and Betty Clower. No one will EVER know all of the details we have witnessed, but your commitment is not unnoticed, and we would be nowhere without you. I am honored to serve alongside you. Thank you.

6. Our Pastor. The things that Dr. Jim has seen and experienced in this journey would have crippled lesser men. He is truly a servant of God who has stepped out in faith to lead us. His passion for Christ, integrity and commitment inspires us all. Even with Lynette out of town to care for her mother, he has remained fully engaged and supportive as he has lead us throughout this process. He could have abandoned us long ago. I have never worked for a man like this, and I hope to be half the leader he is one day. Thank you.

7. Kelly Owens. I am the luckiest man alive. Kelly has stepped up in this process in ways I never expected, and none of us deserve. She has kept us organized (and kept me sane) through it all, and has worked more hours than almost everyone. I love you, wifey. Thank you.

I know there are many more, and as we go along, I will mention them. We have sorted thousands of markers and crayons, and I think Mrs. Betty's fingers are permanently colored. Travis has loaded and re-loaded the dumpster dozens of times. We have all laughed so much. We have rejoiced in the journey that us ahead of us. I have never experienced anything like it. We have been the church... and now it is DONE and we are FREE!

There are dozens more who helped. Thank you. Your efforts have gone a long way to enabling us to re-focus our efforts to the cause of Christ. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to serve with you and to serve this church.

WE ARE... verticalCHURCH!!!

verticalCHURCH, where all things point to Christ...

I remain excited for what is next...

Pastor Brian

The Big Move Workday III: Last Call

Ok, friends... our final Big Move Workday for the Shell RD facility is tomorrow, July 31 from 10am-? Who's with me?!

It's ON NOW!

Today was the inaugural service for verticalCHURCH. It was a great day! For all vC info, go to www.verticalCHURCH.tv.

The Big Move Workday II

Big things happening today... whew! A TON of information is coming for everyone Sunday, so make sure you are there if you can be!

We will be having another workday this coming Saturday, July 24 from 10am-4pm. If you are able to come, let me know.

Thanks again for all you are doing to make this venture hugely successful. Remember:

Pray
Give
Serve
Stay Connected!

All things point to Christ,
Pastor Brian

July 21

Ok... so I have not updated in a few days. I am so sorry, but things have been happening so fast, it has been a challenge to keep up. Wonderful things are happening...

First, our new church name WILL BE ANNOUNCED this Sunday, July 25! This has ramifications for all of us, so don't miss out! It is incredibly exciting...

Second, we are working diligently to secure leased space that will house our administrative offices, as well as providing areas for weekly activities such as 2twelve services, adult education classes, Bible studies, etc. We will talk specifics on Sunday, and tell you exactly what YOU can do to make this happen!

Third, we are putting the finishing touches on the items we are packing and taking from the building. Due to restrictions, we are limited as to what we are able to take with us, but you all have been so gracious in helping us clean and organize. If you are available to help us in this final phase of the physical move, let me know.

Fourth, Dr. Jim returned to town today after traveling to be with Lynette and her family during the home-going celebrations for her mother. Lynette will be returning soon as well. We have all missed them and will be so glad to have them both home!

Continue to be in prayer as we secure the remaining items needed to complete our portable church system. God has blessed us so much already, and we know that the remaining needs will be met as well.

Remember to do YOUR part: Pray, Give, Serve and Stay Connected!

Pastor Brian