God has not called Relevant to be an institution.  He has called on a mission to become a transforming church that is a part of transforming the world by advancing His Kingdom.  I am extremely excited as I write this blog, because after many months of hard work, God has taken us one step closer toward that mission.

We believe that to function as a transforming church, the following three initiatives should happen simultaneously: culture investment, nation engagement, and church multiplication.  Over the past nine months, we have been working hard to launch our “Culture Investment Ministry.”  This ministry is focused on what we together as a church to help transform our local culture/city (Elkhorn).  The first step in launching this ministry was to discover the biggest need in Elkhorn that is not being met, so we can adequately love and serve the people in our city like Jesus, and in turn have spiritual influence in our city.  To discover the need we have talked to city officials, the school board, teachers, principals, business owners, people living in the area, etc.  Finally, after nine long months, God has blessed our efforts.  We have identified the biggest need, and have put the foundational pieces in place for how we will begin to meet that need. 

The greatest need in Elkhorn is the reestablishment of healthy family units.  Families in Elkhorn are under attack: substance abuse going through roof with minors and adults, foreclosures and unemployment rates are increasing, more students are demonstrating behavioral issues, people contracting STD’s are continuing to increase…to name a few.  When these crisis hit, families are not strong enough to endure them; therefore, divorce rates are climbing, families are spending less time together, and verbal and physical abuse in homes in skyrocketing.  Families are in desperate need of resources, support, encouragement, counseling, and mentoring.  

In August, we launched the Relevant Family Response Ministry.  This ministries mission is to be a support system that helps wholly transform every family member to reestablish healthy family units.  We will achieve this mission of becoming a support system for families in Elkhorn by (1) building relationships with people and families in Elkhorn, (2) providing training and resources to foster healthy family relationships before the onset of a crisis, (3) helping and supporting families navigate through crisis, and (4) coming along side of and supporting local schools. 

When I presented the mission and initial strategy of this ministry to the people of Relevant in August, they were moved to action even though achieving this mission is not going to be quick or easy: sixteen people signed up to mentor and tutor a student in the Elkhorn Public Schools, seventeen people signed up to be on the Culture Investment leadership team, and eleven people signed up to go through an intense training in how to respond to crisis so we can fully respond to people going through crisis in our city. 

Going through this process and getting to the place we are ready to invest into our city in a healthy way has been one of the most rewarded things I have been a part of as the pastor of Relevant.  I know that God is going to bless our efforts, and that He is going to work through us to transform people’s lives, and ultimately transform our city.  

If you are interested in becoming a mentor/tutor in the Elkhorn School District, or joining the Culture Investment Leadership Team, go to the serving page on the website, and fill out the team player questionnaire…indicating you are interested in the Culture Investment Ministry.  The leader of this ministry, Jerry Rainey, will be in contact with you. 

Pastor Ronnie

Yesterday at the worship service I spoke about living the greatest adventure.  My main point was that you will never live a great adventure until you choose to live the greatest adventure of advancing the Kingdom of God.  If you are a follower of Christ and missed the service, I really encourage you to get the podcast. 

In my closing remarks I said that to live adventurously we must take risks everyday.  Everything in our lives is an opportunity to take a risk to love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and proclaim Jesus.  If you start every morning focused on taking risks to do these three things, you will start to live an adventurous life, because this is the riskiest thing you will ever do.  In order to live the greatest adventure we must head into the unknown with God.  This is a vital part of our journey and if we balk here, the adventure ends. 

I judge whether or not my day was a waste or if i lived purposefully by asking myself one question: “Today, did i intentionally love someone like Jesus would love them, serve them like Jesus would serve them, and proclaim Jesus clearly?”  If I didn’t do these things with someone who doesn’t know Jesus, then what did I really accomplish? 

My prayer and my hope is that you will live with this same intentionality.  I know you are searching for a great adventure.  You will not find it anywhere else.

Pastor Ronnie

OK…the title of this blog sounds a little harsh, but that is not the intent. 

As the pastor of Relevant, my passion is to help spiritually transform a community of people, so that God can do transforming things through us.  Jesus’ body is the Church.  Every local church is part of the larger Body. If we all did what we were called to do as local churches…then this world would be transformed.  However, every local church is also a body themselves, and the people are it’s members.  A local church cannot do what they are called to do without every member (person) within that body operating as a fully functioning member of the body. 

At this point, a lot of people may think I am promoting a “membership class.”  NOT AT ALL!  What I am challenging every person in our church to do is take responsibility.  You are an important part of the body.  You are a huge part of what God wants to do in and through us.  What could and should be will not happen without every member of our body doing what only they can do. 

This month is a perfect time to get engaged in a position of responsibility.  Throughout the month we are doing Team Player Reloading.  This is where we reload all of our teams for the upcoming trimester.  If you have never engaged as a Team Player (volunteer)…now is the time. 

Pastor Ronnie

I would like to ask that you pray for Kristy and me today and this week.  We had not yet announced this to the entire church, but we were pregnant again.  Until today.

Kristy had a routine check up today, and they could not find a heart beat for the baby on the ultrasound.  Our baby has passed away.  With Kristy being about 16-17 weeks pregnant her body did not naturally “miscarry” the baby.  Kristy has miscarried before (between 1st and 2nd children), but this time she was much further along.  Last time we only saw a heart beat.  This time we saw the baby moving around her (I am just assuming) arms and legs. 

Furthermore, with her being so far along in her pregnancy we have to make the decision today if they should induce labor for Kristy to deliver the lifeless body, or if a D&C should be done.  We know what it is like to go through the D&C process, since Kristy had to have a D&C for our last miscarriage. 

I ask for your prayers first of all for Kristy.  Pray that God gives her peace and hope today.  I also ask that you pray for our girls.  Pray that they can understand this in the most healthy way possible.  They were excited for the baby.  Also, pray for our decision that we need to make today.  Finally, pray for us financially.  To add insult to injury, from experience we know that it is more expensive to go through the removal of a miscarried baby than it is to deliver a healthy baby. 

In the midst of this we have confidence that God is in control.  We know that He loves us, and that He has never let a little one slip away from His grasp.  We believe that His grace is sufficient for us, and that He knew everything that was going on with our little one. 

Thank you for your prayers!

Pastor Ronnie

A few weeks ago we finished up the “Don’t Waste Your Life” series with a sermon called “Untapped Potential.” Here is the main point of that sermon… “Using your talents for God’s Kingdom is not just something you choose to pursue, but a calling you must choose to accept.”  I am pumped that so many people at Relevant are using the talents God has given us for the Kingdom, but I realize that some of us may not even know what talents (gifts) we really have.  Therefore, below is a link to what is called a “Spiritual Gifts Test.”  This inventory (from Willow Creek Community Church) is not a fool proof system by any means, but I think it is helpful if you have never done one.  If you have never done one, I really challenge you take a few minutes to do this.  Be as honest as you can about who you are, not what you want to be.  Then…ask God how you can start using your talents more alongside of Him.  Just a couple of suggestions if you choose to do this…

• Do the test 1^st w/o looking at the other two documents (spiritual-gifts-test). 
• Do the scoring sheet second w/o looking at the definitions (spiritual-gifts-scoring). 
• Finally, evaluate you score sheet against the definitions (spiritual-gift-definitions). 

Is there alignment between what you are doing, and what your gifts/talents are?  How can you start using your talents more alongside of Him?  Have fun with this!

Finally, you heard me tell everyone on Sunday that I am not going to be leading everything anymore.  We have worked hard to get leaders in place so that we really can function more as a body.  WE are the body…not ME.  I am going to work hard not to be the leaders in every area, not to stick my nose into everything, not to have my hand on everything, and to let our leaders lead.  I am excited how God is going to bless us in that. 

I am humbled that God has called me to be the pastor of this awesome church, and truly believe that He is going to do amazing things in and through this BODY!  

Pastor Ronnie

It is so exciting that God has called three of Relevant’s college gals to engage a nation this summer to help spiritually transform people.  Jamie Gosch and Alicia Brown will be spending six weeks in South Africa, and Hannah Gegenbach will be spending six weeks in Uganda. 

It has been so fun to see God working in the lives of these three ladies; watching Him spiritually transform them, and giving them a heart to help spiritually transform other people.  They have all worked so hard to raise enough money to spend a large chunk of their summer in Africa working in orphanages, doing vacation bible school programs with kids who don’t know Jesus, and serving people in need.  Furthermore, it has been a blessing to financially “send” these girls and cover them in prayer as a church. 

All three of them leave this week, and need our continued prayers. I can’t wait for them to get back to hear what God did in and through them!  Please be praying for all three of them over the next 6 weeks.  Pray for God to use them in powerful ways.  Pray for needs to be met.  Pray that God spiritually transforms people through them.  Pray that God protects them!

Pastor Ronnie

At the end of yesterday’s sermon called “Worthless Investments,” I gave the challenge to commit to re-align how we handle the treasure (money, finances, wealth) that God has given us (If you missed the sermon, you should listen to it on podcast).  Afterwords, I talked to a few people who really wanted to do this, but didn’t know how.  So, here is a budget worksheet that can help you (budget-worksheet1).  Below is an explanation of how to navigate through this worksheet.  If you do this, I think this is really going to help you take steps in the right direction financially.

Pastor Ronnie

Budget Spreadsheet

Fill out the attached spreadsheet as accurate as possible with a realistic working budget.  Here are a few things to consider as you are filling out the budget

• MAKE SURE YOU ONLY TYPE NUMBERS UNDER THE MONTH SIDE.  THE EQUATIONS ARE ALREADY SET IN THE WORKSHEET AND WILL FIGURE THE YEAR AMOUNTS AS WELL AS THE PERCENTAGES. 
• Only work in both spouse’s income if you are married and will be living off both incomes
• Your over/under cannot be in the negative, so you may have to decide what expenses to cut out
• Try to keep fixed expenses as low as possible

Budget Method

Discuss what budget method will be most suitable for you to maintain your budget sufficiently.  In order to maintain your budget you must both (if married) agree on a method that suits your needs and is easy to maintain.  Here are a few examples (but not limited to these):

• Check/Debit Card System: Much like the credit card system below, but a check register is used as well.
• Credit Card System: All variable expenses and as many fixed expenses as possible are put on credit card and one check is written at end of month after recording expenses from statement
• Envelope System: Envelopes are kept in the house with the variable expenses written on the front of them.  At the beginning of the month the specified amount for that expense is placed in the envelope and withdrawn at time of desired spending

Budget Facilitator

If married, who will facilitate the budget and communicate to the other partner the progress of the budget?  How will this be done on a day to day basis (computer spreadsheet, budget book, etc.)?

If I have said it once, I have said it 1000 times.  We are not trying to build the biggest church in the city.  We are trying to lead people toward living a transformed life so that we can transform the city.  Therefore, I do not believe what is going to transform our culture is trying to get as many butts in the seats as we can.  However, I do believe that there will come a time in some people’s lives where coming to Relevant is the exact thing they will need to take a step toward Jesus on their spiritual journey. 

Most new people come to Relevant from a personal invite, but there are some people who may need to step into Relevant who don’t know anyone who goes here.  How will they hear about it?  That is why we do  “Culture Marketing.”  We don’t think any of the marketing that we do will make someone who is unchurched all of a sudden want to go to church.  The purpose of our culture marketing is to infuse Relevant into the minds of the people in our culture, so if and when they ever feel like they need some help on their spiritual journey, Relevant is the 1st place they think about. 

We have tried a lot of different things with culture marketing: invite cards, invite emails, yard signs, billboards, etc.  One of the things we have never tried is radio advertising.  Not anymore.  Starting in June for the next three months Relevant will have a commercial on Q98.5 (www.q985fm.com).

Here is what the commercial sounds like (q98-relevant-commerical2).  Please pray that people who God wants to spiritually transform will hear this and respond.  Also…I know I sound like a complete dork.  DON’T MAKE FUN OF ME!

Pastor Ronnie

There are less that two weeks left to sign up for a summer small groups.  All summer small groups start the first week of June and go through August. 

I realize that there are many people who have started attending Relevant who can’t even believe they are attending a Sunday Service as consistently as they are, and the thought of joining a small group seems like a HUGE commitment.  I understand.  If you have never been in a small group, it can seem like a scary step.  I could sit here and tell you that it won’t be weird, you don’t have to know anything about the Bible to go to one, no one is going to make you share you dirtiest secret, and kool-aid will not be served.  However, I am guessing that those things alone will not settle the uneasiness in your stomach enough to actually sign up.  So, all I am going to do to today is challenge you.

If you want to take a step forward on your spiritually journey…If you desire to build some relationships with other people…if you desire to understand how Jesus wants to relate to you every day…if you want to be a part of other people’s lives…then I challenge you to sign up for a group this summer.  Summer small groups only last 12 weeks.  It is a short time commitment, but I believe God can really do something amazing in your life during that time.

Visit the small group page.  You can sign up for a group right there.  Online sign ups end on May 30th.  Hope to see you in a group

Pastor Ronnie

Our mission is to spiritually transform people who transform their cultures.  How can we measure if we are being successful and taking steps toward that mission?  This question is the reason we divide the calendar year at Relevant into three trimesters (4 months each): Spring, Summer, and Fall.  At the end of every trimester we focus on what God wants to do in and through us over the next four months to take steps toward achieving the mission He has called us to.  Then, at the end of every trimester we take a look back to see if we actually took steps forward.

May 1^st starts the beginning of the summer trimester.  I know we are yet to be the transforming church God wants us to be; however, looking back at the Spring trimester, I see that we have definitely taken steps in the right direction.  Below is a “Progress Report” chart that explains how we have taken steps forward in some different areas up to this point.  As you read over this, my prayer is that you become as excited as I am about how God has worked thus far.

* = (1) Supported a missionary to Austria, (2) Haitian earthquake relief

This Sunday is our Summer Relaunch Service.  We are going to start doing baptisms at every Relaunch Service starting this Sunday.  I can’t wait for Sunday.  Baptizing people is one of my favorite things to do, because of what it means and signifies.  We would like to see everyone at Relevant who should be baptized, get baptized this Sunday.   However, a lot of people have asked me what baptism means, and if they should be baptized.  In order to help answer those questions, below is a quick synopsis of what Relevant believes about baptism.  Some of your questions may also be answered in the sermon I gave on baptism on 11/15/2009, which can be found on the podcast.  If after reading over this and listening to that sermon, you feel like it is time for you to “take the plunge” :), sign up on the website by Friday.  If you have any questions, or would like to talk more about baptism, please feel free to call or email.  We would love to help you work through everything.  Finally, to get an idea of what a baptism looks like at Relevant, I have included a picture from our last baptism service from November.  As you can see…it isn’t that scary :)! 

Pastor Ronnie

What Relevant Believes about Baptism

What does baptism mean?

·        Baptism does not make you a Christian: Baptism publicly illustrates what took place in a person’s heart when they became a follower of Christ  

·        Baptism illustrates a follower of Christ uniting with Jesus’ death and burial: Baptism is a symbolic water grave that illustrates the death and burial of a person’s old, sinful life when they become a follow of Christ by putting their faith in Jesus (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

·        Baptism illustrates a follower of Christ uniting with Jesus’ resurrection and new life: Every person who puts their faith in Jesus goes from spiritual death to spiritual life.  For Christ followers, baptism is a symbolic resurrection to a new Christ-centered life free from the slavery of sin (1 Cor. 15:3-4, Rom. 6:4)

When is a good time to get baptized?

·        When you become a Follower of Christ:  As soon as you have put your faith in Jesus by asking him to be the forgiver of your sins and leader of your life, you can and should be baptized.  There is no reason to delay!  If you’re waiting until you’re perfect, you’ll never be ready. (Acts 8:36-38)

Why get baptized?

·        To publicly declare a new association to follow Jesus – someone other than whom you have been following before: The act of baptism is as an outward expression of an inward decision

·        It connects and binds us to the community of faith: Baptism is not just an individual experience.  When a person is baptized into Christ, they are joined with his body (the Church).  (Rom. 12:13)

·        To follow Jesus’ example (Mark 1:9)

·         Jesus commanded it (Matt. 28:19-20)

How does Relevant do Baptism?

·        Baptism by immersion: Others hold varying thoughts and traditions related to baptism, but from where Relevant stands, the metaphor of immersion is both dramatic and significant.  Through baptism we are drenched in God, enveloped in God’s presence, and brought from death to life.  The water grave is a perfect expression of this reality

·        Infant Baptism: Some denominations choose to baptize infants.  While we recognize the right of other churches to practice infant baptism, we understand Scripture to teach that only professing followers of Christ qualify for baptism.  Baptism does not make you a Christian, rather it shows you believe.  At Relevant, we practice the dedication of infants, rather than the baptism of infants. 

We call all of our volunteers at Relevant…Team Players.  Not just because it is a cool name, but because we really believe that advancing God’s Kingdom is a team sport that must be done together.  The entire church needs to be engaged as “players” for God to do what He wants to do through us.  The more people we have on the sidelines…the less we can accomplish!

During the last month of every trimester, we try to reload all of our teams in preperation for the upcoming trimester.  April is the final month of the Spring trimester.  That means, throughout this month, we are reloading all of our teams for the Summer trimester. 

Are you a team player?  I challenge you as much as I possibly can to engage as a player on one of the teams at Relevant.  Why?  Well…just read through Exodus 18.  Here is what you will discover.

1. People will burn out if we don’t operate as a BODY!
2. The process of advancing God’s Kingdom is way too slow with only a few people doing it
3. Getting engaged is the first step toward “bigger” leadership in the future.

If you are not a team player, please engage!  There are a number of teams to choose from.  It is only a 4 month (trimester) commitment.  Go the the serving page and fill out the team player questionnaire.  We will follow up with you quickly and get you engaged. 

Our mission at Relevant is to spiritually transform our cultures.  You are a huge part of this!

Pastor Ronnie

This Sunday is Easter Service.  I am so excited for this service.  Not just because we get to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but because this is a day I believe many lives can and will be spiritually transformed. 

There is something special about Easter.  God seems to move in a special way on this day.  Is there something mystical to this day?  I don’t know.  All I know is that I have seen people who were uninterested in Jesus come to church on Easter (because it is the religious thing to do) and be completely transformed. 

So…I challenge you!  I challenge you to come to service this Sunday.  I challenge you to open up your heart and life to the possibility that God wants to do something amazing in you.  I challenge you not to just show up becuase it is the religious thing to do, but to come expecting that Jesus is going to spiritually transformed you…regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey.  It is going to be an amazing Sunday.  Don’t miss it.

Pastor Ronnie

One of Relevant’s bass players, Kayla Williams, has been in Haiti doing work with children for the past week, and is there for at least another week.  As you can imagine, she needs our prayers!  Here is a link to her blog that she is trying to keep as updated as possible while she is down there.  Please stay caught up on Kayla, and more importantly, please be praying for her!

www.kwilli00.blogspot.com

Last week I had a really good friend of mine named Dan Thompson who is the pastor of Crossroads Church in Lincoln, NE tragically pass away after a bad accident on the interstate.  I have known Dan since I was a teenager (my parents attend Crossroads), but over the last 5 years he has really become a great friend of mine.  Dan was more than just a friend, he was a HUGE encouragement and blessing to me. 

When I was in the preparation phase to launch Relevant I met with over 40 pastors to ask them if they would be willing to financially support Relevant as we worked to start it.  Every church and pastor told me NO, except 2…Dan and Crossroads being one of them.  Dan and Crossroads church have been an enormous blessing to me and Relevant.  He was one of the few pastors who was always there for me, giving me guidance, wisdom, encouragement, and feedback.  I love this man…and I am going to miss my friend deeply. 

Dan loved Jesus with all of himself, so I know He is loving life today.  However, I ask that you pray with me for Crossroads Church.  They just unexpectedly lost their pastor of 25 years…without any warning.  Crossroads has spent many hours in prayer for me and Relevant, so I am asking you to please pray for them today.  Pray that God gives them peace, that He unites them, that people come to know Jesus through this, that leaders emerge to lead them forward.  Please pray!

Pastor Ronnie

We are focused on being a transforming church that is part of transforming the world.   We do this corporately together by being focused on our three T-CHURCH initiatives: Culture Investment, Nation Engagement, and Church Multiplication.  One of the ways that we stay focused on this is by giving 25% of all of the offering received within Relevant to these three initiatives…which is one of the reason I am raising my entire salary this year.  We have not yet developed how we pursue all these initiatives, but are working hard at it.

Until we identify a nation of an unreached people group that we are called to engage in long term, we have asked God to show us where to invest.  A few weeks ago a young lady named Tera Sharp (who is a good friend with our Worship Leader, Mike Rhoades) contacted me and told me that she was a missionary in Austria w/ the EFCA.  She has been back in the states raising support so that she can go back there and carry on the work God has called her to.  After talking to her for quite a while and hearing what God had called her to, we chose to financially and prayerfully support her as a church.  This is so cool, b/c she is the first missionary that we are part of “sending” oversees to a people group that truly needs Jesus.  Here is her story!

Who I Am: For a year and a half I was in Innsbruck, Austria working as a missionary with the Evangelical Free Churches of America (EFCA).  I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and rejoice with the opportunity to continue serving.  I am originally from Nebraska, where I graduated from high school and college.  Now I am dedicated to serving where God leads me.  And the next stage is to return to Austria to continue my work there.

Innsbruck: Innsbruck, Austria is a city of 135,000 people.  It is situated in a valley with the Alps mountain range towering above it.  It is a beautiful place, but terribly dark spiritually.  The state religion is Roman Catholic, but the churches are poorly attended.  The younger generations have given up on God and religion.  Only about 0.5% of Austrians are Christian.

What I Do: supporting and helping lead both the middle school and high school youth groups, programming and leading the summer English Camps, mentoring individuals from youth group, beginning a new rock-climbing sports outreach, supporting the church by participating on the worship team and operating the technical duties, tutoring in English as an outreach tool, learning German by attending intensive German classes

Please be in prayer for Tera Sharp as she gets ready to head back to Austria in the next couple of weeks. 

Pastor Ronnie

I feel so blessed that God has called Mike Rhoades to be our worship band leader.  God has given him some awesome gifts.  I can’t imagine Relevant without Mike. 

Recently, Mike has felt that he was supposed to start writing and producing music of his own…so he has.  A couple weeks ago Mike released three songs on Amazon.com.  You will be blessed by his music.  I strongly recommend getting this EP.  The link directly to the EP is Rhoades EP on Amazon

Pastor Ronnie

This is the last week you can sign up for the spring trimester of small groups.  I encourage every person at Relevant to be connected in a small group.  I would not encourage this if I did not believe in what they can do to help spiritually transform you.  By connecting in a small group, I truly believe you are going to be spiritually challenged and take steps forward on your spiritual journey.  I also believe that by connecting in a small group, you are going to meet some people you really connect with, and can start developing authentic relationships with. 

Many people are Relevant are new, and are nervous about going into a small group environment becuase they don’t know what to expect, don’t know anyone, feel like they are going to be put on the spot, etc.  My suggestion to you would be…GIVE IT A SHOT!  Spring small groups start the first week of February and only last through April.  All small groups are starting at the same time, and will end at the same time.  They are not established groups where everyone knows one another, and you are going to be on the outside of a “clique.”  It doesn’t matter how much you know about the Bible…how shy you are…how many questions you have.  Our small groups are designed for people like you.

If you feel a tug on your heart to connect in a small group I really encourage you to sign up this week and NOT WAIT!  Our next small groups sign ups will not be until May.  Connect in a small group today, and see what God wants to do in your life!

Pastor Ronnie

At Relevant, we give 25% of offerings received away – 8% specifically going to Nation Engagement Initiatives.  Due to the devastation that has taken place in Haiti the past couple of weeks, we believe that we need to financially engage that nation…so we have.  Through of our affiliation with the Christian and Mission Alliance, God has provided us with an excellent way to help Haiti financially through Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA). 

CAMA, the Christian and Missionary Alliance relief and development arm, is gearing up to assist survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on January 12. According to a CNN report, the death toll may top 100,000. The hospitals are gone, and medical supplies are desperately needed. About 3 million people-one-third of Haiti’s population -were impacted by the quake.    

In partnership with parachurch organizations already on the ground, CAMA will provide immediate assistance-including clean water, emergency shelter, medical aid, and other necessities-as well as long-term help in rebuilding efforts, integrating Jesus’ message of redemption with practical acts of compassion.   “A compassionate response during a disaster tangibly expresses Christ’s love and opens doors for other ministries,” says Phil Skellie, CAMA’s president.

Everyone who has given at Relevant is part of engaging Haiti.  However, if you would like to donate more to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund, please go to this link, scroll down, and click on the red “Give Now” box- http://www.cmalliance.org/give/relief/

Thank you for being a part of helping transform our world!

Pastor Ronnie

I have to share this story of life transformation with you.  Not just becuase it is a reminder of why we do what we do, but becuase it is a reminder about who our God is!!!

“Ivan” is a friend of mine who lives in Birmingham, AL.  He has come up to visit us in Omaha many times since August.  Over the past few months, we have had some really good spiritual conversations.  He has always told me that he was against Christianity, the church, Jesus, etc.  Well…everything changed last night.

Through months of prayer and conversation, Ivan’s life was radically changed yesterday.  He is in town visiting, and came to service at Relevant yesterday.  At the end of service, a lady from our prayer team felt like she needed to pray with Ivan.  She approached him to ask him if she could pray, and he said yes.  At the end of the prayer she told him that she believed God was working on His heart.  After church Ivan asked me if we could talk.  So, last night we went to Starbucks.  For almost two hours we talked about his spiritual journey, his spiritual questions, his fears.  At the end of the conversation he said that he believed Jesus was tugging on his heart, but that he was afraid to surrender his life to Jesus.  He said he felt like there was another force keeping him where he was at.  I explained that there was another force pulling on him, and it was Satan.  We talked more and Ivan told me that He really wanted to put his faith in Jesus, but didn’t know how.  I explained how, and Ivan said he was ready.

So, we drove back to my house.  With Kristy and a few of our friends, Ivan prayed in my kitchen.  He put his faith in Jesus, asked Him to be the forgiver of his sins and the leader of his life.  Ivan surrendered his life to Jesus last night in my kitchen.  THANK YOU LORD!

My God is a powerful God!  No one is our of reach for my God.  My God is sufficient for all.  My God’s arms are open to all.  My God is ready to forgive all.  My God is ready to set all free.  My God is a the God who gives life!

Pastor Ronnie