A New Year's Prayer

I was reading through my e-mail this morning and I came across this New Year's Prayer by W.R. Hunt. I pray that it speaks to you the way it did me. Oh that I could live this prayer each day of the coming year.


"A Morning Wish". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W.R. Hunt

"The sun is just rising on the morning of another day, the first day of the new year. What can I wish that this day, that this year, may bring to me?

Nothing that shall make the world of others poorer, nothing at the expense of others; but just those few things which in their coming do not stop with me but touch me rather, as they pass and gather strength:

* A few friends who understand me, and yet remain my friends.

* A work to do which has real value without which the world would feel the poorer.

* A return for such work small enough not to tax unduly anyone who pays.

* A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed.

* A sight of the eternal hills and unbelting sea, and of something beautiful the individual hand has made.

* A sense of humor and the power to laugh.

* A little leisure with nothing to do.

* A few moments of quiet, silent meditation. The sense of the presence of God.

* And the patience to wait for the coming of these things, with the wisdom to know them when they come."


May you have a blessed New Year!


Pastor Bud

Backstage at NH-Ashland

Ever wonder what it's like behind the scenes at NH-Ashland?

Let me, Kevin, know if you are interested in helping out in the theater.

Merry Christmas from the NH Staff

Merry Christmas from the NH Staff from Kevin Rush on Vimeo.

Immanuel!

the voices of children...the story of another child...the Child who came to rescue us in our sin. the Hope of a life offered up for us as we celebrated the common meal of communion...words offered so that we know how loved we are by our Creator.

praying your CHRISTmas was blessed.

Christmas Eve

As we come together this Christmas Eve we'll be celebrating our Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father and Prince of Wholeness on Wednesday evening and I hope that you can come as we celebrate the birth of our new born King together.

Services will be held at 7:00pm. Come - bring a friend, bring family - as we adore God in flesh and love like it has never been seen on this earth. If you are traveling, then we will miss you, but hope to see you again next weekend as we continue to gather and worship our Lord and Savior.

For a child has been born-for us! The gift of a son-for us!He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God,Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. - Isaiah 9:6 (MSG)

A child was born, His name was Jesus. He came because of me - He came for me. God with us.

Merry CHRISTmas

Blessings

Celebrating Thanksgiving

During our thanksgiving eve service we had you and your kids draw and write down what you were thankful for on the table. This video is a mash-up of all the things that the A-town Crew is thankful for.

NH Ashland's Thanksgiving from Kevin Rush on Vimeo.

We are thankful for NH and we are thankful for you!

Grace and Peace,
Kevin Rush

A-Town!

It's Pastor Kevin and I wanted to thank you for all the support and attention this weekend.

Over on my blog I posted a synopsis of teaching at every campus. You might want to check it out to see how I feel about the Ashland Campus and see if you ended up on YouTube. :)

Have a great Christmas and remember what you really need this Christmas.

Grace and Peace,
Kevin Rush

Angel Tree & Mitten Tree

A BIG SHOUT OUT to the Ashland peeps for an OVERWHELMING response of giving during this holiday season. We had over 80 tags taken for the Angel Tree this month.

Also the Hat & Mitten tree was filled with items to help keep those in need warm this winter.

Many families will be blessed this Christmas because of each and every one of you.

It is truly a BLESSING to be a part of such a GIVING and CARING group of people.

Thanks for investing in other peoples lives each and every day.

Blessings,
Pastor Bud

Bagging Hunger - Thank You

I wanted to say Thank You for giving of your Treasures for our last KIA event...Bagging Hunger. It was a HUGE success thanks to ALL.

We collected 40 bags of food to distribute through various charities. And we were able to provide meals for 21 families at Thanksgiving who otherwise might not have had any.

It's because of our investment of Time/Talent/Treasures that we are able to be the Church reaching out to ALL.


Blessings and peace....Pastor Bud

thanksgiving eve family style

a very enjoyable and different kind of experience. a time of celebration and fellowship and encouragement. as we sat around tables and shared stories. exchanged prayer requests and learned a little more about each other. a reminder from pastor bud on where this tradition started (1863) and wrapping it all up with a communion meal and a CHRISTmas carol. very cool stuff. praying that your thanksgiving day was blessed.

Thanksgiving Eve

I can't wait to join together Wednesday evening for our first Thanksgiving service. It's going to be an AWESOME time of Community, Fellowship and Family.

I'm really excited about what's planned for our time together. You wont want to miss it.

So be at the AHS tomorrow evening @ 7:00pm and let's come together to give thanks to our Lord and Saviour.


Blessings,
Pastor Bud

Fallout - Are you Worried?

There are many questions facing us right now in Our Current Chaos around the world!

Are these the end times? What has happened to the economy? What is going on? What should I be doing to prepare for times like these? Is God in control?

As Pastor Charles kicked off our new series, Fallout, two weeks ago he shared with us about Hope! Who do we have our hope in? Is our hope in Jesus Christ?

This past Sunday Pastor Tim shared with us about Unshakable Faith. Do we understand how BIG God really is?

I read a passage this morning that really made me think about these questions. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

It made me think: Am I being tempted by fear of what might happen, or what is happening around me?

This passage reminded me that God is in control, he is faithful, and he provides a way for all who trust in Him through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord!

All is well with the Universe!

Blessings.......

Got Served!

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for all your help at the Ashland Campus' very first Ministry Fair! Everything looked great and everyone really enjoyed all the goodies and snacks that were so generously prepared!

We had 15 people sign up-GOD IS SO GOOD AND SO FAITHFUL to us! I know being on the team is a lot of hard work, but we are really very blessed to be a part of all He is doing in Ashland!

Let's continue to work together to serve our AWESOME GOD and reach out to this community and beyond.

If you didn't get a chance to sign up for one of the many ministries available it's not too late. We have an open policy. Sign up, try it for 60 days, still not sure, try another ministry.


Blessings

Get your Serve on - Free 60 day trial!

Got Serve? God calling you to step-out? Not sure what to do or where you might fit in?

Let us help.

This Sunday Nov 2 at the Ashland Campus we are having our Ministry Fair. What's a Ministry Fair you ask? Come check it out for yourself.

Like to cook? Dig into the Meals Ministry.

Like kids? Check out Hopeland and Xtreme Kidz.

Can you smile and say Hello? Check out our Ushers and Greeters.

Into putting things together then tearing them down? Look into our Setup/Teardown Ministry.

Lights, Camera, Action? Production Teams for you.

Still not sure? Test several.

There will be information available on all the different Ministries you could plug into.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Bagging Hunger!

I've mentioned before one of my favorite things we do at New Hope is KIA (Kindness in Action). Reaching out to the community and showing Christ's love in a practical way.

Our current KIA is bagging hunger. Each of our campus' are collecting food for those in need.

The response has been TREMENDOUS!

Anyone can be a part of this, and we ALL should...just bring any items with you to church this Sunday.

During these difficult economic times it is ENCOURAGING to see the church pull together to help those less fortunate.

Isn't that what we are COMMANDED to do?

"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39


Blessings

A Simple Prayer!

One of our nightly rituals at our house is to pray at bedtime with our children. Just the other night as I was putting my two youngest sons to bed, my 4 year old Camden, asked if he could pray his special prayer. I said absolutely.

What I was expecting was either the Lord's prayer, which is one of his favorites, or something on the lines of "Now I lay me down to sleep....". Anyway you get the idea!

Well what I received was a lesson from God through my 4 year old. This is what he prayed:

We do as You say,
We love You with all our hearts,
We will walk in your footsteps,
We will do Anything as You say,
Amen!

Oh if only I could pray like my son!

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3,4

Blessings....Pastor Bud

What It's All About!!!

This past weekend at our second service in Ashland we saw several people come to Christ! It really hit home personally for me. As I was standing on the stage praying and listening to Pastor Charles give the challenge, God said you need to see this. So, as I rarely do, I opened my eyes and looked up to see my Dad's hand up. He had accepted Christ.

As the tears filled my eyes I turned around to the Worship team and said, "That's my Dad, that's my Dad." The coolest thing was Jimmy and Jerry, our guitar players, were right there smiling and rejoicing with me.

I could be wrong, but as I reflect back on that moment, I believe God gave me a glimpse of how heaven rejoices when one is saved.

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10


Blessings...Pastor Bud

Launch Day - How Awesome is our GOD!!

New Hope Community Church's Ashland Campus 1st service.

This is what we planned, practiced and prepared for. And God showed up in a BIG way! Almost 300 people joined us to WORSHIP our LORD and SAVIOR.

This is WHY we do WHAT we do! Thanks for investing with your Time, Talent, and Treasures!

Blessings....Pastor Bud

ASHLAND in the NEWS!

Check out THIS NEWS ARTICLE on our newest multi-site launching in ASHLAND this weekend.

WAY TO GO ASHLAND LAUNCH TEAM!!! I can't wait until this weekend when we launch New Hope in ASHLAND! We are so pumped about joining our friends, family and other churches whom we admire and partner with in Ashland next weekend!

CHECK OUT THIS SERIES on love and marriage that we are starting this weekend. This is something that I have been looking forward to for a long time. My marriage could use a boost, and I am sure yours could too!

Come out and join us this Sunday in the Little Theater at ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL.

What do you do?

1. Plan on coming with some friends.
2. SLEEP IN! Since it starts @ 11:22! And dress casually! Yes, I will be in jeans!!!
3. Come on in nd grab some free coffee (it will be GREAT coffee, trust me) and snacks.
4. Kids? Drop them off in our amazing Extreme Kids Ministry that will be the highlight of their week!
5. Sit down in the auditorium...you don't have to sign, say or do anything...just relax and enjoy as we walk this spiritual journey together and worship our Savior! No pressure!
6. Leave inspired! (Don't forget to grab your kids!)
7. Go home and watch the Browns perform terribly again.
8. Repeat #1 next weekend! With hopes that #7 will change.

Can't wait to see you there! Questions?

E-mail our Campus Pastor: bud@newhopewired.tv or call: 419-994-1112
Check out our WEBSITE HERE.

Blessings and peace! --Pastor Charles

Transformation....6 More Days!!!

It is AMAZING what has been taking place over the last 3 Sundays as we prepare to launch the Ashland Campus this Sunday September 28th @ 11:22am.

As we transform the Ashland High School into a place of worship, members of the team pray over the seats for the TRANSFORMATION GOD is going to perform in peoples lives.

That's why we do what we do!

I can't wait to see this place filled with people PRAISING and WORSHIPING our LORD and SAVIOR.

Thanks to all who have invested with their TIME, TALENT, and TREASURES!!

Blessings and peace.....Pastor Bud

Praises for the Ages!

I enjoy a lot of the modern worship music we sing.  

However, I am amazed, awed, and fascinated with the Ancient Hymns of the Church.  It is hard to wrap our minds around how profound it all is... that centuries ago our Forefathers in the Faith were singing the same words and phrases, to the same musical arrangements, that we sing today.  

And it's even more fascinating is that it is sung to the same Unchanging God, Jesus! [Hebrew 13v8]

What is your favorite Hymn? 

[vote in the right column of this blog]

If your favorite hymn isn't listed in the survey to the right - add it to the comments.

I am looking forward to uniting this week as we worship together!  Watch out A-Town, here comes OUR AMAZING GOD!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Kevin

Different parts...Different gifts

 

Check out this picture of the new drum cage for the Ashland Campus. This was built by one of the members here at New Hope.

It really is a piece of true craftsmanship.

Seeing this picture made me think of the scriptures I was reading just this morning.


In 1 Cor 12:12-30 God tells us how we are One Body, Many Parts.


These verses remind me that we are each UNIQUELY created to serve a purpose in His body. Each of us are important to Him and to each other.

He has given us each different gifts that He wants us to use for His Glory.

And when we do this it truly is a work of art.

Blessings.....Pastor Bud

the final countdown!

Only 2 more weekends until we launch. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to see what God is going to do on week 1 and beyond!!!

Thanks to all of you for the amazing job you have done and are doing to bring NEW HOPE to ASHLAND and beyond!

I also give a HUGE shout out to those of you who are considering coming out and worshiping with us on Sunday, September, 28th @ 11:22 am...you are bold, brave and about to see how YOU can make a difference and find your place in this world. We're saving a seat for YOU!

I am also excited to kick off our new series that week: Fix My Spouse...You can see what that's all about at www.FIXmySPOUSE.tv

See ya soon! Can't wait to meet you all! And again, a HUGE THANKS to our ASHLAND LAUNCH TEAM! Keep rocking it!

blessings and peace...Pastor Charles

TEAM UP!!!

I had the opportunity to hear a speaker at a conference a few years ago who spoke about his "5 Steps to Success."

The fifth and what I think was the most IMPORTANT was TEAM UP!

What I took away from this was to Team Up meant we were to:

1. COME for each other
2. CARE for each other
3. ENCOURAGE each other

I don't know about you, but that's EXACTLY what I felt at our Launch Team Meeting last Thursday!

Thanks for TEAMING UP!!!

Blessings....Pastor Bud

Moving in at A.U.

This past Saturday was Move-in day at Ashland University and we had an opportunity to bless the people on campus.

We had two tables set up at different locations and we passed out free water, coffee, and muffins to the students and parents.We also gave out free notebooks to the students.

We had a great TIME just sharing with people and I believe they were BLOWN AWAY that we were doing this FREE!

The BEST moment for me was when a young man asked what KIA was. I told him we were just showing God's love in a practical way. He gave me a BIG HIGH FIVE!!

We also had some new faces join our team, friends of Pastor Kevin's, to help us serve. Thanks for being there!

And what a BEAUTIFUL day it was.

How AWESOME is our GOD!!


Blessings....Pastor Bud

Our Job: Creative Arts

Hey Ashland Team!

It's Pastor Kevin and I'm so pumped to be apart of the A-town team to make a BIG IMPACT for the KINGDOM OF GOD!

I was reading an article by a worship ministry in Atlanta recently and it discussed the role of the worship and creative arts team. So I thought I would share a snip-it of the article with you...

Our job as the Leaders and facilitators of these times of worship are to:

Encourage - Encouraging people to connect with God means that sometimes the Worship Leader, and even band and musicians, fill the role of a motivator (or, the dreaded term: cheerleader).

Enable - We give them a vehicle to do so via a well thought-out song set

Enhance - we enhance the corporate worship experience by playing the music WELL, by stimulating their brain and spirit through the best musicianship we are able to offer. You CAN worship with a poorly rehearsed band of hacks and off-pitch screamers - but it ain’t easy!!

Exit - It’s obviously ultimately not about us - the people on stage or running lights or the Front of House mix. It’s our ultimate goal to not be the show, but rather a means through which people are attracted and drawn to Christ. When we receive the glory, whether purposeful or not, then we’ve failed - big time.

[read the full article here]

I pray that we keep these four ideas at the forefront of our minds as we move forward to worship our Lord and bring his Good News to Ashland!

Grace and Peace!

Catching the Vision!!

Every time I walk into this Theater at AHS I see it full of people WORSHIPING our LORD and SAVIOR.

Can you SEE what GOD is going to do in this place to HIS glory?

There is some BIG NEWS for tomorrow nights Launch Team Meeting! Don't miss it!

See you there!


Blessings...Pastor Bud

Children's Ministry???

What do you normally think of when you hear Children's Ministry? Probably the same things I do.

The program and curriculum that the church has put together for my children when we bring them to the weekend services. How will they learn about Jesus this weekend?

Well I learned a new definition this past weekend when I saw my oldest son CJ learning to SERVE in the cafe.

God has designed each of us to serve a purpose in His body. How old (or young) do you have to be to start listening to God to see where you fit in His plan?

Maybe I should get out of the way and let God show my son where He wants him to be in children's ministry.

Blessings....Pastor Bud

Xmas in August

This weekend we launched Xmas in August at NH Loudonville and Wooster. Xmas in August will nearly provide all of the Children Ministry materials and equipment that we need to launch the NH Ashland Campus on Sept 28th.

If you have a little extra money, stop by the Xmas Tree in the lobby and grab a tag and purchase what is needed for the Ashland Launch and join us on our mission to reach and teach the people of Ashland in the name of Christ!

Grace and peace!

It's Really Happening!

WOW!

It's HAPPENING!
It's REAL!

Check out the picture of Pastor Dan unloading and unpacking some of our new equipment for the Ashland Campus.

Can you believe we are only 6 WEEKS away?

Only God!

Hearing the voice of God!

The other day my 8 year old son Nick asked me how to hear God! He said he doesn't hear Him. WOW! What a question from an 8 YEAR OLD! Of course I dove right in.

I explained to him how sometimes God speaks to me when I'm praying or reading and studying His word. How I have to remember to be STILL and LISTEN. Which, if any of you are like me, isn't always easy. I told Nick he just needs to listen to the Holy Spirit inside him. He seemed to understand. I thought that was it! Dad explained everything. WELL......

We had the opportunity to take our three boys to a Toby Mac concert on Monday at the Ohio State Fair. Toby is their favorite artist! As you may imagine it was RAMPED UP!

During one of the songs (I can't remember which now), I looked over at Nick. He had his eyes closed and hands raised in WORSHIP. He was SINGING and PRAISING our Lord and Savior.

I believe he HEARD God that night! And I know for certain I LEARNED about LISTENING for God's voice wherever I am, from my 8 year old son.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matt 18:3

Praise Him!

Why we do what we do!

There are a lot of GREAT stories and pictures from One Service this past weekend but this picture really struck me.

This one man under the tree, the onlooker, the curious one, the SEEKER?

He didn't come to "Church". He didn't have to. Because as the body of Christ we UNITED and brought the "Church", Christ to him.

Will he come back? We don't know. But through us being faithful with our TIME, TALENTS, and TREASURES his life may have been touched for ETERNITY.

Blessings...

Sleeping in Church

Hey All!

WOW! What an amazing time of Worship and Prayer at our 3rd Wednesday service the other night. And what a POWERFUL message. Ed Young spoke about SLEEPING in Church. Not physically but SPIRITUALLY!

He challenged the Church as a whole and each of us INDIVIDUALLY to WAKE UP! One of the passages he quoted was Ephesians 5:14 "Wake up, O Sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you." (NIV)

He basically said if we are only ATTENDING church on Sunday but aren't connected and SERVING we are SLEEPING!

I honestly had to ask myself, am I SLEEP WALKING or FAITH WALKING? What's YOUR answer?

Speaking of SERVING don't forget KIA this Saturday July 19th. We will meet at the AHS around 9:30am and head out to SERVE the community from there. Can't wait to see you all again.

T minus 11 and counting

Hey all! What a great time we had sharing at our most recent Launch Team meeting. It was AWESOME to get together and share the vision of what God has called us to do as His body and each of us individually.

We each have our own part to play that God has called us to in this mission in Ashland. None more important than the other but together to fulfill what He wants to do through us.

As I was preparing to write this I was thinking about the word "launch". What does that really mean? There are several definitions but the ones that struck me most are:

• To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to make a beginning; as, to launch into the current of a stream


• To send out; to start (one) on a career; to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation

God is moving with force and swiftness to send us out to make a new beginning in Ashland . But the "launching" of something is just the start. It is the just the first phase.

We talked about the obedience God called Abraham to with his son Isaac. It was a journey for Abraham with different phases and he was obedient in all phases. God is calling us to the same OBEDIENCE!

Are we being obedient with our Time, Talents, and Treasures? Are we really stretching ourselves? As we continue to meet and prepare for this new adventure God has called us to I would challenge each of us to continue to pray about this. SPEAKING OF PRAYER...see the comments below for our updated PRAYER LIST. PRAYER is the foundation for all that we do. Please leave any new requests/praises under the COMMENTS section this week.

Thanks for being obedient to God's calling in this phase of our adventure together! I am so EXCITED about what God is going to do in the other phases!

Remember....Faith is not believing God can, It's knowing He will!

Blessings

Ashland in Action

Trying my hand at blogging.

I just wanted to say what a great day we had at Ashland Wal-Mart. Truly was Kindness in Action. A bunch of us got together and handed out over 300 free snow-cones and bags of popcorn to the folks coming and going at Wal-Mart.

Just want to say what a blessing it was getting together with such a great team of people to serve the Ashland community. We met some really nice folks and just got to show the love of Jesus. We also got together afterwards for some pizza and pop at our campus location - the Ashland High School.

Can't wait to get together again. Got some great pics of the day and as soon as I get them downloaded I'll post them for everyone to see.

Blessings...Pastor Bud

big news...

Tonight we are interviewing someone for the ASHLAND CAMPUS PASTOR position.

WOW. Please join me in PRAYING big time for wisdom and discernment.

Oh...forgot to tell you who it is:









Can't say yet:)

Have a blessed day! ONLY 12 more weeks...YIKES!!!!

wow.

Hey all! This is a very late report from our KIA Memorial Day Parade Event. You all are amazing!

What an awesome experience from what I heard...it always is when we SERVE in JESUS name! Lot's of momentum happening, so keep PRAYING!

CONNECTION GROUPS are meeting...our cookout is coming soon, we are heating up with a few people skipping around in our search for CAMPUS PASTOR. Pray, PRay, PRAy PRAY!!!!

Vicki wrote this after the KIA Event:

It was a wonderful day! God cleared the skies and warmed the air, giving us another of his magnificent days to go forth and do His work. We distributed over 350 bottles of water - everybody on Main Street, from Union to Claremont was holding a bottle of "New Hope" water. The team did an amazing job of touching hundreds of people. For those who were able to be there - if you have a story to share, please post a comment to Pastor Charles' most recent blog posting.

Here are mine: As a man read the KIA card, he said, "Hey. You're the ones starting a new church here in Ashland, aren't you?" I've been talking to people down at the Salvation Army about you guys." When I told him how wonderful I thought that was, his wife told me that we had bagged their groceries as SavALot (during our first KIA event), and they can't wait until we're up and running.

My most enthusiastic response and words of gratitude came from the men and women of the National Guard as I passed out water to those riding military vehicles in the parade. How joyful that made my heart...that a simple bottle of water, presented with Christ's love, had servicemen and women thanking me. Are you kidding?

Just two stories of how much this stuff matters: to those we seek to serve, but, perhaps, even more to those of us doing the serving. A HUGE thanks to those of you who weren't able to attend, but kept the rest of us in prayer - we couldn't have done it without God's blessing on our day.

Any other STORIES to SHARE? Post them into comments below!

Things are truly HEATING UP big time...we need extra prayer right now. We will start rolling BIG TIME in the next 6 weeks. Are you kidding me...only 3+ months till GRAND OPENING? Here we go...

blessings and peace!

pic:http://flickr.com/photos/dystopos/2009407552/

can't wait.

Hey all! I am sooooo excited about the opportunity this MEMORIAL DAY to SERVE Ashland in the name of JESUS! I look forward to seeing you ALL come out for our Kindness In Action event this MONDAY as we serve people at the parade in Ashland.

Here's the scoop: Meet us at 9:00 in the Home Hardware parking lot for prayer and fellowship and will begin passing water out from 9-10.

QUESTIONS? Call VICKI at 419-651-0641

Can't wait to truly SERVE people and touch their HEARTS in JESUS NAME as we show them the LOVE of CHRIST!

Also...don't forget about CONNECTION GROUPS beginning this week!

And our next LAUNCH TEAM meeting will be a ton of fun at BROOKSIDE PARK (MAIN PARK) for a COOK-OUT on Sunday, June 8th starting @ 6:00! Details to follow!

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and I will see you all there!

ONLY a few months till launch!!!

Blessings!

http://flickr.com/photos/59151119@N00/1306237324/

finally.

It seems like it has been forever. It almost has. I miss seeing you all as a GROUP.

I look forward to seeing you ALL tomorrow @ 6:30!

Need directions or want to join the world's BEST LAUNCH TEAM that will RADICALLY SHAKE UP ASHLAND AND BEYOND? E-mail me: charles@newhopewired.tv

I can promise it will be a very cool time (and not because of the weather finally) and we will be talking about some REALLY BIG NEWS. And I mean BIG. So don't miss it.

pray always.

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/positiv/1612085620/

anticipation.

I can't wait for the Ashland Campus to open. I'm like a kid @ Christmas. How about you?

So don't wait...Let's start the work before we officially open. Let's keep looking with the eyes and ears and heart and hands and feet of JESUS.

Let's start making an impact through serving, through giving, through inviting others from the community to see the NEW HOPE that can only be found in CHRIST.

I am so proud of all of you who are investing and inviting. Pouring out your TIME, TALENTS, and TREASURE.

See ya in a few! I miss meeting, so enjoy the small break and keep PRAYING, SERVING and GIVING to this amazing work that GOD is doing through ALL of us.

Still looking for a CAMPUS PASTOR too...so keep that in focus!

blessings and peace.

weekend.,

Please be in big time prayer about our CAMPUS PASTOR positions at not only the ASHLAND CAMPUS, but our WOOSTER CAMPUS. We need the HEAVEN'S to open and speak.

Pray.Pray.Pray.

Who's your 1? (that you are working on?)

Let's keep INVESTING AND INVITING with our TIME/TALENTS/TREASURE to the OBEDIENT calling of CHRIST!

Here we go!

See ya in a few weeks for our next gathering.

maybe?

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

It looks like Ashland High School will probably be the place. What an answer to prayer. Now the bad part...but it is a good part: 2 SERVICES right away due to the size of the place. Don't think about it, just PRAY.

pray...pray...pray.

Job Openings went out today. We should have a CAMPUS PASTOR and ARTS person lined up in the next few months!

pray...pray...pray!

And let's all bring 1 PERSON TO THE TEAM. We need 100 people by this fall for launch...Who is Your's?

you guys are amazing. keep the passion and dreams alive!

interested in being a part of this team? e-mail me!

blessings today!

finally.

I have a meeting set up to review using the High School as our base for weekends. Pray for this! Tomorrow @ 1:00 PM.

The only issue there is that with only 200 seats we will probably be at 2 services right away. Great advantages and disadvantages to that!

Also pray as we start advertising and looking for the Campus Pastor and Arts Pastor positions this week. Should be up today or tomorrow as we begin. PRAY!

Tonights devotion time will be off the hook, the best ever. Want to know why? Come see.

6:30 @ the Ministry Center in ASHLAND.

And one more cool thing. A church talked about us from their pulpit this past weekend, and it got back to me as it usually does. THEY SPENT 45 MINUTES PRAYING FOR US AS WE PARTNER TOGETHER TO REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST! Insane and only God.

peace.

news, updates and serving opportunities

Hello all! Sorry if you added prayer and praises to a previous post. Could you cut and paste into this one for the current 2 week period? (To add prayer requests or praises, click on comments below). Lot's of hurting people...let's stay on our knees!

You will be receiving information about our KIA/Prayer Driving Event this Saturday beginning @ 2:00 pm (meeting @ the 5 Stones Ministry Center).

Let's get outside the WALLS AND GO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN JESUS NAME!!!! This is a great FAMILY EVENT. Let's show this community our love by our actions not our words only!

Please be in prayer as we begin advertising and praying about a Campus Pastor and a Worship Arts director. Pray for God to move and for us to be faithful in our resources to make this happen. THE POWER OF EVERYONE!

See ya soon! Thanks for sharing in the mission and giving your all!

warming this dreary day up...

Looking forward to our time of meeting tonight! ANYONE OUT THERE WANTING TO COME WHO HAS NOT YET? Come on out...we don't bite. Well, most of us, and those that do, we lock in the back room for most of the meeting...

We meet @ the 5 Stones Ministry offices on Claremont Avenue in ASHLAND.

5 Stones Ministry Center is located on Claremont between Liberty and Walnut Streets (between the Post Office and the AAA office). There is a Five Stones Sign in the front of the building (unless they took it down by now); parking and entrance are on the north side, near the rear of the building.

We have some serious stuff to report tonight and I am looking forward to our time of fellowship, food, food, food, fun, prayer and passion as we seek to rock out Ashland for the KING!

Questions? E-mail me. charles@newhopewired.tv

Believe it our not...ONLY 180 DAYS TILL LAUNCH! That will be here like tomorrow. Thanks to the great Twining team for putting all of this together every week!

THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF CHANGING ETERNITY!

blessings and peace.

late breaking news...

Hey all! Great work on the prayer and praise list this week! KEEP PRAYING!!! WE MUST KEEP UP THIS ALL IMPORTANT TASK as we journey this path. Keep adding your requests and praises on the list.

NOTE: We are NOT meeting this week...see your calendars...our next meeting is scheduled for NEXT THURSDAY, MARCH 27th @ 6:30 pm. Some have called and asked. We will call with details for next week! (Same place for now).

New to this or interested in being a part of the launch team? E-mail me for full details if you are interested! We would love to have you join us.

We will be getting with you after Easter with the small group assignments and will also be having ministry leaders contact you after Easter to begin learning and training. Thanks to all of you who have agreed to host a group, be a part of a ministry team and be in a connection group. This thing is starting to take shape!

You guys rock! Keep up the great work...remember...HE GAVE UP ALL FOR US, so keep giving your ALL for HIM! This is going to be amazing!

Please bring someone...our team needs to reach 100 in the next few months to reach our goal...that's each of us recruiting 1-2 people! Here we go!

TIME.TALENTS.TREASURE= OBEDIENCE

Is it really snoooooooooooowing again? Come on. No snow allowed after they close the slopes.

praying with you.

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/junku-newcleus/417646359/

spring...

For a day.

Wow, lot's going on. Tomorrow we are hosting a luncheon for all of the Pastor's in Ashland to let them know who we are and what we are praying to do as we work together with them to reach the community and world for Christ. PLEASE PRAY ABOUT THIS MEETING over lunch from 12-1:30. We must come together to make a huge impact for Christ. We are not trying to be lone-rangers!

Our gathering this Thursday night is at the same time and same place for now! PLEASE ALL TRY TO MAKE IT AS THIS WILL BE A CRUCIAL MEETING FOR ALL OF US. DETAILS.

THIS IS AN AMAZING TEAM...THANK YOU! You guys rock...thanks for committing to the KINGDOM. Let's keep our commitment levels sky high as it's now time to really get rolling.

And WOW...the Saturday Prayer Driving Event was AMAZING! Make sure to try to make the next one if you can...this the MOST IMPORTANT thing we can do. I can't describe the feelings I had and the passion that poured from me. It was a great spiritual exercise that blessed my soul

Your job: BE IN PRAYER...see the LIST (and add to it!!!!!), Bring a friend, bring some grub, bring your passion, and get out your SALT tonight to melt the icebergs that are supposed to be forming.

New to this place and want to find out more about what is going on @ New Hope Ashland? E-mail me at: charles@newhopewired.tv

blessings and peace...

pic:http://flickr.com/photos/stevewall/417685308/

This Week in ASHLAND!

Prayer and Praise for the week? Leave your requests and praises below on the PRAYER CANVAS by clicking on the "comments". Add something personal or something for the team to pray about. OUR NEW HOPE PRAYER TEAM IS PRAYING OVER THESE REQUESTS, so let's fill them up!

Also...don't forget one of the most important meetings we could ever have is this SATURDAY @ 11:00am. We will be praying over the city and beyond...

We will meet at the Ministry Center where we have been gathering @ 11:00. Can't make it and want to still be a part later in the day or a different day? Contact Vicki@newhopewired.tv for full details or if you have any questions!

Let's keep rollin'! You guys are an amazing team! We'll see ya next week @ our next full gathering...watch for details...and answer this: WHO AM I WILLING TO INVEST AND INVITE TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM?

blessings and peace.

pic:http://flickr.com/photos/webmonk/75191383/

7 months...11 days...

At least that's what the ticker to the right says.

Missed a bunch of you last weekend, sorry for the time change. We are still on this THURSDAY NIGHT @ the same place. DETAILS HERE.

Still interested in checking it out? Come on out for some great food, fun and fellowship! And no, you don't have to bring anything! It's on us.

Vicki or someone on her team will be calling for food assignments.

Can't wait to talk this Thursday. Groups and teams are taking shape and we only have about 8 weeks until our first PREVIEW SERVICE. Wow...it's starting to heat up a bit. Thanks to those who are DREAMING BIG DREAMS for ASHLAND and BEYOND!

Also...log on your prayer requests HERE. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee??

blessings and peace. See ya THURSDAY!

prayer and praise week of February 11.2008

Hey all! Leave your prayer and praise by clicking on the comments button below.

Let's all be praying! It is the power to unlock the mission Christ has us one...

change is good...or not...but maybe?

Not that kind of change...the other kind. That kind of change is good.

Due to a scheduling conflict, we must change the date and location of this week's meeting.

We will meet @ 3:30pm on Saturday (2/9) at the 5 Stones Ministry offices on Claremont Avenue in ASHLAND.

5 Stones is located on Claremont between Liberty and Walnut Streets (between the Post Office and the AAA office). There is a For Sale sign in front of the building; parking and entrance are on the north side, near the rear of the building.

No big meal this time; just bring a snack or dessert to share please.

Also - we need some assistance during and after meetings. We need 3 people to help Lacey out with child care during the meeting (any of you who signed up last time to work with kids?!), and 3 people who can stay for 10-15 minutes to help us clean up, put tables and chairs back, etc.

If you can help out with either of these (and have your spouse take good notes for you at the meeting if you're helping with the kids), we sure would appreciate it! Could you shoot Vicki an e-mail if you're willing to help out (vicki@newhopewired.tv)? We'll also try to make sure that we rotate these tasks through the team; so don't think if you volunteer this week, it's your job forever!

We'll finish up the meeting in plenty of time for you to get to Saturday evening services if you do Saturday's @ the Loudonville Campus.

We will be really hitting some heavy stuff this weekend...so this is a great opportunity to see everyone there! I am excited some of our 2nd shifters can come that day more than likely as well!

And as always...will this be your first gathering? NO OBLIGATION...just come for food, fun and fellowship and hear the vision of what God is doing in Ashland.

blessings and peace...and thanks for your patience. (remember Church [campus] Planting is an ever-changing world! Stability is for sissies...)

NH Conference Room Online

stay tuned...

I hate to have to say this...but stay tuned for details on where our next launch team meeting will be. We are no longer able to meet at the Leadership Center...

We have a new place on Claremont Ave...details to come tomorrow! (And it's a really cool opportunity!)

Watch your e-mails and this blog for all the details. Same time...just a new space!

Welcome to campus planting! You never know what will happen next! I told you all this was an adventure! And a huge thanks to those who have starting giving...it is making a HUGE difference in what we are building toward!

And I also look forward to beginning to reach out to the Ashland community in the days ahead this February. We don't just want to say we are about community impact...we have to do it!

Thanks for being a part of this amazing adventure!

blessings and peace!

recap...

Hello all! What a great meeting we had last night! So glad the cold didn't deter you all from joining us!

Weekly Numberz:
1. Launch Team Attendance: 47 (Goal=100)

2. Giving: Last Night $0 (What???? I guess I'll have to drop a $5 spot in or something to keep that off the board!)

Week: General: $200 Building: $105 (Goal: General $1,500 Building $500)

3. Spirit: Off the hook! What a great night we had together!


For those who were not there, here's a recap:

1. We talked about ushering people into the Kingdom of God and not just attendance or raised hands for feeling of accomplishment. When we truly are ushered into His Kingdom, we will never be the same!

2. We set up our MATRIX...that thing we must fill out so that we might have weekend services!
Will be able to click on our MATRIX soon to see where we stand. Areas of service include:
Set-Up and Tear-Down/Bookstore/Cafe/Ushers/Greeters/Building Cleaning/Grounds/Hopeland Children's/Xtreme Kidz/Kidz Registration/Band/Vocal/Camera Operators/Computer and lighting/Drama Team/Set-Design/Sound/Small Group Leaders and probably a few more! Who knew it took so much to pull off a service?

3. We divided up geographically for Connection Groups, the life blood of our community as we grow together in relationship with each other and our God.

At our next meeting...CALENDAR FUNCTION TO BE UP SOON. (Next meeting: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7th @ 6:30 pm...HERE at Ashland Theological Seminary Sandburg Leadership Center rooms 303-304.)

4. We also talked about giving via whatever campus we are at. It will take all of us to make this happen!

5. We talked about how we are TRULY working with at least one other church together to launch New Hope in Ashland and bring people into BOTH of our ministries...2 MINISTRIES ACTUALLY WORKING TOGETHER ON GETTING PEOPLE INTO BOTH CHURCHES? Now that's a grand idea that someone talked about before...LOOK HERE.

What an amazing thing that God is already doing! We seek to impact Ashland and beyond in a HUGE way!

Stumble across this blog? We would love to have you join us at our next launch team meeting. Don't worry, we have guests every week! No pressure, at least come for the FREE FOOD...

blessings and peace this weekend...

keep trying...and see ya soon.

Nice try to those of you trying to win the $1,000...like we have that in the bank anyway. I did like this one submitted by Brian Stair...though that is not even the first car heading east...but keep up the efforts! (That is the 2nd car heading east bro...but I do think you nailed that car's license plate!) Don't know what we are talking about? DETAILS.

See ya Thursday...we will really start to build from here on out, so please clear your schedules and do your best as we meet only twice a month for the first 4-5 months.

Still need details about the meeting? Get them HERE.

blessings and peace. can't wait to see you all Thursday.

it's a monday...

Hello...cold outside but sunny inside Ashland Teamers! (that was really lame, gag me backwards).

Our next meeting is this Thursday as you know...complete DETAILS. Vicki will call and arrange who will be bringing what for dinner.

Don't forget to bring someone with you or be hard at work recruiting! We must double the size of this team in the next 3 months.

I will be at Berean Baptist Church in Mansfield recruiting in 2 weeks at their weekend services. I will also be pushing hard at the Loudonville Campus over the next 2 months to solidify our team.

As I say everytime...THIS WILL TAKE THE POWER OF ALL OF US STEPPING UP AND MAKING THIS HAPPEN! It really will. We must all have the passion and spirit to make this happen as God has called us to this amazing mission that will change eternal destinies.

Last thing, for those who cannot always make our services, we will provide a tall red box at our meetings for weekly giving. We need to get to around the $2,000/week level as a team in the next 3 months. With all of us being obedient and sacrificing, this will happen!

Thanks for continuing to dream, pray and dig in as we make this thing happen. You are an amazing group of people...

And oh yeah...no one has solved the license plate challenge yet...I'll give you a hint. It's an Ohio plate.

blessings and peace.

update on site location

We are officially in negotiations for the former JC Penny building at the former Wal-Mart plaza. We are excited to possibly be a part of helping to revitalize some commerce on that end of town. That is one of the reasons why we feel we need to be out there.

If we as a church can help stimulate some economic development out that way again...that would be a victory for the city of Ashland! We are here to help in all areas...not just the traditional church areas that focus on themselves and their programs, but to be out there making a positive change in our community.

Pray that the Lord sends the needed weekly "numbers" for us to be able to occupy, renovate and start out in this "tool shed." It' not about a building...

Pray that they accept our first offer.

And I offer $1,000 to anyone who can make out the license plate of the first car heading east on Rt. 42 in the pic...ready, set, go!

And last but not least...it's a tad chilly today.

blessings and peace.

weekly numb3rs

Here ya go...the latest and greatest from our last meeting:

Adults: 30 // Goal: 100 (30%)
Kids: 15 // Goal: 50 (30%)

Weekly Giving: $340 // Needed Budget: $3,000 (10% there!)

We are now giving toward the Ashland Campus. See this POST.

Our next meeting is coming up...read THIS for details...

And we're off!

blessings and peace.

numbers

The folks on the team would like attendance and giving updates for the campus...so I will post those each week as I get them. I am sure they will blow us away...at least I hope, and pray and fast, and...well, you get the point.

In class tonight (oops...guess my ADD is kicking in and I need to get back to full attention)...so, see ya tomorrow!

blessings and peace.

hot off the press...

Here is a brief update for those of you following the journey and who are on the team...oh, and those who will be on the team, but haven't figured that out yet.

• Awesome gathering this week...last week @ the Loudonville Campus. Next meeting (Thursday, January 24th will be in Ashland @ Ashland Theological Seminary, Rooms 303-304 @ 6:30). All meetings will be held here from now on until further notice. The eagle has landed.

• We have around 40-50 expressing interest in being a part of the launch team. Our goal is 100...GREAT START!

• We will begin to give to the Ashland Campus regardless of what campus you attend. On your giving envelope under General Fund there are 2 spots marked other. Simply mark one Ashland General (for giving to the general fund) and one Ashland Building (for building renovation). That easy! I wish it didn't take resources to do this stuff, but I learned a long time ago that most things are not free anymore. Thanks for being a part through giving.

• We will continue to talk about the serving team matrix at our next few meetings until we fill the spots. After that we will begin working at our respective campuses to learn the turf of where we will be serving in the new campus.

• We will start small groups after our next meeting. This is an important part of what we are doing and will lay a foundation for the future. As a big church, we must continually grow smaller. Connection Groups will meet in your area twice a month just like they do now at all campuses.

• Your continued job: 1) Pray 2) Invest (time, talents, treasure) 3) Invite (at least 1 person next time...and guess what, we might hit our goal already if we do that!)

• Sorry we missed you last time...see you at the next meeting. For those who can rarely come...we haven't forgotten about you. We will be producing DVD's of the meetings for you to participate in.

• Find this thing for the first time? You are so welcome to come and take a peek at what is coming to Ashland...no strings attached! Contact me if you have any questions.

Blessings to all of you who are making this journey into all the world possible. You are special. The Kingdom of God is advancing because of YOU. This is already an amazing journey. You guys rock!

blessings and peace.

tonight's the night...

to get your feet dirty...see below post!

but if you can't make it...we will see ya next time.

working on the details of where we will be locating the campus, and apparently we have already caused quite a stir. but it wouldn't be New Hope unless we caused a stir!

blessings and peace.

want to get your feet dirty?

Come join us and get your feet dirty at our next launch team meeting. Jesus walked the dirty, dusty roads, and so are we. We are bringing New Hope to Ashland and beyond.

Not a new church...but new hope. The last thing we need is another church. We need an encounter with the man named Jesus, and our community is all about that.

Ready for some change? We are. Jesus brought radical change, and that is what we are all about. How about you?

Details here. No pressure. All questions, backgrounds and futures welcome.

Blessings and peace. See ya Thursday.

here we go...

Welcome to those who are crazy enough to help bring NEW HOPE to ASHLAND! Isn't God amazing?

This blog will serve as the official site for updates and information about the Ashland Campus...coming in OCTOBER, 2008! (and trust me, the leaves will be falling before you know it!)

I pray all is well with you this week and that you had a great time of seeking the King this Christmas. I have been busy with lots going on...see my BLOG, for full details on my life and other thoughts and news for New Hope at large:

1. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 10th @ 6:30 pm @ the Loudonville Campus. This will probably be our last gathering in Loudonville as we will be moving to Ashland for the rest of our meetings. If you live closer to Loudonville, let's consider carpooling to save resources both natural and financial!

2. So, at our Thursday, January 24th gathering, it will be held at the Sandberg Leadership Center at Ashland Theological Seminary (Rooms 303-304). The Seminary has graciously allowed us to use their amazing facilities for fee...kitchen included! We serve a great God. Now if we can only get the JC Penny people to do the same...we can pray that they will!

3. We will being community outreach events in February or March and will have a preview service in April. (See attached calendar). Always replace your old calendar as these are all very tentative with my schedule that can change, but I am trying to schedule out enough to keep us on track. If you cannot open the attachment and print, please contact my Assistant Vicki: vicki@newhopewired.tv or call: 419.994.1112 and she will fax or mail you one.

A preview service if you are wondering is a full blown service that we will run 1 time and advertise to get more people excited about the vision and possibly attend and join the launch team. We hope to do 3 before our October launch.

Remember...those who were there last time...your assignments:

1. PRAY
2. Bring someone with you next time!

Childcare and dinner will be provided for each meeting from here on out. Vicki will e-mail with details.

If you are interested in coming to our next meeting...come on out, NO OBLIGATIONS! We are all just trying to get to know each other, but if our style of reaching the community for Christ appeals to you and you live near Ashland...come on out...we want to see you there!

Can't wait for all the amazing things that will happen because of YOU and your participation!

PRAYER UPDATES:

Sunday: For Pastor Charles and family as they undertake this task of starting a campus. Pray for our marriage, family and spiritual protection.

Monday: Pray for the New Hope staff as they dedicate themselves to this task.

Tuesday: Pray for us to reach our goal of 100 adults on the launch team. (We are maybe 40% there or more already!)

Wednesday: Pray for the ongoing negotiations on potential space, and then for the money to come in for us to renovate a space to meet at!

Thursday: Pray for hearts to be opened in the Ashland area that need the Lord!

Friday: Pray for our next meeting as we gather for fellowship, encouragement, insight and prayer! Pray for the person(s) you hope to bring with you.

Saturday: Pray for each other and our commitment to this mission! Satan is not happy you are considering this, but I promise you will be a part of changing eternity!

Also: Pray as I preach the funeral for Sandy Humphrey tomorrow. She was dear to my heart, and this has not been a good week for myself or our staff. Please pray for the family and those who loved Sandy. She was so special.

PRAISE UPDATES:

1. We had almost 1,400 people this Christmas Eve in our campuses! The best part was that many trusted Christ and we must pray that they will continue to follow Him with their hearts!

2. Praise God Sandy is dancing with the Angels! That is the hope we will give to Ashland and beyond! All for His glory.

Blessings and peace.