WOW…it’s been over six months since my last communication and I sincerely apologize for the delay. In no way has this been one of those nothing-happening/nothing-to-say seasons. Actually, so much has happened and is happening that it’s hard to believe we’re already in November.

For starters, we launched our Missional Communities back in August as a way to maintain a missional church culture while we continue to grow as a church family. In fact, we define Missional Communities (MC) as “a family (of 20 to 50 people) who exists to serve a particular neighborhood or network of relationships in order to make disciples who make disciples.” Presently, we have 10 different MC’s meeting weekly throughout Atlanta metro. James Roberson, our newest pastor on staff is overseeing the process (click here to read more about James and his family).

In early September, 30 lay leaders from both Blueprint Church and Midtown Bridge Church began a 10-month lay leaders institute called Imprint. Twice a month, these leaders connect in a cohort-based discipleship program learning how to navigate through the scriptures, tackling topics such as missional living and biblical manhood/womanhood (see pic below).

Larry Grays teaching at Imprint

The fall also marked the beginning of our college ministry, Anchor. Students from several of the local colleges and universities have frequented our church since we started last year. We now have a way to keep them encouraged and equipped to do ministry where life exists for them. Anchor will be hosting its first annual conference this upcoming weekend (November 4-6). It’s an awesome opportunity for college students and young singles to connect with peers, hear what it means to have a biblical worldview, enjoy an evening concert, all within a retreat atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register.

Children’s clothes & toy drives, membership meetings, and mission’s trips are just a few of the upcoming ministry efforts at Blueprint Church. We’re pleased the Lord would use us in this way, and we are dependent upon Him for our every step. Your ongoing prayers and financial support serve as fuel for us to continue to do what we’re doing.

Special thanks to the following partners for their generous gifts and prayers:
The Cecil B Day Foundation
Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA
Georgia Baptist Convention

January was quite a month for Blueprint Church.  We began our Sunday services during some of the coldest Atlanta temperatures in years.  The Relapse Theatre where we’re meeting (actually a former church building) doesn’t have the best heating system.  In the middle of winter, that’s tough.  Yet, our volunteers stepped up tremendously and made our initial series, Unleashed a huge success.

In fact, one of our volunteers had this to say about our young journey:

Last year, a friend from college told me I should check out this church that was going to be launching in Atlanta.  I had no idea that just a couple months later I’d be growing, building meaningful friendships, and serving at Blueprint Church.

Since coming to know Christ as my Savior, I’ve brought a lot of zeal and fervor to serving God and sharing the gospel, but I began to realize my methods didn’t always reflect my Master. I’d been seeking God for biblical and practical guidance in those areas and my prayers were answered with the Upload and Unleashed series, as well as the regional groups.

Those series were inspiring, yet challenging, and opened my eyes to the concept of doing ministry where life exists. The discussions we had in our regional groups, along with the sermons, helped me understand that ministry is more than just preaching Christ; it’s building relationships with people coupled with a genuine love and concern for them that extends to eternity.

But not only have I been acquiring knowledge at Blueprint; I’ve also gained a sense of community, which is an integral aspect of the Christian walk. We enjoy freedom in Christ together and we also pray for, encourage, and challenge one another in the Lord.  Having that connection with other members and wanting to help in anyway possible led me to volunteer to serve, and although I was apprehensive about working in the Children’s Ministry, I now look forward to doing so as it brings me great joy.

Altogether, I am thrilled about how God is using Blueprint to impact my life and the lives of others in such a way that equips us to change the world.

Caresse Spencer

This is just one example of individuals and families who are plugging in and finding community through our environments.  On Sunday, we will be highlighting the importance of connecting within “circles of trust” as we prepare for Group Link, the official launch of our small groups.

Please know that your prayers and support are not only appreciated, but making a tremendous difference in the lives of so many.

Verses 24-33

“And you said, Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live.25 Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die.26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?27 Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it. 28 And the Lord heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the Lord said to me, I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.29 Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!30 Go and say to them, Return to your tents.31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.33 You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”

Psalm 81

Verses 11-16

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever.16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalm 95:5-10

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter my rest.”

I’ve been both inspired & PROVOKED by the efforts of a couple of dear friends to embrace the Sabbath and engage with family.  My wife and I have extremely busy lives SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY…that’s right, MONDAY for us actually begins on Sunday.  All the more reason for us to be intentional on the days we choose to unplug.

With that in mind, we’re modifying how we do LIFE on Saturdays and beginning to treat it as a Sabbath.  I’d be the FIRST to admit that it’s not easy, and we barely have a couple of consistent Saturdays where we’ve actually Sabbath(ed)!!!  I mean, just yesterday there was a TON of basketball & football games being televised and there were SEVERAL occasions I was  tempted to call, email, and tweet!!!

In those moments, I reminded myself of the scripture, “What does it profit a man to TWEET the whole world and lose his soul?”  Ok, maybe that’s not a passage from the Bible…the point is it’s not EASY to unplug.  We’re making the adjustments NOW, so we can offer our best to the areas where we’re most passionate.

Quick shout out to Jarrett & Jeanne Stevens for reminding me of what’s really important…be sure to check out the AMAZING work their launching in the Windy City!

Day 5 of Seven

Matthew 6

Verse 31-34

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

James 4

Verse 13-17

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit–14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Day 6 of Seven

Psalm 37

Verses 1-6

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

Chapter 55

Verse 22

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 62

Verses 1-2

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Verses 5-8

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”

Verses11-12

“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.”

Proverbs 16

Verses 1-3

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

James 5

Verses 6-11

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve heard this statement, I’d probably be “ballin-out-of-control!”  Sadly, it’s been many of my peers in ministry who have designated this day as being “the DEVIL’S day!  Doesn’t everyday belong to the Lord?  And, isn’t it He who’s given us the choice/opportunity to do during the day what we believe pleases Him?  Or maybe David (arguably one of the greatest & influential kings of Israel) misspoke when he said, “This is the day the Lord has made.” (Psalm 118:19)

So, how did the devil get his own holiday?  Perhaps a better and more serious question is “why would we give him this one?”  Think about it, the activities surrounding Halloween scream AWESOME!!!

Bobbing for apples.  Handing out candy.  Parents having a BLAST with their children.  That sounds like an “OFF DA HOOK” party to me!

At Blueprint Church, we’re using Halloween this year to have our own BLOCK PARTY!  We refuse to allow this one day of the year, when parents & kids alike are out enjoying the evening, be the time we go hide and find something more Christian to do?  For us, the Christian thing to do is to join up with our Regional Groups (in multiple settings) to have fun while building new relationships and connecting with some of the local “trick or treaters!”     This is just one of the ways we’re allowing our words & actions to be congruent:  The gospel changes people and people change the world!

If you’d like more information, feel free to visit our website, or if you’d like additional details regarding our locations go ahead & email one of the bruhz below who lives closest to your area.

•    North Region (Marietta/Perimeter area): Sam Dula (sam@blueprintchurch.org)
•    Northeast Region (Decatur area): Dhati Lewis (dhati@blueprintchurch.org)
•    Central: John Onwuchekwa: (john@blueprintchurch.org)
•    South: Amisho Baraka (amisho@blueprintchurch.org)

Looking forward to seeing you & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Sketch of Blueprint Weekend

August will be a landmark month in the life of Blueprint Church. We’ll close out the summer with two events that will highlight what is to come for us. Mark your calendars and invite a friend.

Don’t Waste Your Life Concert – Reach Records
Saturday, August 29 – 7:00 p.m.
Georgia World Congress Center
http://www.reachrecords.com/dwyl/

Introductory Service
Sunday, August 30 – 10:30 p.m.
Goergia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
http://www.blueprintchurch.org

Our team is working diligently as we prepare for this weekend. Many of them have just relocated to Atlanta and have hit the ground running. Please pray their transition will be smooth. Also, if you or anyone you know is interested in serving during this weekend as a volunteer, please contact Laura Ashby at laura@blueprintchurch.org.

We will keep you posted and would LOVE to see you during this weekend!

Rule #1 (and it’s the only rule): NO RIDING ALONE ON THIS LIFE-LONG ROLLERCOASTER!

Seriously, before I provide my routine-confession, let me pose a quick question: Have you ever read an article or book (OR BLOG) and in that particular moment, the content was SO ON POINT with your life, making it almost feel like you wrote it?  Or instead of you writing it, you felt like someone just pulled your card & read everything in your mental-inbox?

I know I ain’t the only weird person who’s felt that way before!  Maybe once or twice you quote a person & GIVE THEM CREDIT, then after awhile you begin to say, “I’ve always said…!”  Yo, preachers do it all the time.  It’s like they’ll hear a sermon one day and enjoy it so much that the next time up, they’re preaching that meaningful message as if it came from on High!   

For the record, let me just say there will be NO BITING HERE (well, I don’t have any intentions on BITING)!  

I think it’s proper to give credit where credit is due because we’re not on this life-journey alone (although it often feels that way).  There’s so much to learn from so many that only a FOOL would try to have all the answers and take all the credit!

I have a GREAT & DEAR FRIEND who decided to give my wife and I some love on his blog yesterday (http://www.blackinformant.com…good lookin out Duane)!  The kindness he showed us along with an additional blog I read this evening(from someone whom I’ve never met) helped me regain the healthy perspective I needed to close out the day with my FAM.  The timing of the two couldn’t have been MORE PERFECT!  God truly is the best at “restoring the soul!“

The 2nd blog is from a pastor in Charlotte, NC (the Queen city baby) Pastor Steven Furtick who’s the lead guy at Elevation Church.  He had a recent blog (see below or check him out at  http://www.stevenfurtick.com/) that absolutely NAILED IT for me this evening.  It was the right message for the right perspective…THANKS A LOT BRUH!!!

What’s interesting is that I may never get to meet Steve (I hope to, but there’s no guarantees).  For that matter, I may never get to see my good friend Duane again (I DEFINITELY hope to see he and his beautiful family again, but there’s no guarantees).  The bottom line is we’re part of a family…God’s family, which is growing across the globe with every passing moment.  Now is the perfect time to lock arms with some folkz and enjoy the ride…it was never meant to be done alone!

enjoy…

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (TNIV)

 If there’s ever been a season in my lifetime where the “least of these” should warrant attention and effort (ESPECIALLY FROM THE CHURCH) it’s RIGHT NOW.  Just listen to the news or drive a few miles around any major city.  Before long, the results of a struggling economy and its effects on businesses and families become obvious.  In fact, The National Center on Family Homelessness just released their report this past week showing that in the midst of white-collar executives begging for bailouts there’s 1.5 million kids in OUR COUNTRY homeless.

 Is that not CRAZY?  We’re the richest and most advanced country on the planet and yet each night (despite the weather conditions) close to 2 million of OUR children are homeless!  The study is very detailed and provoking (go to www.homelesschildrenamerica.org for more info and to view state by state results).  I found it interesting to see how poor my state (Georgia) treats this epidemic (of the 58,397 homeless children in GA, close to 51,000 are eighth grade and younger).

 The past few days, I’ve had a growing-concern for the homeless.  I’ll admit that over the years it hasn’t been a direct concern of mine because I don’t know one child that’s homeless.  Needless to say, it’s one of those issues that fall into the category of “things to do if I ruled the world” (along with curing cancer, fixing the ozone layer, and capturing Osama Bin Laden)!

 A week ago, I had the privilege to accompany a good friend who’s preparing for a huge evangelistic effort (at the end of March) to assist the less fortunate in the city of Baltimore, Maryland (www.bcmd.org/uncharted).  Part of the planning was to join a couple of churches with their youth groups in downtown Washington, DC to feed the homeless.  To say I was moved would be a gross understatement.

 This was one of those experiences where I had to rethink how I was personally doing life.  The experience made me aware to how fortunate my life has been and what’s more provoking, how much I actually WASTE!  I felt like the biggest baldhead-HYPOCRITE considering the amount of money I BLOW on fast food and items of clothes I wear ONCE or TWICE.  After every conversation, I’d silently ask myself, “Dula, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?”  Not only can I do more, ME & MINES (which is a ghetto way of saying “my family and I”) WILL BE DOING MORE!!!

 Let it be known, we didn’t encounter a lot of homeless children during our relatively short stay in the park at the corners of K & 14^th streets.  However, we did connect with several individuals (mostly men) who made some poor choices and had the humility to admit it (most of whom were younger than 40)!  None of these men made plans while they were children to grow up one day and live on the streets.  I wonder how easy or difficult it might be for a child who has experienced homelessness accept or reject it as an adult?

 All in all, there weren’t any camera-crews from the local media airing our efforts.  No writers from major magazines joined us.  Didn’t have any representation from the government (although we were within MINUTES from the White House).  Yet, I believe with all the compassion and love that was shown, we were able to provide the kind of representation “to the least of these” that would both make Christ known as well as make Him proud.