Renewal Church News

Gathering Update

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 23:19:09 GMT

Greetings Renewal Faith Family,

As you likely know by now, Governor Abbott issued a statewide mask mandate that has gone into effect today, July 3rd. Many of you have been asking the pressing question: How will the new order affect our church?

We WILL continue to gather on Sundays at 10am in the Hilton Garden Inn.

God has created us and redeemed us to worship Him as a gathered people. Yes, larger churches have suspended their worship gatherings. However, we have a small enough gathering where we can socially distance seats and still gather together. If you desire to worship in-person on Sunday, join us at 10:00 am!

Masks ARE required in all hallways and commons areas.

The Hilton management is requiring us to wear masks in all hallways and commons areas. If you do not have a mask, we will provide you with one as you enter the building.

The Hilton management is taking a risk by allowing us to gather in their building and not wear masks in the ballroom. Please honor our hosts by wearing masks in all hallways and commons areas.

Masks are NOT required in the Worship Center.

Once you enter the Grand Ballroom, wearing a mask is optional. You are welcome to keep your mask on even after you are seated, but the Hilton management is not requiring masks beyond hallways and common areas.

I do request that you find a seat toward the front of the worship center. Please leave the back seats open for guests that arrive right at or after 10:00 am.

Renewal Kids will NOT be available.

For the duration of our time at the Hilton, we will not be able to offer childcare. The last few weeks we have opened the nursery for children under two years of age. In an effort to minimize the Renewal Church “footprint” on the Hilton, and keep our church contained to one side of the building, we will no longer use the smaller meeting room for the nursery.

I recognize that this will be challenging for some of you. Please don’t allow this to prevent you from attending on Sunday. It’s OK if your little ones are fussy or noisy. I don’t get easily distracted! Feel free to bring a blanket or even a pack-and-play to contain your kiddos. If you need to step out of the worship center for a minute with a crying child, that’s ok, but please don’t leave. We are a family. Families have children.

We will continue to provide Sunday's sermon online.

The podcast is published on Monday's, and the video is usually up by Wednesday evening.

We are a church where you will not be judged or looked-down-upon for wearing a mask or for not wearing a mask. For some of you, wearing a face covering poses a greater mental or physical danger than not wearing one. We understand. However, since the Hilton is requiring us to wear masks in all hallways and common areas, you may consider worshipping with us online. Either way—whether you join us in-person or online — you belong, and you are loved.

We commonly sing “This We Know” in our gatherings:

Our God through the wilderness,

And our joy in the heaviness.

Our way when it seems there is no way, Jesus.

This we know,

We will see the enemy run.

This we know,

We will see the victory come.

We hold on to every promise You ever made,

Jesus, You are unfailing.

We trust You,

Your ways are higher than our own.

May we truly believe these words! In the middle of the uncertainty and anxiety, we can look to Jesus for hope, joy, and peace. Our God is faithful. The cross proves it. We are more than conquerors through Christ!

It’s a joy and an honor to serve as your pastor. I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

We're Back!

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:57:44 GMT

Renewal Church,

We’re BACK! After three months of Online Worship Gatherings, the day has finally come when we can worship our God together!

We will gather THIS Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 am in the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple.

Social Distancing and Safety

We will follow all of Governor Abbott’s guidelines for social distancing and safety. We will not require anyone to wear a mask, but you are welcome to do so if you want to. Unless you are at-risk, we highly encourage you to join your faith family this Sunday!

Renewal Kids

We will have the nursery available for children two-years-old and younger. However, you are welcome to keep your entire family together in the Worship Center. If you want to keep your littles ones with you, feel free to bring a blanket that you can lay on the floor along with some quiet toys. Renewal is a family. We encourage all families to worship together!

Live Streaming

Unfortunately, we do not have the capability to live stream the Worship Gathering. We will post the sermon audio on the website and podcast on Monday and the video later in the week. If you plan to continue worshipping from home, you can watch the previous Sunday’s sermon as a family or look through the archives on our website www.renewalchurch.net for a sermon that you have yet seen.

Being a People of Faith, Not of Fear

The Bible consistently reminds us that God is faithful and calls us to respond to Him with faith:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

I pray that you will feel the Spirit of God strengthening you. I pray that you will feel the Father’s perfect love driving out the fear in your heart. I pray that you not give in to the spirit of fear, but feel Jesus loving and empowering you. May we be a people of faith and not of fear!

It’s time. God is calling His people to gather once again and live-out His purpose together. It’s time for us to gather. I look forward to worshipping our God together this Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

When Will We Begin Gathering? An Update.

Wed, 27 May 2020 21:39:02 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

As Governor Abbott eases restrictions and churches across Bell County begin meeting again, we are faced with the question: When will we begin gathering again on Sundays?

This question would have been unthinkable three months ago! And yet, here we are, grappling with a perplexing issue. As we navigate theses uncharted waters, we have the principles of God’s Word, wisdom from His Spirit, and unity in the gospel that will lead us to a Jesus-exalting decision.

We Need to be Wise

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17).

We must exercise wisdom and caution as we seek God’s will on this matter. We have people in our faith family and community at large that are immune-compromised or have underlying health concerns. COVID-19 is a reality. It would be foolish to begin gathering again while ignoring the realities facing us.

We Need to be Together

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:23-25).

Our God is faithful; we are called to hold fast to our hope in God together. By God’s design, we cannot fulfill His purpose for us alone. We need each other. The church as a gathered worshipping community is God’s idea. Yes, we need to be wise in how we do it, but we need to gather together.

Our Plan for Gathering Again

Having carefully and prayerfully considered our options, here is the path forward:

Home Groups. All Home Groups will begin gathering this week for their weekly meetings.

Online Worship Gatherings. We will host Online Worship Gatherings on Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 7 . Home Groups will additionally gather on these two Sundays at 10:00 am to worship together.

Gathering Together for the First Time since the COVID-19 Quarantine Began

Belton ISD officials have graciously agreed to allow us to gather at North Belton Middle School as soon as students are safely allowed back in the building. In the interim, we will begin gathering weekly again on Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 am in the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple.

We will follow all of Governor Abbott’s guidelines for social distancing and safety. We will have the nursery available for children two-years-old and younger. We will not require anyone to wear a mask, but you are welcome to do so if you want to. We aim to live-stream the service for those that cannot attend. However, if we are unable to stream the service live, we will post the Sunday Worship Gathering online later in the week.

I look forward to worshipping our God together again soon! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email us.

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

When Will We Begin Gathering?

Fri, 01 May 2020 14:20:21 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

You may have heard Governor Abbott’s announcement earlier this week about his multi-phased plan to “Open Texas” beginning today, May 1st. The plan includes reopening restaurants and theaters and allows churches to begin gathering again. As expected, the governor has implemented safety guidelines for churches that do choose to gather publicly.

You can read all the distancing and health protocols in Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas . If you just want to read the church guidelines, check out pages 39-41.

In light of the Governor Abbott’s announcement, the question we now face is…

When will Renewal Church begin gathering on Sundays?

I know many of you have been and continue to be frustrated over this situation. I share your frustration. My heart has grieved over the loss of gathering with my faith family. I miss you and long to worship our God together again. Conversely, I also know many of you are concerned about getting over 150 people together in one place and contributing toward a second wave of COVID-19 breakouts. There are many feelings and thoughts about how and when we should gather as a church.

Moving forward with wisdom and caution is one way that we can express love for our neighbor. The key is to extend grace to one another in the midst of this hard season.

The Tentative Plan Moving Forward

Home Group Leaders will be in contact with you this weekend to gauge how you feel about:

1) Gathering as a Home Group later in May. I am targeting the week of May 17-23 because that will be the end of Governor Abbott’s Phase 1.

2) Gathering as a Church beginning in June. I don’t have a target date or meeting venue yet. I am waiting on BISD to make a decision on allowing us to gather at North Belton Middle School.

We will continue to have Online Worship Gatherings and encourage you to stay in touch with your faith family throughout this season.

Our God is Faithful. His Good Hand has providentially guided us and cared for us. All you have to do is look to the cross. There you see the proof. There you see the evidence that God deeply loves us, keeps His promises, has won the victory over our Enemy, and will never forsake us. Renewal Church’s best days are still in front of her! I look forward to following Jesus with you!

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

The Good Hand of God

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:01:33 GMT

Renewal Church's One-Year Anniversary!

Most Beloved Faith Family,

This coming Sunday, April 19, we celebrate Renewal Church’s One Year Anniversary!

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

Over the last year, our God has once again proven Himself to be faithful. By His grace, we have been true to our vision of bringing renewal to Bell County and the world. By His empowering, we have seen people made new in Jesus, grow in Jesus, and be released into the world for Jesus. By His unifying Spirit, we have become a faith family.

We have shared sorrows and successes together. We have laughed and cried together. We have broken bread and experienced God’s presence together. We have displayed the glory of God together by experiencing His renewal and seeking to spread it to those around us.

Even in this quarantine season, God continues to sustain our church and keep our hearts bound together. As Renewal turns one this week, let us celebrate all that God has already done and resolve to continue looking to Jesus with confidence that our best days are still ahead of us! God still has far more to accomplish in us and through us!

Join us this Sunday for a special One-Year Anniversary Online Worship Gathering at 10:00 am.

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

Come and See - Easter Sunday

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 00:56:24 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church!

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."

Matthew 28:5-6

He has risen! Praise be to God! Our hope is alive because Jesus is alive. Jesus has overcome death and has given us life. This Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection together as we gather virtually for our Online Easter Worship Gathering .

Sunday at 10:00 am when your family logs on the church website or YouTube channel, remember that you are not worshipping the Risen Savior alone. You are joined by the rest of the Renewal faith family! Our hearts are knit together. Our souls are bound by the Spirit. Our joy has the same source: the presence of God.

I encourage you to really engage during the online worship gathering . Lift your voice and sing to the One who has overcome the grave! You’ll find a link to download the song sheet on all the video platforms so that you can sing during the virtual Easter Service.

Also, feel free to make comments on the Facebook or YouTube channel post. Your words will be a joy and encouragement to your brothers and sisters.

My heart aches to worship Jesus and experience His presence with each of you in person. I deeply love you. I take courage and find hope knowing that God is with us. He has a purpose to accomplish in us through the Coronavirus pandemic.

Easter Sunday will be a joy! I look forward to worshipping with each of you.

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Week 4

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 10:43:09 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

BISD Update

Earlier this week, the Belton ISD Superintendent, Dr. Matt Smith, made the following statements:

“In a continued effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and prioritize the safety of our students and staff, our district-wide closure will remain in place through Monday, May 4, with students returning to class on Tuesday, May 5.”

“This reopening goal exceeds current federal recommendations and follows the announcement made this afternoon by our state leaders but could change again depending on conditions a month from now.”

The situation remains fluid, but at this point it seems as though we may gather together again at North Belton Middle School on Sunday, May 10.

This Week

This coming Sunday we will release a pre-recorded sermon at 10:00 am on our web site ( www.RenewalChurch.net ) or YouTube Channel ( www.RenewalChurch.tv )just like we have the last few weeks.

Also, look for a Holy Week Family Devotional on the church website this Sunday. It will be a joy to meditate on the week that led to the resurrection together!

Live Steaming on Easter

If everything goes well with our new technology, we will begin live streaming Sunday Worship Gatherings on Easter, April 12. I look forward to gathering together at the same time—even if it’s virtual!

Staying Connected

I encourage you to stay connected with one another during this challenging season. In an effort to help us stay connected, we will share a Quarantine Care Google Doc with all Renewal Church Covenant Members this weekend. This online document will allow us to share prayer requests and needs so that we can better serve one another.

Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus

Let us all remember “…that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

The good work that God began in your life and in our church will be completed. The coronavirus cannot stop the purposes of God. The Spirit of God is going to bring good fruit in our lives and in Renewal Church through this pandemic. Let us together keep our eyes on Jesus!

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Week 3

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 21:52:29 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

As we begin the third week of social distancing, school closures, and our church facing unprecedented circumstances, I don’t have any logistical updates. Bell County continues to have us “sheltering-in-place” and BISD has not released any new information.

I encourage you to be intentional this week as you follow Jesus:

· Worship as a family on Sunday morning . Sing, share, pray, and enjoy God’s presence together!

· Log on to our church website ( www.RenewalChurch.net ) or YouTube Channel ( www.RenewalChurch.tv ) at 10:00 am on Sunday to hear God’s Word for our faith family.

· Use the Family Devotional. You can find the link on the church website under the sermon video. If you can’t find it, your Home Group leader can forward you the pdf. This tool is designed to help you engage your family spiritually throughout the week.

· Stay in touch with your Home Group . Some groups are meeting virtually with Zoom. Let’s maintain our friendships through this pandemic.

· Continue to serve your faith family. Call other members of the church to see how they are doing, offer to share extra supplies that you may have, offer to meet a need—ANYTHING! Let us continue to be the church . COVID-19 cannot stop us from being a faith family.

· Listen to the Renewed Focus podcast. https://www.renewalchurch.net/renewed-focus Episodes are about 20 minutes long. Colton and I share how God is at work in our hearts during this troubled time. I pray that you find encouragement as you listen in.

· Continue to draw near to God. We find strength through the Spirit when we walk with Him. Don’t neglect personal worship through the Word, prayer, and music.

Katy White, our Worship Director, put together a really great YouTube playlist that follows the sermon from Sunday. You may recall that I preached from Psalm 46 . We meditated on Conquering Fear by depending on the promises , presence , power , and purpose of God. Thank you Katy for making this playlist!

Promises
Who You Say I Am
Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb
Yes I Will
Your Promises

Presence
Set A Fire
I Stand Amazed
Yahweh
With You

Power
This We Know
Overcome
The Rock Won’t Move
Still God

Purpose
King of Kings
Unstoppable God
We Are the Body
Sovereign Over Us

I pray that you will continue to experience God’s presence, feel His joy, stay busy in His Kingdom, and know deep in your soul that He will work these circumstances for good.

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Week 2

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 17:56:49 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

The last week has been surreal. Normal life no longer seems normal . It’s crazy! Life as we knew it just seven days ago feels like a bygone era. As we adjust to daily life in this COVID-19 era, God has brought a text to my mind:

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”—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. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

So true! The Coronavirus reminds us that our whole existence is dependent on the grace and will of God. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Therefore, we must intentionally live-out our purpose today. We exist to treasure Jesus above all else and trust Him no matter the circumstances.

A Blessing in Disguise

I believe the unique season we find ourselves in today is a blessing in disguise: families have more time together, we are forced to slow down, and we are being stripped of our distractions (entertainment, sports, obsessing over the stock market). We will need to rely on the Holy Spirit to satisfy us like never before. So, instead of being frustrated with COVID-19, let us rejoice in knowing that God wants to draw us closer to Him than we’ve ever been before!

When will we gather together again?

Our upcoming Member’s Meeting and the Youth Retreat are both postponed. Belton ISD announced that schools will be closed until Friday, April 3rd. Therefore, the soonest possible Sunday that we’ll be allowed to gather is April 5th. We will provide updates as soon as they are available. Please follow our website and social media for updates.

What’s the plan for this Sunday?

Just like last week, we will release a pre-recorded sermon at 10:00 am on Sunday on the church website ( www.RenewalChurch.net ) and on our YouTube channel ( www.RenewalChurh.tv ). If you feel comfortable, feel free to gather with your Home Group to sing, pray, fellowship, and watch the sermon together.

As you worship individually, with your family, or with your Home Group, here are some songs for troubled times that remind us of God’s power and providence:

· Behold our God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqrli3Lkf58

· God I Look to You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP1QKueGK-o

· He Will Hold Me Fast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ

· Lord of Hosts (Psalm 46) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2emelR7lGmw

· Overcome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P926rAUplMc

Anything New?

Yes! We have two new ways to stay engaged!

· Family Devotional

Watch the website on Sunday for a weekly Family Devotional. Since our Home Groups are not meeting regularly (due to social distancing), we will provide a sermon-based devotional that you can use at home to continue meditating on the Word throughout the week as a family.

· Renewed Focus Podcast

Colton and I recorded our first episode of a brand-new podcast! Our hope is that you will listen and be encouraged. This podcast is just one more way for us to stay connected as a faith family! So, take a break from Netflix and listen to a conversation on how God is leading our church to cope with this challenging season.

Here’s the podcast link: https://www.renewalchurch.net/renewed-focus

God is with us. He won’t forsake us.

Therefore, let us continue to treasure and trust Jesus. Let us continue to rely on the Spirit. Let us continue to stay connected with one another. Let us continue to bring God’s renewal to Bell County and the World.

Blessings,

Pastor Matthew

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Plan

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 14:09:39 GMT

Greetings Renewal Church,

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has gripped the world with uncertainty and upheaval. President Trump declared a national emergency, arenas will no longer host sporting events, and theme parks are closed. National, state, and local public health officials are calling for people to stop gathering in large public settings and be mindful of social distancing as we seek to stop the spread of the virus.

In Bell County, the response to the first confirmed case of the Coronavirus has been significant. Churches across the county have suspended their Sunday services and Belton ISD has extended Spring Break for an additional week. I received a phone call at 7pm on Friday from a Belton ISD official informing me that “all use of BISD facilities by outside organizations will be suspended until further notice.”

*This means that Renewal Church will not gather on Sunday*

Furthermore, we will not be able to gather on a Sunday until public health officials indicate that additional preventative measures are no longer necessary. I have spent significant time in prayer, thought, and seeking wise counsel — even before I heard from BISD on Friday evening.

UPDATE (3/16/20) - THE DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT - Scheduled for March 20-22 has been postponed. We will be scheduling this event at a later date.

· SUNDAY, MARCH 15th We will continue our preaching series Free at Last in the book of Galatians with our Associate Pastor, Colton White, preaching from Galatians 5:16-26. The sermon will go live on Sunday at 10:00 am on the church website ( www.RenewalChurch.net ) and our YouTube channel ( www.RenewalChurch.tv ).

· I encourage you to worship as a family on Sunday morning. Sing to God, spend time in prayer, open your Bibles, and log on at 10:00 am to hear God’s Word for our church.

· Consider gathering with your Home Group on Sunday morning to worship together. Disclaimer : you should only consider worshipping with your Home Group on Sunday if your age and health enable you to do so. Please exercise wisdom in this decision.

· If you desire to worship with a Home Group on Sunday morning, but you have not joined one yet, please contact our Associate Pastor, Colton White: (361) 564-6492

The Plan for Home Groups This Week

Home Groups Leaders will make the decision for their respective groups. Please stay in contact with your Home Group Leader for updates.

The Plan for Renewal Church BEYOND This Week

At this point, it is highly unlikely that we will have access to North Belton Middle School on Sunday, March 22nd either. The best thing I can say is to join me in praying for God’s wisdom and His leading.

We will provide updates as soon as they are available. Stay tuned for more info.

How should we think about these circumstances?

· Focus your eyes on Jesus.

In the middle of the worry, fear, and anxiety, continue to focus your eyes on Jesus. Depending on God will lead to peace deep in your soul—even in the face of uncertainty. Our God is wise, faithful, and sovereign. We will entrust our health, our souls, and our church to the faithful and sovereign hand of God. He is in control. We will trust Him.

· See this as an opportunity to love our neighbors.

Maintaining social distance, carrying hand sanitizer, and following all the other health guidelines are a real expression of loving our neighbor. This pandemic will pass. We will soon go back to shaking hands, gathering on Sundays, and living life normally. Until then, as an expression of faith, we will love one another well.

· Our Enemy is strong, but our God is stronger.

Satan’s Kingdom is marked by fear, destruction, isolation, disease, and death. The Coronavirus is a painful reminder that Jesus has not yet consummated His Kingdom. Praise God that we belong to an Eternal Kingdom of Light marked with joy, hope, community, health, and life. Jesus overcame the grave and has crushed the head of the serpent. Victory belongs to our God!

· God is at work in and through Renewal Church.

Since launching Renewal Church last April, I have seen lives changed. I have seen demons casted out. I have seen spiritually dead brought to life. I have seen prodigal sons and daughters come home to the Father. I have seen freedom from the chains of addiction. I have seen the discouraged walk in faith. I have seen the de-churched find hope in God again.

In short, I have personally witnessed the Spirit of God do what only God can do: the miraculous.

God is at work bring His renewal to Bell County and the world through this remarkable church. The Coronavirus is Satan’s latest ploy to derail God’s purposes. It won’t work. We will keep our eyes on Jesus and we will love one another. We will get through this. Together. The result? The glory of God will be displayed through our faith family.

Blessings,

Matthew Levant

Lead Pastor

Thankful to our God

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Launch Team Training Weekend

Beloved Faith Family,

My soul is overflowing with gratitude today. God's favor is upon Renewal Church! This was evident by the spirit of unity, commitment, and hospitality that was displayed on Saturday & Sunday.

2 Chronicles 5:13 captures what we experienced yesterday...
"...musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: 'He is good; his love endures forever.'"

Amen. I look forward to our Preview Service on Feb 17th!

Please share a memory, thought, or story from this past weekend in the comments below .

Let's encourage one another and give God the glory for who He is and what He has done

Commitment Issues

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

We live in an age where it has become normal for us to fear commitment.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes the simplest of tasks become gargantuan undertakings? Like hanging picture frames on the wall. No big deal, right? Nope. While living in Abu Dhabi, the simple task of hanging a picture frame was anything but easy. Since the walls were made of cinder block, we had to use 3M Command strips and hooks, which worked fine to hang small picture frames. But, hanging curtains or larger pictures required complete commitment .

I needed a power drill, special drill bits, wall anchors, and screws. Oh yeah, I also needed a dose of patience and humor because drilling into concrete caused clouds of dust to engulf me, set off cracks across the wall, and made chunks of the wall crumble and fall before my eyes. Once a picture was up on the wall, there was NO MOVING it. Sometimes we were all-in. We’d commit to hanging the picture frame. Other times? Not so much.

Commitment: a dedication or obligation that binds an individual to a particular person, cause, or course of action.

Whether it’s at school, work, church, in our relationships, with our finances, or hanging picture frames on concrete walls, we all have commitments. Commitment is a part of life. It should be normal for us to commit. I say that because God created us to reflect His character. God is committed to us.

If so, why do we have commitment issues? We live in an age where it has become normal for us to fear commitment. There are lots of reasons why we have commitment issues; I’ll just mention a few of the most common ones:

Fear of Disappointment

If you’ve been let down before, you might be afraid of committing again. Stepping out into the unknown or unfamiliar can be terrifying if past attempts were met with deep disappointment.

Fear of Failure

Sadly, many people feel worthless or useless. These unhealthy feelings can be a result of many factors including past failure or toxic relationships. I’ve met many paralyzed people who couldn’t bring themselves to attempt anything for God because they dreaded failing again.

Fear of Pain

None of us want to be uncomfortable, taste rejection, or hurt again. Our fear of discomfort and pain is a powerful motivation to avoid commitment.

Commitment Issues and Church Planting

Maybe you have sensed the Spirit of God calling you to give a gift to fund the church plant start-up, but you are afraid to make the commitment. Perhaps, you are sensing God stirring in your heart to leave your home church, join the Renewal Church Launch Team, and help plant this new church…but you’re too fearful to commit.

Deep within your soul, you know what God is calling you to do for His Kingdom, and yet, you find yourself motionless.

God Makes Us Brave

What’s the difference between being a coward and being brave ? The coward runs away and hides in the face of fear. Being brave means you take action in the face of fear.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18)

From eternity past, long before you were even conceived, God deeply loved you. Today, in the middle of your brokenness and fears, God deeply loves you. Tomorrow, and for all of eternity, you will be deeply loved by God. Knowing and believing that you are the recipient of eternal and perfect love pushes all the fears away! God makes you brave!

You are not defined by your disappointments, failures, or pain. If you belong to God, you are defined by who you are in Jesus. You are loved, chosen, adopted, redeemed, anointed, victorious, set apart as holy, and called to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

We have a mission to accomplish for the glory of our King! There are thousands of unchurched people in Bell County that are desperate for God’s renewal, which is why we are planting Renewal Church.

God is faithful to us. Through His empowering, we can be faithful to Him.

See What God can do Through You

Have you heard God’s voice calling you to PRAY , GIVE , or GO ?

Adventure awaits! What’s holding you back? Reach out for God in the middle of your uncertainty and know that your Father won’t disappoint you. You are already trusting God with your eternity. Maybe now is the time for you to see what God can do through you when you trust Him with today.

The Miracle in Multiplication

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Multiplication Beats Addition. Every. Single. Time.

If a wealthy friend offered you $25,000 per day for 30 days or a penny doubled every day for 30 days, which would you take? If you add $25,000 per day for a month, you would end up with a whopping $750,000! Now, check out the mind-blowing math when you double a penny for 30 days.

After one week, with a total of 64 cents, you might have thought to yourself: I should’ve gone with the $25,000 per day!
Even after three weeks, you would have had just over $10,000 instead of $525,000, which you could have had at that point by adding $25,000 per day.
And by day 27, you would have just over $671,000—still less than the $750,000 you would get by adding $25,000 for 30 days.
BUT, your wealthy friend offered to double a penny for 30 days , not for 27 days . The last three days demonstrate the power of multiplication. You would have over $5 million to splurge!

What’s my point? This isn’t a blog about wise financial investment (even though that would be a valid application). The point is that multiplication beats addition. Every. Single. Time.

Multiplying the Mission

Jesus’ mission is to make disciples of every people group across the planet that will worship Him forever. Common sense says that if you have a global mission like that, you’ll need a huge number of people to accomplish it. Nope. Not Jesus. He invested in 12 people. That’s it. The King of Glory entrusted His global mission to a handful of people that would multiply .

The Apostle Paul followed Jesus’ focus on multiplication:

“…And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

Paul discipled Timothy….

Timothy discipled faithful men…

The faithful men discipled others…

God’s plan is accomplished through multiplication, not addition . We are called to multiply the mission. The goal is to make disciples…that make disciples…that make disciples…until every single people group on earth has heard the good news of Jesus and bow before Him in awe.

Not a One-Time-Thing

If First Baptist Belton plants Renewal Church, but never plants another church, and then Renewal Church also never plants a new church, that would mean First Baptist Belton added one new church. But, if Renewal Church plants more churches that then go and plant more churches, First Baptist Belton will have multiplied .

I pray that First Baptist Belton becomes far more than a mother church—I pray that she will be a grandmother and great-grandmother church!

First Baptist Belton is focused on multiplication. Renewal Church is simply the first step.

The vision is for Renewal Church is to be a church-planting church that will lead to more church plants in Bell County and across the world. This is not a one-time-thing!

The Miracle in Multiplication

Jesus knows that we can’t accomplish His mission in our own strength. That’s why He promised: “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus promises His presence to those that multiply His mission.

First Baptist Belton will be blessed by multiplying. Renewal Church will be blessed by being planted and eventually by also multiplying.

Our calling is to be bold. Our calling is to trust God. Our calling is to multiply for the glory of our King.

Vision and Mission of Renewal Church

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Every business, organization, and motivational speaker talks about having an inspiring vision and a clear mission.

What’s all the fuss about vision and mission statements ?

Every business, organization, and motivational speaker talks about having an inspiring vision and a clear mission. Vision and mission statements are designed to work together to communicate the essence of the organization:

Vision Statement: describes the desired end-state. Vision speaks of the direction the organization is headed.
Mission Statement: describes purpose and identity. Mission speaks of the organization’s reason for existing and how it plans to fulfill that purpose.

Check out a couple of awesome vision and mission statements from global companies:

Company: Samsung
Vision: Inspire the world. Create the future.
Mission: Inspire the world with our innovative technologies, products and design that enrich people’s lives and contribute to social prosperity by creating a new future.

Company: Ikea
Vision: To create a better everyday life for the many people.
Mission: Offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.

Basically, your vision shows the direction you are headed. Your mission shows why you are heading in that direction and how you are going to get there.

Vision and mission statements lead to the success of an organization. The same is true whether you sell electronics or you sell low-cost DIY furniture in a store that makes you feel like a mouse trapped in a maze. Just sayin! I love me some Ikea, but do they really need to sell their stuff in a labyrinth?

More Important than Phones and Furniture

Samsung and Ikea have an inspiring vision and a clear mission. They know who they are. They know what they do. They know why they do it. And they know how they are going to do it. The result? Success.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we worship the King of Glory who spoke the universe into existence, came into the world to rescue us, and has sent us to share His love with a dark and broken world. Our mission has eternal implications. What we do as a church is way more important than selling phones and furniture!

I believe God wants every church to have an inspiring vision and a clear mission. As a church, we must have a well-defined direction , identity , and purpose . The key for a church is to root their vision and mission on the character and purposes of God.

God’s Renewal

God originally created people to know Him, love Him, praise Him, and joyfully submit to Him. We exist to enjoy God. Sadly, due to our sinful nature, we are all broken. And we live in a broken world. None of us can fulfill the great purpose God originally intended for us. In our brokenness, we strive to find meaning and joy in our lives, but in the end it’s nothing more than chasing after the wind. Through Jesus Christ, God is making all things new.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new…’” (Revelation 21:5)

God is at work restoring people from all nations to their original purpose: enjoying the presence of God.

Renewal Church Vision: To bring God’s renewal to Bell County and the world

Renewal Church Mission: Renewal Church exists so that people will be made new in Jesus, grow in Jesus, and be released into the world for Jesus

Renewal Church will have a gospel-centered direction, identity, and purpose.

Bell County: Desperate for God’s Renewal

For those of you number-lovers, here are some stats:

On an average Sunday, there are about 30,000 people attending a church service in Bell County.
The current population in our county is about 335,000 people and we’re projected to hit 500,000 in the next 10 years.
The median age of Bell County is 30.
The poverty rate in our county is surprisingly high at 16.5%.

For those of you whose eyes glaze over when you see stats, here’s the translation…

There are thousands of families in our community that don’t know Jesus. Thousands of people need the love of God. Thousands of people in Bell County need us to smile at them, look them in the eye, hug them, and share the hope that we’ve found in Jesus. This is our purpose.

Are you in? Do you want to see what God can do through you?

PRAY for the Renewal Church launch team, GIVE to the start-up, and ask God if He is calling you to GO , and join us as we plant this new church for the praise of His name.

The Last Blockbuster and Church Planting

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Nostalgia is the only reason for an open video store in 2018.

I read an article recently about the last Blockbuster video store. Turns out, there’s actually one left! Who’d a thunk it? I really thought Redbox and Netflix killed off Blockbuster years ago. But, the last of the video stores is staving off extinction in Bend, Oregon by selling…wait for it…their own beer! That’s right, the only remaining Blockbuster has partnered with a local brewery to sell “The Last Blockbuster Beer”.

Despite the creative marketing, truth be told, nostalgia is the only reason for an open video store in 2018. People are fascinated by seeing a little piece of a bygone era. This last Blockbuster is more of a museum than a store.

Many people fear that church plants kill existing churches much like Redbox and Netflix killed off Blockbuster. They fear that existing churches might become dusty museums of a past era. And, they believe that new upstart churches share some of the blame for the decline in established churches.

Is it true? Do new churches hurt existing churches?

God’s Story

The moment that humanity rebelled against God, we took a nose-dive into corruption, brokenness, and death. The Bible is God’s Story of taking the initiative to rescue people from all nations. God has a missionary heart that longs to seek and save the lost; God is a loving Father that reaches out to have His children close to His heart.

Stepping into God’s Story

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21)

Jesus is sending us to reach those that are far from God. Jesus invites us to step into God’s Story and continue His mission. When we plant new churches that reach new people, we are stepping into God’s Story!

Renewal Church will not focus on “transfer growth” or “stealing sheep” from existing churches. Instead, our focus will be on reaching unchurched people in our community. I respect and value the existing churches of Bell County. I pray we never hurt a single established church.

I also pray that Renewal Church will encourage existing churches in Bell County to step into God’s Story by intentionally reaching new people in our community. I hope that no church ever becomes a dusty museum of a past era. May we see only vibrant, growing churches!

Our mission-minded God calls us to spread His gospel and multiply His church for the display of His glory. Will you step into His story?

Do We Really Need Another Church in Texas?

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

A Skyline of Steeples

I live deep in the heart of Texas. Literally—I live right at the center of Texas—in the metropolis of Belton. Ha! If you know Texas geography, you already know the Temple/Belton area is not exactly a metropolis. I live in a place where the whole Friday-night-football-fueled community cheers for the Belton Tigers or Temple Wildcats, everyone knows everyone, and grocery stores are filled with Texas products.

Skyline of Steeples

But, I think the picture that best sums up the Central Texas culture can be seen from Interstate 35 as you come upon Belton: a skyline of steeples. Seeing the beautiful array of church steeples reminds me that I no longer live in the Middle East—I’m in the middle of the Bible Belt! With a church on every corner, it really brings the question into focus…

Do we really need a new church in Texas? And more specifically: Do we really need a new church in Bell County? As someone that has sensed the Spirit of God calling me to plant a new church in Central Texas, these questions are close to my heart.

Not Your Grandparents’ Bell County

Unless you live here, you likely won’t know this, but Bell County is experiencing explosive growth. This is not your grandparents’ (or even parents’) Bell County! This small Texas community is in the middle of a population boom where we desperately need more stores and restaurants to meet the needs of a growing population.

I recently took my family to The Gin at Nolan Creek so that we could enjoy an evening filled with feeding ducks, listening to live music, and eating frozen yogurt. What’s the problem? I couldn’t find anywhere to park! I went to Megg’s Café in Temple for lunch with a friend last week, but had to wait 30 minutes to get seated! It was worth the wait, but wouldn’t it be great if there were a second Megg’s Café ?

Having to deal with road construction on Highway 317 as I take my two oldest kids to school every morning also reminds me of the population growth.

I recently read the Belton Independent School District “Ten Year Plan” that includes adding elementary schools, a middle school, and a new high school due to the population growth.

Read the well-written piece here: https://www.bisd.net/Page/8683

Central Texas is growing. Just like the existing restaurants, roads, and schools can’t keep up, the existing churches can’t keep up either. We need more churches in Belton, Temple, and all of Bell County simply to keep up with the population growth.

A New Church to Reach New People

All the churches combined in Bell County are reaching 8.9% of the total population. In our increasingly secular society, we cannot expect the unchurched to come to us. We must go and engage people outside the church. Renewal Church will focus on reaching the thousands of people that will never enter a traditional church building.

The Vision

If you want to learn more about the Renewal Church vision, CLICK HERE .

The task is daunting, but the words of Jesus propel us to press forward: “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”