by David Docusen | February 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
We have felt some serious momentum in the past couple of months for Center City Church. We received a $15,000 gift from a church in our area on February 1st. We got a $30,000 grant from the Church Multiplication Network this week. We got a $3,500 grant from Speed The Light two weeks ago for audio/visual supplies. This is combined with the $1,500 every month that comes in from our monthly supporters. A great, great burst of support that is allowing us to get the necessary items for our new venue.
All of this adds up to around $65,000 total in support raised. For us to reach our goal of sustaining Center City Church long term, we are going to need to raise just over $100,000 total to cover the cost of our venue rental, all audio, visual and aesthetic needs for the main auditorium and children’s areas, our salary, health insurance and other expenses that are sure to arise in the coming year.
The continued support of so many is the only way that we have reached over 60% of this enormous goal already. Thanks so much to all that have gotten us this far, and thanks in advance to all that will prayerfully consider partnering with us financially to help the foundation of Center City Church’s first year to be strong, stable and healthy!
All donations can be received online at www.centercitychurch.net or via mail:
Center City Church
401 Hawthorne Lane
Suite 110-219
Charlotte, NC 28204
by David Docusen | February 21, 2010 | Uncategorized
We just got an online donation from a missionary family for $43 to cover the rental cost of one hour at our new venue. What an incredible act of generosity! This family has spent the last year and a half driving across the country raising their support to realize their dream to minister overseas full time. And they invested into our work at Center City Church. So humbling.
**$43/one hour. $216/one week. $864/one month. If you want to open the doors of our new venue, you can give online at www.centercitychurch.net.
by David Docusen | February 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
I had the incredible privilege of attending a three day planning meet in Palm Springs, CA with a group of pastors that have incredible vision for church planting. The Church Multiplication Network hosted an event that is aiming to raise incredible amounts of money to start hundreds of churches around our country.
At this event, we were presented with our check for $30,000 by Dr. George Wood, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. I included a pic of this one because it’s not every day you get a 3 foot wide check!
I was so honored to be in the room with these great men. And the $30,000 grant is a huge blessing!
by David Docusen | February 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
I had the privilege tonight to sit in a room with twenty men that have made a lasting impact on their communities. These twenty men are all very influential pastors of churches across America. This group came together to plan and strategize together on how to raise enough money to resource 500 new churches in America in the next three years. Amazing, God-sized goal. This endeavor will take $15 million dollars to accomplish. And these guys are all on board to use their influence to help reach this enormous goal.
I pray that my ministry is deep, meaningful and lasting. I sat in a room with twenty honorable men tonight. And I am inspired to make decisions today that ensure that I will be a healthy, faith-filled, full of vision pastor thirty years from now. And I also pray that Center City Church is able to contribute all that we can to this vision.
Thank God for men that have been down the road before me. May I learn from their experience and apply it to my life and ministry.
by David Docusen | February 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
I feel like one of the greatest callings on the life of Christ-followers is to bring people from intrigue to relationship. Let me explain.
We have an incredible group of people at Center City Church. One thing that I have heard over and again is that there is something “different” about our group of friends. Honestly, the only thing that’s “different” is that we have been changed by the forgiveness and love of our gracious God. We have a group of people that genuinely love each other, look out for each other, love spending time together, etc. But you can find that in a lot of places. The difference, in my opinion, between us and others that have not been introduced to Christ in a personal way is the fact that all good in our lives comes from Christ. And when we look at it from that perspective, it brings a healthy dose of humility and a genuine response to others in our life.
So many have been intrigued by what God is doing at Center City Church. I pray that never changes. But I also pray that we can show people the source of what is intriguing them. It’s Jesus. It’s always been Jesus. And he is at the center of who we are at Center City Church. He’s an intriguing person. And he’s a person that I want to introduce people to for the rest of my life.
One of the great joys of my life is the fact that I am making friends from all spiritual backgrounds. My goal in being friends with them is simply that: I want to be their friend. I can honestly say that if my friends never accept Christ as their savior, I will still be their friend. All I can do is be me and represent Christ in the best way I know how. If the conversation leads to their intrigue in this unimaginable love that I have found, I will gladly discuss this. After all, it’s my favorite topic.
I pray I (and we) do well in representing the love and life found in Christ in a practical and applicable way to others. From intrigue to relationship. It’s like two different bodies of land separated by a huge chasm. And the only bridge is Christ. I pray that countless numbers of people in our community find relationship with Christ. And their lives will be forever changed.
