We are teaching on Christ-centered service to our community at Center City Church during the month of August. The series is called "I Love Charlotte." It is so good for us to get our eyes off of ourselves and serve our community. It's like medicine for our soul and a breath of fresh air for our community. Make plans to join us if you can and show our city how much we love her! You can email me at [email protected] if you want to jump in and serve!Here's the schedule of service projects for this month:Monday - August 1010:30am - Charlotte Rescue Mission1pm - Elizabeth Traditional...

I met a new friend tonight. And I may never see him again. While studying at Amelie's French Bakery (a MUST for all visiting Charlotte), my new friend came and sat next to me. He was wearing a Duke University t-shirt. Turns out that Charlotteans have a general disdain for my favorite college basketball team. So those of us that are fans have to stick together. My new friend and I started talking about "what we do." He is a graduate student at Duke University's business school. I am a pastor. The conversation was brief, yet very genuine. I believe wholeheartedly in my faith. He doesn't see...

For those that were not able to join us on Sunday at Center City Church, I wanted to share with you an important announcement that we made regarding Pastor Will Morgan and his fiancee, Jennifer Torres. Will and Jen will be moving to Jacksonville, FL to continue to pursue God's call in ministry. I am so humbled by the investment that Will and Jen have made into our community. I honor them for the way that they have represented Jesus so well. And I am forever grateful for the way that have served and honored and supported the vision that God put in my heart for Center City. I simply cannot...

We have coordinated three different opportunities for our church to practically show their love for this community during our series, I Love Charlotte. The following is a list of the different ways that we will be serving our community during the month of August:August 14 - Habitat for Humanity ReStoreWe are partnering with ReStore, a branch of Habitat for Humanity. Our group will be volunteering all morning at their warehouse that collects donations to be sold. The money is then used to fund housing in our community for families in need. August 21 - Elizabeth Traditional Elementary...

We kicked off our new sermon series, I Love Charlotte, this week at Center City Church. We're taking a five week look at different ways that we can show the love of God to this city that we love and enjoy.

I just received one of the most encouraging emails during my entire time of pastoring Center City Church. I wanted to share it with you to show one aspect of healthy community. My prayer is that as you read this, you will be encouraged to find your soft landing space."When I trained my kids to ride a bike, I trained them in grass. A soft place - because I knew they would fall. That soft place for me has been our church. God is training me here in Charlotte, I have fallen so many times since being here. Our community has been that soft landing space for me and others - with many more to...

We are starting a new series at Center City Church this weekend titled "I Love Charlotte." God loves this city. So should we. We are going to be talking about ways that we can practically show our love for this town. We are all called to serve our community. But it starts with understanding the love that God has for the city. Not just our city. But cities all across the world. There are examples all throughout the New Testament of the way that the disciples of Christ went to major cities and taught about Jesus. The message spread like wildfire. People were radically changed. Families were...

Each week I give a benediction at the end of Center City Church. It's the same thing every week, and it's my prayer for every person in our church. I raise both of my hands toward the people and pray this blessing over them: "I pray that Psalm 119:105 would be true of your life this week: May God's Word be a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path. I pray that you will not stray off to the left or the right, where there is darkness and confusion. But that you would stay on the path that is lit by the light of God's Word. I love you. We'll see you next week!"This is a very important...

Dara and I sat down with a friend recently that planted a church almost fifteen years ago. We chatted about the ups and downs of church planting. The struggle and the joy of seeing new life come to our communities.He stopped in the middle of the conversation and said, "David, have you guys been on vacation this summer?" I sheepishly looked at Dara and acknowledged the fact that we hadn't been on vacation in a very long while. "Let me check our budget," he said. "I remember that someone sent us on a family vacation when we first started our church. I want to do the same for you." We were...

I pray that my home is the healthiest place in my life. There are so many opportunities in this life to serve and help. Just this week I was blessed with the opportunity to help a group of church planters navigate the early days of their new churches. It took me away from home for four full days. But I came home. And home has never felt as good it does today. Of all the relationships I have, I pray that my relationship with my wife and kids is the healthiest. Of all the friends I make along this journey, I pray that the friendship that has been cultivated between our family and those closest...