I have been incredibly challenged lately in the area of Christ-centered service. It's clear in the Scriptures that Jesus placed high value on serving. Mark 9:33-37 paints a picture of how Jesus calls people to levels of greatness. This is accomplished through serving others. I am challenging myself to think through how I can apply this Scripture to my life. I am asking that God helps me to care deeply about the things that he cares about. I am asking that I will gain greater understanding for people in our community that are in need. And I am praying that the comfort of my daily life won't...

Max (6), Mary (5) and Jack (3) have been absolutely fascinated with dinosaurs ever since PBS Kids launched their new show, Dinosaur Train. They already know way more than Dara and I combined about this topic. We spent the morning chasing each other around the house. I was an omnivore (plant eater/meat eater) and they were the carnivores (meat eater only). The whole family got involved. Even Baby Ben (17 months) was chasing and growling. There's nothing that I value more on this side of heaven than time spent with my family. That is, after all, my greatest calling. It can be as simple as an...

I am teaching on Mark 4:35-41 tomorrow morning at Center City Church. It's yet another account from the life of Jesus that shows his ability to overcome the impossible. A hurricane-forced storm comes upon his disciples, they become terrified and then run to Jesus for rescue. He speaks to the storm, the storm responds to the command of his voice and instantly becomes still. He then looks to his disciples and asks a very important question: "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"This reminds me of me. And you. This reminds me of us. We are in constant need of reminding. If you follow...

The dream is alive in our hearts. There is a day coming that we will open a coffeehouse/venue in Uptown Charlotte. Street level is the coffeeshop where amazing baristas will be making delicious caffeinated beverages. Local and national artists/musicians appearing up the stairs on our second level venue that seats 200+ people. Friendships are growing. Graphic designers are next to architects sitting underneath the same wi-fi. We tear down all the chairs to make room for the after school programs that are going on upstairs the following day. That's followed by dance lessons, yoga, and whoever...

You know you are a parent of four small kids when you get a chance to do a date night and end up at Wal-Mart. And that's exactly what happened tonight. Dara and I were so excited and thankful to have Clark and Salina Beasley come over and watch our kids after we put them to bed at 8pm. We had an entire evening to do whatever we wanted. Our choice? Grocery shopping in peace. I never thought grocery shopping would be on the "relaxing night with my wife" list. But it certainly was tonight! Aaaahhh...the joys of parenthood. Gotta love it!Anyone else out there have any peculiar date nights?

Besides the call to lead this church (which is an incredible honor that Dara and I do not take lightly) the most humbling part of our journey has been the many people that have joined us along the way and have caught the vision of Center City Church. We absolutely could not do this alone. Instead of starting a church on our own (just Dara and I), we know that it's been lifted off the ground by the prayers, support, effort and unity found in this amazing group of people that have come together. Each person plays a part. Each person helps set the culture of warmth, genuine acceptance,...

I'm excited to announce that Center City Church will be doing a four week series in August called "I Love Charlotte." These four teachings will be focused on Christ-centered servanthood & accompanied by multiple opportunities to serve this community that we love. Stay tuned for more details. Time to show our town the love! Who's with me??!!

Proverbs 10:7 - We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. Joseph Bernard Docusen was an amazing boxer that rose to fame in the mid-1940's. He fought across the entire country. Madison Square Garden (New York). Comiskey Park (Chicago). Ebbet's Field (New York). Olympic Auditorium (Los Angeles). These are just to name a few of the major venues that he fought in during a 10 year professional career that earned him a record of 74 (22 K0)-10-6 and an induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame (November 2010). But he was more than a boxer. He is my...

**DISCLAIMER** This posting is incredibly long and intended for anyone that may be interested in church planting. I have had countless conversations about our decision to abstain from advertising before launch of Center City Church and the weeks and months that have followed. After all, advertising has been a tested and proven way to build a new church. But in the early days of starting to plan for the opening of our church, I felt clear direction from God to go without. This was as much a surprise to me as anyone, considering I enjoy advertising and marketing so much. I even oversaw all of...

I have spent the morning studying the background of the Gospel of Mark, the overview of the teachings of Jesus and the overall themes found in this book. We are starting a new series at Center City Church that is taking a look at the teaching and revelation of Christ found in the Gospel of Mark. All the while that I've been doing this, my beautiful wife (Dara) has been at home with our kids. Cooking. Cleaning. Refereeing. Changing diapers. Loving. Teaching. More cleaning. Praying. I spend all day on Wednesdays studying. I usually pick a coffee shop and spend the entire day studying. It is so...