The Father's House

After the service this past Saturday evening we tore down our equipment in our spot at the Three Rivers Mall and transported everything to the old Emporium which is now our new meeting location.  A few things for your attention:

• We have a new service time - starting this Saturday our new service time will be 6PM.
• We have a new entrance - starting this Saturday, enter our meeting space directly from the parking lot at the old Emporium entrance.
• We need your help - Monday and Tuesday this week we will be setting up our new space from 9AM-9PM. We will be cleaning, hanging curtains... everything you can imagine!!! Stop by and lend a hand.

What a great opportunity we have to impact our community with the message of Jesus! Invite a friend this Saturday, and we'll see you at 6!

• OUR SERVICE TIME IS CHANGING - beginning Saturday November 14 our new service time will be 6PM.

• WE ARE MOVING! - don't get nervous, we are still going to be in the Three Rivers Mall. But, on Saturday November 14 we will begin services in the old Emporium facility located on the east side of the mall. Instead of entering the mall, you will now enter our facility through the doors on the east side of the mall, directly into the old Emporium. This is not a temporary move, but one that will allow greater privacy, growth, and ministry to our babies, children, students and adults.

• WE ARE HAVING A MOVING PARTY! - on Saturday November 7 we will be taking one hour after our evening service to move all of our belongings from our present location, through the mall and into the old Emporium facility. While everyone is encouraged to participate that evening, we are asking several men to volunteer to help coordinate this process. If you would be willing to serve help in coordinating this process, please contact Dave Davidson by email here.  We are also going to be using Monday & Tuesday (November 9-10) to set things into place and get equipment up and running. We would love your help in this process if you are available!

• WE ARE INVITING YOU TO MAKE TFH YOUR HOME - many of you are in the process of praying about making TFH your church home and family. To help you make that decision, we have a class provided for you that meets Tuesday November 3 and 10 (both classes required) at 7PM taught by Pastor Steve. Please sign up at the Welcome Center or contact Steve Parrish here.  If you aren't able to make these classes but would like to consider making TFH your home, please contact Steve to let him know your situation. Remember, these classes are required as you desire to become involved with the various ministries at TFH.

• TFH Nursery - the TFH Nursery is being established and is already functioning on Saturday evenings! This ministry is for families with crawlers and toddlers to take advantage of during the entire service. Our coordinators are Doug and Laurie Lewellen. This ministry requires monthly parental involvement on a rotating basis. If you are a parent and would like to find out more about being involved, or if you simply want to be a volunteer, see the Lewellens during service or contact them by email above. As always, we have space in our Lobby for moms of smaller infants to watch the service on a closed-network video feed when your child gets fussy.

• TFH KIDS CHURCH - We are in the process of establishing our Kids Ministries which will function during the preaching portion of our gatherings each week. We are looking for parents of children to be involved in various capacities on a rotating schedule and volunteers who don't have children. If you have kids or would like to volunteer, please contact Diane Davidson here as she will be helping us to recruit help.

Lots of changes, lots of fun!

Parents, we are working on a plan for your children.

• If you have children who are babies, we have couches in our lobby (with audio from the service) for your use! Please keep in mind that the curtains are not sound proof, so if your baby is fussy, it might even be better to use the benches in mall outside our space which also has a Video Feed of the service - you won't miss a thing 

• If you have children who are crawlers/toddlers, we have secured a room immediately across the hallway of the mall for your child during the service. In the next few weeks we plan to have this service up and running. this will operate like a co-op which means, we will have you involved. Our team leaders are Doug & Laurie Lewellen. They will lead the team of rotating volunteers who will care for our children in the nursery, but we will ask you to join the team of volunteers. For the saftey of all children, we will be doing background checks on volunteers. Please see Laurie this week during our Saturday gathering to convey your interest to help.

• If you have children who are school age to Grade 5, we have clipboards with coloring pages and crayons for during the preaching. Pick one up at the Welcome Center on your way in to our gathering. This is a temporary fix!!! Bring your kids!

• If you have children who are school age to Grade 5, we are in the process of setting up Kids Church which will conincide with our Saturday gathering. The plan will be to keep kids in worship until the preaching and dismiss them to their own class (we have a classroom in our present facility which needs a little work - if you can help, let me know here. Our plan is to provide the children a time in the Bible, time in prayer, and a craft/activity.  We will run this like a co-op as well which means we will use parents as volunteers on a rotating basis under the leadership of a Team Leader.  If you are interested in your child taking advantage of this ministry, please see Diane Davidson this Saturday at our gathering.

With a packed house last week and so many children, we have made a few changes for this week:

• doors open at 6PM - coffee's on, so show up early, get a seat, and make a few new friends!
• improved sound quality - a few adjustments so that no matter where you sit, you will be able to hear crystal clear audio!
• larger overflow area in our facility in case we have standing room only - while it's exciting to have a packed house, we are presently working with the mall for a larger facility - we will be announcing details in a few weeks!
• video feed to both plasmas in the mall - if we end up using space in the mall like last week, there will be increased visibility directly into the sanctuary and on both plasmas.
• parents with children crawling to toddlers - we have secured a room immediately across the hall in the mall so that you can supervise your child while they enjoy room to stretch out and watch a veggie tale video (this is temporary until we get our kids church up and running).
• parents with children 4-10 - we will have clipboards, crayons and Bible coloring pages that you can pick up on your way in to keep your children occupied during the service. (this is temporary until we get our children's ministry up and running.)
• parents with students grades 6-12 - we are presently working on extra space for Student Ministry after worship each Saturday evening with our Youth Pastor Nathan Ganz - stay tuned for details!

See you Saturday! Invite a friend!

Denny Martinez of KTJC interviewed Pastor Steve prior to our October 3 Kelso Campus Launch. Listen by clicking here.

Well, we finally made it - we gathered, worshipped, took a look into the Word, prayed, spent time talking, drank some coffee and left! We have launch success!!! The first gathering at the Three Rivers Mall was awesome!

It reminded me of a first date - I was excited to be on it, not completely sure how it would go, not sure even how to act... but it was all good!

Now that that's over, let's get down to business, get to work, start making an impact, building community within our church family, and let's make Jesus famous!

This week will of course require a few tweaks here and there - sound system, some of the curtains and seating, some of the sound coming in from the mall... but all in all it was good! Not that much to work on.

Don't forget Tuesday's Bible Study at 7PM! I can't wait to have a more casual setting to hang out with you!!!

If you would like to see all of the pics from the launch service, click here.

Tonight, Saturday October 3 @ 7PM, we launch our first public gathering of TFH at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso! See you there!

Only three more days and we launch our first service!  This Saturday evening at 7PM at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso - It's ON!!!   We are expecting great things for everyone in attendance! If you are in the Kelso area, do us a favor... invite a few friends, shoot a few facebook messages, send a few texts, fire off an email or two, call someone... maybe even talk to someone face to face... but invite someone to come with you - don't let the seat next to you be empty!  It's going to be an amazing Saturday evening!

About 50 of our team gathered tonight at the Three Rivers Mall for a pre-launch service. We needed to have a run-through with the equipment and facility.  The sound was great, everything functioned smoothly, coffee was hot, and the prayer was really really really good. It's going to be a special place to lift high the Name of Jesus!

This is going to be an important week for prayer. Join with us to till the soil of the field we are planting in. Help us to pray for the following:

1. Cowlitz County - that Jesus will continue to be revealed by all of the churches who lift Him up, and that there will be a great visitation of the Spirit of God, who always draws attention to Jesus!  We are praying that we can be a part of the action!
2. people without a church - Jesus died for His church... let's pray that those without a church find their way into one, and let's do our part to see that take place.
3. salvation in our House - let's pray that those who enter our House who don't know Jesus experience Him in profound ways, and those that do know Him experience Him even more profoundly.
4. new family members - God has given us an open door because He has people for us to reach in the county. Let's pray for success in adding people to our local family. Let's also believe that this will be life-changing and wonderful for those who join.
5. Wallace Elementary - we are adopting the elementary school, and part of our responsibility is to pray for students and teachers alike. Let's lift them up.
6. our launch services - let's pray for an amazing turnout and an amazing experience in Him for all who are present in the month of October!

Have a great Sunday.... wow, we are nearing the starting line with every tick of the clock. I can't wait.

 It's been another productive week at TFH Kelso. The facility at the Three Rivers Mall is really shaping up. This week we installed all of our coffee/refreshment equipment, our multi-media equipment, our sound equipment, installed carpet on the platform and finished the lobby. Things are looking fantastic. We are just about ready for our Launch Service on October 3.  Thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped!

We also made contact with Principal Don Iverson at Wallace Elementary in South Kelso. We are going to be adopting their students for the next year, purchasing hats/gloves and coats for those who are needy, along with some other general supplies like hand sanitizer for all of the classrooms.  This will be a project similar to the our Walnut Grove Elementary Project with Principal Bobbi Geenty in Vancouver.

This Saturday evening at 7PM we will be doing a pre-Launch run through to work out the kinks with the facility. If you'd like to stop in and join us, you are more than welcome. Keep in mind, this is not an actual service, but it would be good to see you anyway!

Let's join together and pray especially this week that the Lord will bless the work of our hands, and that we can join the other churches in the community in making Jesus famous!

PS - We'll upload a pic of the sanctuary on Sunday - JUST A LITTLE SUSPENSE TO KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT!

Yesterday (Thursday) was another busy day. Pastor Nathan and Jon Moody hit up IKEA for some foyer couches and delivered them to our entry area, while Laurie and Diane did some major cleaning and setting up our counter area. We found our final resting place for our sound/multimedia center and installed projection units and screens. It's really beginning to take shape!

As always, a number of people stopped in to say hello! I love that part about being in the mall!

One other exciting event, Manager Denny Martinez of KTJC, a Christian Radio Station, invited me over for an interview. What a great guy! We got to talk quite a bit on the air, but the conversations were even better off the air. His love for Jesus is obvious, and his mission with the Station is very cool. He even stopped by the mall later on to see our space in person. The interview was taped and will be on-air on Monday September 28 at 10 AM on 91.1 in the Longview area.

Next week will bring fine-tuning on Tuesday and Thursday, a pre-launch run through with equipment on Saturday evening at 7PM, and then a week of prayer and fasting as we prepare for our October 3 launch! It's going to be awesome!

Today marks "3 Weeks Until Launch" and I am amazed at how much we have accomplished in the last few weeks. It's been awesome to have so many hands make light work!

One of our challenges has been seating - man, does it cost serious $ for chairs! We tried to borrow some, but it just wasn't coming together, so we found a great deal on really comfortable LIFETIME chairs that are similar to extra chairs we already had.  That being said, WE HAVE CHAIRS!!!  My appreciation to Jon Simmons who picked them up, transported them and delivered them to the Kelso Campus! Jon, you are the man!

This week we will be in Kelso Tuesday evening and all day Thursday. Tuesday evening is leadership training with some of our Leadership Couples, but Thursday is an all day work day to finish up with curtains, sound, multi-media, etc.  If you don't have anything going on Thursday during the day, we'd love to put you to work.

Incidentally, I will be doing a interview with Denny Martinez and KJTC on Thursday, which will be aired in the Kelso/Longview area on Monday September 28th @ 10AM.  Looking forward to that!

Let's pray that God will bless our efforts to MAKE JESUS FAMOUS!

Got some serious work done tonight. About 20 people showed up to WORK!  As you know, the biggest job has been curtains. Lynn Strickland has been designing panels for the last month that will allow us to line the back wall behind the platform and then to separate the sanctuary from view of the mall itself. Well, the hard work paid off. Curtains are 99% up.  Counters got moved and are now in place. Plasma TV's are up. Fabric now covers all mirrors, stage sides etc.  Still a lot to do, but thanks to the crew that showed up.  Things are looking good! You guys rock!  Can't wait until our first service!

This Tuesday evening will bring quite a bit of work out at our Kelso Location. The biggest job will be installing our 13' curtain panels that will separate our sanctuary from the general public, and line the wall behind our stage. At 45lbs per panel, it will be no small chore.  We will be hanging some additional fabric around a few poles, on the edge of the platform, and over some mirrors in the building.  We will also be delivering some chairs and sound/multimedia equipment.  

We are looking to recruit about 20 people to help out with this endeavor, and we can use men and women. Should be a few hours, but a lot more laughs. One thing I always look forward to when we work is the harassment that comes along with it!  We know how to have a good time!  If you are interested in giving a hand, contact me here.

My hope is that if we get done early enough, we can spend some time together in prayer, asking God to fill his new HOUSE with his Presence and to attract those that He is calling to be a part of our family.

Tonight I met with my pastor, Wayne Dority, and our Kelso/Longview area COG pastors in the Longview area.  It was the first time I was able able to sit down and share with them as a group about our endeavor, and to respond to questions they had as well.  They were exceptionally gracious and receptive regarding our work!  It's nice to have the blessing of friends!

From left to right, let me express my great appreciation to Ken Miller who pastors Spirit of Life in Kelso, my pastor Wayne Dority, Larry Gee who pastors Valley View in Longview, and Charles Fischer in who pastors New Life Fellowship in Longview!  

It's an honor to work for the Kingdom along side of these men.  My prayer is that we can all get it done together for Him!

The last few days have been a whirlwind. Tuesday took me to the mall for delivery of some of our multi-media equipment, followed by meetings with a couple of area pastors.  I met last week with a great Pastor Jeff McCracken of Rainier Assembly of God, and Tuesday I met with Pastor Todd Anderson of Shekinah Worship Center, and Pastor Chuck Tilton of Father's House in Longview. All of these guys were great friends of mine when I lived in the Kelso area... and now all three are Senior Pastors. It is so cool to talk with them about what God is doing in their lives and churches. I was especially appreciative of the welcome that they extended to our endeavor in the area.  A blessing, and what a Kingdom perspective for the work in the community!

Tuesday evening brought a great meeting with members of our Leadership Team that live in the Kelso area. What a great group!!! Great prayer, great dialogue, great fun!

Wednesday brought a trip up to the mall with Jason Wyman and Steve Strickland, and we were joined by Frank Osterweil (great job on the windows Frank!) and Tyler Davenport. We bought lumber and built the structure for our platform.  A few more touches tomorrow by the Strickland-meister and we will be looking forward to hanging curtains and starting on sound and multi-media next week.

A couple of things to pray about:

1. connections - our mailers go out to 34,242 homes from Castle Rock to Kalama next week! Let's pray to connect with old friends not presently committed to a local church, and people we have yet to meet who need Jesus! We are believing for a full house starting day one!
2. favor - we have been working hard to have good rapport with area churches and will continue to do so. It is always tough when a struggling church finds out about a new work coming to the area. It can cause them to be negative, territorial and even suspicious simply because they are frustrated. My prayer is that we can come along side and be encouraging to those churches, and possibly be a part of their turnaround. As a leadership team we have been praying for God's blessing on specific area churches that we have a relationship with. We want to see every church grow. We are on the same team, and we win as a team.  Even if every church in the area doubled, we still wouldn't be making a dent in the 45,000+ area people!
3. finances - this project will cost $25-$30K out of pocket!  We will be receiving offerings in Vancouver on the last Sundays of Sep-Dec and in Kelso Nov-December.  We are believing God to meet the need. After all, the need has been created by our efforts to make Him famous!!!

Get ready for the Lord to BLOW YOUR MIND!  He is at work!

Today I picked up keys to our new diggs at the mall... if you are wondering what the outside looks like... here it is! (more pics to come over the next few days!)

Only 5 weeks to go before our launch. This week brings some activitiy in the following areas:

• I'm meeting with several Kelso area pastors again this week. I've already met with several, and they are excited for us to come and help. It's great to partner with old friends for a common goal.  I'll be connecting with Kelso area COG Pastors on Thursday evening for some Q&A, along with Bishop Wayne Dority. This will be the first time I've been able to discuss our launch with several of them, and I look forward to partnering with them in the community.
• I'll be connecting with several of our Leadership Couples in the Kelso area on Tuesday evening.  We will be meeting Tuesdays in September, doing a crash course on TFH Leadership.  We've done this quite a bit during August, and our times of prayer and discussion have been awesome.
• Steve Strickland and crew plan to build the platform in our new diggs on Wednesday and Thursday. It's nothing too complex, but if you have the time, we could use your help.  Email me here and I'll fill you in on the details.  We are also very fortunate to have Lynn Strickland working on our curtains which will allow us to transform our space at a fairly inexpensive rate.

Keep praying - this is an incredibly challenging undertaking. Prayer makes all the difference!

Today I visited the mall in Eugene.  Great place, cool stores, and it was pretty full of people... but I wasn't interested in any of that.

We have a sister church (New Beginnings) in Roseburg pastored by my good friend Randy Scroggins, that had a vision this year to plant a new church in Eugene. After searching for a meeting place, they were able to secure facilities, of all places, at the mall!  

What a cool setting! I just love the flavor!!! Malls have clothes, jewelry, latte's... and now... JESUS! And everyone knows where the mall is.  In fact, most  people visit it on occasion. The numbers of people that actually drive by any given church property is a significantly smaller number in comparison over the same time period. Even if they do, how much of a chance do they really get to look at pictures, literature etc? Oh, but at the mall.... come on now!!! Watch out, I'm about to let out an uncharacteristic "whoop glory!!!" I may even run around my laptop a time or two.

Here's another interesting fact. The Eugene Mall is owned by the same investment group as the Kelso Mall, and no doubt supervised by some of the same regional management. Randy's church has had a great relationship with the mall. They like him and what he is doing. I am confident that his good work has indirectly given us favor at our location, without them even knowing it! The regional management, after having had a good experience with him, probably gave us a second look that we might not have otherwise gotten.

Thanks Randy, we appreciate it sincerely, and we look to help encourage the opportunity for the next church!

Newflash: Jesus is even at the mall! Several malls! Why not every mall???

One question that I am being asked as we get ready to launch - "So how are you going to do this in Vancouver and Kelso, simulcast or video???"

We have intentionally scheduled our services in Kelso on Saturday nights so our team can be there, and still hold 9:15 & 11:15 services in Vancouver on Sunday mornings.

In reality, we are adding a service and not planting a new church.  It's really not that big of a deal.  I think I can handle adding one more opportunity to talk about JESUS to my weekly planner without having to create a hologram!

Looking to the future, I am not interested in having a 15 foot image of me flowing out of a VCR while men called to the ministry in our church family become highly trained for their ministry of pushing the play button on that same VCR!  My ego doesn't require it, nor does the kingdom need a superstar eclipsing Jesus.  I realize that many churches use video/simulcast and have pure motives and legitimate reasons for what they do, I'm just not interested.  One thing that makes us different - "Live Pastor On Campus Every Service"