One thing that made ARC's boot camp in Ft Myers worth the trip (other than the beautiful palm trees and 80 degree weather in the middle of winter) was this little statement that has not left my head: "a good staff member will give the church his (or her) first and best thoughts." I have to be honest, for a couple of weeks prior to our trip I was not giving Freedom Valley Church my first and best thoughts. I was working so much and relaxing in my free time that I was giving the church my 3rd and invaluable thoughts.

That is about to change, I am going back to work this week demanding my part time position. I plan to work for the church Sunday-Tuesday and work for pay Thursday-Saturday. I am believing that God will provide more and better as I follow Him wholeheartedly.

We have only been here in Ft Myers training with ARC for 30 hours, yet we are learning years of experience, wisdom and insight. I feel so privileged to have this type of training available to me. Tomorrow morning we are meeting at the South Ft Myers High School to watch Next Level Church (mobile) unpack there truck in 5 min and set up in 30 min. I am so excited to learn from these guys how to do church mobile without forsaking quality and passion. This all makes me so curious of the church that God is going to have me lead some day.

I'm so glad that I get to spend some time with my family on this trip. I have to say, the more men I meet in this life the more thankful I am to have Roger Lewis as my father. I know of no other person who has experienced life the way he has and still approach's life with integrity, complete honesty and commitment as he. Today, when 50% are lucky if they will have their dad as a father and we have more excuses than ever to compromise, I'm so thankful for my father to be a constant source of encouragement and living proof to me that to be a man of courage and conviction is not such an impossible thing. It's actually a much better option.


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We are a culture of entertained people. We watch more TV, listen to more music, see more media and advertisements than any generation before us, by far. We load our iPod's so full of music that we don't even know half of whats on it. We watch so many movies that we cant remember half the titles. If any generation can sniff out an act, its this one.

I wonder what it is going to take for Church's to start gaining ground in America. I think that it will take all kinds of Church's reaching all kinds of people. But the thing that scares me is that we may start following models, books and the main stream so much that we forget to completely rely on God and follow His word in our hearts for His Church.

For the last 2 years I have had the amazing privilege to receive my pay check from the church. I love working in full time ministry, but the truth is that I can be in full time ministry and be ministering less than if I would work at a grocery store. Today I began work at a grocery store, not to say working for the church isn't work, IT IS!, but today was eye opening to me. As I looked around at my fellow coworkers I realized that I may be the only witness for Christ in this workplace. I don't have to leave my desk or do an outreach to find somebody to share Jesus with. They are right around me and I could miss the opportunity to share Jesus if I don't begin to view my life as ministry. I think that we allow what we do to dictate who we are all to often.

God, make me into a full time minister in my workplace. Help me to view my job as the work you have called me to right now, for the people I work with.