Being Hope-filled at New Hope

This past weekend I was honored to have the joy of speaking to one of America's top churches - New Hope Christian Fellowship on the Island of Oahu. This incredible church is still voted one of the fastest growing churches and one of the "top twenty-five" most influential in the country. To say the least I was fully honored by the invitation to come and speak - but as one of my dear friends said to me, "Bernie, this is a Jesus thing," so I moved forward in courage. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro is a dear friend and brother - but I never saw this invitation coming and we had never discussed it. The lesson for me was: Sometimes God gives us lead time and prepares us for the things that are coming our way and other times opportunities just hit us from out of His heart and we must act. Courage is the ability to act and move in the midst of fear - it is taking action now and without delay. The Lord placed the message of courage on my heart and though the theme was shared with my wonderful congregation - Lompoc Foursquare Church, a few weeks prior, the message was totally rewritten for this occassion. God wanted me to share with this very courageous church that they needed courage to continue to do what God was calling them to do in the future. Now I have the joy of doing three Sunday services but doing five was an extra stretch and with large crowds and people outside the main auditorium watching by JUMBO TRON - TV - the tents, ministries, displays, shave ice and coffee truck not to mention the cameras and technology that is second to none - it was all amazing. Each service was broadcast live on the internet and many people watched it - thanks to many at LFC and the Federmann family for watching more than once - I could feel the power of your prayers for me. Several hundred people said YES to Jesus for the first time during the five services - Wow. The spirit and heart here is electric and though parking is done on varous lots and with shuttles for offsite locations - the people linger and share joy and laughter. The people are from all parts of the world and many are from the Mainland and California. I had the joy of seeing he Huckstep family - former LFC members who are now stationed at Hickham Air Force Base and a part of New Hope - the expression on their faces when the heard that Pastor Bernie from Lompoc was coming to speak was priceless.
Here are some of the nuggets from my experience:

1. Always do what God says even if you are fearful and wonder why He is calling YOU.
2. Courage is not the absence of fear - but the ability to move forward in the midst of fear.
3. Feel the fear and do it anyways!
4. When God is with us - we need to fear - He is so great.
5. We can (as I almost did) say NO to God and miss great moments of Grace.
6. Great things done for God always start with obedience and the right heart. This is seen by just watching the people of New Hope serve the Lord.
7. Teaming is still the best way to do ministry.
8. Help people realize their dreams and gifts and release them to serve.
9. Don't dream small dreams for the have no power to stir the soul.

I received more from this experience and from the awesome staff and team and the congregation that had I said no to the experience I would have missed this great impartation of life and health into my own soul.

Everyone of the talented team members I spoke to all shared how they joined teams and it was due to someone personally recruiting them. Not bulletin announcements or video announcements but people saying come and shadow with me. I saw many people shadowing back stage and learning. The worship team had people shadowing - they came to rehearsals and watched, they stayed stage right and watched and learned the process. Amazing. The drama team had understudies and tech team, ushers, children's ministries - all did the same. Doing Church as a Team is alive and well at New Hope and I know that LFC will continue to stay the course of Teaming - but there is work to be done at home and the work is worthy work. Let's move forward with all that God has for us and TAKE COURAGE.

I love each one of you and am praying for you. This week I am with 60 pastors from all over the world - with churches as little as 14 and one as big as 14,000. I am here to learn more, to refuel, to receive. To say the least I am weary from my weekend experience but move today with great hope and strength. I pray I will be a better servant of the Lord as I come home, a better person in every aspect of my life and a greater Pastor for LFC.

Please pray for me as I pray for you and I look forward to seeing you all this coming Sunday as we launch our new series: PG Family - I beleive God wants us to look at touching the next generation as a church and as parents. Don't forget that Pastor Wayne Cordeiro will be with us at LFC on April 1 and 2. For Team LFC members only on April 1 and for all LFC on April 2nd - he will speak in all three services. God will speak to us in the weeks and months ahead, I am assured of it.....so let's open our hearts and ears to Him.

Matthew 5: 13 & 14:
You are the salt of the Earth....You are the light of the world...

Matthew 5: 16:
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your God deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.

Let it be so with us.

TAKE COURAGE,

Pastor Bernie