Category Archives: Evangelism

September 17, 2008

Oil change & the Church

By Chris Lewis

I was getting my oil changed at a car wash when I started this post and I am asking myself why I get my oil changed at a car wash?

It’s because of Chad.

Chad is the ambassador of oil change excellency!  Seriously…on a standard 1-10 scale of helpfulness…this guy is a 17 without breaking a sweat!  He embraces you when you arrive.  He remembers you.  He makes your experience memorable. You leave feeling special.

What can the Church learn?

The truth is, I could go a thousand different places in Greenville to get my oil changed….but I don’t.  I go to see a guy named Chad who changes oil at a car wash.  Why???  Because that’s where Chad is.

At the end of the day…this simple truth remains: it’s all about people!

Your services can be as snappy and current as the latest segment on E! Channel…but we’re missing the boat if we forget…it’s all about people!  People want to be welcomed.  They want to be embraced.  They want to be made to feel special.

People will get out of bed to come to a place they are welcomed.  Even if they don’t know why they are coming.

People will come to a church with less “bells & whistles” than a church down the road if they know they are wanted and will be missed if they aren’t there.

How are we doing?

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, e3, Evangelism, My Thoughts - Chris

August 27, 2008

How “SEX” points people to Jesus…

By Chris Lewis

This is an unusual post and one that will probably garner some criticism…but I think the point is strong so I share it unapologetically.

It is interesting to track how people arrive to my blog through Google and other search engines. I have the ability to drill down to those kinds of stats through the hosting site I use. I found something interesting the other day…

If you take out searches for “Chris Lewis” and specific searches, one of the biggest search engine phrases that leads people to my blog is “sex in gatlinburg“! I thought that was pretty amazing!

Why does that happen and how does it point people to Jesus? Good question…I’m glad you asked!

Several months back, I did a post titled “Back from SEX in Gatlinburg” that followed up on a trip our youth at WAC had just returned from where we talked openly about the dangers of sex outside of marriage and the priority of purity.

Just to clear up any misunderstanding, let me clear up what’s happening here. Some guy (or girl?) is in Gatlinburg on business or for some other reason. They get on the internet in their hotel room and are looking for sex through prostitution. Among the various options they are presented with is a link to my blog. I just checked on Google and if you type the phrase “sex in gatlinburg”, my blog entry is on the front page.

When they end up on my blog, they read quotes from the messages that weekend from Chuck Bridges and Ricky Motes. They potentially click on other links.

Maybe they stay a while. Maybe they get interested.

Maybe the Holy Spirit speaks to them in that moment in that place.

Maybe a husband refrains from making a mistake he can’t take back. Maybe a father decides to honor his son or daughter by being faithful and pure.

Maybe a young lady considering selling herself for money realizes she is a Princess in the eyes of her King and she is precious and worth so much more than the cash she needs.

Maybe someone is reading this right now…and you needed to know that.

Maybe you just needed to know that someone is praying for you… right now… this moment…

Praying that you will make the right decision. God made you far too precious to live so cheaply.

Send me a comment if need someone to listen.

2 comments | posted in e3, Evangelism

August 18, 2008

Hamas Muslim converts to Christ!

By Chris Lewis

This is a big deal! This guy is the son of one of the leading Sheiks in Hamas who trusted Jesus with his life – LITERALLY!

Man – we need to be thankful for the freedom we have here in America – but we also need to realize that those around us desperately need to experience life and freedom in Christ just like this guy!

Leave a comment | posted in Evangelism

August 3, 2008

To the ends of the earth…

By Chris Lewis

Today was a great day!  I preached at both services at WAC this morning and I got to share about part of our vision.  Here is a link to a post from last year where I wrote a little something after our series about Vision.

Our mission statement at WAC is “doing whatever it takes to reach whoever we can with the hope found in Jesus Christ”. This morning we learned a little about how we view the “Extend” portion of our strategy.  I firmly believe that “The Church” will explode when believers join together and accept responsibility for extending the love of Christ on a personal level – rather than leaving it up to the professionals.

The task is too great…and there are far too many people who need Jesus to sit around and wait on someone else to do it.  We all have a position to play!  I am honored to serve with so many awesome people who “get it” at WAC!

Yesterday 35 people from WAC flew to San Diego to work with Elevate Church and Lead Pastor Kevin Campbell to help them prepare for their launch in January.  We video conferenced with the team live this morning in both services!  It was amazing – and best of all…FREE!

Pray for the team this week…and you can get updates on Chuck’s blog.

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, e3, Evangelism

July 16, 2008

My last night tucking…

By Chris Lewis

Last night, I had a special moment with my youngest daughter Gracie. I hugged her and told her that this was the last time I would get to tuck a 5 year old in, squeeze and be sure the covers are just right, say our prayers together, and get those precious butterfly kisses.

It was the last time for me because it was the last time for her. Yesterday she was five…today she is six!

I spent some time with one of my best friends in the world over this past weekend.  He has a new daughter and Tabitha and I must have commented a dozen times or so about how quickly life passes by.  It is truly like a “blink” when I look back.

James wrote that our life is just a mist that appears for a little while and then it’s gone!  I am getting mushy here, but I have been reminded of two very important things that I never want to forget:

1. Soak it up! - Because life is so short and the present becomes tomorrow’s memories way too fast, I want to enjoy every moment I have with my family and treasured friends God has blessed me with in this life.  I am determined to soak in each moment more fully and to appreciate how precious and brief every little experience is.

2. Make it count! – I want my life to matter!  I want to leave a legacy of integrity and honor.  More than anything else, I want to look back on my life and know with confidence that my life counted for the Kingdom.  I want Heaven to be more crowded because my mama gave birth to me.  My greatest fear is not failure – the real tragedy would be to never really try.

Life is short.  Soak it up.  Make it count.

Leave a comment | posted in Evangelism, Family, My Thoughts - Chris, Personal - Chris

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