Chip Wheeler.com

Enjoy The Journey

Answer these three questions:

1) Have you ever waited more than an hour for a doctors appointment?

2) Can you shuffle from side to side with turtle like speed?

3) Can you identify EXIT signs?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you qualify. Qualify for what you might ask? You are qualified to work in our kid’s connection and nursery ministries.

I know what you’re thinking:

- I already serve in those areas of ministry (this blog is not for you)

- I don’t want to miss a worship service.

- I just don’t like working with kids.

I can relate to almost all of those thoughts, but we are the product of our own success at River Hills: we are growing – and growth means that our kids ministry has more opportunities for service. Our desire is to only have people serve ever six (6) weeks – but because we need more volunteers, people are serving every 3-4 weeks, and this can become draining.

So here is what I’m asking you to do: volunteer. I know, I know – spending an hour with 20 preschoolers is no one’s idea of a great Sunday morning, but the flip side of that thought is that you get to serve them and teach them about Jesus.

I’m praying for THE TOP TEN! We need Ten hero’s who do not currently serve in our kids ministry to volunteer. Ten people – male or female – but all with a willing heart and an understanding that our children need us – they need to hear the gospel, and they deserve an opportunity to have others “bring truth and people together.”

Please let us know ASAP if you’re willing to serve by responding to this e-mail or e-mailing our volunteer coordinator Sandra Williamson at sandra@churchatriverhills.com.

Be a hero – be in the TOP TEN!!!!

Great day at River Hills yesterday – had a blast doing “Q and A” with my buddy and executive pastor Spencer Breedlove. We took your questions and did our best to answer them in a relaxed format. Because we talked so much – we didn’t cover all of our questions, but over the next week – we’re going to have answers to the questions that we didn’t discuss (and those we did discuss as well).

Please check out Spencer’s blog at http://blog.spencerbreedlove.com – and he’ll have a list of his questions as well.

Instead of reflecting on yesterday – I want to spend some time discussing our August 8 worship service:

School starts back next Monday – and in light of that special day and the ending of summer vacations, we’re inviting 20,000 people to our August teaching series “Finding Purpose.” We’ve challenged everyone on our church to give $10 each to help send out the mailers, but we’re also calling everyone to invite 5 people to the August 8 worship service. This is going to be a very applicable and enlightening teaching series that will help everyone understand “why on earth are we here?”

Please begin to pray now for August 8 – and for the five people in your life that need to hear this teaching series. Have a great day!

There are people in our lives that we can point to and say “they made a difference.” For many of us, the difference that they made was extraordinary – for others it was a moment of encouragement or correction. Whatever the case – mentors are important – and we need more of them.

The mission of our church (which combines the Great Commandment and the Great Commission) is to “bring truth and people together.” One way to do that is to become a mentor. Every school in Barrow County needs mentors to meet with a student several times a month. I’ve had the opportunity to this – and it is an incredible way to impact the life a child and to “bring truth and people together.”

I want to encourage you to pray about being a mentor. If you’re interested – please e-mail me at riverhills@churchatriverhills.com. We will help you find the school that is right for you.

What an incredible Sunday! Our current teaching series “Q and A” has been tough to talk through – but a very important issue(s). I’m very excited about this Sunday as we tackle some of your tough questions. Please let us know if you have a “tough” questions by e-mailing us at questions@churchatriverhills.com. We’re going to do our best to address each of your questions – and they will be kept anonymous.

Since I got back from Peru – life has been a mixed with fatigue and excitement. Honestly I can feel my age a bit more because of all the traveling I’ve done in the last few weeks, but I’m excited about what is happening in the life of our church. Currently we’re working on our missions strategy for 2010-2011. It is our intention to make permanent relationships with the same people overseas – so we’re prayerfully working toward going back to Arequipa. We’re also working on potential trips to Romania, New Orleans and Africa. Our plan is to offer at least one trip stateside and two trips internationally. Begin to pray now about how God might use you.

This week was incredible – here are a few thoughts…

1) “Give and Go” is going great. We are over halfway to our goal – we will be sending out the mailers next week – hopefully 30,000. Also – don’t forget to invite five people to our August 7 worship service.

2) We baptized yesterday – always a joy – awesome!!!

3) We walked through “Godly Grief” – tough talk, but we can’t forget the main point: There is a hope that heals. The question for us is simple – are we willing to grieve?

4) Christ was willing to grieve – are we?

5) Psalm 42 gives us a great outline on how to grieve – sermons should be posted by the end of the week.

Cannot wait until Sunday – it is going to rock out. Also – please get involved in a small group – they are coming up soon! Have a great week.

Yesterday was an amazing Sunday! The summer crowd is beginning to come back to church, and we heard some amazing stories from our Peru mission team. I’m super pumped about our church – and the desire that many of our folks are having to go on a mission trip. What is most intriguing is that many folks started to the “Give and Go’”challenge – and that was awesome.

If you missed yesterday – here are some highlights:

1) Our Peru mission team rocked. Special thanks to all of those who shared about their experience. Please pray for us as we begin to plan for our 2010-2011 mission trips.

2) Started “Q and A” yesterday! Tackled a huge topic “Why do bad things happen to good people.” We learned from Luke 13:1-5 that there is no such thing as a “good” person and because we live in a “fallen” world – bad things will happen. Ultimately Christ conquers all of this and brings hope to us all. Make sure to be there this Sunday as we deal with “Godly grief.”

3) “Give and Go” started this week. We want to invite 20,000 – 30,000 people to our August sermon series (Finding Purpose) – which will cost about $2500. We’re challenging people to give $10-$50 so that we can spread the word through direct mailers and invite five (5) friends to our August 7 worship service.

4) Thanks so much for coming to our church wide cookout – it was a blast. I’ve never been to a church cookout where the “Black-eyed Peas” were a group not a food, and line dancing was an activity not a put down! Our church rocks – it was awesome! Sarah Beth and I loved having you all at our home.

Great things are happening at our church – it is awesome! Please continue to give, go and grow – have a great week!

This Sunday our Peru mission team will be sharing about their experience! Our mission team represents the beginning of what will become a reoccurring opportunity for those who feel called to “Go” and bring truth and people together in places like Peru.

The opportunity to go overseas will be more and more available, but we must not forget about connecting with those in our community. In many ways, it is easier to go to a different part of the world, but those we love most (our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members) are just as in need of the gospel.

The month of August is a watershed event for River Hills Church. God has been blessing our church for the last 12 months, but we want to continue our momentum by reaching out to 20,000-30,000 people in our community and inviting them to our August teach series “Finding Purpose.” We are challenging everyone to “Give and Go.”

Due to our recession – times are lean and budgets are tight, but we must continue to express truth. We’re encouraging everyone to “Give” $10-$50 over their normal offering in order to provide the resources necessary to invite 30,000 people to River Hills in August. For the next three weeks – pray about how God would have you “give” over and beyond your normal tithe.

We’re also encouraging people to “Go.” Begin to pray about five people in your life that may not be connected to church – and invite them to come to “Finding Purpose” on Sunday, August 8. This is an incredible opportunity to be a missionary without buying a plane ticket. Pray how God would have you to “Give and Go.”

The last fourteen days have been a whirlwind for me and my family. Two Mondays ago I left to speak at a missions camp for teenagers in southwest Louisiana – and was delayed because of a mechanical problem on my flight (this will become a theme). After spending a fantastic week with students, adults and old friends – I started my journey back to Atlanta to meet our Peru mission team (my flight was delayed). Our team met at 3:30 a.m. – we experienced no delays on the way to Peru, but 29 hours of travel stinks no matter what. We had a great week in Peru and then headed back only to be delayed 14 hours – but when I finally made it home (after 36 hours of travel) – I can wholeheartedly say -  it was awesome!

Our first international mission trip at River Hills Church was an amazing success, in spite of sickness and flight delays. There are so many stories and experiences that were had – that there is no way I can tell them all. I would encourage you to be in worship this Sunday as four of our Peru Team members share their stories.  But here are a few things that I learned/experienced while in Peru:

1) We are blessed with some amazing people in our church. God orchestrated the perfect team, perfect timing and perfect location. I am so thankful for each person that gave up 8 days of their life to come and serve the children of Arequipa, Peru. You should be proud of their sacrifice – although they would tell you it was nothing – it is a BIG DEAL!

2) I loved the kids and the adults that we served. The missionary – David – who started the children’s home is a man like no other. He has an abundance of faith and vision – I’m humbled to be his friend. What I enjoyed most is watching our people and the experiences they had. From the moment that we stepped into the children’s home and then into the worship service of a local church – God was moving in the hearts of our people. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

3) You don’t have to be super spiritual to serve people – you just need to be available. Anyone can paint a fence, pull some weeds, hug a child or kick a soccer ball.

4) Philippians 1:21 says “For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.” This verse echoed in my mind over and over again over the last 12 days. I was incredibly home sick (I really missed my wife and kids – here is a secret: I hate leaving them at home) and I was sick – to the point that I was taken to the Peruvian ER (that is another story for another time) – but the thought that maintained me during a very rough day “To live is Christ” – my life should reflect to the Gospel – “To Die Is Gain” – nothing compares to the glory one day to be experienced in heaven.

5) Serving people is very different than serving people in the name of Jesus. Anyone can help a fellow human being and meet a felt need (temporarily), but only Christ can bring eternal hope to those in need.

6) This is only the first mission trip. I hope and pray that our Arequipa location will be a permanent mission site for us in years to come. I am prayerfully hoping that we will be able to send two teams a year – but that may be a little too ambitious. We also are going to look at missions sites in the U.S., Europe and Africa in the next 18 months.

7) Weird Story From Peru: While walking through an open market in a very secluded village in the Andes Mtns. – we watched a video of Justin Bieber – that was a little bizarre.

God is doing some great things in our church and in the lives of those of us who had the opportunity to go to Peru. Pray about what God may be calling you to do. And let us never forget that all of us are called to the mission field that is immediately around us: our homes, workplaces, community and spheres of influence.

Also, Sarah Beth and I are inviting everyone (our entire church) to a cookout at our house this Sunday night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Please bring a side, two-liter, and a yard chair -hamburgers and hotdogs provided – please RSVP.

I’m sitting in a small airport in Central Louisiana. For some reason my Delta flight had mechanical difficulties and I’m five hours late and totally missed my speaking engagement. The bad thing is that I have to wait another two hours on my ride. The good thing is that it has given me plenty of time to reflect on the last week (especially yesterday) and look forward to the next few weeks.

This week is a milestone for our church: We’re commissioning our first ever international mission team. Fourteen River Hills folks will be heading to Arequipa, Peru this Friday. As most of you know, we will be serving an orphanage in the area. On Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the YMCA – several of our team members will be collecting kids supplies for the trip. Things like sidewalk chalk, Spanish Christian literature and everyday supplies that a child at an orphanage may need are needed. Please come by and drop off some crayons or coloring books. There is also a need for used lap top computers – so if you have one sitting around (broken or usable) please send them along.

I love missions – in fact as I think about why we started River Hills Church almost three years ago – I’m reminded that we are a mission. We (our church) are a mission to our families, communities, culture and world. We’ve been doing missions for three years – and now we get to take it to another continent. Please pray for our team – that God would give us traveling mercies and an opportunity to bring truth and people together.

Yesterday we finished up “Redeeming Love: A Study On The Book Of Ruth.” I have personally grown through this study and I”m looking forward to our “Q and A” series starting on July 11. Don’t forget: if you have a tough question about the Bible, spirituality, or God – send it to us at questions@churchatriverhills.com. We’re going to attempt to answer as many questions as possible on July 25 – it is also a great opportunity to bring your more skeptical friends to church. I’m also excited to hear our Executive Pastor, Spencer Breedlove, and student minister, Will Clark, preach the next two weeks.

It is currently 98 degrees in central Louisiana with 100% humidity, but I’m encouraged and excited about speaking to 500 mission-minded teenagers over the next few days. Pray that God would speak and do big things. Pray that God would bless our mission team. Pray that God would use our church in big ways.

Awesome Sunday yesterday! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! We baptized 6 people – and worship was absolutely amazing! God is truly moving in the lives of people and in the life of our church. What is incredible is the testimonies of each person who was baptized – how they were far from God and now they are in a complete relationship with Christ. I am astonished at the life transformation that has occurred in each person baptized yesterday – and overwhelmed by what is happening in our church.

Here are some thoughts from yesterday:

1) As we continue our study on the book of Ruth we learned that trusting God means that we will have to take risks. What is so amazing about taking the risk is that in our minds it is “risky” but in God’s plan it is finalized. I believe that God will be challenging our church to take some risks in the near future. What will it be? What “risks” is God calling you to take?

2) Last week we sent our first student group to camp. Awesome! They had a great experience and I’m excited to see what will be developed in the life of our student ministry this year.

3) Small groups are gearing up for this August. If you haven’t signed up, joined or expressed and interest – DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!

4) Pray for our Peru mission team! We will have  special time of prayer for them this Sunday – and be looking for some upcoming missions events in the coming 12 months.

Have a great week – look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Good Morning! I should probably rename this blog “vacation reflections” due to the fact that we were 5ooo feet above the ground as most of you were in worship yesterday. Sarah Beth and I just returned from Jamaica where we celebrated 10 years of marriage – without our kids. It was an incredible experience – one I hope to do again, and I am so thankful for grandparents for keeping our kids, church staff for working harder in my absence and my wife for agreeing to let me go with her .

During our time in Jamaica I specifically prayed that God would do three things while we were gone: 1) Create a greater sense of oneness between Sarah Beth and I – our marriage is great – just want it to be greater, 2) To restore both Sarah Beth and I physically and mentally, and 3) Speak to me specifically about River Hills Church and our future. To be honest it was difficult to hear God because of the sound of my snoring – He did restore us and we are continuing to grow in our marriage, but I wanted to hear God this week and get a sense of what He wants.

The hotel we stayed at was brand new – and part of the amenities at the hotel was the opportunity to snorkel off their beach. About 50 yards from the shore, the hotel was attempting to create some sort of coral reef with piles of rocks and debris. I love to swim and I spent an hour snorkeling and diving around this man-made reef. Their were tons of tropical fish and an assortment of shells and plant life. All alone in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean – I was overcome by the wonder of God’s creation. Although this was simply a pile of rocks that someone thought would be a great idea to draw people to their hotel (Come explore our private coral reef) – I was overcome with what God can do with something so utterly man-made. I’ve had the opportunity to snorkel in some great places – Belize for example has the 2nd largest coral reef in the world – but what fascinated me was this: God makes everything glorious – even our weak efforts to reflect Him. He took some rocks and other debris – and was creating a wonder-world of plant life and fish. As I snorkeled the song by David Crowder “You Make Everything Glorious” continued to run through my mind.

So here is what I think God was speaking to me during our time a way: 1) God is doing a great thing in our church and is going to use that in the lives of others. He is making all things glorious. Are we willing to be used? Our humble beginnings are an example of God making all things glorious – and I am thankful that He is doing the work – not us. 2) Missions is so vitally important – and will become an even greater ministry in the life of our church (I believe He is leading us to Jamaica in the near future) – but the point is that we have to become “other’s focused” in order to be made glorious.

Fired up about being back – thank you for the time off. Be praying for our student ministry and its leaders today – we are sending our first group to student camp this afternoon – awesome!!!