Transformed

Last night, we concluded our Fusion series for the month of November called "Transformed". Throughout the series, we emphasized to students that God is not content with just making us good people who go to church, love our parents, only use Christian cuss words, and don't cheat on tests. His desire is to make us like Him! It is about complete transformation! Here are some of the highlights from the series:

• Our Creative team of students came up with some cool ideas to deck the room out and help enhance the series. We had some car parts from a local junkyard setup on stage, including a red hood that looked the part of Optimus Prime. This is the first series where we had student involvement in the planning/creative process and they did awesome. Definitely looking forward to the New Year and getting their feedback on some incredible series we have planned!

• The first week, I spoke about the blind man from John 9 that Jesus healed. The 3 points we made based off this passage were: (1) Only God can transform us; (2) When God transforms us others take notice; and (3) Our transformation deepens our love for God.

• In week 2, I spoke briefly from John 4 and the woman at the well. We then made 2 points to the students: (1) Our transformation begins where we are; and (2) God uses our transformation to transform others. We then had one of our leaders share her incredible story. She grew up in a verbally and physically abusive home, made significant mistakes as a teenager, and was at the end of her rope. But God grabbed hold of her heart and changed her. She then encouraged students by telling them God can change anyone! Powerful stuff!

• Sr Pastor Rick White spoke week 3 as we wrapped up the series and did an awesome job, taking the life of the Apostle Paul to challenge the students not to focus on self-righteousness. Paul had a lot to be proud of and could rest on that and feel that he had arrived. But he considered everything as loss compared to knowing Jesus and experiencing the work He was doing in Paul's life. Rick told the students that we can't transform our own life or pretend that we're good enough. Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..."

• We also got Rick involved in a karaoke game. We wisely didn't tell him that until he showed up that night. He had to put on headphones and hum 80s songs into the mic. Students had to guess what song he was humming. He was a good sport, although his humming was a little pitchy at times.

• Each week, we made a fun video where one person is transformed into someone else. In week 1, one of our students (Zac) was transformed into a leader (Dan). (Check it out here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kK1wpOFBp4). In week 2, another student (Beau) was transformed into me, curly hair and all. And in week 3, I was transformed into our Senior Pastor Rick White (Check it out here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trlh-8aAPzE). Anytime you can get Zac to wear chick pants, Beau in an afro wig, and myself with my hair straightened, you can't go wrong. Or maybe you can.

• We also had a video testimonial of one of our students talking about the change God is making in his life. He talked about how he used to just go through the motions in his walk with Christ. But over the last few months, God has been working in his life and he sees a huge difference.

• The band did an incredible job throughout the series, rocking songs that talked about the incredible change God does in us. They also did a really cool acoustic version of Switchfoot's "Dare You to Move".

• Our leaders had the chance to counsel/pray with several students throughout the series as God spoke to them! It is special to see God open students' eyes to the reality that He wants to make them like HIM! That is a transformation we all need!