From the Pastor’s Heart: Life Change in a Changing Culture

“ For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”  Romans 1: 11-12

Paul says it well as the campus pastors and I want to encourage you each Sunday in worship, in our ministries to children, students and adults.  And, we too are encouraged by your faith and devotion to Christ.  These are challenging times we are living in because the culture is drastically changing around us.   Cultural mandates are being thrown at us constantly so it is even more vital that we have a sacred space in worship, life groups and ministry opportunities so we can reclaim the beautiful truth of Holy Scripture that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace…”Hebrews 13: 8-9   We have a centering in Christ, who is unmovable, so when the winds blow and storms come our way we are grounded and anchored in the Lord.

While culture is rapidly changing around us it is a powerful reality that Christ Church stands faithfully to proclaim the life changing grace of God in both word and deed.  Let’s celebrate together what God has been doing since summer began:

• Mega Sports Camp at both Mt. View and Statesville campuses had 216 children and 82 of them made professions of faith in Christ.  The volunteers, coaches, at every campus were amazing and gave 110% to love and encourage our kids!
• Freedom Fest Worship Sunday July 2 at 5 p.m. had 351 in worship and over 400 participate in the festivities after the service.  What a great experience to focus on the freedom we have as a nation and the ultimate freedom we have in Christ.
•  Upper Room July 4 at 12 noon had 70 in attendance and 40 online praying for our nation, our community and local churches to remain faithful in living for Christ.
•  Ghana Mission Team treated 824 persons in our medical clinics during the day with down pouring rains each day.  The crusades at night we had 140 persons profess faith in Christ and 120 baptisms.  We dedicated the sacred spots where the three pavilions are built to become a new church in each of the three villages and we planted three new churches. 
• As this newsletter is written we have dozens of our students at FUGE Camp where their lives are being impacted to be the generation to reach their generation for Christ.

Your tithes and offerings each week are making a difference.  Please continue to give during the summer months. Your prayers, your service and dedication to the Lord is literally changing the lives of children, students and adults locally and globally.  In a fast changing world we are even more committed to offering the life changing message of Christ.

Please be in prayer and attendance at these events:
August 1: Upper Room Prayer and Healing Service at 7 p.m. - Mt. View Campus
August 13: Back to School Bash  2 until 6 p.m. – Northside Campus
August 20: 5 p.m. Church Wide Baptism Service at CC Mt. View
Again, I affirm Paul’s words from me to you, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”  

Love,
Pastor Charles

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Register yourself and your team to join us on Thursday-Friday, August 3-4, 2023 and mark your calendars for two days you won’t forget!
Go to christnc.com/events to register to attend at the  Mt. View Campus. Use Priority Code 23PHSHOST to get the $179 rate.

MEGA SPORTS CAMP
Christ Church welcomed 216 children across the Mt View and Statesville campuses for our sports outreach program, Mega Sports Camp. We had an amazing time learning about Jesus and learning about different sports including: basketball, soccer, volleyball, cheer, preschool sports basics, and newly added to the Statesville campus, S.T.E.M. On day 4 children were presented with the salvation message and 45 children said YES to JESUS! Out of the 216 that came many also rededicated their lives to Jesus. We want to thank the Lord for moving boldly throughout the camp and the leaders for using their spiritual gifts at Mega

CCKids Promotion Sunday
Promotion Sunday is on August 20th during our regular service hours. We will celebrate each child popping up to the next grade/age level. Join us as we celebrate each child and celebrate our rising 6th graders as they transition into Student Ministry.

Watch for Fall Life Group Sign-Ups Coming in September!
To find out more about Life Groups or find a Life Group now, visit https://christnc.com/life-groups
Chris Murray
Life Group Pastor
lifegroups.christnc@gmail.com