I Love My Church

It’s no secret that I Love My Church!  In fact, I say it a lot on Sundays because I want the people in attendance to know how honored I am to pastor New Church.  

But when I decided to take last Sunday off from preaching, I wanted people to hear it from someone else, so I asked a young leader in our church, who I also consider to be a good friend, Josh Black, to preach a message entitled, “I Love My Church.”

I asked him to talk about the mission of New Church, and he did a great job!  If you would like to listen to and/or download the message from last Sunday, Click Here.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader of the Week: Daniel Paulk

Meet Daniel Paulk, our most recent Volunteer Leader of the Week.  Daniel works as an engineer on the weekdays and volunteers on our Host Team on Sundays.  Daniel is married to Samantha, our Groups Director, and together they lead a New Church Group.

I asked Daniel a couple of simple questions about New Church and volunteering.  Here’s what he had to say:

Why New Church?

Samantha and I chose New Church because we were looking for something non-traditional, that we as young adults could fit into and be a part of. We church shopped for a long time, before going to the launch service at New Church, but never found anything that we wanted to be a part of. Once we visited and found out that the core values of the church were in line with our beliefs, we knew right away that we had found the right church for us.

Why Volunteer?

After the first couple of times visiting, I knew that the YMCA where we meet opened at noon, and there was something of a time crunch to get everything put away after church before the Y opened. So I offered to help by putting up chairs and that led to other things, and as I got more comfortable with everyone, I got plugged into more and more things because it felt natural. Simply put, I saw a need and wanted to be able to help.

Thank you for stepping up to meet that need, and other needs since then, Daniel.  I appreciate all that you and Samantha are doing to help us accomplish our vision “…to help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ!”  It’s an honor to serve along side you each week!

T. J.

Volunteer Leader of the Week: Tara Maxey

Tara Maxey is this week’s New Church Volunteer Leader of the Week.  Tara is a Recovery Manager for Volvo Financial Services, and on Sundays, she serves in our Newbies (birth – 4 yrs.) environment.

I asked to Tara to share why she is a part of New Church, and why she feels it’s important to volunteer.  Below is what she had to say:

Why New Church?

Because I can wear my Panthers Jersey…  Seriously, I could write a few paragraphs about how God led our family to New Church, but the bottom line is it’s where God wants our family to partner and serve.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering to serve Christ is such a small thing compared to what He has done and continues to do.  By loving the children that come to New Church, I can help show them, and their parents, how much Jesus loves all of us.

Well said, Tara!  Thank you for showing the love of Jesus to the children and parents we serve.  You have been, and continue to be, one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met.  I am extremely grateful for you, and your family, and it is an honor to serve Jesus alongside you each week!

T. J.

Volunteer Leader of the Week: Robert Maxey

I am honored to present to you the most recent New Church Volunteer Leader of the Week, Robert Maxey.  Robert is an Associate Auditor at Carter Bank and Trust throughout the week, and on the weekends, he leads on our set-up and tear down teams.  He also serves on our Finance Team.

I asked Robert two simple questions in relation to New Church, and here’s what he had to say:

Why New Church?

I feel God prepared, and led, me and my family to New Church.

Why Volunteer?

At first, I wanted to help New Church because I knew it would be difficult to find volunteers, since it is a “new” church.  Volunteering was a way to show my support for New Church.  It did not take long before just wanting to help turned into a calling and sharing of the vision of New Church.  

I believe God has helped me to understand, no matter your talent level, he has a place for you, and if you offer him your best, he will use your talents.  Since I started volunteering, God has brought wonderful new friends into my family’s life and allowed me to be a part of  62 people accepting his gift of salvation.  What more can be said?

Robert is a tremendous example of what a servant leader should be like.  Robert, I’m so glad God brought your family to New Church, and I’m grateful for your leadership and your support!  It is an honor to serve Jesus alongside you!

T. J.

Volunteer Leader of the Week: Ryan Childers

Ryan Childers is New Church’s most recent Volunteer Leader of the Week.  Ryan moved to Winston-Salem from Las Vegas a few months ago to be a part of what God is doing in, and through, New Church for his glory.

Ryan volunteers as a small group leader and as the assistant to the storyteller in our Newkidz (K5-5th grade) environment.  He also helps with the set-up and tear down of our main worship environment each week.

Although Ryan hasn’t been at New Church for long, he’s made a huge impact through his willingness to get involved.  Ryan, it’s an honor to serve Jesus alongside you, and I’m grateful for your hard work each weekend.

T. J.

Word Fires

Last Sunday was the 3rd week of our current series, The Essential James.  Joshua Black shared, from James 3, how we have the potential to do a lot of damage by setting peoples’ lives on fire with our tongues.

The good news is that our words can also bring healing and encouragement when we allow God to work in, and through, us.  Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life…”  The choice is ours, but one thing is certain—God is serious about our words, and we should be too.

You can click HERE to listen to last Sunday’s message.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Kent Bennett

This week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight is focused on Kent Bennett.  Kent is a Community Relations Support Specialist for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and one of the funniest dudes I know.  If you like to laugh on a continual basis, follow Kent on Twitter.

Kent works with our Tech Team on Sundays and helps with our Saturday set-up, when his schedule permits.  I asked Kent two simple questions, and he was kind enough to answer them.  You can read his responses below:

Why New Church?

I was still relatively new to Winston-Salem and was searching for a new church. I had visited some area churches but hadn’t really found one that I could connect with. When the post card came announcing “Grand Freaking Opening!!” I thought to myself, this could be the one.  The notion of it being “church…just different” I think, really appeals to a lot of people. It’s a church where a person, no matter where they are in their relationship with God, can feel really comfortable and grow spiritually with other people who know they aren’t perfect but can still lift each other up while they worship God.

Why Volunteer?

I volunteer at New Church because once I realized that it was a church where I felt like I could really grow, I wanted to become invested in it to make sure that others had an opportunity to have the same kind of experience. Voulnteering at New Church has introduced me to other great people who want others to know the joy Christ can bring both inside and outside of church.

Kent, I’m really glad our Grand Freaking Opening post card didn’t scare you away.  I appreciate all you do, and it is an honor to serve Jesus along side you at New Church!

T. J.

Ministry of The WARRIOR

Last Sunday at New Church, we wrapped up The WARRIOR series by honoring dads on Father’s Day and by giving away what we called a Tailgate Prize Package to one lucky dad.

We also took a look at an encounter between a social outcast and the greatest WARRIOR to ever live—Jesus—whose ministry was marked by love, compassion, and sacrifice.  We learned that the ministry of The WARRIOR is about giving before gaining.

You can listen to the complete message by clicking HERE.

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Erin Reece

This week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight honors Erin Reece.  Erin has an amazing story of how God worked in her life to get her to Winston-Salem, so she could be a part of the team that helped start New Church!  Erin took a HUGE step of faith, and God provided all of her needs and took care of every detail.

Erin works as a nurse for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and she volunteers on our Host Team on Sunday mornings.  She also fills in as needed in our Newbies (birth-4 yrs) environment.

I asked Erin 2 simple questions regarding her connection to New Church, and here’s what she had to say:

Why New Church?

Last summer I was finishing up my last semester of school and was praying about what to do when I graduated. God started laying 2 Corinthians 4:18 on my heart, “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  The vision of New Church to help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ is doing just that. New Church is changing the way people will spend eternity by introducing them to Jesus. So, I am a part of New Church because I wanted to be a part of a church where I could grow in my relationship with Christ as well as serve and help others grow in theirs. 

Why volunteer?

I volunteer because I came to a point in my life where I was no longer content sitting in a chair on Sunday mornings. I see serving as a way to worship, and a way to show my love for God by showing His love to everyone who walks through the doors of our church. 

Thank you for allowing God’s Word to speak to you, and thank you for following him, Erin!  God is pleased by your faith, and I am honored to serve along side of you “…to help people far from God experience new life in Jesus Christ!”

T. J.

Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Barbara Coalson

Barbara Coalson is the focus of this week’s Volunteer Leader Spotlight! Barbara is a single mom who has more energy than anyone else I know, period! She works for Wake Forest Baptist Health as a Staffing Analyst in Nursing Administration.

Barabara volunteers in our Next Generation ministry and works in the area of Child Check-in for Newkidz (K5-5th).  She was one of the first people to commit to help us launch New Church, and God has done some amazing things in, and through, her life in the last year.

I asked Barbara to answer 2 simple questions, “Why New Church?” and “Why volunteer?”  Below is what she had to say:

Why New Church?

I attend New Church to serve God and fulfill his purpose for my life.  I have no doubts God put me in New Church for such a time as this.  I had been feeling a piece was missing in my life and was praying for God to show me where He wanted me to serve Him and find usefulness in my life.  New Church came to me as a clear answer to this prayer.  I stand in awe of how He has taken people from all walks of life to fulfill His purpose at New Church and bring together people who otherwise might not attend church.

Why volunteer?

Why not?  It has never occurred to me that I should just be a seat warmer.  I don’t think God means for anyone to be just a taker and not give back.  When I take inventory of my life and all the blessings He has bestowed on me I couldn’t imagine not giving back.  “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28) – who are we not to follow in His example?

Well said, Barbara!  We are so grateful to have you as a Volunteer Leader at New Church, and it is an honor to serve Jesus, and others, with you!  Thanks for following the example of Jesus!

T. J.