March 8, 1998...after months of planning, praying and preparing we finally launched our first service. We met in a movie theater, which was pretty cutting edge at the time. We were out of our minds with excitement and fear.
At the time I worked in children's ministry, so unfortunately I missed the whole "adult" service. I was bummed that I missed it, but unfortunately when you start out you have to do whatever you can to fill positions. I've been asked by several cp wives whether they should be in the lobby before and after service with their husbands. I tell them that ideally that would great, but it's just about impossible when you first start out. Because of other needs in the church we're often separated from our husbands on Sunday mornings.
560 people showed up and we were amazed at what God was doing. People were excited and eager to get involved. To be honest I was shocked by the whole thing. I kept having thoughts run through my mind like, "No one will show up." "It's raining; people don't go to church in the rain!" "Who are we kidding?" Thankfully God was much bigger than my fears and irrational thoughts.
I love what Kim McManus says about the first Sunday: "Here's to the first Sunday when everyone is together in one historical service. The hard work, the sacrifice, the love and the teamwork is beautiful to behold. Nothing is comparable to that first Sunday of the birth of a new church. It is the compilation of dreaming and the movement of the Spirit of God that is glorious to experience. It makes that solo guitar sound orchestral. All resources and hearts have been pooled to this one experience of faith and hope, God and future. Wow. Drink it in because not all Sundays will be like the first, but let that special one set the standard of excellence for all the rest. Being on a team, one that works and is ready to risk everything, is luxurious. I love every minute of a team that serves together because their core is the same."
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