7 families are celebrating Christmas this year differently because of Westport Church.

Nope. That’s not a typo.  Westport had set out to serve 5 special families in need this Christmas, but because of overwhelming generosity we were able to extend that and bless two additional families with food and groceries!

Below are a few pics from the deliveries this week.  We’ll show a report video in the weekend gatherings on January 15th.  If you helped contribute to this project through prayer or generous giving – these pictures are for you.  YOU have been an extension of the heart of the Father, and the compassion of Jesus.  Families in great need are being blessed because of YOU.  And this is just a taste, just the first step.  Our prayer is that as people receive life and hope and joy from us, that they will give all glory to our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

My brother Jeremy shared this quote from Rob Bell.  It’s good.  So I thought I’d share it, too.

When you preach…

you open yourself to the possibility of misinterpretation and confusion and anger and ignorance and fear and jealously and opinions and evaluation and bloggers and critique and agendas and baggage and convictions and projections.

and at the exact same moment…

you open yourself to the possibility of truth and light and hope and repentance and desire and compassion and longing and revolution and confession and inspiration and comfort and solidarity and salvation and resurrection

And when you do this, you don’t get to pick one or the other.

Acts 17  “some sneered, and some wanted to hear more.”

I’m on the ground in India this week.  Yesterday and today our team is in Pune at Santvana Home.  This is a home for abandoned children, many with AIDS, that Westport loves and invests in deeply – both financially and, even more importantly, relationally.

Add me to the ever-growing number of people who find it difficult to describe the impact of being here.  Just unreal.

I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts to share in the weeks to come as I continue to process.  But for today – just pics of the beautiful children at Santvana (click on pics to enlarge).

It’s been a busy summer around our church.  In between serving our community and numerous baptisms (yes!), we’ve been praying, dreaming, planning, and preparing for the next chapter of Westport Church.  God has clearly shown His favor in the first 5 years of Westport’s existence:  a church has been formed, lives have been changed, a community is being impacted.

And you know what we believe?  We’re just getting started.

Two nights ago our Elder Team, Staff Team and spouses gathered together for the official “unveiling” of the vision for the next chapter of Westport.  To say there was excitement and anticipation might be an understatement! What a thrill to see eyes light up and hearts begin to beat fast at the new awareness of what lies ahead at Westport.  With great joy and with all we have, we’ve embraced the vision that we believe God has in store for us.

On September 11, we launch our NEXT series. We’ll unveil to the entire church what we believe God has NEXT for Westport.  In a word, it’s audacious! But we believe wholeheartedly that God is shaping this and will provide what it takes to see His vision for Westport accomplished. And we believe countless lives will be changed on this journey together – including our own.

Don’t miss the next few weeks. Have other plans? Cancel them. This may be the most important series we’ve had at Westport.  Yep, it’s that big.  And it’s guaranteed to make your heart beat fast.

Oh, and the pic of Mark Grover and me? Well, I’ll just say that we REALLY celebrated at the meeting.  And those of you who know Mark know how much he loves to be hugged… :)

Great days ahead!