Dear Coastal,

Well, it’s hard to believe that we only have 2 more weeks until Charleston County School starts again!  The Summer has flown by!  I’m getting very excited about our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups.  It really looks like lots of great LIFE Groups are forming!  If you are interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall we need to know now!  If you’re planning on leading a Group, we need all of your information turned in by next Friday, August 5th.

I do want to tell you something exciting about my Bod4God Group that I’m leading again this Fall.  LIFE Group Sunday is Sunday, August 28th.  On Monday, August 29th, Steve Reynolds, the author of “Bod4God” is coming to Coastal for a BIG Bod4God Rally!  It’s going to be a lot of fun and a great way to advertise our Group in the community.  So if you’re interested in losing weight and getting healthy, join my Group this Fall and come to the Kick-Off Rally!

We always have a large number of people each Sunday over the Summer that are traveling, out of town, etc., but each and every Sunday, even over the Summer, we have A LOT of Guests!  Keep inviting!  Keep reaching out!  If the Summer is any indicator, we’re going to have HUGE Fall!  In fact, this past Sunday we had 222 people in the auditorium in the 1st service alone (not counting anyone in Children’s Ministry).  It looks like the 9:30am service is going to be the largest of the two services.  Don’t forget to sit to the center and front of each section (make plenty of room for guests and other people as they come in).  Also, we need EVERYONE to fill out a Connect Card.  That creates positive peer pressure for our Guests to fill out a card – which is the only way we can follow up with people.

We’ve already got 8-10 people who say they are interested in being a Prayer/Decision Counselor in our services.  We’ll schedule a planning/training meeting for that in mid August.  Again, let me know if you’re interested (see my previous email for details).

Friday’s 5:

1. Welcome to WAVES Student Ministry Rising 6th Graders Party!  Wednesday, August 3, 5:30pm-7pm at Sky Zone in Mt. Pleasant (411 Wando Park Blvd.).
2. TEXT Giving (843-277-8337) or Online Giving are both great options over the Summer if you’re out of town!
3. Check out all the events going on over the Summer for our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade).  See Ryan Spell for more information.
   • Thursday, August 4: WAVES Service Project, meet at Coastal at 8am
   • Friday, August 12: WAVES Back to School Bash – 8pm-11pm, at Sky Zone, cost $10l!!!  Spread the word – invite & bring a friend!!
4. Our last Summer Movie Night will be Friday night, August 5th, 7-9pm.  We’ll provide popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, and drinks.  ALL FREE!  Bring lawnchairs or a blanket.  We’ll be showing the old classic, “Swiss Family Robinson.”
5. Coastal’s next Membership Class is Monday night, August 8th, 6pm-9pm in our old auditorium.

ALL IN!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  We’d love for you to join us for Chair Set-up, Saturday morning (tomorrow) at 9am.  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less – plus it’s a lot of fun!

Dear Coastal,

Well, I hate to say it, but, “I told you so!”  What I told you is that this past weekend was going to be AWESOME!  It really was!  I can’t say enough good things about VBS, our closing program, and all of our volunteers!  By the way, our VBS Missions Offering for Haiti ended up being just over $1300!  WOW!  And then it just kept getting better and better with the Beach Baptism & Barbeque on Saturday!  The weather, the food, the people, the Student Retreat, the fun, and 21 people were baptized into Jesus Christ in the ocean!

On Sunday, we kicked off our “Summer Reading” Sermon Series.  I hope this series will encourage you to read some great books and challenge you to grow in your faith.  On Sunday afternoon Janet and I left for Orlando for my Pastors Coaching Network and then our entire Staff joined us for a Conference on Church Systems and Evangelism.  In fact, we’re in Orlando right now as I type this and will be back on the road for Charleston on Friday afternoon.  Keep us in your prayers.  We’ve had A LOT of fun and it feels like we’ve been drinking from a fire hydrant!  I genuinely love the people I get to lead and work with!  Growing churches require growing Pastors and leaders, and it’s an honor to grow with our staff!

Friday’s 5:

1. Chair Set-up is back to normal this Saturday morning (tomorrow) at 9am.  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less – plus it’s a lot of fun!
2. This Saturday’s CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit) Class filled up so fast that Stephen Voges (a member of our Security Team & a City of Charleston Police Officer) is offering another class on Saturday, September 10th, at the church, 9am-3pm.  $60 for regular students, $40 for Military.  Need eye & ear protection, a gun, holster, and 50 rounds of ammo.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Stephen at iotaphi773@yahoo.com or 843-200-5449.
3. Are you interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall?  Let us know now!  LIFE Group Sunday is August 28th!  All of LIFE Group Info has to be turned in by August 10th.
4. Check out all the events going on over the Summer for our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade).  See Ryan Spell for more information.
   • Wednesday, July 27: Middle School Dinner & Movie (“The Secret Life of Pets” at Citadel Mall at 6:30pm, meet at Food Court at 5:15pm).  Let Ryan know if you’re coming.
   • Thursday, July 28: High School Dinner & Movie (“Star Trek: Beyond” at Citadel Mall at 7:45pm, meet at Food Court at 6:30pm).  Let Ryan know if you’re coming.
   • Wednesday, August 3: Rising 6th Graders Party (Time and Location TBD – probably SkyZone)
   • Thursday, August 4: WAVES Service Project, meet at Coastal at 8am
   • Friday, August 12: WAVES Back to School Bash – 5 to 8pm at Coastal!!!
5. Our last Summer Movie Night will be Friday night, August 5th, 7-9pm.  We’ll provide popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, and drinks.  ALL FREE!  Bring lawnchairs or a blanket.  We’ll be showing the old classic, “Swiss Family Robinson.”

ALL IN!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  TEXT Giving (843-277-8337) or Online Giving are both great options over the Summer if you’re out of town!

Dear Coastal,

Janet and I just got back into town last night from her father’s funeral – right as people were leaving from Thursday night of VBS.  It was so great seeing everyone – especially for Janet!  Janet and I both cannot thank all of you enough for the outpouring of love from our church family.  Again, the calls, texts, emails, kind words, and hugs all mean more than you know.

We definitely hit the ground running.  It’s going to be a very busy, but very exciting weekend!  Tonight is the VBS Closing Program.  From 6pm-7pm there will be hotdogs, jump castle, giant slide, petting zoo, and ice cream.  And then at 7pm we all go into our new facilty for a magic show, all the kids singing the songs, a slide show from the week, and some special appearances from some of VBS’s favorite characters!  It’s going to be AWESOME!  Don’t miss it!

And then after the VBS Closing Program, our Middle & High School Students leave for their Beach Retreat at Folly Beach.  The whole church is then invited to join them on Saturday for our Beach Baptism and Barbeque!  The address of the Beach House is 1017 W. Ashley St., near the Folly Beach County Park.  And get this – right now we have 19 people getting Baptized!!  It’s going to be AWESOME!  After the Baptism, we’ll have a church wide picnic.  We’ll provide the paper products and pulled pork barbeque and we’re asking everyone else to bring sides and drinks to share.  Come early and enjoy the beach!  It’s going to be an awesome day.  There is only limited parking available at the house, so if you have a County Park Yearly Car Pass, you might consider parking at the Folly Beach County Park and walking to the house.

And then on Sunday we kick off our new message series, “Summer Reading.”  And speaking of Sunday, I absolutely love our new service times – 9:30am & 11:15am!  I especially love the extra time we have in between the 2 services.  It makes for an easier flow of people and for more time for fellowship.  I love the new services times – for now!  What I mean by that is that I look forward to the time when we’re busting at the seams and need to add another service.  Guess what we’ll do?  Add another service and change the times, because we are willing to do anything, short of sin, to reach people.

And then on Sunday afternoon, I leave for Orlando for my Pastor’s Coaching Network.  In fact, our whole staff will be driving down on Monday to join me for a week long conference on church systems and evangelism.  I’m really looking forward to growing together with our staff.  Like I said, we hit the ground running!  It’s going to be a busy weekend, but a GREAT one!

Friday’s 5:

1. School Supplies are on SALE NOW!  It would be a great time to stock up on crayons, colored pencils, markers, stickers for Operation Christmas Child.  Feel free to drop off any items at the church.
2. Our new Sunday morning Service Times are 9:30am & 11:15am.  Our Volunteer Meeting (V.I.P.) will be at 9am.
3. Are you interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall?  Let us know now!  LIFE Group Sunday is August 28th!  All of LIFE Group Info has to be turned in by August 10th.
4. Check out all the events going on over the Summer for our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-8th Grade) on the back of the Sunday Morning Announcement Sheet or on our website.
5. Our last Summer Movie Night will be Friday night, August 5th, 7-9pm.  We’ll provide popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, and drinks.  ALL FREE!  Bring lawnchairs or a blanket.  We’ll be showing the old classic, “Swiss Family Robinson.”

LOVE CAN!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  There is no Chair Set-up this Saturday morning because we already set the chairs up for tonight’s VBS Closing Program.  However, we’d love for you join us every other Saturday at 9am to set-up the chairs for Sunday!

Dear Coastal,

The principles and truths found 2 Chronicles 7:14 were on my heart and mind this morning: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  There is no doubt or no denying it, our world, not just our country, is a mess.  The truth is, it always has been.  Is it getting worse?  Maybe, maybe not.  Maybe we’re just more aware of it.  But either way, the problem is and always has been the same – sin and the Evil One.  Therefore, the answer is and always has been the same – Jesus.  He is still the only true hope of the world!

2 Peter 3:8-12, 14, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. . . So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

Jesus didn’t return last night for one reason and one reason only – God is patiently waiting and wanting more people to be saved.  Coastal there is obviously much Kingdom work to be done!  Let’s get busy.  Maybe stay off of social media today or this weekend.  I’m not saying put your head in the sand.  I’m just saying, don’t get distracted or diverted from the real enemy and the real work at hand.  Be proactively prayerful, loving, and part of the solution.  Choose LOVE today.  LOVE really CAN change the world!  But love has a name – JESUS!  Share His/your story.  Share your faith.  Invite someone to Coastal this weekend!

Friday’s 5:

1. Today is the last day to pre-register your child/children for VBS! July 11-15, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  On-site registration will be available daily during VBS at 5:30pm each evening.
2. Interested in getting your CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit)?  Stephen Voges, a member of our Security Team and a City of Charleston Police Officer is offering a CWP Class on Saturday, July 23rd at the church, 9am-3pm.  $60 for regular students, $40 for Military.  Need eye & ear protection, a gun, holster, and 50 rounds of ammo.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Stephen at iotaphi773@yahoo.com or 843-200-5449.
3. Our next BEACH BAPTISM is July 16th (next Saturday), 4pm at the Baptist Beach House right on Folly Beach (1017 W. Ashley St., near the Folly Beach County Park).  Sign up online, on your Connect Card or respond to this email if you are interested in getting Baptized!  Come out to Folly Beach for a church wide picnic, an afternoon of fun, and a great celebration!  We’re going to provide the meat (barbeque), but we’re asking everyone else to bring drinks and a side dish to shaire.  Our Students will actually be at the Beach House for a Summer Beach Retreat, Friday Night, July 15th – Sunday, July 17th.  They will be leaving from the church immediately after the VBS Closing Program and returning after the 2nd service on Sunday, July 17th.
4. Our new Sunday morning Service Times start this Sunday – 9:30am & 11:15am.  Our Volunteer Meeting (V.I.P.) will be at 9am.
5. Are you interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall?  Let us know now!  LIFE Group Sunday is August 28th!  All of LIFE Info has to be turned in by August 10th.

LOVE CAN!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Our new sermon series, “Summer Reading” begins next Sunday, July 17th.  Each week, I’ll use the subject matter of one of six different books for my sermon.  You can purchase the 6 books at church on Sunday for $5 each.

Dear Coastal,

Well, guess what today is?  It’s my Birthday!  Here’s a little July 1st fun factoid for you:  it’s also Pamela Anderson’s Birthday (of “Babe” Watch fame).  In fact, we’re both the exact same age – 49 years old!  Considering the fact that I haven’t had nearly as much work done as she has had, I’m not doing too bad.  But one more year until I hit the Big 5-0.

Maybe it’s my age, maybe it’s the state of the world in which we live, or maybe it’s this healthy journey I’m on, but I find myself being a little more reflective, introspective, and goal oriented today than on Birthday’s past.  My theme this year is, “Fit by 50.”  I want to be healthier a year from now than I am today.  I want to be healthier physically.  I want to lose another 60lbs.  I want to run (not walk or “jalk”) the Bridge this year.  But I also want to be healthier spiritually, relationally, financially, and emotionally.  I also feel a renewed sense of urgency about our church and reaching the lost.  I want our church to continue to grow, not because I have a big ego that needs to be stroked, but because people are lost and going to Hell without Jesus.

What about you?  What goals and dreams do you have?  What areas of your life do you need to get healthier in?  What choices and decisions are you making today that will make your dream a reality tomorrow?  Anyway. . . just some of the million different thoughts going through my head today.  Happy Birthday Pamela!

Friday’s 5:

1. Pre-register your child/children NOW for VBS! July 11-15, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  VBS is a life changing experience!  Remember, if you change a child’s life – you change the world!
2. Don’t forget that we only have one service this Sunday – 10:15am.  And then starting July 10th we have our new service times begin – 9:30am & 11:15am.
3. Interested in getting your CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit)?  Stephen Voges, a member of our Security Team and a City of Charleston Police Officer is offering a CWP Class on Saturday, July 23rd at the church, 9am-3pm.  $60 for regular students, $40 for Military.  Need eye & ear protection, a gun, holster, and 50 rounds of ammo.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Stephen at iotaphi773@yahoo.com or 843-200-5449.
4. Our next BEACH BAPTISM is July 16th, 4pm at the Baptist Beach House right on Folly Beach (1017 W. Ashley St., near the Folly Beach County Park).  Sign up online, on your Connect Card or respond to this email if you are interested in getting Baptized!  Come out to Folly Beach for a church wide picnic, an afternoon of fun, and a great celebration!  We’re going to provide the meat, but we’re asking everyone else to bring drinks and a side to shaire.  Our Students will actually be at the Beach House for a Summer Beach Retreat, Friday Night, July 15th – Sunday, July 17th.  They will be leaving from the church immediately after the VBS Closing Program and returning after the 2nd service on Sunday, July 17th.
5. Jesse DeRosier, from our church, is the school counselor at Berkley Elementary School in Moncks Corner.  They are a Title 1 school with many children in need of clothes and shoes.  As the school counselor, Jesse is in charge of a clothes closet at her school.  She is organizing a clothing drive at Coastal to help meet that need.  New or gently used children’s clothing: sizes 4-14.  Shoes: sizes 11/12, 1-4.  New items needed: underwear, sizes 4-14.  You can drop off any of these items in the old Welcome Center in the Coastal Kidz building, in bags, labeled “Jesse’s Kids.”

All In!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Are you interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall?  Let us know now!  LIFE Group Sunday is August 28th!  All of LIFE Info has to be turned in by August 10th.