Posted on Friday, December 23, 2016

Fully Experience Christmas

32 years ago, I was nine years-old sleeping under the Christmas tree. The night before, my mother was sent to the hospital as we all eagerly awaited the birth of my little brother, Seth. (Happy Birthday Seth!) We were at home awaiting the call and sure enough, news came we had a baby brother. I will never forget being woken up by the old fashioned rotary phone ring as the sun shined through the living room window. That Christmas was particularly special because I gained a baby brother.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

My brother Seth has brought so much joy to my family. You see, just two months before his birth my grandmother died. It was the first Christmas I felt deep emotion experiencing firsthand life and death in such a short period of time. My perspective as a 9-year-old boy about Christmas and who Jesus is, was forever changed. Jesus was a baby, and yet the Savior of the world, and he wants us to Experience Christmas in a unique way this year:

Experiencing Christmas This Year…

1. Slow Down – Most of you will probably be reading this the days right before Christmas. Whether you are traveling, staying home or are finishing up work for the work, take your foot off the gas. Read Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus and let it sink into your soul. As you battle traffic, last minute expectations from your boss and chaotic marketing schemes, just relax. Take some time to write, read, reflect and remember.

2. Embrace The Pain – We know this time of year is incredibly difficult for so many. We face Christmas this year with pain from a lost loved one, a past or pending divorce or a recent illness. Let me tell you a secret: It’s okay and healthy to embrace the pain. It is the pain of life that helps us understand just how deep the love of Jesus runs. Talk to someone, cry it out, embrace your children and receive forgiveness of a savior who came to forgive.

3. Make A Memory – Family, friends and loved ones, this is what Christmas is about. I still have the tag from Christmas 1983 when I received a “brand new dirt bike” from my grandparents. No doubt you have probably been to a Christmas party or two but I am talking about intentionally making this Christmas a “wow moment” for someone. it doesn’t have to be a gift under a tree. Forgive, communicate, take a bold step. Whatever it is, you probably already know what you need to do.

4. Savor The Moment –

If there is food to be eaten, taste all of it.

If there are children to be hugged, hug all of them.

If there is a spouse to be held hold them tight.

If there is a gift to be given, enjoy the smile.

If there is a sin to forgive, let it be forgotten.

There is a Savior to celebrate, worship Him with all of your heart.

Thank you for making my family rich with friends and love. It’s time to Experience Christmas.

Josh, Summer, Lilly, Eddy, Titus, Lydia, Godfrey and William

Posted on Monday, May 25, 2015

I’m 40 Today? What?

Age is just a number, but it does have me thinking. What is life all about? Birthdays with a “zero” cause us to contemplate all life is; Disappointments, regrets, thankfulness, opportunity, successes, everything. Here is one key question I am trying to live by everyday, regardless of how long I live. “What is the wise thing to do? Here is the greatest challenge you will ever face, having the mind of Christ in all situations. If you follow Jesus this verse is true for you “But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Many times the reason we get ourselves into difficult situations is because of our own poor choices. We think things through without God. But there is hope.

Life is not about how long you live, but how you live.

4 Words To Live By –

1. Conviction – What do you stand for? Standing for the wrong thing won’t matter, but having the right convictions will lead you to powerful, meaningful years.

Learn to Trust Jesus in every situation – The Gospel is the principle that trumps every other driving force, desire or passion. His sacrifice and redemption has given me reason to trust.

Love my family well – I am in Uganda today celebrating my 40^th birthday with the incredible gift of three new sons. I am torn, missing my 3 children in New Jersey, but I am making the choice to love my wife and these six children with everything in me. This is the most important legacy I will leave.

Serve the church – Offering my life to God for His purpose is pure joy. Using it to bring honor and glory to him is critical.

2. Compassion – Who will you show mercy to today? Showing compassion is a lifestyle. If you look for the opportunities, compassion will rise up within you. The more you want, the less compassion you tend to have. Ambition can squash out compassion. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). This is true compassion.

3. Character – What will you be known for? Consistency over a lifetime of depending on God is what I am aiming for. “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. (Psalm 57:7) This is my prayer for my life. Emotional decisions accentuate problems. Wisdom gives clarity to your steps.

4. Challenge – “Do you depend on your comfort?” Temporary suffering is nothing compared to your eternal glory. Don’t seek comfort, seek the will of God. Most of us tend towards comfort, but when God gives you the command to follow, your job is to simply obey, whatever the outcome.

Please pray that we can return home with our 3 sons soon. I am missing you all and praying for you constantly. 40 is just a number, looking forward to the next 40!

Josh

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us. Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here

Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2015

The 3 Core Relationships of a Disciple Maker – Part 2

The Church is incredible. Over thousands of years now through the power of the Holy Spirit, the church has endured. We ARE THE CHURCH! YOU ARE THE CHURCH. The BEST way to make a #disciple of Jesus is to do so in the context of local sending biblical community. When I look back over my life, my closest friends have been made in the context of biblical community. In order to be a disciple and in turn be a disciple maker, we must stretch ourselves to achieve excellence in three core relationships. Our mission statement is to be a “restored, family, sent on mission to make disciples.” In this post we will deal with the second relationship of the mission statement. The church as a family.

Key Relationship #2 – The Church

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit...^“ 1 Corinthians 12:13

I’ll never forget one warm summer day stepping out into the Atlantic Ocean with Jorge, 17 years old. Jorge has an amazing story, but the above picture is one moment, a snap shot of a personal declaration of his belonging to Jesus and to the Body of Christ, the CHURCH! Jorge has been at 217church from the beginning but it wasn’t until a couple of summer’s ago when he made it public. We are family. If we are going to be a disciple and a disciple maker, we must invest our whole life in caring for one another deeply. You aren’t just baptized into a relationship with Jesus, but also with His church. This means showing love, adopting constantly and living with each other in the tension of failure and future promise. The church isn’t for the perfect but for those being perfected.

5 Marks Of A Disciple Making Church Family –

1. Forgive Regularly – The more you leave individual churches and go to other ones, the more you will become a consumer of religious goods and treat the church as an earthly organization rather than a reflection of heavenly grace and amazement. Have you “left” a church before? Many of us have left a church because of conflict and honestly, it goes back to unresolved sin issues. Either it was to hard to forgive or we were too embarrassed or unwilling to be forgiven. The more you run from church, accountability and admonishment, the more you will find your ability to disciple someone lacking. Keep this in mind, the church will NEVER be perfect on earth because you are in it! Leaving a church because you refuse to forgive will cause you to be bitter angry and you will carry regret with you for years to come. Odds are, you will “leave” the church family you just ran to as well.

Question: What can you do to solve a problem at your local church?

2. Serve Continually – If we are to follow Jesus and he came to serve and not to be served, than we MUST serve every chance we get. In our small groups, bringing meals to each other when in distress, visiting each other in the hospital, celebrating milestones with each other. Our 217church ownership covenant sums it up nicely. This is the 4 step covenant we ask each person to agree to when they make our church their local congregation: Here it is: #1 Protect the unity by acting in love, #2 Share the responsibility by loving in small group community, #3 Share the ministry by serving on a weekend team, and #4 Support the testimony of the church by giving generously.

Question: Are you ready to covenant with the body of Christ?

3. Learn Diligently – One of the best ways to learn is from each other. We must learn to depend on the gifts of teaching in group community. In our groups, one of our roles is to be a learner. If we are to disciple, we must be fully committed to be taught on a continual basis. A group that learns together will be a group that grows in ability to disciple. Just because you know something, doesn’t mean you have mastered the concept. Learning means putting the principles you study into action.

Question: Are you a learner, What are you most excited about to learn?

4. Invite Constantly – One of the best things your group can do is invite people to do life together. Now here is the secret. This shouldn’t take much more time, just be human and participate in building relationships where you already find yourself. You should be someone who is approachable, amicable and even admired for your character in your community. Throw a party, coach a team, build relationships naturally, walk your dog, be someone who is inviting people into your life. Your church should be easy to connect with and there should be very few barriers authentic community.

Question: Who is one person you can invite to your group?

5. Eat Joyously – Does this really need explanation? Where the church is there should be food, enough said.

Question: Who can you share a meal with this week in your church family?

My prayer is we will grow strong as a church and discover His blueprint for being a disciple maker as a church community. #BeADisciple #MakeADisciple

Josh

This Sunday at 217church

March 22- The Church Family – Part 2 of being a “Restored family sent on mission to make disciples.”

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Why One Service at Each Campus?

After many conversations with elders, leaders, others in our congregation, and outside advisors over the last 6 weeks, we have made the decision as 217church to go to ONE SERVICE at EACH CAMPUS beginning March 8. Our new service times will be 10:00am in Hamilton at the AMC24 and 11:00am in Robbinsville at Sharon School. One thing is for sure, we have had an incredible impact over the past 5 years and we are gearing up to be as healthy as we can in order to fulfill the vision God has called us to over the next 5 years.

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.^“ Colossians 1:28

Keep in mind the weekend services are just ONE aspect of our mission to be a restored, family sent on mission to make disciples. We believe positioning our weekends in the new format will do some key things that will cause us to operate more healthy over these next months. our vision isn’t changing but our implementation plan is. This is one of the things I love about our church, your incredible commitment to whatever it takes! Our weekends are designed to help us Pursue God Passionately and lead people to small group community to become disciple makers. This isn’t a step back, but a step forward. Here’s why we are making the switch.

Why One Service At Each Campus?

1. Prayer Focus – At Hamilton, because we have 2 services, and our first service started at 9:30 am, we had less time to pray and connect with each other before the services. All the staff agrees that we envision our church before and after services to be a place where PRAYER is of utmost priority! 9:20-9:45 will be our prayer time in Hamilton and 10:15-10:40 in Robbinsville. We need to pray for each other, pray through scripture, and intercede for what God will do through the services! I am truly excited for this! We need to reset the culture to be one where prayer and spiritual response is the primary focus both before, during, and after services. What would it be like to be a church where over 100 people gathered before we worshiped corporately to pray for God to move mightily across the 2 campuses.

Your Role: Double down in Your commitment to PRAY together on Sunday

2. BIG WIN for our 217kids Ministry – Especially in Hamilton because we had 2 services, this meant we needed to staff twice as many kids co-workers. We need to empower and make one High Quality experience for our kids in each campus. I believe this will allow more 217kids coworkers to connect and our kids and tots will be ministered to more effectively. They need support and a new platform to build from. We love our children so much! Our KIDS COWORKERS ARE AMAZING! We are starting a BRAND NEW KIDS CURRICULUM in a few weeks and I am very pumped about this. Our goal is to drive the stake of the Gospel so deep in their young lives that when they are older, they will only wander so far from it.

Your Role: Consider your role in our 217kids ministry

3. My Strategic Presence – In a 2 service system, I get to spend more time with the Robbinsville campus and augment what is happening after the preaching. The Sharon School facility will allow us to do lunches, trainings, and fellowships after services to build into the body onsite at the school! I am so excited about this. Tremendous things have happened. I am so pleased we were willing to take a risk and start another campus when we did. The TEAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB of welcoming people in and the Gospel is going forward and people are being added to His kingdom!

Your Role: Step up and join a weekend team

4. Unity and Connection – We feel as a staff we need a season of togetherness in Hamilton for one service in order to grow strong for the next season God is calling us to as a total church. I am thinking that some of you will choose to migrate to the Robbinsville Campus because of the service time change. Ever since we went to 2 services in Hamilton it meant we didn’t have a full room of people worshiping together and BOTH CAMPUSES NEED TO BE REALLY STRONG if we are going to continue to Plant churches and add campuses. Our services are incredible opportunities to corporately build up, receive the word, and gain strength for our week.

Your Role: Consider which campus you are committed to, then go all in with a small group

I have so much positive anticipation regarding these changes. Comment below, I would love to dialogue about how you feel and hear your thoughts.

Josh

This Sunday at 217church

March 8- Joy & Our Future – Our 5 Year Anniversary Celebration! We will Reveal some Faith Steps God is asking us to take as a church and rally around the vision.

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Friday, November 28, 2014

There is Something I Need to Say

THANK YOU. Ten years ago, I never could have imagined the trials and joys my family would face over the next decade. But as I look back, God has been right there with us every step of the way. Particularly over the past month, during my father-in-law’s last days of life, so many of you have reached out to my family and have done the little things that have showed you are truly of God. No, I’m not talking about random facebook posts, I’m talking about tangible things you have done for my family. As we have watched a man go and touch the face of eternity, my family has been marked by the endless pouring out of affection and care from those around us. But tomorrow before we celebrate his life I wanted to thank those who are too many to name, but let try and capture a few here:

Don’t EVER forget to say thank you…

Gary with the Love of His life, Marlys on one of their countless Cascade Mountain treks.

1 – Family – Family is well, family. no matter what, you forgive, step forward, choose to love, take care of, and sacrifice for. We aren’t perfect, but we are family. Dad, you accepted me. Even though I wasn’t perfect, you gave your daughter to me and then you loved me. I NEVER doubted your love. Mom, you are persistent, patient, serving and unconditionally caring. Extended family, you define unconditional love and care. I have watched you all come together and you have endured and Gary’s reward has been received a bit ahead of you. Grandma Ivalene, you and Grandpa Jack raised an exceptional family. Your legacy in uncommon. #THANKYOU

2. Caregivers and Cancer Community – You are INCREDIBLE. My wife told me stories of the hospice nurses who treated Gary with outrageous love and compassion. You are amazing. You do the unthinkable and you choose to stand beside those in the last days of their lives. You truly have modeled what it means to live with purpose and quiet humility, I have learned much. For those who walked the mountain trails with Gary, may you have peace and strength in your struggle. #defeatcancer. #THANKYOU

3. Our Bend, Oregon Church Family – I can’t say enough about your devotion to Jesus. You brought meals, fixed tires, called, edited video for his celebration of life, and walked alongside Dad & Mom. There really isn’t anything we could ask that you wouldn’t do. 16 years ago, you adopted Summer and I as family, then you met Gary and Marlys and they became family. You are an example of the Gospel of Jesus in action. #THANKYOU

4. Our New Jersey Church Family – The last month has been chaos at my house. This is entirely because I was the boss while Summer was in Oregon :). But you brought meals, visited, prayed and stood beside me in support. I will never forget just hours before Gary passed away, a family visited my house and prayed on my door step. You will never know how much that moment meant to us. You stepped up when I wasn’t there and led well in the church. Pastors, small group leaders, all of you. You even are taking care of our puppies as I write this. You are Incredible. #THANKYOU

ONE FINAL THANK YOU…Maybe you will be privileged enough to find a wife who is peaceable, patient, and passionate. Summer, you have been strong through Jesus, there really is no other source of your strength. I love you and I know we will miss Dad, but as he said just hours before he met Jesus, “He has it easy, we have the hard part now.”

Josh

Gary’s Celebration of Life will be at 11AM November 29th at New Hope Church in Bend, Oregon. 20080 Pinebrook Blvd, 97702. All are welcome:

You can Follow Marlys Johnson’s Cancer Adventure blog for more encouragement

Josh is the lead pastor at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Starplex Cinemas in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2014

A STRONG Church Family

One of the things I have been moved by lately is the strength of my wife’s family. They aren’t perfect, everything isn’t always surreal, but they love each other, and they know their job is to be there for one another. When difficult times hit, no matter what, their job is to express love freely. As we enter into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, the world will be watching our church to see how our church family loves one another. Is our church family attractive to them? Do we do what we say we are about? Is there a spirit of peace? We have an incredible opportunity to grow over the next 6 weeks.

What makes us STRONG is a commitment to the basics…

“…And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” Acts 9:31

Building STRENGTH as the church is the gradual process of learning to yield to Jesus. And when the church gets STRONGER it multiplies! Slowly but surely our church is seeing strength rebuilding lives one person at a time. This week so many of you have reached out to me personally and showed love, grace and encouragement to my family. As each one of us grow strong in the faith, our church grows exponentially more dangerous!

5 Keys To Growing A Strong Church (or any family for that matter)

1. Devotion to Prayer – “…pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is a process by which we discover who God is and what he desires to do. It doesn’t have to be a meeting and doesn’t need to be a production. Prayer is simply talking and listening to God. Let’s keep it simple. Do you pray for our church family? Prayer is the PRIMARY work of the people of God.

2. Devotion to Each Other – “…outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10

I always love hearing stories of how you are coming alongside one another to bless each other. Some of you haven’t had the privilege yet of being a part of a small group community that is caring for one another deeply. The more we are devoted to one another, the stronger we get.

3. Devotion to The City – “…A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

If the city has a problem it is our problem. Over these next 6 weeks our church will be serving the city through delivery of food at Thanksgiving, coats as the weather gets colder, and providing gifts for children this Christmas. Once again, this just makes sense. This is what the church should be. We must be devoted to the neighborhoods we live in.

4. Devotion to Self – “…Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you.” 1 Corinthians 6:19

It’s time to get your life in order. The church is only as strong as the sum of the individuals in the church. The Holy Spirit lives in you. We must make a decision to let the Gospel affect our spiritual, family, financial and physical health. Each one of these area is an incredible opportunity for representing Jesus.

5. Devotion to the Next Generation – “…tell the next generation that this is God.” Psalm 46:17-18

We have over 150 kids and youth that call 217church their church home. We are making a huge investment in them in 2015. We have a vision to invest $100,000 in the next generation. It’s time to step up, make this happen and GIVE! The Next Generation is depending on us. We are a FAMILY. The church is the best kept secret in our community.

Let’s hold nothing back and realize all He has for us.

Josh

This week we conclude our Next Generation Series as we will be sharing our vision for the Next Generation of churches and meeting our newest addition to our pastoral staff, our new East Windsor Campus Pastor Luke Fraser and his wife Ashlee!

November 16- Vision

We are the church that meets at two theaters! Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Starplex Cinemas in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Friday, May 9, 2014

What Summer Really Thinks About Marriage

Today is a post by my wife Summer. She is a pretty big deal, so you should read this…

Josh and I have been married for 18 years, 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days. That’s 6,719 days, 1.84 decades and 129 dog years. Now matter how you look at it, that’s a long time! (Unless you’ve been married for 18 years, 5 months or longer, to you, we are rookies.) Please don’t ask me what our secret is. I don’t believe in formulas. I loathe conferences. Self-help books make me angry. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to relationships. But, if you were to twist my arm and demand that I tell you what works in our marriage, I would say something about maintaining the friendship, keeping a sense of humor, discovering new things together, making date night a priority, blah, blah, blah…

The Family is the backbone of our culture and it’s time for an adjustment.

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6

But, lately I’ve been asking myself that question. What does make our marriage work? When I look a bit deeper it seems that a theme emerges. We live our life by a couple of cliches. You may have heard them. The older cliche is, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” The newer one is, “Happy wife, happy life!” My husband likes to say, “I married up.” My husband is my best friend. My husband likes to take care of me. He encourages me in my dreams. He listens to me when I’m down. He knows when I need some space, or when I need a hug. He’s not perfect. Sometimes he gives me a hug when I need to be left alone, and leaves me alone when I need a hug. But, we work through it.

I can already hear the internet ask, “What do you mean he ‘takes care of you’? Are you talking about ‘traditional roles’? I don’t need a man to take care of me!” I’ll tell you what I mean. My husband loves to serve me. He likes to surprise me with gifts and flowers when I’m not expecting it. He does housework and enjoys spending time with the kids. He likes to plan date night and the occasional weekend away. He brings a cup of coffee to my bedside table every morning. Lucky me!

I believe there are a lot of good men out there who love their women and want to see them happy. I also believe it’s very easy for us, as women, to take advantage of that. It’s easy for me to demand my way and be selfish. If I really wanted something, I know he would do everything he could to try to get that thing I wanted.

But, there’s another cliche I’d like to address. “Behind every successful man stands a strong, hardworking and wise woman.” We live in an age where we want to empower women. I’m all for women empowerment. But, I hate to see men being pushed down under that same umbrella. I see too many men lose sight of their unique contribution to this planet because their wives decide they want something different in life.

Marriage is a partnership and requires sacrifice. This is not a new thought. It can oftentimes clash with “I deserve to be happy.” What is your husband’s dream? Are you encouraging it, or discouraging it? Are you lifting him up, or belittling him? Are you pushing the brake pedal when he feels he needs to step on the gas?

Imagine all the sacrifices made by the First Ladies of the U.S. before they were able to call themselves that. It takes a strong woman to support her husband in the risks he takes to put himself out there as a candidate. It takes a hardworking woman to take care of the family while the husband has his focus on other things. It takes a wise woman to overlook the massive criticism about her husband and the open window into their private lives.

Who was your husband when he first caught your eye? Was he an adventurous thrill-seeker? One who was willing to take risks? One who had big dreams? Did he have a desire to help others? Who is he now? Is he different? Those qualities don’t go away, but they can become squelched. He can be easily discouraged from taking a risk on a new business venture. He can be tamed from his adventure seeking. His dreams can become squelched. We women have that power. That’s the ugly side of women empowerment.

I once had a woman ask of me, “Please pray for us. My husband needs a new job. It needs to be within (this specific line of work), near (this specific side of town), with (this specific amount) of pay. Because we need to be near family, and I don’t want to sell the house, and blah, blah, blah…” Are you kidding me? I never want to be that woman. I never want to limit God. I never want to justify my wants with excuses. I never want to limit my husband. Do you want to know what I prayed for this girl? I prayed that God would open her heart to any possibility He might have for their family. I prayed that God wouldn’t allow their limitations to stifle His possibilities. I prayed that I would always be open to God’s leading in our life…no matter what. Does God want to move us across the country from Oregon to New Jersey? Ok. Does God want us to step out in faith and plant a church? Alright. Does God want us to open our homes to an orphan? I’m open. Does God always ask me to make minor adjustments, or does He challenge me with situations that I think are outside my realm of comfort? When I read the Bible I see a theme. I see people being challenged beyond what they think are comfortable. I see people who have to rely completely on God, because only He could make a bad situation good. I see people that have to depend on only Him…anticipating that only He can predict the outcome?

Don’t limit God…and don’t limit your husband. I strongly believe that when we try to control situations, that we miss out on possibilities beyond our imaginations.

My Husband Likes 3 points, so Here’s my attempt at the three point marriage advice –

#1 Encourage Him – Choose to focus on his strengths, and not his weaknesses. Give him permission to be who he was created to be. Let him know you appreciate him and value him as your life partner.

#2 Trust Him – Don’t try to control him, but trust that he’s going to do what he feels is right. He will fail, just like you fail. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Never throw his failures back in his face, but encourage him to keep moving forward.

#3 Pray For Him – Every day. Right now. Pray for his health. Pray for his mind. Pray for your relationship. Figure it out and make it happen.

I could probably come up with 12 more points, but I’ll just stick to three at this moment. Just remember, in the end this is your love story. In the end, I want to know that I married a man who lived exactly how he was suppose to live. Every marriage is different and has its own unique set of challenges. Embrace yours.

Summer

Join us at 217church for our series Live Differently…

May 11- Family Health (Mother’s Day)

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.

Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2014

Easter is Tomorrow – But Today Was AWESOME

Tomorrow marks the largest celebration of the year for most churches, EASTER! We look forward to this day all year because it is when we get to celebrate HUGE our resurrected savior. But the reality is, Monday is just as important as Sunday, and as Friday and as, well you get it, Today! That is why I am so pumped today. TODAY we served over 800 people in the Bromley Neighborhood in Hamilton and at the Grace Rogers School in East Windsor. For those of you who were there, you know it was absolutely incredible seeing all of us connect with the people we love so much and were called to plant 217church for.

Today was AWESOME because it was our largest serving event we have ever pulled off.

Even our own 217kids were getting into the act of serving by face-painting at our free Egg hunt events.

Today just felt right! This is what we are about, who we are as 217church… SERVING RELENTLESSLY and rebuilding lives one person at a time. It was exciting on so many levels because we saw the fruit of 4+ years serving the Bromley neighborhood and the relationships that have been built as well as the possibilities that are before us in East Windsor. But How do we make the most of this Easter?

Here Are 5 Ways To Make The Most of Your Easter –

#1 Serve Someone – You’d be surprised how easy this is. My friend Matt’s wife did an egg hunt in for all the neighborhood kids. You could still probably pull that off! Maybe no one will see your act of service, but nevertheless, Just do it because JESUS IS ALIVE!

#2 Leave a HUGE TIP – If you go out to eat on Easter Sunday and call yourself a Christ Follower, TIP LIKE JESUS HAS JUST BEEN RESURRECTED! Tip like Jesus owns your money. Tip because most likely, that person serving you tomorrow, had to sacrifice time with family. How about a 100% tip. Make them smile when you leave. JESUS IS ALIVE!

#3 Make Things Right With JESUS – You’ve been attending church for years for once a month. You know stuff about Jesus. Truth is, most of us are educated far beyond our level of obedience. But today, it’s time to make things right. YOU NEED FORGIVENESS. Guilt, gone. Shame, done. Pain, healed. Discontentment, smothered by the peace of Jesus. JESUS IS ALIVE!

#4 Focus on Monday – One of the biggest mistakes we make is blowing by Easter and changing NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH in our behaviors. Don’t just get caught up in the emotionalism and the crowd worshiping Jesus. Have a plan for your Monday transformation. Start a new habit, write a letter, forgive your family, release the grudge. JESUS IS ALIVE!

#5 Tell Your Loved Ones How You Feel – Don’t let this Easter pass by without reaching out and grabbing the hand of that Dad, mom, husband, wife, daughter, son, or friend, and tell them how much you LOVE THEM. This may be a HUGE act of courage, but JESUS IS ALIVE! It’s worth it.

Easter Celebration WILL BE INCREDIBLE tomorrow. For my out of town family and friends who read this, I love and miss you all, BUT I know I will see you again SOON! Here is an excerpt of My preaching text tomorrow.

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ” Matthew 28:1

In Just 12 short hours, we start setting up the theater…This is going to be fun.

Josh

Join us at 217church for our Easter celebration and for our new series Live Differently…

April 20 – Easter – A Life Transformed

April 27 – Spiritual Health

May 4 – Financial Health

May 11- Family Health

May 18 – Physical Health

This Easter Sunday April 20th join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2014

Egg Hunts for Kids in Hamilton & East Windsor, NJ

HAMILTON, NJ- Looking for a great egg hunt to attend with your family that is FREE? 217church will host two large egg hunts in Mercer County on Saturday April 19th. In addition to candy, egg seekers will also find prizes ranging from movie tickets to a family 4-pack of tickets to Six Flags.

The egg hunts will take place from 12-3pm at the following locations:

Farmingdale Park
1220 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ

Grace Rogers Elementary School
380 Stockton St, Hightstown, NJ

The egg hunts are also a great opportunity to give back to the community, says Lead Pastor, Josh Conn, as each participant is asked to bring a canned item that will be donated to a local food pantry. In addition there will be free food as the church seeks to bring community people together.

“We are looking forward to celebrating Easter with two massive egg hunts and food donations for our local pantries, which are still dangerously low on supplies,” notes Conn.

217church will also host Easter church services at their two campus locations on Sunday, April 20th. Local residents are invited to attend services at the AMC 24 movie theater in Hamilton at 9:30 and 11 or at Grace Rogers Elementary School in East Windsor at 10:15 to kick off the church’s “Live Differently” 5-week series.

For more information about 217church’s egg hunt or Easter church services, contact josh@217church.com or visit www.217church.com

217church is a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ started in 2010. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, West Windsor, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

Posted on Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Most Important Question…EVER

WILL YOU LOVE? Last week we launched our new East Windsor site and together 217church has now grown to 500+ in weekly services. This Sunday in East Windsor, we meet at Grace Rogers School at 10:15am. We are officially one church in TWO locations! In four short years, here is what we have become: A FAMILY. The beauty of the church is that Jesus has given us a “Blueprint” to rebuild our life. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. (Matthew 22:38-39) The most important word in this verse…LOVE! Will you LOVE?

The Most Important Question: WILL YOU LOVE? “If I have faith…and have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3

Love is hard in some circumstances and easy in others. But here are some things that reflect a church that will be thriving as a family.

What LOVE Does…

#1 Adopts – Love says, “you are part of the family, no matter what!” Our 217groups adopt people every week. There are 17 groups that meet in homes across the Central Jersey area. They get it. You Are Family Now.

#2 Forgives – C’mon! This just makes simple sense. Why is it that we want to be forgiven but have such a hard time forgiving? LET – IT – GO! No seriously…Right…….Now.

#3 Believes – I need more people to believe in me, how about you? If you believe in me as a person, I know you have my back and you will believe the BEST about me. So many times the reverse is true, we assume the worst.

#4 Sacrifices – With those I love, There is nothing I won’t do for them. It’s just that simple. If you love Jesus you will do what he says. Want to experience this for real? Pick someone and get married.

This Sunday we continue our Blueprint series and will have an opportunity for you to join a small group and begin to #livedifferently. Our 217 groups Serve, Learn, Invite, Care and Eat together. Isn’t it time you acted like you were part of the family?

“Rebuilding lives one person at a time…”

Josh

Josh is the lead pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ planted in 2010. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15. Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more infromation.