Guest Post: Matt Alexander

Hi! My name is Matt Alexander and I am very excited to be serving as the Production Director at NewSpring Charleston! I have lived in Anderson, SC all of my life. My younger brother and I were raised in a traditional Baptist church. Yes, we were "drug" to church every Sunday! I started playing drums at the age of 7, beginning my love for music. In high school I was a member of the drum line in the marching band and played in a garage band called "Silkworm". (I didn't choose the name)

At Anderson University, I majored in Human Resources but spent most of my time playing drums in a band called "Six and Twenty" doing gigs for youth rallies and campus ministries. You might recognize the name of our lead guitarist - Steve Barlow(Our new worship leader!!). Steve and I were band-mates for 2 years and roommates for 4 years! In 2000, I joined NewSpring Church and have volunteered there ever since!

In 2003, I married my lovely wife Sara. We actually met at a NewSpring Bible study! We have three children, Lucas age 5, Ava age 2, and Wyatt is 4 months old. I have an obsession with flashlights, tools and knives. I am a techy,

gadgety kind of guy. (who isn't?) I enjoy trying to play golf... but pretty terrible at it. I love to play racquetball, so

let me know if you play! I love a good challenge! I also love a pick up game of Ultimate Frisbee!

We are so excited to be starting a new life here in Charleston! We know that God has great things in store for NewSpring Charleston! Sara and I both are passionate about what God is doing in our church! We have experienced true life change over the past 10 years through Perry's teachings and Home Groups! I can't wait to meet each of you and begin seeing life change happen here!

If you are interested in volunteering in the production area or with the load in and load out team please email matt.alexander@newspring.cc for more information.

LAST SUNDAY/ THIS SUNDAY

I am still blown away by this past Sunday. It was incredible!

We went live for the first time with all the other campuses. BIG props to the Production and IT team back in Anderson who pulled it all together, and BIG props to Matt and the production volunteers in Charleston making it happen here.

I had no idea what the message was going to be beforehand and after hearing half of it in the first service I knew exactly why we needed to be live! I'm not sure anyone could have planned it to go that perfectly. That is why I am glad I am not in control and just follow what God is doing. It always works out that God is bigger and smarter than we are. . .EVERY time! If you missed it this week jump online and watch the message NOW! http://www.newspring.cc/series/hope/hosanna/

This past Sunday the Charleston Campus started looking more like a NewSpring Church with our flags and signs. Be sure to check out some pictures and "like" our facebook page while you are there. http://www.facebook.com/newspring.charleston.sc

This Sunday and from now on we will join in with the other campuses. It will be an incredible service as we look at the "O" in Hope!

We are now less than a month away from our launch on January 9th. There is a volunteer opportunity waiting for you. Please do not leave this weekend without seeing where you can plug in. God will use you to reach people in the Charleston area for Him. Don't miss out on what amazing opportunity is waiting for you!! We want to have 100 people plugged in and ready to volunteer for our opening Sunday. Grab your shovel and let's start digging...we have plenty who need rescuing!!

SEE YOU SUNDAY!

OWNERSHIP CLASS

This is a class to let you know more about who we are as a church and it gives you the opportunity to join and be a part of NewSpring Church.

This is a key step in volunteering and getting plugged in.

If you are interested we have two opportunities this week.

Monday at 7pm

Tuesday at 7pm

Please email charleston@newspring.cc for more details and information!!

THIS SUNDAY

I am so EXCITED for this Sunday (so much so that I spelled EXCITED twice and in all caps)!!

We have many things we are doing or are going to attempt to do that we haven't been doing!

We are giving info about our next Ownership classes!

We are offering you another weekend and opportunity to serve! (Saved People Serve People.)If you are not plugged into a volunteer opportunity please let me know!

We are starting our Christmas Offering.

We are going to have more people than we've ever had because you are bringing or inviting someone. (Found People Find People!)

It's going to be a great day. I wish it was Sunday right now!

Load in will happen at 6am. If you would like to join us, please do so. If you can't help with load in, we load out after the service. It would also be great if you can hang out a couple extra minutes to help.

January 9th is coming. . .let's get ready!

SEE YOU SUNDAY!

Christmas Offering

This week we will start collecting a special end-of-the-year Christmas offering at every NewSpring Campus. This is something above your tithe. Please be in prayer for what God would want you to give.

I want everyone with the Charleston campus to know that last year's Christmas offering was able to make what we do this Sunday possible. People in Anderson, Greenville, Columbia, and Florence sacrificially gave. Their giving provided what we needed to move forward with NewSpring Charleston.

Ask God what He would have you give and then give it!