I need to be BRAVE!

I’m astounded at where God is taking our church, Forest Park Church – that is :o).  www.fplive.org   Yes, we’ve had tremendous growth, people everywhere, no room anywhere and we are doing the proverbial “busting at the seams” thing, but that’s not what I’m talking about.  I am astounded at what God is doing in the hearts and lives of people!

27 of our volunteers and staff attended the Unleash Conference at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC, last week.  I love this conference because it is PERFECT for volunteer staff as they have to take minimal time off work and it is an immensely challenging experience for a 1 – day.  Plus, being the overachievers that Scott and I are, we push to get there early so we can be one of the very few churches NewSpring allows into their student service so our gang can experience that, too!

As we got there “super early” on Thursday to find seats for everyone of our FPC gang to sit at the front of the 2500 seat auditorium that makes up the main auditorium of NewSpring Church, I found myself feeling so in awe of what God can actually do, when you trust.  That local church has grown from 70 to 11,000 in a little over 10 years - astounding – and they really can’t explain HOW it happened.  We, along with 3,000 other people, were attending the conference to hear a little of that story but the staff is very up front about the fact that they really don’t know HOW it happened.  However, what I took away from this Unleash Conference is the fact that we, FOREST PARK CHURCH, need to be brave.  We need to be brave to believe that God wants to impact Elizabeth City just as he impacted Anderson, SC, to create life change.  As God began to grow NewSpring, the leadership had to be brave to borrow money, expand and trust God to create more life change – it has happened!

I shared with a friend yesterday that I’m finding myself at a point in my life of ultimate frustration.  When I walk into the doors at FPC, I always think, “Where are we going to put all these people?  Is everyone going to find a seat today?  I hope no one is going to be standing!  Will there be enough seats back in Adventure Park today?  It goes on and on…”  As my sweet friend reminded me of how far God has brought us over the last few years and that He placed within Scott and me the vision that we have – it hit me WE NEED TO BE BRAVE…I need to be brave to believe that God will complete what He has begun in our ministry at Forest Park Church and it will be what He wants it to be!

At our Community Group last night we talked about what steps that we, individually, need to do, to begin to open our eyes to see hurting people.  As I sat there, listened to each of those people share, I realized that what God has done at FPC is absolutely astounding because lives have been changed.  We need space, we need bathrooms, we need a larger hallway and a bigger auditorium – I know all that – but God is really changing people.  That’s the win and I need to be brave to believe that this will be exactly what HE wants in HIS time.

When you pastor, really pastor, people – life change is all that matters.

Until next time,

Lana

Do you really trust your FRIENDS?

Friendship is a peculiar concept to people who are quite adept at handling life on their own – like me.  I mean, we know we need friends but we are so used to tackling situations, solo, that we forget to garner the support that friendship would afford us, if we would only take advantage of it.

Over the years, God has blessed my life with some AMAZING friends who have walked into my life for just a few months or some who have set up camp alongside of me and remained for years.  Regardless, we’ve shared treasured moments of conversation, love, tears – even disagreements.  However, all of those encounters are what makes real friends incapable of being lived without.  When I’ve been at my most vulnerable my friends have loved me enough to forget about their own issues, stop thinking about what’s happening in their lives and for a few short moments, I am the focus.  I can’t explain how important those times were for me because I have a very difficult time with that kind of vulnerability.  But when I know someone really loves me – I can do it.

At the same time, when I don’t feel completely accepted or valued – I can be guilty of “stiff-arming” or giving the “cold shoulder”.  It’s not because that I don’t like the person or don’t want to spend time with someone; it’s just because I don’t “trust” the relationship.  I don’t trust the person to be in the relationship for me – it’s for them and what they can get from me and that really hurts! 

Unfortunately, we do the same thing in our relationship/friendship with Christ.  Does that even make sense – not trusting the Creator of this world with my heart, my struggles, and my life?  No, it doesn’t make sense but we all do it because we struggle so vastly with TRUST.  Therefore, we tackle all that life has to throw at us independently - not even consulting His wisdom, expertise and compassion.  Just as a friend would be greatly wounded at our ignoring their presence in our lives, how much more so must be Christ?  I can sense that it breaks His heart because I know how much I hurt when I’m rejected by people I love so desperately, especially when I know that I could help if they would  only let me.

Just what I’m thinking today…busy, busy, busy day working out of town, away from my family and alone – independent of everyone but Him.  It’s always in those times when He reminds me of just how close He is - when I stop long enough to sense and know that He is near, on my lunch hour, of course :o)

Until next time,

Lana

What kind of "stuff" is in your car?

I keep trying to put this story out of my mind but it just keeps coming to me so I’m going to share it!

My husband and I were having dinner with some of our AMAZING Forest Park family and someone shared something that has had me laughing and thinking for almost 2 weeks.

The guy sharing just happens to be a police officer and he began to tell us of a traffic stop that he and his partner had conducted in the recent past.  They became aware of a driver who was moving the car quite irrationally which pointed to some type of chemical involvement – in other words, driving drunk or high!  So, of course, the police officers began pursuit of the car which ended up in the driver being so affected that they were drug from the vehicle.  The driver was so intoxicated that they really had no idea what was happening.  As the police officers were finishing their investigation they noticed that the person’s car was filled with Forest Park Church brochures, which horrified the officer.  After all, he had just arrested this person for being an unsafe driver, a possible threat to their own life, as well as, the lives of others.  So, the officer removed all of the FPC paraphernalia out of the car because he didn’t want FPC associated with someone who would drive in that condition.

As you can imagine, the group of us who was listening to this story was laughing, uncontrollably.  To hear all of the description of the event and the driver and then to find so much of our FPC “stuff” in the car – it was just hilarious. 

However, the more I thought about it, the more I was happy about the officer finding our FPC stuff in that person’s car.  Obviously, someone who was driving so intoxicated is obviously in need of serious help and to know that someone thought enough of this person to point them to us – I consider that an HONOR!  Our sweet police officer was just trying to protect us and our name but when it comes right down to where Jesus spent his days, it was with people just like this intoxicated driver who was so desperately in need of hope - and of Him.

So, if you find Forest Park Church stuff in places where you think no “church” stuff should ever be, we probably planted it there, on purpose.

Until next time,

Lana

The Charlie White Ecuador Scholarship!

I am still living on the excitement of our first Ecuador 2011 meeting that occurred this past Monday night at Forest Park Church!  We had tons of people in attendance and at the end of the night more than 100 people had made the commitment to be on board our 10^th Summer Outreach Trip from Elizabeth City, NC, to Guayaquil, Ecuador.  That is immensely humbling for Scott and me as our prayer when we began this adventure Ten years ago was a faith filled goal of 5 people, including us.  5 to 105:  WOW!

One of the special moments from this past Monday night was the announcement of the recipients of the Charlie White Scholarship.  For the past several years we have awarded a scholarship to one adult and one student and we had plans to do the same for 2011.  However, on August 20, 2010, Charlie White walked from this life on to his eternal life, after suffering an accident.  Last year was the first Ecuador experience for Charlie and Holly and they were forever changed, both individually and as a couple.  Charlie filmed last year’s trip for us, capturing so much of the excitement and passion that Scott and I feel for Ecuador and the beautiful people who live there.  He also caught the special moments that we share with one another as we are immersed in a world where the theme of the week is, “It’s not about me!”  After all the footage was compacted we ended with the most incredible piece of media to bring back to FPC – one that encompasses why we do what we do!  So, to honor Charlie and his beautiful wife, Holly, this year’s scholarship and everyone from here forward will be named after him.  It was beautiful – really, really hard but really, really beautiful!  The recipients were Dustin Williams: Student and Jamie Judge: Adult.  Dustin and Jamie, as well as, their families are immensely grateful for this honor!

I want to close with these words from Charlie’s blog, written on August 7, 2010, after he experienced Ecuador for the very first time:

“I'm finally going to attempt to describe the experiences that I was a part of in Ecuador. It has taken almost 3 weeks to unpack this experience. The most amazing thing is that I am still experiencing Ecuador now and it's not over so this writing is only valid in the moment. The trip to Ecuador was a wonderful revival for my soul and my mind. Away from all of our worldly distractions like phones, email, work, and chores at home I was able to focus on God and people. I saw beauty in people that I haven't seen before. When we get rid of distractions and work together for God and that's all you have to think about awesome things happen. It was a time for building relationships with God, the people of Ecuador, and our team. I can't say that Holly and I have ever experienced a week like this. It was a revival for our relationship as well. I saw so much new beauty in my wife. She showed God given strength, compassion for others, and an all trusting faith. She is my superhero.

I know that I am not there and I know that things are different here in our country but honestly I can see parts of my everyday life that are now suddenly filled with a supernatural beauty that didn't exist before Ecuador. Before the trip I was always on a mission to complete the task at hand and get to the next task. Now I see my tasks as being only part of the mission. The tasks are methods used by God to put us where He needs us so that we can be a part of something so much bigger and if we are only open to it we can experience some great moments. It's not about the work, it's about His work. Don't get me wrong I have not become lazy, I still work hard and do all I can to get the job done but I am more likely to pay attention to the people that have been placed around me because there is a reason that we have all been brought together in a particular moment in time even if I never know what it is I want to be sure that I keep my eyes on Him and not miss His purpose even in the smallest things.

To some people I'm sure this all sounds like I drank some kind of Kool Aid and even a year ago I would have said the same thing. Well I'll just let you know it ain't Kool Aid it's the milk shakes.”

I love you Charlie Watt White, Jr. and I’m taking good care of your sweet Holly!

Until next time,

Lana

Ever wondered what makes me tick?

Many people say to me, "How do you do everything you do, Lana?"  When they pose that question to me I really don't know how to respond because it is just the way I am!  I have lived my life full-steam ahead since I came out of my mom's womb, or so she says :o)  I've tried to embrace every opportunity and suck as much as I could get out of every life experience, whether it be wonderful or awful!

Tonight, I have the opportunity of visiting my parents as I'm traveling for a 2-day period with my job and their home is in the middle of the two locations.  While we were having dinner, my Mom told my Daddy that he needed to share his "good Samaritan" story with me.  He began to explain how yesterday at his church there appeared to be a homeless man that was walking around the perimeter of the church building.  When Daddy drove up, he noticed several people trying to talk with the man while he went on inside the church.  Once he was inside he inquired as to whom the man was and several people shared that the man seemed disoriented and wouldn't really speak to anyone.  He just walked and nodded his head.  Knowing my Daddy as I do, that really got to him and just as I thought, he went outside to speak to the man, himself.  He introduced himself to the man and someone else said to my Daddy, "This is Mr. Johnny."  Daddy asked Mr. Johnny if he wanted to come inside and enjoy church with him.  Mr. Johnny shook his head to indicate that he didn't want to do that, but Daddy began to explain that he would be welcome just as he was and that it didn't matter how he was dressed or what was going on in his life.  Mr. Johnny still resisted.  When Daddy assured him that he would sit with him and not leave him, Mr. Johnny finally consented to go inside. 

Daddy found a seat four or five rows from the front and asked Mr. Johnny if that would be an okay place to sit.  He nodded his head to indicate he accepted that seat.  When Daddy tried to take his walking stick, Mr. Johnny grabbed the stick, obviously uncomfortable with being separated from his only possession.  After sitting there a while Daddy began thinking about contacting someone who could come and pick up Mr. Johnny or getting him some appropriate assistance.  He decided to find his Pastor and share the story to let him know about Mr. Johnny.  As Daddy stood up he explained to Mr. Johnny that he was going to step away for a moment and asked if that would be okay.  Mr. Johnny was agitated and upset that Daddy would leave but Daddy asked him to hold his Bible for him until he returned and that settled him because he knew Daddy would come back for that.  As he relayed the scenario to his Pastor, he assured Daddy that he would take care of Mr. Johnny after the service.

As the Pastor began his message, he began by introducing a friend who was joining him for the day.  As he asked his friend to come to the platform Daddy began to watch Mr. Johnny stir and eventually stand up.  He made his way to the platform and began to remove his hat, his tattered coat and began to wipe the dirt from his face.  As Mr. Johnny began to speak everyone realized that Mr. Johnny was actually a member of the church and no one even recognized him.  The Pastor had asked him to participate in that exercise to see if anyone would really be willing to step out of their comfort zone and sincerely seek to make a difference in the life of someone who was different and didn't look just like everyone else sitting in the church.  I think it was BRILLIANT!  Of course, it was my Daddy who jumped up to the task.  Mr. Johnny (not his real name) thanked my Daddy for not giving up when he refused to come inside, initially.  He thanked Daddy for pushing through his resistance in order to really impact his life.

After we had cried a while over the sweet story, I said to my Daddy, "I am the way I am because of you - you know that, right?"  He just smiled and drank some more sweet tea :o)

It doesn't take a lot to make a difference in someone's life but it does take you making a move towards them.  At Forest Park Church you'll hear us say, "In order to reach the people no one is reaching, you've got to do the things no one else is doing."  I'm so glad that I'm my Daddy's girl and I learned so much about doing the things no one else is doing from him.  Stuff like this - makes me tick!

Until next time,
Lana

Why I LOVE MY CHURCH!

You guys have all seen them; we have those cool shirts that say "I Love My Church!"  Well, today I finally understood what they mean!  It is kind of funny for me to say that since I wear that t-shirt all the time but today, when I drove up to that wonderful Forest Park Church building, I had the most overwhelming feeling of LOVE for all of my FPC family, past-present-future.  These are some of the reasons why I LOVE MY CHURCH, Forest Park Church, that is :o) http://www.fplive.org/

• We have room for EVERYONE!  It doesn't matter what your past looks like or what kind of mess you're making of your present, we have a place for you.  We are not perfect people and we don't expect you to be either.  Today, there was a kid in my 10:00 Adventure Park service who ran to meet his Dad at the end of the service.  One year ago, this Dad was struggling with substance abuse and wouldn't have greeted that sweet little person with the biggest bear hug known to man...but today, because of the influence of FPC, he did!
• Coffee.  It isn't important to everyone, but it is to me!  I'm so happy that Kate makes such great coffee and there is always a cup waiting for me when I show up.  AND the rebellious side of me really wants to take it into the auditorium.  I've tried every trick I know to slip in my bag but the guilt is always too much with the Pastor's Wife breaking the rules.  Confession is good for me and it's the small things, like coffee, that make life great, right?!?!
• ECUADOR!  Obviously, this list is in no random order because anyone who knows me knows I'm a missionary and that would be #1.  For Scott and me, leading this amazing trip each Summer, has completely changed how we pastor, how we perceive and live life, even how we parent our own kids!  It has been such an honor to see our children fall in love with a country that they heard about their entire lives and now to be able to travel there to love on our Ecuador family - INCREDIBLE!  This year, we are taking our 10th trip to Ecuador with our FPC family.  Some of you have been with us nearly all of those 10 years and how great it is to see Ecuador through the eyes of a 1st time missionary - LOVE IT!  (July 9 - 17, 2011) wanna go ;o)
• Cindy Britt.  This chica has revolutionized our Check-In process for kids, Birth through Age 5.  For those of you who have kids that age, you know what I mean!  We get you through that kiosk ASAP and get you into that very packed auditorium.  As the Director of Children's Ministries at FPC, I couldn't do what I do without volunteers, like Cindy.  She observed a need, found the solution, trained herself and her team and now we have a more efficient plan. As I was driving up today, I knew Cindy and her team were there and I wasn't worried about a thing.  LOVE IT!
• Our Rocking Music!  These guys work so hard to find music that is relevant for today's generation, rehearse like crazy, show up at 7:15 am on Sunday and stay through the end of the 3rd service, for one purpose - to lead YOU and ME in worship.  I love them and I'm honored to sing alongside of them!
• Kids.  I love KIDS!  When we came to FPC 9 years ago to pastor this local church, my goal was to build a children's ministry where kids really wanted to be.  A mom said to me this morning, "When we drove past FPC this week on the way to a basketball game, both of my boys pointed to the church and said THAT IS THE BEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD!"  Thank you, Conner and Carter for the massive compliment and thank you to their Mom, Tara Stevenson, for sharing that with me - that one sentence made my heart smile, today!
• Our Messages.  You may think that Scott shares everything with me BEFORE he shares is on Sunday but he rarely does.  The only time he tells me what he is going to say is to ask my permission to say something about me - that could be very tricky!  I am completely blown away that my husband, Pastor Scott Neal, consistently brings a fresh and God-touched word, each and every Sunday.  I told my Dad this week that it seems like his brain would eventually run out of stuff to say but he never will.  As long as he continues to share about the never-ending, all consuming love of Christ, there will always be something for him to share.  He's cool - love him!
• YOU.  You are why we do what we do.  You are the reason how we do what we do.  You are behind every heartbeat of what goes on at Forest Park Church on a Sunday morning.  Our purpose for being here is to introduce you to the love of Christ in an environment where you don't feel condemned, ridiculed or rejected.  Scripture never describes the behavior of Jesus in that manner and we REFUSE to do that to anyone.  Once you encounter the love of Jesus, you'll change - everyone does.  It is just who HE is!

Talk soon - until next time,
Lana

I'm focused on the future! 2011

I've been reluctant to blog because I just didn't think I had that much to say but after experiencing 2010, I've had a change of heart!  It has been a hard year but a year that has allowed me to see the authenticity of love when love is needed most and most challenged.

As you are reading this blog, please keep in mind that it is the world as I, Lana, sees it.  The views and opinions of Forest Park Church may be a little different :o)  Seeing as my husband pastors that great church, FPC is a huge part of my thoughts but a lot of what you will read is just me being real!

This year began with incredible anticipation for Ecuador 2010!  We welcomed our precious Dr. Leo and his wife, Rina, to be with us at Forest Park Church in January.  It was an honor to share our vision for Global Outreach as this couple sat in our church to share what Forest Park Church and our involvement meant for them, personally.  Amazing!  It is amazing what you can accomplish when you join together with one purpose, one dream, and one plan:  you can change the direction of an entire community.

Easter was a highlight for FPC!  We had our largest attendance, ever, in the history of this local body - more than 800 as our team served, loved and gave in (4) services.  The message was one of the most spectacular that Scott has ever shared and I've heard a ton of messages over these 20 years of marriage!  The one word that describes him best as he shares his passion for God and for people is transparency.  He is completely open with his pain, his struggle and his love for YOU!

Summer brought great excitement as our FPC Children's Ministries Leadership Team led High Seas Expedition VBS!  I love my team :o)  They give and give and give each and every Sunday to create environments where children feel welcome, have fun, are safe and experience Jesus on their level.  People tell me that the way we do VBS at Forest Park is just all together different.  They describe it as adults going back to childhood in order to allow the "kids" to have a great time and fall in love with Jesus.  I'm okay with that description!  We will continue to do it just that way, every Summer!

Ecuador 2010:  what an adventure!  We carried the largest team that we've ever had the privilege of leading to Guayaquil, Ecuador:  92 Summer Missionaries.  More than 8,000 children were served in local schools, more than 1,500 people were served in our free Medical Clinic and we completed the building requested by Dr. Leo for his ministry in El Recreo.  Our 2010 Team was focused on one purpose, one dream, one plan and the lives of the communities where we ministered were changed but none more so than our own!  I'm so thankful that each of these encounters was chronicled by the videography skills of our friend, Charlie White.

Charlie was a little uncertain about Ecuador and 2010 was to be the first trip for him and his Holly.  He believed that it was a good thing that we were doing but he had a hard time believing that there was a place for him, his skills, and his talents.  Charlie was a "computer guy" - that's what I called him - and had joined our FPC Tech Team.  When we realized that some of our regular "video" people couldn't go with us for 2010, we realized that Charlie was our answer.  This "computer guy" would be the person to carry the Ecuador 2010 experience back to Forest Park Church.  If you didn't go to Ecuador in 2010 you would see this amazing adventure through Charlie's eyes.  The video that was shot by Charlie and edited by Nate Carroll was the most accurate depiction anything that we've ever created.  For those of us who dream about Ecuador all year and dream in Spanish, the video was priceless.  In a few short weeks, I would begin to realize just how priceless that it really was...

August 18th was an average day for us - just work, school and Scott being at church with his staff.  But all that changed when we received a call around 11:00 pm that Charlie had been injured.  It was relayed to Scott that the injury could be serious so he left to go be with Holly and Charlie's family.  What was so amazing to Scott was that when he arrived there was already a large portion of our Community Group that had made it to the hospital before him!  Over the next 3 days we witnessed a group of people who were so much in love with one another because of their love for God.  Holly was never alone, not one moment, as we eventually had to say "goodbye" to Charlie as we sang him into the arms of Jesus on Friday, August 20th. 

Many people have talked about Holly's strength throughout this year.  She is remarkable and has left me speechless many times with her calm, steadfast demeanor.  After all, Holly lost her Daddy in June and I just didn't know how we were going to make it after losing Charlie...but we are making it, day by day.  Her Forest Park friends and community group have rallied around her and she doesn't have to do it alone; she never will!

It has been really difficult for me to make sense of Holly's journey and the pain that so many of our FPC family have experienced over 2010.  To begin to describe it all would take a book rather than a blog and that's not my purpose here.  I just want YOU to know that there is hope and there is a future after the pain.  YOU don't have to live in pain forever and neither do I!

The Fall and Winter months have been filled with OUTREACH!  Our FPC Family Fun Fest on October 31 brought out more than 700 people to enjoy a great event for families.  Our FPC Global and Community Outreach Team served more than 300 meals on Thanksgiving Day!  Adventure Park Gives Back shared a delicious dinner with families and blessed kids with Christmas gifts.  Our annual Angel Project also brought in hundreds of Christmas gifts for the boys and girls in the Elizabeth City Public Schools who wouldn't have enjoyed Christmas!  We concluded 2010 with Christmas at the Park and it was one of the most special events we've ever hosted.  I hope that we will continue to do it each Christmas as we slowed down, enjoyed one another and shared in the true spirit of Christmas, our God.

As I was enjoying the massive "snow storm" of the last week I reflected on 2010 and all that had occurred in the lives of our FPC family and the pain in my friends.  As I watched the snow cover the ground, the trees, the cars, the ROADS, I thought about how the snow just seemed to make everything so fresh and clean.  However, in my pragmatic manner of thinking, I just couldn't get away from the fact that under that entire blanket of white there was a dirty, ugly, ground that would be nothing but mud as the snow melted.  I felt God just nudge me with this thought...Life can be dirty and messy and sometimes, life is just plain ugly.  However, when it is covered with the love of Christ and the beauty of friendship, it makes the messy a little easier to walk through.  I'm glad I'm walking with YOU! 

Until next time...
Lana