Family Photo

This is a photo of one of our MCs (Missional Communities). Paul and Alesia have been great MC leaders. I love the age span!

Where else can younger men learn from older men and older women teach younger women?

Ride Views - The Bibb Theater

The Bibb is located on Third Street near Poplar. The Bibb came to life in the 50's when an old building was refitted as a theater. The theater seated 750 with its floor and balcony. The theater ran until the 70's when it was closed. The Bibb is now a vacant building and is for sale. It is basically a shell. The balcony and old balcony seating remains. The main floor rotted out and with it all of the original seating was lost. Still a cool old theater.

Ride Views

This is a shot from the Poplar Street tunnel. I am not a photographer and my camera is my phone! Just thought I would share some of my ride views from around our city. It is my invitation for you to check out downtown Macon - maybe with new eyes.

Sylvia Abney. Opening this Friday @ the 567

2nd Friday Gallery @ the 567

Newnan, GA Church Plant - in a BAR

I met Alex Early months ago - while he was still in school in London. In September he moved back to Newnan, Georgia. Alex had been working with a team of guys on the ground in Newnan and when his plane landed - things got crazy! God seems to have some great plans for Newnan and Alex and crew are getting to enjoy His work! Listen to this:

Months ago Alex had hoped to that they could find a place to meet on the Square in Newnan - not many options. One option was a bar - The Alamo. That door seemed to close

Alex and crew began working on building their core before 'officially launching' the church. 13 people met in his home.

within a few weeks that # trippled and they were running out of space.

One of the visitors was the owner of The Alamo - who quickly offered their bar, RENT FREE.

Only 2 months in they are running 80+!!! (And still haven't "Officially Launched."

Alex and the church will hear this week about his A-29 application and assessment results. Pray for Alex, his leadership, and this new church.

Below are some pics of the church in a bar - and their 1st baptism!

After A Year and a Half...

Me and the boys hit the track - with our photographer - Amy!
This was my first trip back with Robby since he had his bad crash - and broken femur.
Robby's bike had been sitting too long and we couldn't get it running, so he rode his cousin's pit bike. I rode my bro-in-law's Yamaha 450f. The fever is now back - full force!

You're Gonna Get Mugged

When we tell people that we are getting ready to move downtown, the reactions are pretty amazing. We don't normally spend much time answering because people aren't really asking - they are expressing their fear and concern. So, here I want to answer - where normally I don't:
1) Oh, no!
Oh Yes!
2) Really, you can't live where you are and minister downtown?
No. That, for us, would be like missionaries called to Uganda but choosing to live in London. We have been called DOWNTOWN. Like missionaries to Uganda, we will move to the place, people, and culture we are called to.
3) Downtown is so dangerous.
Well, sure, so is the bathroom - lots of people are injured and killed in the shower. But, I know what you are thinking - gangs, guns, thugs, and violence. The crime rate in the downtown area is actually lower than other suburban areas. So, statistically we will actually be safer than most of you!
4) You're gonna get mugged.
That was just this week! See above, and avoid all malls, shopping centers, WalMarts, and grocery stores.
5) I didn't think there were any decent places to live downtown?
Wow. Have you been downtown? some of the most beautiful homes and neighborhoods can be found downtown.
In fact, I wanted some of you to see one of the neighborhoods we are looking at - home of the Pink House. This hood is about 7 blocks from the 567 and the Capitol Theater. The homes are late 1800s for the most part. There are several churches just down the street - St Josephs Catholic Church - a beautiful Cathedral, First Baptist which is right across the street from St Joe's, and the Unitarian Universalist Church! There are 3 parks - 1 just separated from the Pink house by another home, another less than 1 block away, and Washington Park is only 2 blocks away. The streets are beautiful old brick. There is a coffee shop 1 block away as well as a huge library. It is quiet with little traffic - and I could walk or ride my bike to the office...
I understand that not all of New City's people will move downtown - that's OK - it REALLY IS. But WE - My Family - have been called to move to the city.
So - Enjoy some pics of the area:

Friday Off - Sort of

After not much down time in the past couple of weeks - we slammed on the brakes last night. We had family night and a family movie together last night followed by X GAMES - shweeeeeet!
Today - Friday - is supposed to be my day off -

While the fam got ready I headed here to pick up some printed stuff. Thanks Mabel!

Then it was back home to pick everyone up!

On the way to get an oil change - about 3 months overdue - I stopped to drop off 4 bags of clothes here. The clothes were given by one of our folks for one of our regular needy downtowners - but after a couple of weeks he hasn't shown - time for the clothes to go.

From there we headed to the library to drop off some books. Me and the boys waited in the car - don't the boys look thrilled!




Then it was off to Starbucks - here! The kids got frapps while they waited on the coffee. The guy ringing us up and helping us donated his free pound of coffee for the week - also schweeeeet. 4 pounds for the cost of 3! I love coffee - thanks God, good stuff you created!

Time to head downtown!
We stopped first at the 567 where we dropped off coffee and supplies and made a fresh pot of coffee for tonights Iced Coffee - a 567 treat!
This statue is on Cotton Avenue at 2nd Street.
It was erected in memory of all those who served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Across the street from the monument is Bibb Music - a Macon icon.
Bibb Music has been in business for 45 years! Ivey wanted to pick up some picks, a capo (sp?) and look at guitars and straps.

Across 2nd Street it was time for some lunch! I am becoming a regular at Between the Bread / Michaels on Mulberry - it is technically Between the Bread at lunch and Michaels at night. I know the owners and the food is terrific!

Then we headed up to take a look at an available loft on Mulberry.
B E A U T I F U L ! The whole family was/is ready to move!
The loft takes up the entire third floor of one of the buildings - 2,800 sf. Right now it is only 2 Bedrooms but the owner would be willing to build a wall and make another bedroom - enough room for a HUGE bedroom that the boys could share. Here's a slide show:

So - we're all ready to move - HOUSE FOR SALE - NORTH MACON!

What Do You See?

This is the back door to the Capitol Theater - where our Church gathers on Sunday mornings.
The backdoor of the 567 shares this great space.

What do you see in these pictures?



Trash? Weeds? A Broken chair or 2?



How about this - Could you see...
Flower gardens
beautiful landscaping
bright lighting
dumpsters moved and/or hidden
A small stage behind the old Liz Reeds
Stage lighting
maybe some outdoor tables set up on certain occasions
back door signs for the 567 and other businesses
Could you see a small outdoor music venue?
Can you see People moving around from Spaghetti Alley, Tokyo Alley, and the Downtown Grill... The smell of good food, the sound of good music, and maybe every once in a while a movie projected onto the side of one of the buildings?

Hmmmmmm... Are you ready to redeem our alley???

Bragg Jam Pics from the 567

Bragg Jam was huge this year and a whole lot of fun. This may have been the giggest year yet for the annual event. Thanks to all of our volunteers, not just from me, but from the 11th Hour's Brad Evans and all of the board who puts Bragg Jam together.

Here's a couple of extra shots from our Church - the Capitol Theater... where it was PACKED to say the least! They finished up at about 1:45am - We were setting up at 8:30am.

Some Pics of My City

Just took a walk around the block - needed to take a break from the sermon prep...

Cul de sac 4th O July

It is an annual tradition.

Danny D and Rob Sumowski @ The 567

We had a great night at the 567. The weather was beautiful outdoors and in. The house was full and stayed that way all night - tough to find a seat! Dan and Rob sounded great. Here are few shots from the night...

Thanks Brett and Caleb - Notes From Vail (3)

Sometimes a simple moment changes everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Caleb Land and Brett Moore first introduced me to A-29 a couple of years ago, now. That moment changed everything that would happen afterword. Pretty incredible, isn't it. Something as simple as, 'hey you have got to check out Acts-29 and Mark Driscoll - man you will love what these guys are preaching and doing' was used by God to impact eternity. Those words led us down a great path which most recently took Amy and I to Vail, CO for an incredibly 4 days. Thanks Brett and Caleb!
Wednesday in Vail was great. After our morning session together, Amy grabbed a quick lunch with me and the other A-29ers then headed out for a great massage at the spa. I hung out with Jonathan Dodson - pastor of Austin City Life in Austin, TX. A great connection and I look forward to learning from Jonathan. It seems they are doing some great community group stuff.
After lunch (and Amy's massage) we napped! Sweeeeeeeeet.
Wednesday night our regional leader - Daniel Montgomery - Sojourn Community Church - took all of our region out to dinner in Vail Village (where the pic of me and Amy above was taken). As good as dinner was, what was better was that I gained a coach!! I have been pushing to find a coach in the A-29 network who though like me and shared a common vision (there is great diversity within the network). Daniel and I had tried to talk before the retreat but had not connected - he knew I was looking - after some discussion on their shifts in community groups and our shared vision for community, Daniel agreed to coach me. That will be huge for NCCd. Thanks Daniel.
We closed out Thursday with a report on some great work all oer the world thru A-29 International. We concluded with a great time of vision casting from Driscoll. A-29 has officially outgrown 'network' status, we are fast becoming a movement.
What a week.

Notes From Vail (2)

Great day today.

Coffee and stuff just before a short time of worship songs. Guys and Gals split for teaching from Gary and Betsy Ricucci. Gary reminded busy planters that they are husbands and a husband's responsibility to his wife comes before his responsibility to his church. It wasn't a 'trip to the wood shed' as Gary said. And it didn't come across that way. In the busy and hurried life of a planter it is far too easy to take my wife for granted. Thanks Gary.

After our divided time, we got back together for a couple of songs then grabbed lunch. Amy and I took our lunch to the room and sat on the balcony together.

After lunch we headed to Vail Village where we walked and walked and walked! Shopping for the little ones!

There are really no words to describe the beauty of this part of God's creation... pictures could never capture the enormity of the mountains and all of the varied shades of color - grays, browns, greens, blues, whites. Just outside of our door is a roaring creek, right now resembling a small and violent river more than a creek - I suppose it is from the still melting snows.
Well - its off to dinner - Caleb I'll let you know who I see tonight ;)

The Red Swill @ the 567

What a GREAT night at the 567! ared Wright and the Red Swill were great! Here are a few shots from last night - hate you missed it, these guys are really good - what a great sound in the 567.