I am excited about this retreat! It will be an incredible opportunity to come together to receive some training on principles of making disciples who make disciples with guest speaker Mike Mohler of Trinity Point Church, Easley. One of the last things Jesus said as He ascended into heaven was, "Go and make disciples..." We must obey what Jesus commanded!

Every Christian in our church is at a certain level as a disciple. They may be a spiritual infant who has just come to Christ. They may be a spiritual child that is developing the habits of Bible study and prayer and growing in their relationship with God. Others are spiritual young adults; they are becoming less self-centered and more others centered. They are beginning to see themselves as a minister. Our goal for every disciple at Ridgeview is to become a spiritual
parent. A spiritual parent is a mature disciple but continually growing and developing in their personal relationship with God and as a disciple of Jesus Christ. They understand their role as one who needs to intentionally invest in others- making disciples who can make disciples.

The most important thing we must be about doing at Ridgeview is going and making disciples who can make disciples. We are convinced that the best way to do that is through relational environments! The relational environment tool that we use at Ridgeview is Growth Groups. We have seen time and time again over these last seven years great spiritual growth in the lives of those who choose to be a part of a Growth Group.

So, let me ask you to seriously consider coming to this retreat May 6-7. For $25 you will have three meals paid for and an incredible opportunity on how you can learn to be a disciple who makes disciples. This is one of the most important training events we've ever done. I hope to see you there!

Easter Sunday and Parenthood

What a wonderful Palm Sunday worship celebration we had, especially the baptisms! I'm looking forward to this Easter Sunday as we begin a new series entitled, "Parenthood." This Sunday we will deal with the parent's two priorities in raising their children. Let me encourage you parents to be here Sunday with your family. I'm going to share an interesting study Sunday. You've got to be here this Sunday to fill in the blanks, but here it is:

Kids Who Become Active Christ-Followers As Adults
If mom and dad went to church: __________ % of kids will as adults.
If mom only went to church: __________ % of kids will as adults.
If dad only went to church: __________ % of kids will as adults.
If neither mom nor dad: __________% of kids will as adults.

I promise the percentages will surprise you and are a big wake up call for all of us! One final thought; what does a series on parenting have to do with Easter? Well, I believe that because Jesus rose from the dead, He can help us with our families. Scripture says in Ephesians 1:18-20,  18) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." Because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead, the penalty for our sin has been paid for. And because He rose from the dead, for those who have believed in His name (like many of the parents at Ridgeview), they have the power to lead their families; the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

Praise God! You may be struggling in your parenting skills but you have help available. You have God's Word and you have God's Spirit that gives you power. I look forward to seeing how God's Word and God's Spirit come together as we share principles from Deuteronomy 6 on effective parenting and praise the Jesus who gives us all hope!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tommy

Good Week; Great Palm Sunday Coming!

I am looking forward to this coming Palm Sunday as we celebrate together the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. I am also looking forward to celebrating the lives He's changed Sunday as we baptize several people. It will be a unique service as we host the North Greenville University drama team, Act II. They will bring to life the book of Jonah that we have explored the last four weeks. This will be such a powerful service that we want our Ridgekidz in for the service this Sunday.

Let me remind all of us as we enter this Easter season to look for opportunities to share the love of Jesus with people and invite them to church. I'm so thankful for the crew that came out this Wednesday morning and passed out free coffee at O'Neal Village along highway 101. Week after week our church is building bridges in our community. So thankful God gives us those opportunities!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tommy

This Small Church Made A Big Kingdom Impact This Week!

Okay, let me state the obvious. Ridgeview Church is a small church. But I believe Jesus uses the small things of this world to make a big Kingdom impact. All he needed was five loaves of bread and two fish and fed the 5,000! Ridgeview Church is a small church that is making a big impact! This week the Brown Growth Group went out on Monday night and took Panera bread to new homeowners. We built more bridges in our community! On Wednesday, we provided refreshments for the Skyland Elementary faculty meeting and our Ridgekidz had their service project where they went to the Cottages off Fairview road and passed out more Panera bread (see pics above). Let's celebrate the number of people we touched with the love of Christ this week (over 100)! I look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday as we finish up the book of Jonah. I will be preaching live, in person, in living color!

See you Sunday!