Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all the faithful volunteers and friends of Pocono Community Church.

Thank you for your tireless effort and commitment to reaching our community for Jesus.

Because of your ministry, about 2100 people attended our 5 Christmas Eve services where over 200 people made a confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Also, hundreds of pounds of food was donated through our "Canning Christmas" outreach to help those in need.

I pray you have peaceful time with friends and family this Christmas. Thank you again for your commitment to changed lives!

A Pocono Christmas

Join the PCC Church Family this Christmas Eve for an inspiring night of music and hope.

Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, live music before and after the service, and Christmas carolers. You don't want to miss this exciting night where we celebrate the birth of Christ!

Christmas Eve Eve - Friday, Dec. 23 - 7pm, 8:15pm (Spanish)

Christmas Eve - Saturday, Dec. 24 - 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Merry Christmas from Pocono Community Church!

Israel

I'm currently making this post from my hotel in Haifa, Israel. This week I'm in the Holy Lands with a small group of pastors touring the land and spending time with Jacob's Hope.

Jacob's Hope provides compassion ministries and outreach to the Jews living around the world. Some of their outreaches include medical supplies and treatment, emergency supplies, food distribution and more.

Specifically, they have 6 warehouses positioned strategically throughout Israel that are designed to meet the physical and spiritual needs of Jewish people. Interestingly, 25% of Jews in Israel live below the poverty line. Another 25% live at or just above the poverty line.

Apparently the lion share of the Israeli governmental expenses go to the national defense and understandably so. Israel is completely surrounded by its enemies. Only last week two missiles launched from Lebanon landed only miles from my hotel.

This is my first time in Israel. It's amazing to be in the land where Jesus' lived and walked. The Bible literally comes to life before your eyes. I'm totally expecting this trip to be a life changing experience.

More to follow ...

Happy Thanksgiving

Psalm 73:1 says, "Truly God is good..."

Here are some things I'm truly thankful for this Thanksgiving:

• A merciful and forgiving God
• A Savior who came full of grace and full of truth
• A purpose and vision to give my life to
• A wife who is my absolute best friend
• Four children that are the center of my joy
• Supportive and encouraging parents
• A loving grandfather that prays for me everyday
• A great brother and sister
• An exciting church to lead that loves the lost more than anything else
• Church volunteers that are willing to sacrifice and serve despite the cost
• A truly phenomenal staff that gives 100% every day
• Trusted friends who tell me the truth, see me at my worst, and love me in spite of it all
• A great coach who challenges my thinking and effectiveness
• The great outdoors where I like to spend time away from the office

Weekend Highlights

Here are some of the highlights from the weekend at Pocono Community Church:

*PCC provided almost 150 families with Thanksgiving Baskets and hand delivered them to homes in need. What a demonstration of generosity and kindness. So proud of our staff and the hundreds of volunteers who donated their time and resources for this outreach.

*This past weekend was "Commitment Weekend" at PCC. Hundreds of people gave sacrificially and made three year commitments to our new outreach and develop initiative, Unstoppable.

*Early reports of the Unstoppable Commitments are nothing short of miraculous.

*Our Unstoppable goal was 2 Million to be given over 3 years. Before this weekend, 1.2 million was already given in advanced commitments. God is up to something BIG.

*Eph 3.20 - God is able to do exceeding and abundantly more than we dare ask or think.

*I can't wait to announce the miracle of generosity on Victory Weekend on the December 10/11!

*My wife, Bekah and I were incredibly humbled as we watched so many faithful people in all 5 worship experiences come forward and give their gifts at the altar. I'll never forget that display of generosity...ever.

*God says, "If you can't give willingly, then don't give at all." This weekend was about a "coalition of the willing" not a "coercion of the unwilling."

*God doesn't expect us to all give the same amount. But He does expect us to give with the same attitude.

*Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." In other words, what's in your heart is more important than what's in your wallet.

*So cool to meet 4 new East Stroudsburg University students in our worship experiences this weekend. They are totally psyched about PCC coming to ESU and want to join the launch team. This is gonna be good.

*Looking forward to next week when we will celebrate Thanksgiving together as a church family with extended time of worship and communion.

Excelerate Leadership Conference

Just wanted to get the word out to pastors and church planters to register for this new leadership conference, Exclerate. It will be held at Glad Tidings Church in Reading, PA.

Looking forward to being there with many of my ministry friends and sharing my heart on reaching the unchurched and hearing from some other great speakers. Don't miss it!

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:30 am – 9 am
REGISTRATION | NextGen Center

9 am – 10:30 am
MAIN SESSION | NextGen Center
Structuring Your Church to Reach Lost People
David Crosby, Jr.

10:45 am – noon
BREAKOUT SESSIONS [choose from six]

Topics include:

• Creating a Missional Church | Eran Holt
• Accelerating Growth Through Strategic Planning | Bryan Koch
• “RPM’s” Kids Small Groups are a “Real Powerful Ministry!” | Todd Bube & Andrea Dascalescu
• Creating a SERVE Culture that Attracts New Volunteers | Deb Bube
• Developing Group Life in Your Church | Scott Kramer
• Launching a Multi-Site Campus | Steve DeFrain, Jr.

Noon – 1 pm
LUNCH | Sacred Grounds Grille

1 pm – 2 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION | NextGen Center
Structuring Your Church to Multiply and Plant
Tom Rees, Gerry Stoltzfoos, Jeff Leake, Steve DeFrain

2:15 pm – 3 pm
CLOSING SESSION & PRAYER | NextGen Center
Where Do We Go From Here?
Bryan Koch

3 pm
CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

A Short History of PCC

Unstoppable

This weekend PCC launched our new initiative, Unstoppable. Here's the video roll in for the series. A huge thanks to the creative guys that made it happen. You guys are amazing.

Snowtober

Due to the snow storm, we had to cancel our Saturday evening service.

The water baptism service, planned for tonight, has been rescheduled for next Saturday, November 4th.

The MonsterBash will be tomorrow during our regular Sunday worship experiences at 9, 10:30, 12 and 2pm. Don't miss out on all the fun, candy, games and more. Each service will also include an action-packed Gospel presentation.

Please make every effort to attend our 9 and Noon worship experience tomorrow to free up space in the 10:30 worship experience. Thanks again!

Daniel Fast Day #11

Psalm 35:13 "I afflicted myself with fasting."

The first time I read this verse written by King David I was like, 'Totally feel ya bro. This fasting thing is tough on the body."

But then I realized that the word "affliction" is best defined as "humility."

To fast is to truly humble yourself. It's amazing how much my body and my physical appetite can control my life. It's humbling to realize that there are things in my life that have been brought to the surface during this season of fasting. It's caused me to deal with certain attitudes, reactions to particular people or just my disposition and general demeanor.

But fasting is bring my flesh under submission to my spirit - or better yet - the Spirit of the Living God inside of me. Fasting will truly position anyone to deal with the junk in their life and obtain victory for the glory of God.

I'm so glad we are half through this fast and I'm excited to see all that God will do in us in the second half. Don't give up!

Daniel Fast Day #9

Here are some of the specific things I am fasting for:

• For clarity of vision in life and ministry
• For a successful Unstoppable Initiative, including clarity on what Bekah and I are to give financially over the next 3 years
• For my family and their health and for the development and growth in wisdom for my kids
• For the church elders, staff and their families
• For unity in the church and commitment to the vision
• For the lost in our community. That we may reach more for Jesus in the next year than ever before.
• For a spiritual hunger to be awakened in our church that we may go to a new level of faith and growth.

Daniel Fast Day #6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 6:5

It's no secret I enjoy a great meal. But after every feast, I'm always hungry again in less than a few hours - never truly satisfied. 

You don't realize how powerful your hunger for food really is until you fast. Simply denying myself the food I eat on a typical day has awakened a giant in my gut. The first few days of the fast my flesh was screaming to be satisfied. 

Interestingly though, the more I've prayed and fasted the quieter those hunger pangs became. Now almost a full week into the fast my insatiable desire for food has almost been tamed. What's more than my appetite being in check is that I have a heightened sense of taste for the food that I do eat.

What's true of my physical nature is also true of my spiritual nature. I sense a renewed desire for God's Word and spending time in his presence. There is a heightened spiritual sense in each moment as I experience the Spirit of God with me through the day in conversations with my wife, as I parent my kids, and go about my work and ministry to others. 

Here's the kicker: at the end of each day there is deep satisfaction with the time I've spent in God's Word and in prayer. God truly does satisfy those who hunger for more of Him and His Word. 

Daniel Fast Day #5

My friend Sam died today.

Daniel Fast Day #4

"Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart." Psalm 119:2

God promises to bless the person who does two things:

1) Stay in the Word.

In other words, don't be distracted by the things of this world. Stay in the Word of God. Keep His testimonies. Don't let your faith be derailed by the cares of this world and the pursuits of the flesh. Refuse to jettison your faith and chunk your character for the pleasures or possessions of this momentary life.

2) Seek Jesus with passion.

The Bible says God will bless you if you seek him with your whole heart. Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." (Mt. 6:34) Make my relationship with God through faith in Jesus the top priority of my life. The ability to cultivate spiritual intimacy with Christ will provide the pathway to blessings in this life and the next.

Daniel Fast Day #3

Today I'm praying and fasting for my friend Sam. Sam and his wife, Charlotte, are founding members of Pocono Community Church. For the past nine years, Sam has been a faithful friend and source of encouragement. He is the Treasurer of the Elder Team and serves as a part of the Greeter and Prayer Team, as well.

Last week Sam went to the hospital because he had been bleeding internally and experiencing a great deal of pain. In the past week, the doctors have discovered that Sam has Stage IV cancer that has affected his liver, pancreas, lungs and brain. His body showed no sign of cancer only 4 months ago in a CT Scan. Last night Sam's health deteriorated and he was taken into the ICU where he suffered a stroke and further complications.

As of now, Sam has been taken to hospice where all they can do is make him as comfortable as possible. Please pray with me that God will be merciful and compassionate and that His will be done. Also, please pray for Charlotte and Sam's children and grandchildren. May the God of all comfort be their peace.

Daniel Fast Day #2

1 Chronicles 21 tells of a time in King David's life when he was directed to offer a special sacrifice to the Lord. When someone tried to step in a relieve the burden of his sacrifice, King David said, "No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing." 1 Chronicles 21:24

Some have asked me if giving up soda or chocolate was "enough" for God to bless them during this time of fasting and prayer. I think King David makes it clear that whatever we do for the Lord should require significant sacrifice. If it doesn't cost you something, then it's not worth anything.

What are you willing to give up for God?

Daniel Fast Day #1

For the next 21 days Pocono Community Church is participating in the Daniel Fast. I'll be sharing some things that Lord is speaking to my heart during this time of prayer and fasting. If you would like to join us, please go here to download details of the fast and start today.

Back to School Kick Off!

This Saturday Pocono Community Church is hosting a Back to School Kick Off event from 10am to 2pm. All family and children are welcome to come celebrate a new school year and receive FREE:

+Bookbag filled with school supplies

+Hair Cuts

+Dental Care Kits

+Eye Exams

+Child ID tags from Pocono Regional Police

+Free fire prevention training with the brand new smoke house by Mount Pocono Fire Company

+A chance to win a Nintendo DS 3D gaming system

+Games and much more!

+We even have free massages for parents!

Hope to see you there! Please bring your friends too! For Directions or more information on Pocono Community Church, please click here.

Pastor Dave

Off-Site Planning Retreat

Today our staff is participating in an off-site, one-day planning retreat. We are ramping up for the fall and specifically preparing for the implementation of a completely new discipleship and family life ministry system.

It's really exciting to think of all the new changes that we are working on to develop a stronger and healthier church. What an opportunity for growth and more changed lives.

Here are a few reasons why we do off-site planning sessions:

1) Unleash - Often times just a change of scenery helps unleash the creative process. Once you are out of the office and out of the routine you can get in a fresh perspective on challenges and obstacles within the organization.

2) Unplug - We intentionally go to locations where there are limited distractions like this camp that's in a pretty remote place up in the mountains. There are limited phones, wi-fi, email, and a myriad of other hi-tech interruptions that jam up a typical work day.

3) Unwind - Off-sites provide a great opportunity to spend quality time with staff members. We always include some free time where we can just hang out and relax and enjoy one another. This down time does wonders to build team morale and camaraderie.

4) Unpack - An extended meeting time away from the office affords the staff valuable time to really unpack important issues. This additional time spent brainstorming, thinking, discussing and praying produces a solution-oriented plan and God-sized goals.

Lesson from Disney #6

Lesson #6 - The Pixar Rule

At Disney, the Pixar Rule is the basic understanding that you cannot offer criticism without offering a suggested solution.

For example, if you work at Disney on the Pixar Team and you view the opening sequence of Cars 2 and you don't like it you wouldn't say: "The opening sequence wasn't as good as the first movie. You better change it."

That's simply offering criticism without focusing on concrete ideas of how to change it for the better.

Instead, you would say, "The opening sequence would be better if you didn't introduce any new characters and had Mater and Lightening zoom onto the screen straight away. The kids will love it. That's what they want to see."

In our church culture, we strive to offer constructive criticism.

Constructive criticism adds value to your feedback and can institute positive change.

Develop a culture that allows for honest criticism but also keeps the focus solution-oriented.