“End Strong”
by Tom Goodman
November 10, 2004

I’m hearing so many great things from you about the Purpose-Driven Life Campaign.  Tomorrow is the last day of our forty-day reading plan, but it’s not the last day of the campaign.  Here are three ways to “end strong”—

First, participate with your small group to discuss the last of the Five Purposes.  God wants you to impact your world with the gospel.  This Sunday, November 14, our study will reinforce what you’ve learned about missions and evangelism in your daily readings on the subject.

Second, let me know of your interest in joining Hillcrest.  About one out of every six people participating in our campaign is not yet a member of Hillcrest.  Isn’t that great!  If I just described you, I hope this campaign has been a good introduction to our church.  If you’re ready to join Hillcrest—of if you just want more information—come to my “Discover Hillcrest” class!  It’s scheduled for this Sunday, November 14, right after the morning service.  Lunch is provided free of charge, and the class will run until 2:30 p.m.  We’ll have child care for those under the age of 8. Also, we have a “Discover Hillcrest Kids” class for ages 8-12 and a “Discover Hillcrest Youth” class for grades 6-12.

If you’ve already taken this class but you haven’t followed up with baptism or membership, now’s the time to cross that line!  Contact me at tom@hbcaustin.org or 345-3771 and tell me you want to be presented as a new member on Celebration Sunday, November 21.

Third, help us get ready for Celebration Sunday by telling us how the campaign has impacted you!  We’ll end our campaign on Celebration Sunday, November 21.  We’ll celebrate with baptisms, the Lord’s Supper, and thanksgiving!  On that day, I want to read off a bunch of your comments and stories.  I was moved by the comments of a man whose father died two weeks ago.  He told me how he was sitting on the airplane, crying over his loss and reading “Day 25” in his book—a chapter on how we are “Transformed by Trouble.”  He said the whole campaign has been meaningful, but that one day by itself made the whole campaign worth the effort.  Wow.  Tell me how the campaign has impacted you.  The deadline for your written comments is Wednesday, November 17, so drop me a line at tom@hbcaustin.org.

The readings are over tomorrow, but let’s do these three things to “end strong” as we finish up the campaign!

—Tom


P.S.—Wasn’t the Ministry Fair wonderful!  My thanks to all the hard workers who made it happen.  Builders, we loved the clack-clack of hammers as you actually built a little church building during the Fair!


Important Notes:

Discover Hillcrest—Special Purpose-Driven Campaign Edition:  Sunday, November 14.  The class will be held right after the morning service, AND LUNCH IS PROVIDED!  The class is for those who want to become members, and for those who just want to learn more about Hillcrest.  Topics include: