About a month into the planting of Ridge Stone Church, Tyson and Lori Swann walked through our doors and they have been here ever since. They are as sold out to the vision of RSC as anyone. They bring as many friends to RSC as anyone. They serve as much as anyone.
Tyson started his own company years ago that has become VERY successful and for me personally I have learned a ton about leadership from him. There have been several times I have had lunch with him to pick his brain on leadership issues. Since about the day they started coming, Tyson has worked in our 2 year old room in Tiny Town. The kids LOVE him and flock to him when he walks in. Tyson is also one of the most generous people I have ever met. There have been a couple of big purchases for the church he made himself and just last week he installed hearing and air in The Warehouse where our youth meet.
Lori has also served in Tiny Town since they arrived. She is never on time but she serves. 
On top of serving in Tiny Town, Lori has the entire history of RSC on film. She is a photographer and snaps pictures of everything you see at RSC. If you have seen a photo of RSC, she took it. It is awesome to have that history on film.
RSC is a better place because of the Swann Family. When you see them Sunday let them know you think they rock!
As soon as I got back in town, I headed to the funeral home to be with a family in our church who suddenly lost their mother. It was about an hour away and I figured I would be the only one from The Stone there BUT as soon as I walked through the door their entire Home Team was there already ministering to the family.
They had already arranged meals and things over the next week and it was simply awesome to see people stepping up and doing life together without being asked.
There is nothing as powerful as a Home Team WHEN a Home Team is running like it should.
If you aren’t in a Home Team then you are missing out on one of the greatest aspects of being part of The Stone. If you would like more information on connecting with a Home Team the contact Malcolm and malcom@ridgestonechurch.com.
I’m home! We had a great staff retreat and got a lot of stuff taken care of that is going to rock this area with the message of Jesus Christ!
I always say the best part of a trip is coming home. I love seeing the kids, seeing DeAnna, taking a shower in my shower, and sleeping my bed!
Got a crazy couple of days then I am off to the National New Church Conference!!!!
On the far right porch of the cabin I can get somebody’s internet.
Our Lead Team is in Pigeon Forge on a staff retreat and it has been nice. We are getting some legs to the things we will be letting all of you who call RSC home in on during our Hell No series.
The cabin we are using is amazing. I am sitting on the side of the wrap around porch overlooking a little stream while the rain comes down and it reminds me of how awesome God is to create such great beauty.
The “Rod Run” is this weekend here and it is straight up crazy! I consider myself a pretty big redneck but I don’t understand “the fix up a car and then sit beside it all day while people look at it thing” at all. You can barely move here now and the Rod Run doesn’t even start until this weekend.
We are heading back tomorrow night a day early to attend the funeral of Jennifer McClure’s mother. I am sure you saw the tragic news on TV about a truck hitting her bus head on. Steve and Jennifer have been with us since day one and Steve is on our Board of Directors and it breaks my heart that they are going through this right now. If you remember, pray for them please.
Well, I am stealing internet so I better get off here but continue to pray for us as well. We have a ton to accomplish in the next day and pray that it will all come together.
Steven Furtick nailed it with this post.
As much as I hate to admit it, I can relate to all the feelings he talks about. Great post!
Looks like they had a blast at The Project last night!!! I feel like we are FINALLY on the right track in our student area! Adam is working like a dog and doing a great job! If I can get him to learn what a purchase order is he will be perfect.
If you have a middle school or high school student and they aren’t coming to The Project on Sunday nights then they are missing out!
I want to know if any of our teenagers got thrown out of school today for wearing your Hell No T-shirts to school?
If so, let me know because I always need a good laugh!
I guess I have been sleeping, but I just noticed my session from the churchplanters.com conference is available for purchase on their website.
I know it is stupid but I think it is cool that I have a CD out there people can purchase.
Anyway, a lot of you asked for my notes which I don’t have so if you want to hear the session you can know have it by clicking here.
GREAT START to the week! I am pumped after yesterday and just loving the vibe in the church right now. It is awesome to be part of a church where things are clicking on all cylinders!
We head out on Lead Team staff retreat tomorrow and we have a packed agenda! It is going to be fun but we have a packed schedule to say the least.
I’ll keep you updated on how things are going…I think. I am not even sure there is internet up there but I will go crazy with no email so I will be finding it somewhere.
I was just checking out Preston’s blog and he was talking about The Projected United (TPU). He makes a great statement on his blog about our youth that I think a lot of guys could learn from.
“I think in the past we have tried to “outcool” ourselves and tonight was just freakin fun.”
I thought that was a GREAT quote that had a lot of truth!