Just saw this picture and thought I had to post it. I had one of the crazy people take this picture with my iPhone and to say they were impressed with the phone would not describe their thoughts. I think they thought I was a millionaire for having it. It was funny.

This was before we got the heck out of dodge. We had been there about 3 hours, Tim and Preston were high from diesel, and the rest of our were soaking wet from rain BUT we look happy for the picture

• I forgot to mention that our clothes were so wet that we had to go in the story and buy shirts. The ONLY shirts they had were with confederate flags on them. Mine had a dude riding a dirtbike and said Redneck Boys Drive Bad Ass Toys. It is already in the trash.
• Tim swallowed a ton of diesel.
• As much as I love Swift, I was glad he wasn’t with us because we might be dead.
• They had a saw-off shotgun hanging behind the counter.
• The had one book for sale called The TRUTH about Ruby Ridge.
• They had a paper that told the “truth” about slavery. Yeah, right.
• They HATE Barrack Obama.
• They had a sign that said there were 20 security cameras around the place and they would shoot you.
• To say they had never seen an iPhone would be an understatement

Here are pictures of us sucking diesel from Preston’s van for your enjoyment.

Today, our entire staff (ft and pt) headed about an hour and a half north past Elijay to an awesome cabin someone in our church owns for a day of planning and going through everyone’s questions regarding multi-site and launching our Holly Springs campus.

We had a VERY productive day. Lot’s of ideas were shared, some disagreements took place, better ideas were thought of, etc. We were literally in the middle of nowhere so we had no place to eat but we had some snack food. By about 3:00 we had discussed everything and we were ready to head out because we had not ate at all.

As we headed out, I told the guys we HAD to stop at the first gas station because I was on fumes. Preston said he was very very low as well. We headed out…

As we headed out, there had been some tension building between Tim and I throughout the day. Nothing bad, but just tension and stress that was brewing. So we pull into a gas station and I can’t keep my mouth shut. I say something to Tim and Tim says something back to me and we start going out it. No big deal except Preston was there and Preston is NOT about confrontation so he is very uncomfortable. I’m pumping gas the whole time and Preston is pumping gas in his van and trying to get out of what me and Tim are discussing.

Well, in the heat of the moment, Preston being in a hurry pumps his 2008 Honda Odyssy with DIESEL fuel. Yes, I said diesel fuel. Not just a little bit of diesel fuel, but about 50 bucks worth. Needless to say he is freaking out! Tim and I realize what is going on and suddenly no one knows what to do. Luckily he had not cranked the van yet so we were good. I said we would just call a tow truck and get it pumped out. After calling everyone the people at the gas station knew, we couldn’t find anyone to come and get it. NO ONE wanted to come to this place…in a few minutes we would find out why. So we rolled the van out of the way and got the idea to siphon the diesel out. That was a nightmare.

Three different hoses, numerous attempts to get it going, and 2 hours later, Tim and Preston FINALLY got the diesel pumping out. The whole time it is POURING, I mean POURING down rain. We were soaked to the bone. It took about an hour to get all the gas into this huge container but we finally got it done. We pushed the van back up and got it gas and it is fine.

That part of the story is crazy but that is nothing. After realizing we were at the gas station for a while we started looking around and what we saw scared the crap out of us, made us sick, and shocked us. The place was littered with racist stuff everywhere. I can’t even repeat some of the stuff. It was like being in a different world. People were looking at us like we were crazy (rightfully so). It was very obvious we weren’t from around there.

There are so many crazy moments from Thad and Laney singing a southern gospel song called Highway and Hedges on the front porch, to the owner telling us to pour the diesel on a democrat, to the owner telling us all our ladies on staff were feminist because they didn’t help push the van, to them telling us it is a good thing we broke down there instead of Atlanta because we would be killed. They found out I was a preacher and started talking to me about being spirit filled. I’m sure I will think of other things but to right now I am not doing the story justice.

To give you an idea of where were were, I am going to post some pictures from the place. WARNING: These pictures are offensive. I do NOT agree with the things in these pictures but the reality is this place exists, it exist a little over an hour from Canton, and this is the people God called us to reach. They need Jesus and if we don’t take Him to them, who will? Another reason I am posting the pictures is because I want to show you the type of environment we were in and why it was a crazy crazy crazy day. If you are offended easily (rightfully so) you don’t want to see these pictures.

As awful as some of this shots are, you at least have to laugh a little thinking of our staff being broken down here because we put diesel in a gas-powered engine. I thought these people were going to kill us for being so stupid.

As we siphoned gas for almost 3 hours we drew a decent little crowd. I’m sure we were the most entertainment they have had in a long time. I’ll admit I was a freaking CHICKEN and I kept my opinions to myself (I’m a chicken but I am also not stupid) but by the end of our stay there they were ready for us to plant a church there because “it was obvious I was spirit-filled.” Yeah..okay. Pretty sure they weren’t, but glad they know I am.

We also found out they have a Possum Drop every New Years Eve where they throw possums off the roof, I guess. Kind of like the ball dropping in New York City, just different.

It was truly a crazy, comical, and as I reflect it was a sad day to know there are people like this still in our area.

Moral of story: don’t put diesel in a car that doesn’t take it.

• GREAT day today! It was fun to be back!
• Attendance was decent but it looked like we had a bunch of people hitting summer trips before school starts back in two weeks.
• I slept maybe 2 hours last night but I doubt it. I paid for it today as I was tired!
• I made it through by killing a couple of Redline Extremes. I am paying for that now because I can’t sleep I am so wired.
• Ever been so tired you were about to die but not able to sleep? Now you know how I feel.
• Go Tell It (the Lee McDerment version) is probably my favorite worship song right now. Love it and Thad does it great!
• We’ve been having Home Teams bring the food for the volunteer room this month and whoever did it today was awesome! Man, there was some good grub in there!
• I called a lady a cow today. I didn’t mean it to come out like it did but she had a summer shirt on that looked like cow print and I told her she was a pretty cow. I’m an idiot.
• I went a little old school today with my message. Basically I hit everything that moved and called it sin.
• Brad Martin was in the service today. He flew in all the way from Kansas to hang out. He is hanging out in the office tomorrow so that should be fun.
• Brad and Preston both gave twitter updates all morning. I loved seeing different people’s thoughts. Check out Preston’s twitter thoughts here and Brad’s here.
• Another reason I couldn’t sleep is because I had a dream that Perry Noble started a campus in Iowa. Because I know Iowa, I was all offended that he didn’t talk to me and we got into a cage fight. It was a WEIRD dream. Real weird. BTW, Perry throws a wicked left.
• Can you believe we launch a second campus in 6 weeks? I love it!
• We are cutting our budget for Holly Springs CLOSE! If you got a extra 10 thousand or so laying around, let us know and we will put it to good use.
• I’m in the zone riding my bike. I’ve hit it 3 times a week for the last three weeks and yesterday did 30 miles for the first time. I felt I could’ve maybe done another 10.
• If you are an electrician we need you this week at our Holly Springs campus. Call Tim at tim@therevolution.tv for the 411.
• We are taking the entire staff off-site Tuesday to nail down multi-site stuff.
• If you are interested in being part of Holly Springs either short-time or long-term, go here and let us know.
• I’m tired.
• DeAnna is ate up with Poison Ivy and it won’t get better. Pray for her.
• Looks like we are going to be bringing on a consultant to help us do some long-term planning. VERY excited about this.
• Our next series ALIVE has me pumped up!!!! If you had 30 days to live, how would your life change?
• Still processing some big things God is showing me. It is rocking my world!
• I think someone on the next street over died last night. I left the house about 5 this morning and I have never seen such craziness and heard such crying. Not sure what house it was but it was eerie.
• I want to see people brought to Jesus! it consumes me!
• Who in your life do you need to bring to Jesus?
• Girly movie tonight. Hopefully I will fall asleep as it starts.
• Got a bunch of pastors critiquing my message from this week. I asked them to but I am nervous it will scare them bad. But it might let them get saved too.
• UFC is coming to Atlanta. It is sold-out but I want to go. I am not to proud to beg so if someone wants to take their pastor, let me know.
• Revolution, I love being your pastor!
• I announced today that we are going to partner with Vince Antonucci as he plants a church on The Strip in Vegas. Not sure what that partnership looks like yet, but I want Revolution involved in a big way.
• We are all about unchurched people and you can’t get anymore unchurched than The Strip in Vegas. Plus I freaking love Vegas!
• I told our church I know we are supporting them financially but I am afraid if we took a trip to Vegas that would be th death of Vegas. It can survive the mob, gamblers, and general craziness but I am not sure it can survive Revolution and it’s nuts hitting The Strip.
• Also got to help out one of my new friends, Shaun King who is planting a church in downtown Atlanta. I love Georgia and if you reach Atlanta, you can reach the state. They needed a truck to pull their trailers so we are giving them Ol’ Red, the dually. Check out what that means to his church here.
• Please pray I get some sleep tonight. I really need it. Why does God speak to me at night? I love Him speaking but I need some sleep.
• Peace. I’m out.

I’m sitting here listening to John Denver (don’t ask) and looking over my sermon for Sunday and I am getting excited to see all of you who call Revolution home!  It is always weird to me when I miss a Sunday. I honesty feel like I have missed something awesome and I hate that!

This Sunday I am continuing our Uncomfortable series with one of the most uncomfortable things we as Christ-followers are COMMANDED to do in the bible. It is my passion, but I would be lying if I said it was something that comes natural to me. It is going to be a great Sunday!

Get there early, be loud, and let’s have a freaking blast!

I’m not sleeping good lately which means I am laying in bed with tons of thoughts running through my head. I shared some of the thoughts yesterday so we’ll call this MORE THINGS THAT ARE MESSING ME UP: The Multi-site edition.

• What is the bottom line cost we can launch campuses for without compromising our vision, style, and excellence? I honestly am thinking we can do them for around 50 grand if portable and 100 grand if it involves a build-out. You could never create space in one location for that small amount.
• How can non-mega churches launch campuses in an effective manner.
• How quickly can I launch campuses. I think we can launch them from start to launch in 3 months, possibly 2.
• How do we determine where to where to launch next campuses? I’m thinking you go to the edge of your reach at your current campus and launch there. Once you have a campus there, the edge of your reach will stretch out further and you repeat the process. That is why it makes sense for us to go Jasper to Elijay to Blue Ridge in that order.
• How many people do I need in a launch team to launch a campus? I think not many. I think I just need a full team to commit to being there a month and we should have enough new people to take over. That is how we launched Revolution. West Ridge sent people for 4 weeks and week 5 we were on our own. Worked pretty well.
• It appears to me the biggest multiplication issue is worship. Reproducing worship leaders and musicians at the level we expect is not easy.
• How important is the role of campus pastor? I think if the campus is further than about 20 minutes away it is probably very important, but I honestly wonder…..
• How do you duplicate the buzz and energy of our main campus? At most churches there isn’t a lot of amening, clapping, and talking back to the preacher, but at Revolution there is. Does that duplicate in a video campus and if not, how do we make it. Need to talk to Perry and Steven about that one.
• Was talking to someone in the know at two different mega-churches that are doing multi-site. They have spent BIG money and can’t get people to leave the main campus for portable campuses. I don’t know anything, but I think the key is never allow them to get to comfortable at a main campus. For instance our people meet in a movie theater so it isn’t a real deal to move to a warehouse or school.
• How do you manage a budget with multiple campuses? Luckily that is Tim and Carol’s problem
• How much flexibility do you give each campus?
• You don’t need as much space as you think you do. I want as much space as I can get, but I refuse to let lack of space stop us from going to an area. We’ll do tons of services. Good thing “video Gary” doesn’t get tired.

I could go on and on, but those thoughts will keep me up until about 2:30-3:00 tonight. It will probably kill me but I got to admit, I love every minute of it!

I will try and get some pictures tomorrow but things are moving quickly at our Holly Springs campus! I got to give a special shout out to Peter Vogepohl and Chris Hogg for the time and energy they have put into this project. Also a big shout out to all the volunteers that are making it happen! You guys rock!

We still need more help making this thing happen. If you are interested in volunteering your time let Tim know at tim@therevolution.tv. We really could use a lot of help this Friday evening and Saturday. Contact Tim for the details.

Here are some of the things going on over there:

• HVAC units are going in as we speak! The units that were in there wouldn’t have cooled down my living room, much less a church that is going to be packed out with people.
• Plumbing is almost done and bathroom fixtures are being installed.
• Jerked down the sign out front and threw the Revolution R up on the building! Even though it is only a temporary sign, I love seeing it up there.
• Met with a great interior designer this week who is helping us create the vibe we envision for the building.
• Electricians start next week. We’ve got a great guy in the church making this happen!
• Painting will start VERY soon and we need all hands on deck!

Things haven’t went as quickly as we thought, but that is what happens when you are working around volunteer schedules. We are going to be done in plenty of time to make our September 7th launch date!

Stay tuned this week as I talk to you about being part of the launch team for Revolution Holly Springs!

Somehow I missed this on Ben’s blog but some dudes are putting on a conference called The Sticks Conference. It’s a conference for churches in small towns with big visions. Anyone who knows me, knows this is a huge passion of mine!

We planted Revolution in Canton, Ga. which is a town of about 20,000 people, we are launching our second campus in Holly Springs which has a population of around 7,000 (yep, you read that right), and we are looking at launching our 3rd, 4th, and 5th campuses all in cities of less than 15,000 people! It might not make sense but I have a huge heart for small towns and I think these are towns where churches can literally transform them with the message of Jesus Christ.

So to hear about a conference focused on that seems pretty cool. I just read the bios of the guys teaching and most of them I have never heard of, but sounds like they are doing awesome things. Not having heard of them is a big plus in my book. The two I have heard of are Mark Batterson and Tim Stevens and I have no idea why they are teaching at a conference focused on reaching small towns but I think they both are awesome and great leaders so I’ll give them a pass.

Anyway, I know I have a lot of guys who read this blog who are all about reaching small towns so I thought I would post about the conference thinking you might to like to check it out. Pretty sure I’ll be there and I might take our whole crew to paint the small town it is being held in red…..revolution red!

Should be a good conference and if it sucks, we’ll host our own next year! Yeah…come on!

I have been around a lot of great thinkers and leaders over the last few weeks and there have been several things that have been messing me up. I want to elaborate on them further but here are some of the things that are keeping me up at night:

• There are only two reasons for people to come to church. Only two things they can get at church that they can’t get by sitting at home listening to preaching and worship. Relationships and Experience. Still digesting this one but when I heard it I felt like I had been kicked in the groin. Still processing this but I want to post some thing about it soon.
• I’m honestly concerned as the “contemporary” church starts producing it’s second generation, that we are producing young leaders that are more interested in what they think is “cool” and our “models” than we are reaching lost people. This bugs me greatly. I might post more on this but I’m not sure I can articulate the thoughts in my mind into words.
• People will chose relationships over vision. As a leader, I hate to accept this but it is true. More thoughts on this later.
• Why does everyone want to only go to white-collar suburbs or college towns to plant churches? We would rather plant where there are 20 others churches as opposed to going to urban and rural areas. Romans 10:14 haunts me here.
• It can’t be all about numbers. Trust me, I am a number freak but it has to be about community impact. A church of 500 in a town of 16,000 will have a stronger community impact than a church of 5,000 in a city of 250,000.
• No one is being successful with multi-site. Not sure I agree with this, but I heard someone make the point the other day that for the amount of money churches are spending to launch second and third campuses, the number of people they are reaching is not a great return. Never had this thought before but it has me thinking. It is one of the reasons we are hell-bent on launching our Holly Springs campus for the amount we have budgeted. I want the amount of people reached per dollar we spend to be HIGH.
• What does it mean to truly transform a city for Christ? I use this terminology all the time but someone asked me what I meant by it and I couldn’t give a simple answer. I want that changed.
• This is one of the most exciting times to be part of the church ever. The ability to reach people is greater than any other time in history. It excites me!
• What are other ways we can reach the North Central Georgia region? I”m sure there are ways I have never thought of and that excites me!

I have been trying to ride my bike a lot more over the last few weeks. This morning I hit the road at 6:15 a.m. as soon as the sun was coming up. Riding early is my favorite time because everything is peaceful and the roads where I ride in the country are beautiful.

On the route I ride, there are 2 pretty large hills. It doesn’t matter how well I am riding, when I hit those hills I about die. Today I noticed while I was going up the hills that I look right in front of my tire the entire way up. I literally can only see about 2 feet in front of me. On one hand that is good because I need to know what is directly in front of me, but the bad part of that is I have no idea when the hill is about to end so it seems like forever and I about die.

Today while riding I was hitting the hills and doing the same thing when suddenly I decided to look up. WOW! It totally changed my perspective. For the first time ever I could see the top of the hill and knew how much further I had to go. It gave me extra motivation as I got closer.  I still spent the majority of my time looking directly ahead but every few strides, I would look up at the goal.

I had my best time ever today. My average speed went up almost 2 mphs and I felt great at the end. Simply looking up from time to time at the goal helped me push through.

I was loading up my bike today and thinking about that, God hit me over the head with that thought. I can get so busy looking directly ahead, at what is next, living in the day to day that I don’t seen the goal is in sight many times. Yes, the day to day is life, but I have to start lifting up my head more and looking at the goal where I can realize that I am making it up the hill and that the goal (vision) God has given me is in sight.