~Saint Francis of Assisi

During the month of September, Impact celebrates Volunteerism and encourages everyone to fill your heart, enrich your life and donate your time. One of our goals is to help and give back in any way we can. Whether it’s for a day or just an hour, volunteering can make a world of difference to you and the lives you touch. At Impact, we believe volunteering is one of the most selfless things we can do that doesn’t cost one penny. From feeding the homeless to building homes for Habitat for Humanity, there’s something that each of us are good at and can ultimately offer to others in need. Not to mention that when we volunteer our time, there’s generally an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and reward that comes from knowing I did something for the greater good that extends beyond my own personal wants and needs. Not only are we rewarded spiritually, but we can then share with others the sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing at least one person has benefited from our labor of love.

Throughout the month and holiday season, Impact invites you to join us in the spirit of volunteerism as we donate our time with various non-profit and community organizations. Whether it’s tutoring an after school math session or spending time with the elderly, volunteering shows reverence through the spirit of love. We encourage you to drop by our Servant Leader table every Sunday at 10 am or 12 noon to learn more information about how YOU can be of service to others. For more information about how you can Get Involved, visit www.impactdcd.org.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Visit www.impactdcd.org/live at 9:55 am and 11:55 am.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Be Blessed,
MK

Greetings Impactors!

“Take Me to the Water” is a common song sung by congregations across the world, witnessing the baptism of a loved one. It was sung at my baptism and probably at the baptisms of some of you reading this entry.

In November 2009, Impact held its first baptism ceremonies. Over 7 people were baptized and had been prepared to enter a new phase in their lives. Historically, baptisms were an outdoor ritual. Performed in rivers, lakes or ponds candidates were led to the water by a deacon, and the actual ritual was performed by the pastor and/or ministers of the church. Dressed in all white cotton gowns, candidates were completely submerged under water. However, in the United Methodist Church candidates are not completely  submerged under water, instead having only the forehead sprinkled. Now, in more modern and urban settings, churches hold baptisms in indoor facilities. Although baptism facilities and routines have changed, the meaning has not.

Baptism is a symbol. It is a symbol and reflection of your faith and commitment to renew your life. I remember growing up, my parents having a large influence on my baptism. As a child I knew what baptism was and what the process consisted of, but as I got older I was able to better understand the meaning and purpose of why “I” was baptized. I knew that I had made a commitment to be closer with God and would begin to acknowledge his love, grace and mercy in my life. This has been the case for many of you. As children we do what we are told, even with little understanding of what we are doing. But as we age, we reflect on the choices we’ve made or have been led to make and gain a clearer understandings. Everyday many people ask themselves, why did I or why should I be baptized? Does this mean that I must do a complete 180 with my life? Does this mean I have to go to church all day, everyday? The answer lies with you. Baptism is a declaration of God’s grace and mercy in your life and reflects the changes you are ready to make.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Visit www.impactdcd.org/live at 9:55 am and 11:55 am.

What does baptism mean to you?

Be Blessed,

Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

Have you ever been to church, didn’t understand, wanted to  ask  a question?

Here,  we talk about it ALL… From Pass The Mantle, Live.Move.Be, Upon This Rock and now we want to get in touch with your sensitive side with “Sexuality & Spirituality”. Should we continue to avoid this topic or touch on it when it seems to affects us? How about we prepare ourselves for the reality that they both exist and can properly and powerfully be a part of our lives.

Jesus was human just like you and me. What happens if you find out he faced the same humanly issues as we do? Does it make sexuality okay? What it does is, let’s us know that no one no matter how great or how small their role will always have to choose what is best for them.

As we face the coming of the new generation,would we like to be prepared or continue to be fooled? Fooled by the thought that Sexuality & Spirituality cannot co-exist or should not be addressed by the church. When we are properly prepared we firmly know and understand knowing yourself spiritually is knowing yourself sexually. Therefore we will make the right choices no matter what road is traveled.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Visit www.impactdcd.org/live at 9:55 am and 11:55 am.

Let us celebrate humanity and be conscience that there will always something we can do about the choices we as humans make.

Knowledge is Power

Truth

As with the numerous days set aside throughout the year to celebrate something or someone, June is designated for our father’s. Whether he’s your biological father, spiritual father, step-dad, adopted dad, or just a man whose been a father figure, this is the time to celebrate the “dad” in your life. Father’s Day is a time to reflect on family, values and the relationship between you and your dad. It is a day where dad gets to celebrate the joys of fatherhood, whether it is spending time, making amends, or relaxing and getting pampered. Often times it is the men in our lives, our father’s, who are overlooked and undervalued. This year, don’t let the past or negativity get in the way of a relationship with your father.  Let’s make dads feel worthy of being a father because change is sure to come.

Over the years, the definition of father has changed. Dad’s have become more than the stern hand or disciplinarian. Dads have evolved into a nurturing figure, doing more than just providing for his family. He has expanded his role from the hardworking protector to a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. Many dads have taken on the role of a stay at home dad or the head of a single parent household. With time people evolve and change and begin to fulfill roles never imagined. This is true of our dad’s. So I say this Father’s Day, appreciate your dad. Through the good times and the bad.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Visit www.impactdcd.org/live.

Celebrate your father. He is more than just a man.

Be Blessed,
Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

“A brand is the personification of a product, service, or even entire company… like a person, a brand has a name, a personality, character and even a reputation. Like a person, you can respect, like and even love a brand. You can think of it as a deep personal friend, or merely an acquaintance. You can view it as dependable or undependable; principled or opportunistic; caring or capricious. Also, like a person, a brand must mature and change its product over time. But its character, and core beliefs shouldn’t change. Neither should its fundamental personality and outlook on life.”
Robert Blanchard from “Parting Essay”, July 1999

As Christians, we must treat ourselves as a brand. We have to decide how we will represent God’s mission in a society tainted with political correctness, social imagery, stereotypes and reputations. We cannot change or alter what we believe to uphold a reputation that does not truly represent who we are. We must brand ourselves to embody and become spiritually aligned with God’s purpose for our lives.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Every Sunday at 9:55 am and 11:55 am. Visit www.impactdcd.org/live.

So I’m asking you, reader. What do you stand for as a Christian?

Be Blessed,

Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

]]> http://blog.impactdcd.org/?feed=rss2&p=58 1 http://blog.impactdcd.org/?p=51 http://blog.impactdcd.org/?p=51#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 15:47:15 +0000 Impact Marketing http://blog.impactdcd.org/?p=51 Greetings Impactors!

“A mother’s love is instinctual, unconditional, and forever.”
~Anonymous

It’s May and it’s time to celebrate our mother’s! It is  time to say thank you and show our appreciation for all of our mother’s hard work, dedication and love. You know, a lot of things in life we take for granted, just like some of the things our mothers did when we we’re young… home cooked meals, laundry pressed and folded, bandages for cuts and bruises, or just a simple hug and kiss before going off to school every morning. For many of us Mother’s Day is just flowers, cards and an expensive dinner. We just say thanks and wait for Father’s Day to do it all over again. But Mother’s Day is more than that.  It is a day where should reflect on what our mother’s really mean to us and how they’ve impacted our lives.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Visit www.impactdcd.org/live.

Let’s love our mother’s unconditionally the way God loves us!

Be Blessed,

Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

Okay, so before I go any further with my post I just want to enlighten you all about a discussion I had with a few of my peers. What is it about Easter that brings out the “CME’s”? We all know the AME’s (African Methodist Episcopal) or the UMC’s (United Methodist Church) or  even the COGIC’s (Church of God in Christ). But what is really up with the CME’s… our Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Easter folks… better known as the “Holiday Crew”. This is  a trend that has been going on for years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So readers, I’m asking you for your help. What can we do to get the “Holiday Crew” back in the pews between their favorite Sundays? How we can we attract these folks to church on a weekly basis, versus those Sunday’s we have to fight for parking? It’s not only Impact who needs your help, but churches world wide are struggling with the same problem. How can we impact the “Holiday Crew” and guide them  into the comfortability of becoming the “Regular Sunday Crew”?

Now, for the post.

So far, April has been a pretty exciting month for Impact! A crazy, awesome Easter experience followed by an inspirational and motivating sermon about “Dreams on Broken Blvd”. Over the past few Sunday’s we have picked up a few self-guiding tips about our lives, our futures, and our dreams. Learning that through Christ in God we can live forward, dream forward and believe forward. Don’t allow your disappointment  and misunderstandings to keep you  stuck in a broken place.  Open your heart and mind to fully understand the possibilities and capabilities God has in store for you!

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Now streaming live on the web! Every Sunday at 9:55 am and 11:55 am. Visit www.impactdcd.org.

Progression is key. Let’s change the cycle.

Be Blessed,

Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

Spring is here! Well not officially but with the weather changes, the plethora of college students traveling for Spring Break, and Easter around the corner… Spring is here!

The past few weeks at Impact have been exciting, encouraging, and powerful. Continuing the theme: “Unplugged” March has subscribed us to continue to move forward in our spiritual journey and live for the future. God wants us to disconnect from the unproductive people and activities in our lives so that we may build a better and stronger relationship with Him. March has also invited back our Connections Groups. Spring groups have been focusing on topics like fitness, books of the Old Testament, forgiveness, and living free and clear. Be certain that a few gathered together can make a powerful impact on changing the world. God moves powerfully in the midst of small groups.

Also, this month our Impact Kidz too, have been reaping the benefits of God’s good grace. Learning about honesty, Nxt-G are preparing to impact the world in honor and truth… something this world has been missing for a while.
But between Nxt-G, Connections Groups, and Impact 1.0, we’re continuing to strive on this spiritual journey, overcoming any obstacle that may stand in our way.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. For more info about Connection Groups, Nxt-G, or Impact 1.0 visit us on the web at www.impactdcd.org.

Don’t allow the secular world to keep you unplugged. Stay connected!

Be Blessed,
Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

February has been an eventful month, and can you believe it is almost over?!  Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Impact did more than show love, but expressed how the love of Christ can, has, and will continue to impact our lives if we continue show Him love and put Him first in our lives. This past Sunday (2/21) we celebrated Communion and was blessed with a powerful word from lead pastor, Olu Brown. With the sermon entitled “Too Many Enemies To Fight”, we must remember that with all of the obstacles and problems we face and the enemy throws in our way, everyday we have to persevere and continue the journey to fulfill our destiny.

But don’t get ready for March just yet because February isn’t over… giving us more time to recognize and celebrate the great African-Americans who have impacted history.  Special shout out to John Wesley, founder of the Methodist faith. Wesley was one of the first to publicly speak out against slavery and ban its practices within the Methodist Church. Special recognition also goes to all of the Blacks who played an instrumental role in the foundation of Methodism. At Impact we appreciate the hard work and determination of strong individuals like them and we want to keep the spirit alive by continuing to strive towards racial, cultural, ethical, and social diversity.

Be sure to check us out every Sunday at 10am or 12 noon. Worship experiences are held at Brown Middle School 765 Peeples Street SW Atlanta, GA 30310. Or, visit us on the web at www.impactdcd.org.

Continue the journey, by being greater than the last.

Be Blessed,

Word Warrior
www.impactdcd.org

Welcome to the official blog for Impact Church. This is the first   post and will prepare you for what to expect.  Here you will find weekly postings, updating you on current church news, local and world events, and other interesting facts that will help you (the reader) positively progress in your daily and spiritual ventures.

This week at Impact we began our sermon series, Upon This Rock with the first sermon entitled, “Never Mind“. If you feel that you’ve taken on a commitment too great, don’t answer with a “nevermind”. Tell yourself, “Whatever it takes!”

Impact has also begun to prepare for our Lenten Experience, in which we are challenging you to become more disciplined in your daily and spiritual activities. Give up that sweet tooth, communicate better with your peers in the workplace, or set a daily routine of reading your Bible or having family morning prayer. This Lenten season we want you to challenge yourself to become closer to God, so that you may get rid of the “neverminds” and become more focused on the goals and way of life He has set for you.

Do whatever it takes to progress forward!

Be Blessed,

WordWarrior
www.impactdcd.org