Hello you good people!
Can you believe that August is drawing to a close and some kids have already gone back to school?! Crazy! I hope you are still having a great Summer no matter what the school calendar says. 
August will always be a special month for me and in the history of THIS Church because it was one year ago on August 29, that THIS Church held its first gathering at the Nassif residence in Irvine. People were meeting to hear me spill the beans on what God was leading me to do and to invite others to join me. I will never forget being so nervous, excited, and relieved that THIS was finally happening. I’ll also never forget my wife Michelle being so nervous for me and hoping I wouldn’t bomb my first night out. If you weren’t there, here is a clip from the opening of the first ever THIS Church: http://youtu.be/weLffdKDoWE
A year later and we’ve switched locations, changed times, and made many new friends. God has blessed me with a great friend and encourager in Keith Page, and his Global Sticky Network of ministries. Keith has been a great help to me personally and to THIS Church through providing the Loft space and helping with administrative issues. My new friend, Mike Wang, owner of the Atrium Hotel in Irvine, welcomed THIS Church into his hotel and has made sure that we are met with the greatest hospitality and service by the staff of the Atrium. Additionally, many of you have committed to pray for THIS Church and some have even given financial gifts to see the vision of THIS Church come to life. I am filled with gratitude for all that God has done and is doing in and through THIS Church.
THIS next year will be filled with blessings and challenges as we seek to take the Gospel to Orange County and to build a healthy spiritual community of people living in and experiencing Christ. Our next big step will be to go to weekly gatherings. We are still discussing exactly when this will occur, but we know it will be sooner than later. Of course, with this move will come increased need of assistance. We believe that God will meet our faith with provision and blessing.
I am asking you to consider 3 ways of helping THIS Church:
PRAY – Please pray for increased faith, spiritual discernment, boldness, and wisdom for the leaders of THIS Church. Pray also for those whom God is calling to join the mission of THIS Church. Pray for God to bring people to THIS Church who need to know that God loves them and that there is a place for them to belong.
GIVE FINANCIALLY- Ministry doesn’t take money. Yep. Just today I ‘did ministry’ over the phone and it didn’t cost a thing. What money can do is remove barriers and/or enable ministry to happen more easily. Can God do that without money? Absolutely! So why give to THIS Church (or any church for that matter)? Simply (and I mean, really simply!), God desires for us to be generous people and to invest our money in extending the Kingdom of God. When you give to THIS Church you will enable the weekly gatherings to begin to happen, you help support me and my family in our efforts to start THIS Church, and you help us to help others in need. Pray about it first. Let God lead you. If you decide to give, you can give a tax-deductible online donation at http://globalstickynetwork.com/donate/. Simply select ‘This Church’ in the dropdown box and follow the instructions. You can also write a check to made payable to “GLOBAL STICKY NETWORK” and write “THIS Church” in the memo section (VERY IMPORTANT!) and mail it to 1048 Irvine Blvd, Suite 730, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Thank you in advance.
JOIN US! – Come to a gathering! Come see what the mantra LAUGH, LISTEN, LOVE looks like in person. Even better, bring a friend who doesn’t go to church. Tell them, “At the very least, you’ll laugh and have a good time!” We’d love to have you with us some time!
Thank you all. I thank God for each of you and how you have supported me and Michelle along the way with your prayers, generosity, and friendship.
Laugh, Listen, Love
John – That Guy
