As the Summertime is here, most churches go through a slow down process with all the people that go on vacation.  But God has put it on my heart to not settle for the status quo this summer.

Insted He is saying just the opposite.  I believe that if God's people are doing what He has called them to do, then no Church should have a drop off over the summer.

See, we are called to make disciples, which I believe means that even though we may not be in Church due to a vacation, we should still be inviting the unchurched.

Statistics show that 80% of people go to a church because they were personally invited. And 90% of those people will stay, even if you leave or are not there.

So I don't know about you, but I am going to be working my butt off this summer in inviting as many unchurched people as possible.

God has put it on my heart that even though I may take a little break from church on Sunday, there are still thousands and thousands of people that still need to hear the GREAT news of Jesus!!! 

So how about you, will you join me this summer in helping as many unchurched people as possible hear the life changing message of Jesus?

Let me know!!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Alright, I am back to blogging. I have spent the last couple of weeks getting ready for our Summer Camping trip. And I haven't spent that much time thinking about a blog.

I was able to spend last week with a bunch of students on our camping trip. Let me tell you, this had to be the most incredible trip yet!!!

I asked the students what the highlight of their trip was. They told me everything from the canoeing to hiking to the mud pit, the challange. All kinds of things that they took back from this trip.

But as I thought, what did I take back. Is a group of AMAZING students! Before this trip I talked to alot of students and parents who believed that they could not or would not be willing or able to participate in the events that we had planned for our trip.

I heard it all week. "I can't do that". And everytime I would hear that statement, I kept challanging and motivating them to remember, that "you can do ALL things through Jesus".

Let me say this. EVERY STUDENT DID EVERY EVENT WE HAD!  GO GOD!!!!!

I think that the reason that students are so quick to give up is that fact that we have alot of adults always telling them, "you can't do that".

Let me tell you, there is nothing that makes me more angry than and adult telling a student or a child, they are not good enough!

I closed our trip out yesterday, by telling the students to never again let anyone tell them that they are not smart enough or physical enough or emotionally ready to do anything. I won't stand for that!

These students are amazing people and the smiles on their faces for some, I have never seen.

So what did I take from this trip?

I took back a group if students, that if people would will get behind them insted of pushing them away, they could change a community!

So let's stop telling them, "you can't do that" and start telling them they can do anything with Jesus! 

It was a privilage and an honor to spend a week with some awesome students. I can't wait to do it again!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

What another unforgetable service! Today was yet another example of how great God is. The new music blew me away. I can never say it enough. God has put together an incredible worship team at Lifebridge.

Today continued our One Prayer series with the message  brought by, in my opinion, one of the great communicators of the Bible.  Ed Young. Let me tell you, he brought the house down with a message entitled, "Make Us...Wake Up!"

He was right on target, by saying that there are far to many people that are sleeping in church. I pray that as you read this blog, you are reminded of something that was said today that will make a huge difference in your walk with Jesus. I know it will for me!

Today also being fathers day, was another opportunity for us as a church to honor them today. I think the two men selected really enjoyed their comfortable chairs as well as the fine pastries.

I had the opportunity today to perform a wedding at the Top of The Bay Club at the Aberdeen Proving grounds. And again God showed up in a huge way. What a true blessing it is to be apart of the start of a young couples marriage. "Go God"

I pray that as you listened to today's message, you were encouraged, upset, and challanged to not be the same Christ follower that you were when you came in. Remember God calls us to our uncomfortable zone! He doesn't want us to become comfortable in our service to Him.

So what do you say Church, it is time to "Wake Up"! and to do Great things for God!!!

Let me know what you thought of today's service!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

I bet all of you 24 fans thought you were going to read something about the hit TV show, right!

Wrong! Just a reminder that tonight at 6:00PM we kick off our 24 hour prayer service here at lifeBridge. It is going to be an awesome time where hundreds of you have signed up to take part in this event.

We are in the second week of the One Prayer series. Along with hundres of thousands of people from all across the globe. So tonight we are praying for 24 hours straight. And I believe that God is going to show up in a huge way.

My prayer is that you have made it a highlight of your weekend to carve out some time to be a part of this historic event. It was once said, "that nothing of eternal importance happens apart from prayer".

I know that for alot of us our prayer lives, well, "suck"! So maybe we can use this event to jump start us to where God wants us to be in our dependance of Him.

This weekend is going to be, well, "Off the Chain" as this weekends speaker would say. Ed Young is going to be with us bringing a message entitled. "Make Us... Wake Up". To many of us are a sleep in Church and it is time that we Wake Up to what it is God is saying to us.

So make sure you are here this weekend. Oh, by the way, this weekend is Father's Day. We have some special things in store as well as some really awesome new music. So invite a dad, and I will see you on Sunday.

By the way, for those of you that actually read this blog. Drop me a comment and let me know how your prayer life is going.

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Most people live their entire lives looking for happiness. They look for it in many different ways. Money, fame, power... the old bumper sticker, "He who dies with the most toys, wins".

I see it every day. We as people are always looking for the latest and greatest fade! But as I get older in my life, I have come to realize that if you want true happiness, then you have got to discover your purpose! What you were made to do.

What is it, that God wants you to find happiness in? Now some may say, "I just don't know what it is God wants me to do".

So my first question is, "are you even asking?" If we are not talking (through prayer) and listening (through His word) then your right. You don't know what He wants you to do. But maybe your the one who for whatever reason has just, hit the wall in finding your purpose.

Let me challange you. I believe that we need not to look any farther that the story of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10 tells us:  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

I believe that as the Good Samaritan can give us all a lesson on "our purpose". As a Christ Follower, we were saved to serve! It has been said, "we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give".

So I say, that if you want to find your true purpose. Start by just doing something. You may be suprised at what it just might be that God is wanting you to do. And more often then not, it will be something that you never imagined yourself doing.

I read a quote today from the actor Danny Thomas, "all of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others".

So again I ask, "what's your purpose?.

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Amazing! That's about all I can say of today's service. It was a awesome experience to be a part of an incredible event as we joined with hundreds of churches all across the Country with One Prayer.

I truly believe that if we people will just take the time to seek the face of Jesus, that he will bless us beyond anything that we could possibly imagine.

The music today was "off the hook"! The song "God of this City" was just an awesome worship experience. I personally think that song should become the LifeBridge Church theme song.

I also had the opportunity to challange the students with a message entitled, "Challanged To Change". As we in the student ministry are going to be working behind the scenes this Summer to bring about some of the biggest changes that we have ever made in the ministry.

We ended our day with our Monthly Leadership Gathering. I am so thankful to work alongside a group of leaders who truly get the vision of reaching the Next Generation. LifeBridge would not be what it is today, if not for all of them.

My prayer is that as we, as a church over the next several weeks will allow God to totally grab hold of our hearts and radically change us forever. I can only speak for me, but as of this moment, God is rocking my world with some really awesome things.

Let me know what you thought of today, and what it is God is saying to you!

Well, it's late and I am worn out!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

What a question. I think that if you are alive, then we all get hungry. We rely on food and water to nourish our bodies so that we can grow to be healthy and strong men and women.

But I think what I am asking is, if you are a Christ follower. "Are you hungry"?

Are you hungry for the things of God? Do you seek to even find out what it is He is hungry for?

Last night we had our pre kickoff to what I believe could be the most powerful, life changing event that we have ever experienced at LifeBridge. If, people are hungry for it!

Last night we had the start of the One Prayer event with a prayer service that had several other area churches here to participate. And that we as a church will be doing for the month of June.

Now I have to be honest. (people have never known me not to be.) Our First Wednesday service was AWESOME! But the turnout of people, was anything but awesome.

Which led me to start thinking. Are people really hungry? I don't know, maybe you are happy with where you are at in your spiritual journey. (which I seriously doubt). Or maybe you are content with just maintaining the "status quo"(which by the way, is short for "the mess your in".)

But Jesus said, in Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled".

Do people really get that? If you hunger and thirst for the things of God then HE will fill you! And you will be blessed.

So how do we hunger and thirst for God? Answer: The Bible, and PRAYER!

Now I don't know what it was that kept people away. But I again ask the question. "What are you hungry for"? Only you can answer!

Just some thoughts, let me know what you think!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Today is just another awesome day! I had a great Thursday night "Bridge" event and the students get me pumped up! I think there is going to be double the number of students going on the camping trip this year as opposed to last year.  I as well as the students can't wait.

I am having lunch today with a man who is becoming a really good friend. Barry Tolten. He is the Young Life director for the Baltimore area and he has a great High School program that meets at the Middle River Boys and Girls club on Wednesday evenings.  "I love people who have a heart for the Next Generation"!!!

This weekend is going to be awesome! We have some cool things planned for the service. So make sure your here on time..(you wouldn't be late for a movie)

Some people who have some really cool blogs this week that you might want to check out.

• Perry Noble
• Ed Young

They are some awesome men of God. So check them out... As you can tell I am just rambling, probably because it is Friday and I am ADHD! So comment and let me know what you think.

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Have you ever heard that said about someone? "That person has great potential"? I have been thinking alot lately. Maybe because one of my jobs as a pastor is to always be evaluating the ministry. (A.B.E.)

So I started to think about this whole potential thing. One of the people that I respect greatly is Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Texas. Why?, Because Ed is a straight shooter and he doesn't apologize for standing on what the bible teaches.

Ed has a huge church that is doing some, as he would say "Off The Chain" kind of things. I've heard it said that potential and a dime won't even buy you a cup of coffee. Boy is that true! But I heard Ed say, "that a person who has great potential usually is a person that isn't doing anything".

One of the things that you willl hear me saying all the time is that we at LifeBridge need to always be striving to do "GREAT things for God". We should never settle for second best with what God has intrusted to us.

Because I believe with all my heart that the local Church is the greatest institution on the planet. We have the hope of the world. So YES, it should be GREAT!

So as I am always evaluating, one of the things I want to challange people to do is to stop spectating, or better yet, just having "great potential" and get into the game. as a Christ follower, God has called us to be GREAT for Jesus.

And I wonder if it is our "potential" that is holding us back!!!

Let me know what you think!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby (aka) "the bobfather"

What another AWESOME Sunday at LifeBridge Church. It is truly an honor to be a part of a church that can see the vision for reaching the next generation and those that do not yet have a relationship with Jesus.

From the opening click of the drum sticks, to the closing reflection song. It was evident that God was in the middle of everything that was happening. We had an emotional tribute to those men and women who have, and are serving in our Armed Forces. If not for those faithful ones, we would not even be able to say the name of Jesus. Much less praise Him. So the next time you see someone in uniform. Make sure you say "Thank You!"

I know of at least two people that have said yes to Jesus today, and I cannot begin to tell you how "pumped up I am!" That is what it is all about. Seeing people whose life is changed forever. Not because of anything that we have done. But because of what Jesus is doing. "Go God".

Our student ministry Summer Camp is coming soon. June 25th. And it is going to be a wild and crazy time. So remember to be praying for our students.

Again, if you would have told me 12 years ago, that I would be working full time in a Church who's heartbeat and passion is for the unchurched. I would have called you a "whack job" Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be a part of some awesome things that you are doing in the world today!!!

Let me know what you thought of today's service!!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Let me start off by saying that LifeBridge Church Student Ministries Team has got to be the most AWESOME team on the planet! I am so thankful that God has put together a group of people that truly share my vision for our student ministry.

I think that one of the hardest things as a leader is trying to make everyone you come in contact with, see the same vision as you do. That is why, when you have a team like I do, you know that it can only be a "God Thing"!

The team that I work alongside of all know the importance of reaching the next generation, by their willingness to do whatever it takes to see lives changed for Jesus. They are a team of people that adjust very well to change. I heard it once said that "the only thing constant is change".

This summer my team and I will be working to launch in the fall the biggest change that has ever happened with the Students. And boy am I PUMPED! So if you are a student, or even the parent of a student, make sure you come out to our "Bridge" event on Thursday nights from 6-8 to hear all about it.

Again I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the LifeBridge Church Student Ministry Team. It is an honor and a privilage to work with all of you. Thank you for your faithfullness to Jesus and to this ministry. It would not be what it is today if not for all of you.

As I wrote the title of today's blog, I thought of the song from Janet Jackson. (great song by the way) So I thought, that most of us have that kind of pressure on us every day of our lives. Probably from a boss that we think is asking us for the impossible thing to do. Which usually makes the company ask that question. "What have you done for me lately?." And us thinking the boss is a "jerk"!

So I started thinking, (hence the smoke). What if, the boss really isn't asking for the impossible? What if we just do not see the potential that we really have? For most people, their lives are so busy with "stuff", that we cannot see the forest because of the trees.

See, your boss, for the most part has been put into their position for a reason. The organization views them as a leader.

Now the thing about leadership that most people don't understand is that a great leader doesn't see people for where they are! He sees them for where they could be and what they could become. Usually the only thing that stops us is ourself. We sell ourselves short and use the excuse, "that can't be done".

So maybe the next time your leader or your boss ask's something of you that maybe you see as impossible. Why not ask yourself , ok God, what is it that they see in me, that they would give me such responsibility. You might be shocked at what you find.

So finally, as a Christ follower. Who by the way has been saved to serve. As we go throughout our busy schedules. Are we getting so wrapped up in the things of this world that God would have to ask, "what have you done for ME lately".

Always thinking!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

I heard it best said, "what did they cause you to do, that you would not have done, if, they haden't been around". By Ed Young of course.

Are you easily influenced by people? Do you get caught up in the moment and just, "go with the flow"? What are the people that you have in your life influencing you to do? Do they bring out the best in you, or the worst?

"Maybe some of us need to move away from those that bring out the worst"!

Do they cause you to say and do things that you would not normally do if they were not around to have an influence?

So I started thinking, all of us in our lives, on a daily basis have the awesome opportunity to influence people. Some of us may have larger circles of influence than others, but still, we all influence someone. (Our kids, our co-workers, our families, our friends, or our neighbors.)

I tell my kids all the time, that we either influence people in a negative way, or we influence them in a positive way. Well that goes with everyone that God has given us in our lives. Not just my kids. I, on a personal note, really had to do some "soul searching this past week. And in one of the areas in my life I had to ask myself, as a child of Jesus, am I influencing people that I have in my life, in a positive or negative way?

You know, influence does not come in the form of just words. It also has actions to it. So, I asked myself, "self", how am I influencing people by the way I treat my wife? Or how I handle a disrespectful moment? Or just playing with my kids? Or talking to a store clerk? etc.

Are the words that come out of my mouth and the actions I show the world on a daily basis a reflection of who I am and what Jesus has done for me? I don't know about you, but when I am gone from this earth, I want people to say, there was a man who loved Jesus, and it showed by how he treated his family, and how he treated other people.

So how about you? Are you influencing people in a positive way, or a negative one? When you are with someone in public, would they be ashamed to say, you are a Christ follower?

Just a thought!!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Yesterday we finished our after school Campus Life Club at Middle River Middle School. And as we sat there afterwards and evaulated how we think the year went. I have to admit, it was a sad feeling in my heart to know that next week I wouldn't see those students. Let me say, that this club has been a real joy and a blessing. Not only to the students, but to me! I have had the privilage of getting to know students that for the most part, as far away from God as you can get.

That has been the highlight for me the entire time I have spent at the school. Jesus said," I have come to seek and save that which is lost". Now I don't know about you, but to me, you cannot reach unbelievers if you are not willing to step out of your comfort zone and start "Taking Life To The Street".

We as "christians" need to stop seeing people for where they are, and start seeing them as Jesus see's them. "A wonderful creation of God"!

I don't know what is going to happen to any of the students this summer. (I did for the first time yesterday, invite them to church.) But I do know that God has allowed me the awesome opportunity to put into the lives of some students the one thing that each and every one of us have. And the one thing a student is looking for. "Time"!

So the next time your "too busy" for the lost.  Remember, life is short! And the only thing that you can take to heaven is relationships. But to build them, it's gonna take some of your "time"...

Just a thought!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby