I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to announce this incredible event at ROCK Church. Whether you are an artist, worshiper, Christ follower, lover of good music or all of the above, you do not want to miss this event.

This is not just a concert. This is not an event just for young people. It is not an event just for ROCK Church. This is a worship experience for the Church in Wilmington… young an old alike… no matter what church you attend.

Who is Gungor? Thanks for asking. Take a look at this video to know more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Don’t miss this incredible event. You can purchase your tickets at ROCK Church after any service or by coming by our office. You can also purchase tickets at the Glory Academy office or online at http://gungor.eventbrite.com.

Also, help us spread the word by inviting your friends via Facebook, Twitter or even in person. People still do that, right?

This is going to be epic. I guarantee it…

I am a big believer in seeking out every opportunity I can to learn and grow as a leader. Perry Noble and Newspring Church have been a big influence for me the last couple of years. Their heart for the church and equipping leaders is unparalleled.

Next month Newspring will be hosting the Newspring Leadership Conference on September 16th. The lineup is incredible. Take a look:

Mark Driscoll

Jud Wilhite

Judah Smith

Francis Chan

Steven Furtick

Perry Noble

Rick Warren

I know, incredible… right? Here’s something else that’s pretty amazing. If you register by Friday it’s only $99. After Friday, it goes to $129. You can register online here.

You do not want to miss this incredible day of getting challenged, provoked, encouraged and equipped to lead at another level.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 NIV

Jason Leray, Shawn Schilling, Allison Dutka, Kyle Runner, Bradley Lutterloah, Jessica Kaiser, Matthew Ray (Pastor / Team Leader), Hannah Jarman

I haven’t been able to get out a lot since surgery last week. But, this morning, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to pray over our Haiti Mission Team before they left.

I’m proud of these incredible men and women who are giving themselves to serve the people of Haiti. Over the next 8 days, they will have some of the most intense, life-changing experiences of their lives. While there, they will assist in the rebuilding efforts. I’m asking God to rock their worlds as they serve His people.

I will admit that I am jealous for the opportunity they have this week. I wish I was on the trip with them. But, alas, there will be other trips. My role for this trip is to pray for them. Would you join me in committing the next 8 days to covering our team in prayer? They are representing us on the ground in Haiti. So, we will stand for them in prayer.

Want to follow along on their adventure? You can stay up-to-date by subscribing to the ROCK Haiti Twitter Feed at http://twitter.com/rockhaiti2010.

Tomorrow morning at 7:00am, I go under the knife for surgery at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.  You can read my previous posts about what’s happening HERE and HERE.

Tomorrow will be a good day to be healed. So, that’s what I’m believing for. Please pray for my surgeon, Dr. Zanation, and the medical team working with him.

To stay up-to-date on my progress, you can follow Jennifer or my Mom on Twitter. Jennifer will also update this blog if she remembers. But, she may have her hands pretty full since I’m kinda high maintenance.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. You guys ROCK!

Let’s do this thing!

This Sunday, July 11th, we will have our next water baptism at ROCK Church in our 11am service. I can’t wait! It is going to be a blast!

If you have not been baptized in water since giving your life to Christ, I want to personally invite you to join us this Sunday. Want to know more about water baptism? You can download an information packet and register online at rockwilmington.com.

What’s holding you back? Isn’t it time you went public with your faith?

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
Romans 6:4 NLT

In the early morning hours of Monday, July 5th I had the honor of praying over a group of 23 crazy teenagers and 4 adults before they piled into 2 vans headed to Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They knew that the next 10 days would be one of the greatest adventures of their lives.

FlipSide Youth are in Baton Rouge serving at the Healing Place Dream Center. They are serving selflessly. While other teenagers are vegging out on Xbox or laying on the beach, these young people are letting a Servolution begin in their own lives.

I believe God is going to do something big in the hearts of these young people. I’m praying that God will rock their world while they serve His people. Tomorrow, I will be fasting as I pray for these urban missionaries.

Will you join me by setting aside all food until dinner? It’s only breakfast and lunch. You will not die. But God just may listen and do something HUGE because of our prayers.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away. Acts 13:2-3 AMP

I have never met anyone who has been immune from gossip, lies or public ridicule. We have all dealt with it at one time or another.

Watching the video below from Bishop T.D. Jakes this morning reminded me to not give up. No matter what. God will protect me.

Guess what? He’ll protect you as well. So, don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t quit. Because it’s not about you…

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m still here… and I’m not going anywhere. What about you?

Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Oops!

I just realized my negligence in not posting the latest update on my medical adventure. After visiting UNC-Chapel Hill, it was quickly determined that I will need surgery to remove a fungal infection that has invaded my sinuses.

That means that on Thursday, July 22nd I will undergo a pretty extensive surgery involving all eight of my sinus cavities. My surgeon assured me that my previous three surgeries in Wilmington were good surgeries performed by an excellent doctor. But, the time as come to get aggressive and end this lengthy battle. I am grateful for God’s mercy in connecting us with an excellent medical team in Chapel Hill. July 22nd will be a great day for healing.

This Friday, July 9th we go up for preoperative meetings, scans, etc. I will update everyone as we learn more.

I am feeling better most days. I was even able to preach yesterday. So, it was definitely a good day. Thank you all for your prayers and notes of encouragement. It has meant a lot to our family and to me personally.

God is good! To God be the glory!

Many have been asking for an update on our Emergency Room adventure this past weekend. So, I recorded a short video to update everyone.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here is what I know for sure. God is in control and I trust Him.

Today, Noah and I took a drive over to Shooter’s Choice to shoot a couple guns. We shot Jen’s Smith & Wesson .38 Special as well as a rented Glock 26. If anybody has a spare Glock just lying around unused, you can feel free to send it my way.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you ever try to fatally hurt our family and see Noah with a gun. Let me give you some advice. Run. That boy can shoot.

What did you do to celebrate Memorial Day?

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.      Psalm 40

The song “40″ from U2 has been swimming around in my head and heart the last few days. It is becoming the desire of my heart to be able to say that I waited patiently for the LORD. Because I know He hears me.

What song has been swirling around in your heart recently?

Even the greatest athletes have coaches. Think about it for a moment. The guy who just shattered that world record has a coach. Someone to help him see his blind spots and weaknesses. He has someone to tell him when he is doing it wrong. Someone who has been there. Someone who understands the pressure and challenges.

Several years ago, I realized a powerful truth that has helped me. Today, I share this with you.

I don’t know what it is that I don’t know.

Think about that for a second. There are roadblocks and obstacles between where I am and where God wants me to be. Some of them I do not even see.

Sure, there are people in the stands who believe they know what it takes to lead a church. But, the reality is that they have never been where I am now. But, there are men and women who know from experience what it takes to lead a great church.

So, I set out on a quest to spend time with people who could show me my leadership blind spots. One of the coaches who has made a huge impact in my life, leadership and our church is Perry Noble. This past Fall, I was honored to be a part of Perry’s Coaching Network for Pastors at Newspring Church. It changed my life. I spent most of my time at Newspring trying to catch my breath because I was being challenged so intensely.

The Coaching Network will challenge you to grow as a leader. Perry will provoke you to be a godly husband and father. You will learn to trust God like never before. You will learn more than you ever thought possible. You will learn what it takes to grow and see more and more people come to Christ. But the greatest thing you will learn is to trust God.

You can find the details HERE. Pastors, if you want to go to the next level you should do whatever it takes to get into this network. I suggest bribing members of his team. It worked for me. I would do my best to make sure Karla Temples likes you.

How much do I believe in this network? If Perry would let me pay the money and go again this Fall, I would do it again. It was that good.

5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

Proverbs 4:5-8 (ESV)

Many people in Nashville have lost everything. If you haven’t already, stop right now and pray.

• Pray for the people who had a home on Saturday and now have nothing.
• Pray for those who have lost family members.
• Pray for leaders to have wisdom during this chaotic time.
• Pray for pastors and churches who are now ministering to many people in crisis mode.

Want to know what more you can do? You can give. Our friends Pete & Brandi Wilson lead Crosspoint Church in Nashville. There are dozens of Crosspoint families who are now homeless. You can give directly to a special fund setup by Crosspoint for disaster relief. You can be confident that the money sent will be used wisely.

• You can give to their Flood Relief Fund HERE
• You can also go and help. Pete and the Crosspoint team will put you to work.

So, let’s summarize. There are really three ways to help.

1. Pray
2. Give (Jennifer & I just did)
3. Go

Pete, know that the ROCK Church family is praying. Knowing our church. You’re gonna start seeing people from Wilmington start giving as well.

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. ~ I John 3:16-18 (The Message)

Because of the generosity of ROCK Church, we are continuing to make a difference in Haiti. We are partnering with a coalition of churches including Healing Place Church, C3 Church, Celebration Church, Seacoast Church, Church of the King, Cross Timbers Church, GUTS Church, The Life Church, Bayside Community Church and others. By joining forces, we are able to make a larger impact.

Recently, we have been able to help purchase a van for our teams on the ground in Haiti. This vehicle will be used by staff on the ground to safely transport supplies and ministry teams. Thank you for your generosity towards the people of Haiti.

We are also sending a team to Haiti in late July to early August. The dates are July 31 – August 7. Our team will work with rebuilding projects as well as ministering to those affected by the earthquake. The cost is $1700 and space is filling up fast. For more info, contact Pastor Matthew Ray at matthew@rockwilmington.com.

Thank you ROCK Church for being such a generous people. Thank you for the honor of being your pastor.

Photo by Millie Holloman

Meet Jennifer. She…

• the mother of three amazing boys
• has never met a stranger
• loves God passionately
• has an infectious laugh
• smells good
• cooks the most amazing foods
• makes me smile
• is an incredible dancer
• looks amazing in everything she wears
• is my girlfriend
• is another year older

Happy Birthday Baby!

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we wrap up our series Truth AND Dare. It’s going to be powerful.

As I have been praying and studying the messages and dares given by Pastor Ron, my faith has been challenged big time! Then, I  read this on Bishop TD Jakes’ Blog:

It has been suggested that if you walk in the Spirit, you won’t have to contend with the fire. Real faith doesn’t mean you won’t go through the fire. Real faith simply means that when you pass through the fire, He will be with you… The presence of the Lord can turn a burning inferno into a walk in the park! The Bible says a fourth person was in the fire, and so the three Hebrews were able to walk around unharmed in it. (see Dan. 3)

Excerpt from Thought Of The Day: With Us In The Fire

Read the rest of his amazing post here.

That is exactly what I needed today. Anybody else feel like you are in the middle of a fire? Those Hebrew boys were not there because of sin. They were there because they lived righteously. That’s why three went in and then four hung out… in the fire.

Turn around. You just might see that God is there with you.

I ripped off borrowed two lists today for my message “Love Junk“. You can download that message here. It’s OK, they came from my uncle Pastor Milton Dykes so I’m pretty sure he won’t sue. At least that’s what I’m banking on. For all who asked, I present you with both lists below.

Get A New Husband By Friday

10. Respect what he says.

9. Tell him how important he is in your life.

8. Tell him how much you need him in your life.

7. Pursue him.

6. Don’t correct him or make fun of him, especially in front of other.

5. Don’t talk down to him. He’s your husband, not your child (even if he acts like it sometimes.)

4. Touch him physically. One caress can last a long time and will really get his attention.

3. Say nice things about him and to him. (Good gossip about your guy is like an emotional hug.)

2. Eliminate the words why, never and always from your vocabulary.

1. Think about what you’re going to say and divide it by ten.

Get A New Wife By Thursday

10. Cherish her.

9. Tell her that she is the most important person in your life.

8. Treat her as if she truly is the most important person in your life.

7. Find out what she loves and then give her what she loves.

6. Say sweet and kind things about her to others when she can hear you say them.

5. Listen to her with all distractions laid aside.

4. Touch her in romantic but non-sexual ways. Hold her hand, put your arm around her. Open the car door for her.

3. Never use harsh tones or unkind words. Talk tenderly to her.

2. Make time for her and her alone.

1. Open up your mouth and talk. Share words about your life without having them drug out of you. Think about what your are going to say and multiply them by 100.

To read more wisdom from my Uncle Milton, check out his blog over at mdykes.blogspot.com. Thanks for letting me plagiarize Uncle Milton!

It’s snowing! IT’S SNOWING!!!

Wait… can we have church in the snow… in Wilmington? YES WE CAN!

But, we want to be safe. The weather dudes are saying it’s going to be very cold tonight and that means ice. The good news is that they have already salted most of the roads and it will warm up quick tomorrow.

So, we are canceling our 9am service. We will have one service at 11am.

You do not want to miss this service. Everyone will be buzzing about what happens.

• The bands gonna rock.
• We’ll baptize a bunch of new believers.
• What happens just before the message will be hilarious.
• We’re gonna answer the question, “Where are the men?”
• Lives are gonna be changed.

Help us spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, email. Somebody call somebody! It’s going to be a great time in God’s house.

See you tomorrow.

I just read an incredible report from Samaritan’s Purse about what is happening in Haiti and wanted to share it with you. Because of your prayers and donations, you have been a key part of all this:

• Set up network of pastors to provide aid to 300 families per day by distributing:
  • hygiene kits
  • plastic for shelters
  • blankets
  • solar flashlights
• Setting up a community water filter outside of Carrefour where 20,000 displaced people are currently living.
• 10 tons of staple food, such as rice and beans, have been purchased for orphanages.
• Six cargo flights have gone into Haiti with the following supplies:
  • 842 rolls of plastic
  • 2,200 solar flashlights
  • 9,900 blankets
  • 2,880 hygiene kits
  • 12 community water filters
  • 13 pallets of medical supplies
  • 113,520 water purification packets

Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said, “The damage is staggering in a nation where three out of four people live on less than $2 a day. The people of Haiti need our help like never before. It is desperate. We pray for the people of Haiti, that God would comfort those that have lost so much.”

Because of the generosity of ROCK Church, we were able to send over $4700 to resource Samaritan’s Purse! You are making a difference!

Even though we are not able to personally go to Haiti yet, you have been able to be a part of this and much, much more by partnering with incredible ministries like Samaritans Purse. Thank you for your generosity.

This Sunday, we will finish collecting medical supplies to send to Haiti. If you would like to be a part, you can find the supply list here.

Today marks the halfway point of our 21 days of prayer and fasting. I don’t know about you, but I am loving the way the Bible is coming alive to me. I am feeling closer to God than ever before and more empowered to do His will.

Whatever you have chosen to fast, don’t give up! Don’t give in! We are not a weak generation who makes a commitment and does not follow through.

Yes, fasting is difficult. That’s why it’s called a spiritual discipline. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be hard. Yes, I know that’s deep. But, do you want something in your life that was easy to come by and did not cost you anything? NO!

Let’s dig in for the final stretch. Draw close to Father God. Dig into His Word.

Let’s finish strong. You can do it!

While we’re on the subject, I want to challenge everyone. Take a moment and leave me a comment about what God is doing in your life during this fast. I want to celebrate with you.