Higher Ground, me, us, church, CHRIST, Faith, Hope, Love....
Hi Everyone:
I haven't written in a while. As I do this, memories come flooding back concerning our many AWESOME times at Higher Ground. Our last coffeehouse was on April 7, 2007. I think my last blog post was some time around then as well. It is now December 12, 2007 and we are approaching our glorious Savior's birthday. Praise to Christ the King! Thank you , God for sending your only begotten son to us.
This afternoon, I met with another fellow locally who is on fire for God and wants to reach teens and young adults much the way we have with HG. I got so excited! I showed him the web site and it hit me...it has been 8 months since we had an event. Now we are discussing "joining forces" which could be incredible. We'll see...
Higher Ground was birthed as a ministry that would be an outreach to teens and young adults throughout our community in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was pretty successful, by any measure. I have been approached lately multiple times and asked when the next coffeehouse is coming up. It is missed by some, for sure. I am pleased to report that, after HG, there have been 2 new Christian coffee houses set up based on ours...that makes us proud. We support them 100%. During the time HG was going, we saw 13 kids get saved - a period from March 2005 to April 2007. We ran crowds of 35 people up to 175+. The coffeehouse was self-sustaining, and we generated over $7,000.00 for the church recreation center. As of now, however, Higher Ground will only operate occasionally as a fund-raiser/fun special event. We will keep everyone posted on when it is coming -- so keep in touch! There are numerous reasons for this, but this is unfortunately how it must be at this time. I now well up with tears, but also with pride...not improper pride, but a happiness that we could serve God in this way, have soooo much fun and build so many relationships.
I am now a lawyer working a lot of hours. Missi is now in RN school (and is a mom, we have 2 kids, etc...). There is no one else at this time who will/can take the reigns and move the coffeehouse on. We learned pretty early that the project cannot continue without sufficient assistance and volunteers. Please know that we had some SUPER people who helped out -- but right now, the coffeehouse would require new leaders...or at least folks who could/would share a leadership role.
WE LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS MINISTRY!!!
oh - yeah - it ain't over. ;) The coffeehouse will come around periodically as our schedules will permit...probably 2-3 times a year. The HG Houseband has evolved into "Ends of the Earth," a Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock group that plays regularly. Emily Ratliff (band vocalist) is doing quite a bit of solo stuff in the community, The Oakwood Full Gospel rec center is still open to everyone, we have youth events that have elements of the coffeehouse (like DDR Dance Revolution Contests) and the church's youth are doing GREAT things -- like ZeroGravity, the church dance team! Please visit us at Oakwood Full Gospel Church.
REMEMBER -- John 3:16
Later...Godspeed -- BR
I haven't written in a while. As I do this, memories come flooding back concerning our many AWESOME times at Higher Ground. Our last coffeehouse was on April 7, 2007. I think my last blog post was some time around then as well. It is now December 12, 2007 and we are approaching our glorious Savior's birthday. Praise to Christ the King! Thank you , God for sending your only begotten son to us.
This afternoon, I met with another fellow locally who is on fire for God and wants to reach teens and young adults much the way we have with HG. I got so excited! I showed him the web site and it hit me...it has been 8 months since we had an event. Now we are discussing "joining forces" which could be incredible. We'll see...
Higher Ground was birthed as a ministry that would be an outreach to teens and young adults throughout our community in Buchanan County, Virginia. It was pretty successful, by any measure. I have been approached lately multiple times and asked when the next coffeehouse is coming up. It is missed by some, for sure. I am pleased to report that, after HG, there have been 2 new Christian coffee houses set up based on ours...that makes us proud. We support them 100%. During the time HG was going, we saw 13 kids get saved - a period from March 2005 to April 2007. We ran crowds of 35 people up to 175+. The coffeehouse was self-sustaining, and we generated over $7,000.00 for the church recreation center. As of now, however, Higher Ground will only operate occasionally as a fund-raiser/fun special event. We will keep everyone posted on when it is coming -- so keep in touch! There are numerous reasons for this, but this is unfortunately how it must be at this time. I now well up with tears, but also with pride...not improper pride, but a happiness that we could serve God in this way, have soooo much fun and build so many relationships.
I am now a lawyer working a lot of hours. Missi is now in RN school (and is a mom, we have 2 kids, etc...). There is no one else at this time who will/can take the reigns and move the coffeehouse on. We learned pretty early that the project cannot continue without sufficient assistance and volunteers. Please know that we had some SUPER people who helped out -- but right now, the coffeehouse would require new leaders...or at least folks who could/would share a leadership role.
WE LOVE YOU ALL! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS MINISTRY!!!
oh - yeah - it ain't over. ;) The coffeehouse will come around periodically as our schedules will permit...probably 2-3 times a year. The HG Houseband has evolved into "Ends of the Earth," a Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock group that plays regularly. Emily Ratliff (band vocalist) is doing quite a bit of solo stuff in the community, The Oakwood Full Gospel rec center is still open to everyone, we have youth events that have elements of the coffeehouse (like DDR Dance Revolution Contests) and the church's youth are doing GREAT things -- like ZeroGravity, the church dance team! Please visit us at Oakwood Full Gospel Church.
REMEMBER -- John 3:16
Later...Godspeed -- BR
posted by Higher Ground Christian Coffee House @ 3:21 PM
