On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend IMPART at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. The eight hour trip from Ohio was well worth it for the “conference” as well as the time I was able to spend with my parents and both brothers who also live in Charlotte. This one day event was full of surprises, stories, staff, and stirring of the soul. Let me break it down.

Surprises:
Steve Fee showed up and played a few songs and then gave everyone a free copy of his new CD, Hope Rising. That was an unexpected surprise! I must say…hearing Glory to God Forever live was inspiring. The third session with Pastor Steven Furtick included a very special guest, Perry Noble from NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. Hearing them interact about ministry was very helpful.

Stories:
Throughout the sessions, Pastor Steven shared the story of Elevation Church and how God has used their ministry in the city of Charlotte. His stories were especially near to my heart since I grew up in Charlotte. In just three and a half years, God has done some incredible things through Elevation and those stories were invigorating for me.

Staff:
The volunteer staff was AWESOME and the paid staff were available throughout the day. Those who attended the event had full access to the people who make Elevation what it is. You probably don’t get that at many other conferences.

Stirring of the Soul:
There is so much I could share here, but I’ll only highlight a few of the things God hit me with during the four sessions:

• Three essential core values which should be a part of the church: Audacity (faith), Honor, and Generosity
• “We want to be known by what we are for, not what we are against”
• Act on the vision God has shown YOU.
• Say it until you see it
• True vision is holding onto what you cannot see yet
• Don’t think too small
• Our generation must restore honor to the church and that starts by honoring God
• Honor men of God, the word of God, and other ministries
• Respect is earned, honor is not
• Excellence is custom designed
• Simplicity enables excellence
• Build for what God is going to do
• Momentum – you don’t create it, you just ride it
• I prepare, God blesses
• Embrace the pain that lies between you and God
• There is an emotional, physical, and relational cost to your calling

As I walked into the room, I locked eyes with a beautiful little girl whose black hair, dark eyes, and infectious laugh immediately got my attention. I picked her up into my arms where she must have felt comfortable because she wouldn’t let me put her down. Although shy at first, she began running her tiny fingers through the back of my hair and then through her own. I think she wondered why her hair was so much softer than mine. Eventually, she told me her name and every time I would say it, she would playfully repeat it back to me so I would say it again and again. She would laugh. I would laugh. We enjoyed this moment together even though we had just met.

She was an orphan.

I may have needed that moment more than she did, but those few minutes with her at the orphanage broke my heart all over again for little children across the globe who need a loving family. As I knelt down to allow this little girl to stand on her own two feet, she protested by wrapping her legs tightly around me. Tears began filling my eyes. I didn’t wipe them away. I didn’t want to let her go…

…but I did. I’ll never be the same.

Over the last several years I have developed an extreme love of traveling to other places, domestic as well as international. Spending time in unfamiliar locations with people I do not know has really opened my eyes to many distinct cultures and enables me to expand my own thinking about life. Where have I been? Here is a short list of the places I’ve visited: Mexico City, Mexico (2 times); Merida, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Salt Lake City, Utah; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Boston, Massachusetts (didn’t even use spell check on that one); and this summer I’ll be visiting Lima, Peru. I’m sure many reading have visited more places than me so I’d like to hear from you. Don’t be shy. I know you’re reading. Leave a comment with the best location you’ve ever visited and what made your experience valuable? Haven’t been anyplace interesting yet? Tell me where you would like to go.