March 2011
One of the lesser known parts of I Am Second is our awesome parent organization, e3 Partners- an organization dedicated to sending everyday people into the world to share the story of Jesus. They make it easy to say “yes, I’ll go.” If you’re looking for a way to make a huge impact for Christ and have a blast doing it, come with I Am Second on an Expedition. It will truly change your life. Take a minute to watch this short film and find out just what an Expedition is.
Click this pic to watch the film!
Check out all the different trips and opportunities at www.iamsecond.com/expeditions. Grab your friends, pick a place, and GO!
The message of I Am Second is to put Christ first in everything. When we do that, He often gives us amazing ways to demonstrate His love for others. Laura Klock, whose story is shared in her I Am Second film, is getting to do just that.
She and the company she and her husband Brian own, Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, are participating in a program called “Helping with Horsepower.” She teaches teenage girls how to restore a motorcycle. But these young women are not your average teens. They’ve dealt with difficult family circumstances and are learning to overcome life obstacles. How can fixing a beat up bike help? Watch the whole story here- Helping With Horsepower.
Philadelphia, PA recently launched a mini-I Am Second campaign in their city. Here is an amazing story of God’s transformational love in that community:
A member of our church began a Bible study at the factory where he worked as a chaplain. 29-year-old chef Steve from the café began attending regularly. Blake invited Steve to church for an I Am Second sermon series after they had walked together through the Bible for seven months.
Steve was going through a very ugly divorce due to his affair and other indiscretions. As he began attending church with Blake, the movie theater where the church meets became a good place for Steve and his wife to exchange their young daughter. They were distant and cold toward each other at that time. As the series continued, Jess began sitting through the service with Steve and their daughter. She brought divorce papers one Sunday and Steve signed them.
The next week the church showed the Scruggs video about a restored marriage after divorce and an affair. Steve and Jess both sensed their hearts changing. The divorce papers were already turned in, but they had failed to get them notarized so a new set of papers were given to Steve. After the sermon he told Jess that he would sign them after the 13 week sermon series ended. Each week they were moved by the videos and the sermons.
Finally, after meeting personally with the pastor for several weeks, Steve responded to the gospel and was saved. He was dramatically changed over the next few months and Jess noticed the changes. She also heard the gospel but has not yet responded.
Over the last eight months their marriage has been put back on a path to restoration. They now live together again and are in counseling. This couple was as good as divorced when God intervened and used the IA2 series to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Next week Steve is proposing again to his wife that they might renew their vows.
To connect with the movement in Philly, visit http://www.riversideconnect.com/connect/i-am-second.
Bethany Hamilton, the young surfer who suffered a shark attack that left her with only one arm, is having a very busy 2011. She travelled to Dallas at the beginning of the year and filmed her I Am Second film about her faith journey as she was injured and then recovered and returned to the world of competitive surfing. Her story is both shocking and inspiring, as her relationship with God gave her the resolve to not only recover, but to return to the sport she loves.
Watch her film now at I Am Second.
Bethany’s story is also told in the movie “Soul Surfer” which will be released on April 8th.
It seems that recently we’ve heard about a lot more I Am Second wristband sightings…
Sweet Bailee Madison was sporting her wristband on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
American Idol contestant Scott McCreary has been wearing an I Am Second wristband throughout the competition.
Pray that people are seeing the words and either asking what it means or “googling” it to find the videos. Have you spotted any I Am Second wristbands, t-shirts, or bumper stickers? Send us your pics!
We are so fortunate here at I Am Second to be able to sponsor Matthew West’s 2011 tour: An Evening of Stories and Songs. We first met up with Matthew at I Am Second’s 2nd Birthday Celebration last December. He’s got an amazing collection of songs out right now that tell about the power in our personal stories. Joining together was a no-brainer.
Grab your friends and get your tickets fast! His concert series ends on April 3rd.
Check out these dates:
3/17/11- Franklin, TN
3/18/11- Naperville, IL
3/19/11- Valparaiso, IN
3/20/11- Paducah, KY
3/24/11- Lima, OH
3/25/11- Waukesha, WI
3/26/11- Sioux Center, IA
3/27/11- Sheboygan, WI
3/31/11- Cedar Rapids, IA
4/01/11- Saint Paul, MN
4/02/11- Fargo, ND
4/03/11- Kearney, NE
Find out more about the tour and purchase tickets at www.matthewwest.com.
Have you heard music from The Story of Your Life? Tell us about it!
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the review the I Am Second small group materials received over at SimpleChurch Journal. They have a great blog about living missionally and how the church can benefit from getting down to the basics.
Here are some excerpts:
They incorporate many of the principles that we have found key to starting healthy groups that can reach out to others to start new groups.
New believers are encouraged immediately to begin praying for their “village,” or sphere of influence, and to reach out with compassion towards them.
We appreciate the encouragement and are glad to be working toward the same goals. Be sure to share your experience with the I Am Second small group materials on their blog and here for that matter! What’s your experience been?
