Chris Hezlep

Yesterday we started a new series that we’re calling Meds. We kicked off that series talking about the reality of pain and how to deal with it in our lives. What we learned was that as we step into our pain…God comes along side us and heals our wounds. Then seeing the bigger picture…he uses our story / pain to impact the lives of others. Here’s a great example of what we talked about this weekend. It’s a little long but worth the listen!

This August we will be starting a new series called God of this City…here’s a preview video enjoy!

This week I had the privilege to perform a wedding for a friend in Illinois. It was at a church were I youth pastored several years ago. The town is about 1300 people and it’s main industry is agriculture (corn and bean farms). As I was driving through town I was immediately reminded of a this country music song that I heard. For those of you who have every lived in a small farm town you will be able to relate.

On a serious note: when you perform a wedding ceremony for someone that was in your youth group it kind of reminds you how fast time goes and the importance of slowing down and enjoying each moment. My new goal is to take time and reflect upon all my life experiences before moving on to quickly.

Today was an amazing day. We had our first service as the newly formed Ridgewood Church. There was 167 people who attended our weekend worship experience. It was awesome to see the melting of two churches into one family. I believe this is just the beginning of bigger things that God is going to do. 

This week I was asked an interesting question…will I be in Pittsburgh forever now that I’ve become the pastor of Ridgewood Church? I thought this link best summarizes my answer.

Click here for the Steelers version

Yesterday I had a change of pace. I had the opportunity to stay home with my youngest two daughters while Carey was on a field trip with my second daughters class. The first thing that I realized was just how much work goes into being a stay at home parent. The second was just how rewarding it is to be able to spend so much quality time with your kids. I thank God for the family he has given me…for my wife that keeps it all together.

Well, Evangel has officially voted to merge with Ridgewood…what an increadible opportunity. I love watching how God does his work and then confirms it. When we first embarked on this journey God gave Carey and I these two words, “NEW LIFE”. Now here’s what’s amazing…this week Carey went to a women’s small group and the speaker told her that as she was praying about this merger God told her to tell us that he was bringing NEW LIFE. Then a former member of Evangel told me that when she visited Ridgewood with us that God told her he was breathing new life into the Ridgewood location and the former Evangel site through PCO. It’s always an adventure following God…!

“…a matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Deuteronomy 19:15b

Well tomorrow is a big day for our church. Tomorrow we vote to dissolve as a church and to merge with Ridgewood Assembly - who has elected us as their new pastor. This is such an amazing thing that God is doing, and I am so excited to see what difference we are going to make for the kingdom. I truly believe the saying: We can do more together than we can ever do alone. I saw this first hand last night. We were having a ministers gathering at one of the new church plants with in our network of churches. And while we were celebrating together what God is doing at this church, a man from the streets came in to observe what was going on. Next thing you know he was praying to accept Christ and you could literally see the change on his face. 

I think it’s a great example of the sense of community that God desires for us to share and the work that can be done when it’s all about him.

Well you know what they say - It’s better late than never. I guess it’s past time to step into the world of blogging. So, here we go. My dog Lexie decided to join me for this picture. You know I read that researchers in San Diego have concluded that dogs and their owners look alike. I’m the one on the left.