Hey church family,
My name is Nick and I have a crazy story about how God has just been opening my eyes by using your Pastor and In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day. I am visiting my brother Jake in DC this week. I arrive wed April 22nd and leave mon the 27th. I cant wait to check out your church. I have no plans all day Thursday and would love to fellowship with anyone who is in the downtown area. Im a cali boy, born and raised, and am always up for fun and adventure (i mean what Christ follower isnt.)
Now to how I heard about NCC.
My other brother Alex who is my non christian mentor lol bought me In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day for Christmas last year. I have been saved since my first week of high school, which was 11 years and was shocked that he bought me a christian book, since he has always kept his distance from Jesus. I read the book last summer and loved it.
Fast forward to 6 weeks ago. I was hanging out with some friends before church one day when a friend said she visited one of her friends church called Faith Chapel earlier that morning. I asked her what the sermon was about and she said it was about some guy that chases down a lion and kills him. And I screamed, “WHAT? Are YOU KIDDNG ME!” She sounded startled and was like” yeah it was some egyptian guy in the old testament but its only like 2 verses in the bible,” “BENAIAH?” I shouted. “Oh my gosh are you serious, I read a book called In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day and thats what the whole book was about. Those 2 verses and how he goes down into the pit and kills the lion” She said ” SHUT UP! They just got a new Pastor and today was his frist day and he is doing a 5 week series on THAT book. He is also good friends with Mark Batterson, the author.” I started freaking out about what God was orchestrating here. I had been wanting to get a group together to dive in deeper about this book and now this guy who KNOWS the author is doing a series of sermons on it. ARE YOU FRIGGING KIDDING ME? Needless to say Ive been going to the services and they have been off the hook. I also started attending a mens group that is focusing on being a lion chaser. And Pastor Brian Ross has been such a blessing. I got to talk with him and we talked about his boy Mark Batterson And 2 weeks after I first started going there, my brothers wife emails me saying she bought me a plane ticket to come visit them in DC. I was like, “WHAAAAAT? Are you serious? God you really want me to check out this church.” I hope that Mark is out there this week, although I heard he might be in LA this week for a conference.
Some more crazy tid bits after I checked out your website (which is tight by the way)
My brother that bought me the book just moved to Chicago where Mark went to school on a bball scholarship. I coach high school football and do HS ministry and the first kid i ever mentored just got a football scholarship to Trinity International Iniversity where Mark went to school. And i went through a Discipleship camp in Branson MO which is 30 min from Springfield where Mark went to Central Bible College.
God isnt a God of coincidences and He is alive and active. The Holy Spirit is ridiculous , peep Romans 1:8, and I know that He has me coming out there for a specific purpose. I would love to do a devo with someone Thursday or with a group of people or just kick it with you. Lunch, breakfast, your break time, or if you want me to visit you at work, that would be awesome! Hey I dont have plans so let me know, i would seriously love to stop in and bless you while you are working even if yuo cant even take a break. Who doesnt love a visitor at work? Guys, girls it doesnt matter. I just want to fellowship and talk about our Daddy.
I hope God is doing crazy mind blowing things in your life like He is in mine. Remember to be a Lion Chaser and to DREAM BIG!! I hope you respond to this so I can meet you Thursday or Sunday at church and be blessed by your presence. It would be nice to have a friend before I walk into the service
In His Mighty Grip
Nick
Id love for you to calll me before I take off Wed. Call me right now lol 619-339-0014
