What impacted me most at Unleash2010?
Posted by | Posted in Church, Leadership, Uncategorized | Posted on 05-03-2010
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending Unleash 2010 at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. It was a day that was filled with incredible worship, inspiring preaching, great breakout sessions, and, allow me to geek out for a minute, absolutely amazing lighting and set design. But what impacted me most was this little note card that was handed to me, and every other Unleash participant as we left. Inside this card is a HANDWRITTEN note from one of the hundreds of NewSpring volunteers that help make Unleash possible.
Now this note was not written specifically to me. It was to an Unleash participant. It didn’t have my name on it and Julie (NS Volunteer) has no idea who received her card, but that does not lessen its impact. The fact that volunteers took valuable time to hand-write thousands of these cards is what impacted me. It wasn’t what the card said, it was the card itself.
This card was the cherry on top of the sundae that the NewSpring Volunteers built for me yesterday. It began as I arrived on campus, greeted by volunteers lining the parking lot, waving, smiling and directing me to a parking space in a friendly, efficient manner. Then there were the volunteers that cheered as I got close to the building, those that smiled and handed me my conference packet, the ones that directed me through the doors, those that offered me free coffee, or helped me find a seat in the auditorium. Everywhere I went I was greeted by NewSpring volunteers in brightly colored t-shirts offering me encouragement and help. It was incredible.
I realized two things from all this:
- Churches can learn from what I experienced yesterday. It was only my second time on the NS campus but I felt at home. I felt as though I belonged there. I know that coordinating all those volunteers was not a simple task but I think that it was worth it. (BTW, from what I hear Unleash is not that different from what NS is like on any Sunday!)
- Because I did not have to fight to find a parking place, because registration was simple, because everything was easy to find, I felt at ease as I entered worship. I was ready to worship because distractions had been removed by an awesome team of volunteers.
Imagine if more churches made everyone (not just guests) feel that welcome on Sunday morning. I think it would go a long way.
Thanks NewSpring Volunteers!
it is our HONOR to serve our Unleash guest every March; prepare for your arrival; and pray (all year long) for all those attending and the cities that you return to.
and yes…Sundays look just like Unleash. people serving with passion that starts from the top and flows down. not a trickle, but a gush of flowing passion.
fyi…you only got to see a small portion of our servers at Unleash….we have thousands that assist our staff and leaders every Sunday to glorify the name of Jesus.
yes, the music and preaching is THAT good EVERY Sunday, no matter who is playing an instrument, singing and teaching. God has shown His favor on those attending every NewSpring Church campus.
WE had a great time being there for YOU! Love love love meeting all the people from everywhere and seeing your astonished faces!
Thanks for coming and we can't wait to serve you again!
I am a volunteer that was honored and blessed to serve yesterday @Unleash and feel completely humbled to be part of what God is doing at NewSpring every Sunday. I love and support our Pastor, staff and fellow volunteers. Above all else I am undeniably honored to serve our Savior by serving and inviting everyone I talk to to our church to learn more about Him & develop a personal relationship with Him.
Kay
My husband & I have been starting attending NewSpring a little over a year ago, and became members and started serving shortly after. This was our first year serving at Unleash, and it was both exciting and humbling beyond belief – and I am so thankful that you came, and that you took the time to post this! I also feel the same excitement and humility every Sunday…it is day of the week I most look forward to, knowing that I get to go serve, and worship, fellowship and hear some awesome teaching. But I can't wait to volunteer again next March
My husband & I have been starting attending NewSpring a little over a year ago, and became members and started serving shortly after. This was our first year serving at Unleash, and it was both exciting and humbling beyond belief – and I am so thankful that you came, and that you took the time to post this! I also feel the same excitement and humility every Sunday…it is day of the week I most look forward to, knowing that I get to go serve, and worship, fellowship and hear some awesome teaching. But I can't wait to volunteer again next March
Jane,
Thank you for your service. I had a freind with me yesterday that was at NS for the first time. He was blown away by the way he was greeted!
Thanks so much for allowing us to serve you while you were at Newspring for unleash. Being able to serve with the other volunteers is part of the way we worship Jesus Christ. Perry does a great job of leading us to be the church not just attend it!!! Hope you come back next year..you are already a part of our Newspring family. God Bless you
I have attended and served at NewSpring and UNLEASH all four years. It is an honor to serve you and our awesome GOD! You are a part of our family always.