EPIK

This is a shot of the cafe down below. At top left is the room where we'll have gaming systems set up for students to come with their friends after school during the week. They can also come early on our Wednesday nights too.

The other half of the lower level (I'm on the balcony) looking towards the front doors. The desk to the left of the doors is guest services where everyone has to register. Adults are not allowed to wander around unless they are a leader or a registered guest. To the right (you can't see it in this pic) is the gym (wood floor), pool tables, and future home of a climbing wall. This is right after they opened the doors for students to come in.

Me, Leah, Carrie, and a 300-seat packed auditorium.

Jon Hohm, youth pastor extraordinaire!

Matthew (my one and only) leading worship. I was so blown away at the energy during worship- it was so tangible! The team did SO GREAT- even memorized their songs so they wouldn't be staring at music stands and have more freedom to worship too.

This is a guest artist/speaker they brought in for opening night. He did GREAT! This is how he ended the night- had really powerful music playing and tied together his message with this powerful visual aide. The message was about the God-shaped hole in each of our hearts, placed there at birth, and how we spend our lives trying to fit things in there that don't fit. Students were given time to visualize the things they've been trying to force into that hole.

He invited students to come forward that identified with his message, prayed over them/with them... then asked them each to walk by the painting and touch the shape they identified with, to serve as a reminder when they left. It's so easy to step outside of a powerful moment like that and forget what you promised yourself and God that you would take care of. Many students commented on how powerful the message was. 5 students came forward, never having had a personal relationship with Christ, wanting one.

When I look back on my life so far, I can recall moments where I've felt God's presence in such a full, tangible way... this will forever be one of those moments I'll remember and cherish that I was able to be apart of. My heart was so full, seeing so many new faces, feeling the excitement of so many students worshiping God together... this is truly a dream realized for so many that have wanted a place where students can really feel they belong (especially those that have never felt they've 'belonged' anywhere).

What an amazing night!!!