The ChurchPlanters.com Velocity conference is next Monday and Tuesday. It’s a great conference every year but this year promises to be off the charts! The conference is always a great value for us too. It’s in Cumming (our backyard so to speak) so there’s no real travel expenses. It’s also very inexpensive. We didn’t go last year, but we registered for this year’s conference during better times thinking it might be the only conference we could pull off in 2010. Also, I honestly thought we just needed the encouragement and recharging impact that stuff like this offers.
Now, in light of everything that’s going on at Fusion, it seems like a bit of bad timing and we talked about not going. Then, after thinking about it some more, I felt like maybe we should just go ahead and go. In a very real way it would be a step of faith for us to go.
Then, yesterday, out of the blue I got a call from Shawn Lovejoy (the pastor of Mountain Lake Church, the host of the event) and he asked me if I’d be willing to do some backstage interviews with the featured speakers. It’s a huge opportunity and a real blessing for me personally. I almost said no but as we were talking I again felt like it was an honor to be asked and that I shouldn’t say no to a blessing from the Lord.
It’s weird but as much as I’ve felt the opposition from the enemy lately, I’ve also felt the blessings of the Lord trying to push in. It’s as if they’re just around the corner. I feel like if we can just keep moving forward we’re going to push through into some truly wonderful things.
Anyway, I told Shawn that I’d love to do it and now I’m committed. Next Monday and Tuesday I’m going to get to spend a little time asking folks like Rick Warren, Steven Furtick, Alan Hirsch, Shawn Lovejoy, Dave Gibbons, Matt Carter and others a few questions about ministry and leadership.
Now, as an added benefit, since I’ll be “working” at the conference, we all get to go for free! How cool is that?
What an unexpected, wonderful, thoughtful gift from a gracious heavenly Father.
PS – Please pray that this introvert doesn’t get too nervous and screw this thing up. :)
You are gonna rock Pastor Tony. We are very proud of you!!!
Thanks, Laurel! I’m proud of you guys!
Cool! Are your interviews going to be archived? I’d love to check them out. You will do great! I love your humor.
Doug, I think the ChurchPlanters.com guys are going to be releasing the videos and podcasts at some point after the conference.
That is awesome news Pastor Tony!!! What an opportunity!!!
Yep. I can’t believe it! :)
You’re a rock star Tony Mac.
.-= Patrick Gillen´s last blog ..Too many coaches in the stands =-.
Thanks, Pat, but that’s not something I ever have to worry about becoming. :)
How awesome is that? And YOU are the perfect person to do it. Of course you must do it! Do you need me to go with you and make sure your makeup is just so and the lens cover is off the camera?….I’m good at stuff like that. You know, basically be your “handler”. ;) Have fun -this has your name all over it!
I’m betting that Rick and the gang are e-mailing their buddies and saying, “Do you know who I get to spend one-on-one time with?” You know that they’ll all be sneaking in their little cameras for some pics with the great one… THE TONY MCCOLLUM of tonymccollum.com.
Congratulations to you Rick, Steven, etc. for snagging the interviewer of the year.
.-= paul´s last blog ..And now you can see, hear, or download… =-.
Paul, I think you’re my only fan and I love you for that! :) Please let me buy you lunch soon, my friend.