September 7, 2010
I Heart The Plaza
Posted by Alastair
What is behind “I Heart The Plaza?” It’s quite simple really. Our transition from an overflow venue for Herndon to its own multi-site campus is an expression of our love for the community that is forming at The Plaza. We want to do, and will do, everything we can to equip and love this community. That is why treating The Plaza as an overflow venue was not enough. We definitely need to open up more seats at Herndon, but our love for The Plaza is not solely for our own people.
Sure, we love The Plaza as a location. It’s a little messy and a little worn, just like us. Its vibe is naturally welcoming which creates a unique opportunity for inviting people to, or back to, a community of faith. But our love is not for the venue itself.
Our love for The Plaza is a natural expression of Summit’s heartbeat. We want to create biblically functioning communities that reach people with the love of Christ. The Plaza is a strategic landmark and a symbol of a community that needs Jesus. Herndon’s services continue to fill up quickly. Do you know someone that needs to hear the message of Jesus? That is why we love The Plaza.
We’re asking a team to join us in ‘hearting’ The Plaza. This is not merely a tricky ploy to open up seats at Herndon (although it is a helpful side effect). We recognize the unique opportunity that is before us. Everyone longs to be a part of something greater than themselves. We are invited to participate in God’s mission of reaching the world. We can join God in the renewal of all things (ourselves included). Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
We hope that every single person who commits to “Team Plaza” (or Team Awesome) gets to experience the joy of helping someone take their next right step towards Jesus. We hope for a community that will multiply to twice its size in the next year. But this is not for the sake of numbers. That is too small of a dream. No, we long to see this happen so that we may join the rejoicing in heaven when a person returns home to God. I don’t know about you, but I get excited at imagining this and long to see everyone reunited to God through the love of Jesus.
This is no easy calling, but we are excited to witness how God will move in the next year. I can think of nothing more exciting, or more worthy of dedicating my life to, than the gospel. Jesus is alive. We must pass this message on.
