Sunday was the first Sunday we held services at our new Irmo campus of Columbia Church.

I’m not sure yet how to best describe the way I felt before, during, and after the Grand Opening of the new Columbia Church Irmo Campus. Overwhelmed may be my best effort.

So many people invested their time, money, and sweat to accomplish this great thing. Everyone who gave generously, showed up and worked hard at any of the 4 work days, gave their evenings to run wires and set lights, or anything else, God used you to do something significant. It is awesome, but Sunday, I mentioned a passage that has been driven deep into my heart, and I believe it should shape the next several months of our church’s life:

Isaiah 49:6
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

The most exciting thing that happened on Sunday night at our grand opening was seeing my neighbors come to church. Along with my neighbors, we had 22 first time guests. Almost all of those were people who were invited by a friend or from the immediate areas surrounding the church. Columbia Church, we did not work this hard to build a building. We did not work this hard to simply have the best sound system, great lights, and a neat show. We are here to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, by creating a church that un-churched people will love to attend. That is why we are here. That’s what I want to invest my life in, and that vision took a huge step Sunday.

It is too small a thing for us to be satisfied with where we are. Where we are is an amazing blessing from God, but we are here for more.

Over the next several weeks we are going to stress and push this message in our “Big Church” series.

Thank you to everyone who played a part. I have prayed and thanked God for your contribution. You are making the difference.

I love leading and serving with you,

JD

Here are some pics from Sunday. If you were one of those taking pictures and have not gotten those to us yet please do.