Voice of the Martyrs, a group that monitors and mobilizes Christians to pray for persecuted brothers and sisters marks Columbia as one of the most dangerous countries for native-Christians. As a result, the increase of the church is monumental. As we are studying Acts 8, where persecution is God’s means of spreading the gospel and the church, our faith family is going to minister to those very people.

The group will be using soccer, the international language, to introduce kids to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The ladies will be showing the ladies of Columbia where true beauty can be found–He does give beauty for our ashes through the gospel. The men will be showing the guys where true strength comes from. Pray that each member of our faith family has the boldness that only comes through the Holy Spirit of God.

Family, we must pray.

We’re going to adopt the same things from our recent trips to Tanzania, where God is continuing to work among the thousands who responded to the gospel. What if we all presented our request, centered around the purpose of taking the gospel, and asked God to do something? What if we united our voices, throughout DFW and the world, to pray.

In order to mobilize theGATHERING community to pray, we’ve determined to SLOW down. Synchronize your swatches. Set your alarms on your phone to go off at 1:00 PM or set up an appointment with yourself at 1:00 PM every day. If you have the opportunity, call someone on the phone and pray with them. If not, no m

atter what you’re doing, pray for our people. Each day an update to our twitter feed will hit to lead you in prayer. If you’re not on twitter, get on there to get the update sent directly to your phone.

We’re calling it SLOW because we want to ask the Lord for the following:

S-Spirit of God to move on the individuals that are SENT (Tanzania, yes; but also the college campuses, work places, apartment complexes), in the ministry of theGATHERING, and in your life.

L-LEADERS (we call them servants) of theGATHERING (Wednesday night leaders, Sunday Connection leaders, and Community Group leaders) to be led by God and firmly established in His Word.

O-Others would come to know Christ through the speaking and living of the gospel (Who is one person in your life who needs to know Christ?)

W-What would God have you to do in order to be an answer to some of these prayers TODAY?

Many of you have asked what we’re doing to help those in Haiti. We’re so thankful for the millions in relief that have been given through the Red Cross and other reputable organizations. Our prayer, however, is that you will be motivated to pray and give to those who will meet both physical needs and spiritual needs.

Our church community is giving through the Southern Baptist Convention. The International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, and the Southern Baptist Texas Convention. You can also give through writing “Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief” on a check and turning it into the church. The Southern Baptist organizations have stated that all resources donated will go directly to relief and none to administrative costs.

If you’d like to give more than a one time gift, you may want to consider either Compassion International or Churches Helping Church. Compassion works through the local churches on the ground in order to bring the gospel to children. Churches Helping Churches seeks to motivate churches in the West to apply Galatians 6:10.

Thank you for your interest in serving in the Worship Ministry. Jesus desires true worshipers–those that worship Him in spirit and in truth. As a result, we’re not looking for the biggest, flashiest band to come in and lead worship. We’re looking for believers who drip Jesus. Since the Worship Crew sets the stage for so many others, you will be required to be a member of First Euless and an active attendee of theGATHERING. If that sounds like something you would prayerfully consider, please engage in conversation with us!

Here are a few other thigns to consider before you start the process of leading worship at theGATHERING, please make sure that Jesus is your treasure, that you are satisfied in Him alone, and that the approval of men is not something after which you seek. We can all avoid a train wreck of bitterness, anger, and hatred from the start. Our purpose is to edify you, give you the place to serve with the talents God has given, and grow the gifts for the joy of others.

Some considerations:

• First and foremost, you must be a believer in Jesus Christ. Sure, you can play the guitar; but you can’t be a lead-worshipper if you aren’t a child of God.
• We need commitment and faithfulness in anyone who is leading our people. The rule of higher standard applies here. You’re visible, so you must be a lead-worshipper.

The Goal:

Everything we do at theGATHERING is to glorify God. We do that by making much of the true-gospel and giving people the ability to respond to this truth. Truth demands a response. Worship is that response where we allow Scripture to seep through, encourage, convict, and motivate us to live the gospel.

What are the roles of the worship team?

• model (Romans 12:1)
• servant (2 Timothy 2:24)
• teacher (I Corinthians 14:26)

What characteristics should you have?

1. Excellence without distraction–We seek to pray, sing, play, and proclaim God’s Word in such a way that attention would be drawn to God and Christ (2 Timothy 4:2) not to man.
2. Joy (1 Thessalonians 5:16; Psalm 66:1)
3. Authenticity-We communicate from the heart and mind, not only from the mouth (John 1:47; John 4:23).
4. Maturity (Ephesians 4:14-15)
5. Humility (Romans 12:3; Colossians 3:12)
6. Transparency–Because of our security in the unconditional love of the Father, we can be honest in our playing and singing (Proverbs 12:17, 19)
7. Sensitivity–We must be able to discern God’s Spirit and yield to His leading (Romans 8:26)
8. Sound Doctrine–We still study and know God’s Word so that we may be able to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23; Psalm 119:162)

Steps to Follow:

1. Be a believer
2. Become a member of First Euless
3. Read over the “How to Get Involved” section above and familiarize yourself with the content.
4. Fill out the Worship Volunteer Application and email it to Amy Albin, aalbin@firsteuless.com, or fax it to her at (817).540.7492.
5. Amy will contact you to set up a date and time for you to meet with our staff in order to play/sing for them.
6. Have two or three songs prepared to play for us when you meet with members of our staff. They may also choose another specific song for you as well.

Job Description:

The Create Team is a group of volunteers who have the knack for bringing out the creative elements within our worship experience. Use your talents in set design, graphic arts, photography, and interior design in order to create the worship experience.

Time Commitment:

The sky is the limit with the creative things that the Lord wants to do within our midst. Whatever time  you can give back to the Lord in order to serve the church in this way would be great. Whether your available on a project by project basis or for one major project, we’d like to invite you to the table to offer your gifts. The Create team will ideally meet every month to discuss needs and brainstorm for upcoming projects.

Graphic Artists:

You know the tools of the trade. You can offer your design experience and you can make an idea turn into print, web, or multimedia. We are in desperate need in this area.

Environments:

Connection happens when people are able to let their guard down in a comfortable environment. We want to remove the barriers so that a space moves from a sterile environment to a place where transformation takes place.

There are countless other ways that you can serve within the Create Team. Go to the contact form and put “Team Create” in the subject line.