Impressions at Foothills

My family and I were able to stick around Foothills Community Church (check out their new website - slick!) for the entire weekend, including their Sunday morning services. Here are some things that impressed me about their weekend experience...

• the "family" atmosphere wasn't exclusive; it was contagious and welcoming
• greeters exercised an appropriate sense of greeting: hugs for family and a warm hello to new guests
• Senior Pastor, Greg Oraham, communicated with vulnerable humor... disarming, simple and straightforward
• culturally connected with their use of a top TV show - Prison Break - as a weekend series theme (covering such topics as anger, fear, etc... "breaking free from those things that control us)
• free donuts, juice and coffee!
• clean, clean, clean - from the parking lot to the restrooms, it was obvious they were expecting company
• volunteers are valued... and the whole team communicates value to their guests

The team lives out a "can-do", "whatever it takes" kind of approach to ministry and life. I think it must be a large reason God is showing up and growing this church. After all, Foothills is a church of 1,500 and growing in a town of 27 people (okay, it's not really that small, but it's small... no Starbucks). God is using this local church to advance his kingdom and reach their community with the good news that "people matter to God".