We can't wait to hear from YOU! In the comments section below, tell us what you do at your church, and what it means to your life to be a part of something so fulfilling as the local church! Simply click on the button that saya "comments" and comment away...
We’ve been playing a part in our church's mission for just over 3 years. We serve in a couple of areas and have been so blessed in doing so. My husband Lance and son Zane have been on the setup team when we were portable. Our older boys, Wes and Zach also started out on the set up team, and have been involved in many areas as they’ve grown; music with the children’s program, videos during services, and more recently, with the youth group.
ReplyDeleteLance and I also have our Wednesday night life group and these people are truly our church “family”. We pray for each other and have seen miracles. We’ve come to the place that we know God will answer us and wait on him expectantly. We love each other, laugh and cry together, help each other, move each other, and delight in each other’s cooking. We do life together.
Serving with our church has brought our family closer together. Whatever we give, we get back 10 fold. We’ve made friends, gotten to know tons of people, and mostly our hearts have grown: for each other, for the Lord’s church, and for anyone he may put in our path.
I have been involved in ministry in church for several years. I loved serving in the music ministry at one time, but now I've moved on to being part of Kid City, our children's ministry. I help out with the one year old room every Sunday and I look forward to seeing my little ones each week! It is fun to see their little faces light up when they see me and I know it helps their parents go off to hear what God has for them in church with an easy heart, knowing they are happy and loved.
ReplyDeleteI also look forward to taking part in our Give Love Project each year. It is so satisfying to see our church family work together and be able to share the love of Jesus with a family who really needs it! So many times we give lip service to loving people the way God does, but it is awesome to actually put my hands to work and then see Jesus lifted up for the world to see.
My husband and I serve on the tech team at NLC, and it's an amazing feeling to have such a fun role in the service each week. We also started leading a Life Group this year, and we feel so blessed to have formed these awesome friendships while searching for geocaches in the most random places in Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteI love that I attend a church that encourages people to be involved in serving the community! It is incredible to watch a church body come together to work towards a common goal like the Home Makeover project or collecting backpacks for a Title 1 school! I know that NLC is being used as Christ's hands and feet to the community that surrounds our campus by giving itself away! And it makes me so excited that I can be a small part of what God is doing!!
ReplyDeleteI serve in our kids ministry every Sunday at Next Level. I love being a part of something that changes the lives of our future generation in the most positive way. Serving God by loving these kids makes my week. And I have met some people who are now my lifelong friends.
ReplyDeleteI love the way NLC cares for the poor. They helped some very good friends of mine keep their power and lights on. Way to go...that is the best church ever
ReplyDeleteDonuts and Starbucks coffee...are you kinding me....AWESOME STUFF
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I serve in kids ministry. We both teach large group and then have a small group of kids we pour into. It's great. We're trying to help parents raise their kids to love Christ. Can't beat it.
ReplyDeleteWe have only been going to NLC for about 8 months now, but we are already involved in a Life Group, Video Production, and running the booth in service. It is a blessing to have been a place such a short amount of time but already have an opportunity to use God's gifting to help the body.
ReplyDeleteLove serving at NLC, been attending for 4 years and have been serving ever since I started. Love the fact there is no pressure, and I have been able to serve in so many ministries till I found the right one. We have an awesome church!
ReplyDeleteNCL, I have never felt so comfortable at a church, there are really great people here, serving at NCl lets me meet new people and greet them as they come on to our campus. I know how scary it is to come the first day and not know a soul, A friendly smile is all you need to make them feel welcome. This I do with pleasure for Jesus. At NLC I am Home.
ReplyDeleteI'm accepted the way I am, but challenged to be more than I am... That's awesome! I've done the church thing for a while and the teaching challenges me, not the people, they love and accept me!
ReplyDeleteMe and my husband both serve in the First Impression's ministry at NLC. We meet and greet new comers and regular attendees each Sunday morning, and while being apart of that ministry we have come to realize just how important this ministry is! When we were first new to NLC we felt so comfortable and at home once stepping foot out of our cars just by being greeted by the First Impression Servers every Sunday. We were always greeted with a smile and "Glad your hear" or "Welcome!!." It mean't so much to us and made us feel so welcomed and at home and enjoy being able to make other's feel the same way now.
ReplyDeleteI also help in the Middle School student ministry and although new at it....it has really been such an inspiration to me thus far. I remember back when I was that age and was so knew in the faith; it now gives me great joy to play apart in these young students lives; from their growth in Christ or from them coming to know the Lord for the first time in that matter. It has also giving me the opportunity to meet some awesome leaders that have such a heart shaped for serving Christ as much as I do!! God bless!
My family and I have been attending NLC for about 5 months now. I am planning on volunteering soon. This is huge for me! I am terribly shy. :) That's the thing about NLC, it's not like church, it's like a second home. I have never felt more loved, and a part of a church body in my entire life. I had almost given up on finding a church home. I finally got up the nerve to visit NLC one Sunday and immediately fell in love! Christ and His love are everywhere at NLC. You see Him in every face you meet, in every SINCERE "good morning". My husband, came the next week and also fell in love, along with our children. It's such a joy to hear your kids say, "mommy how many more days till we get to go back to church?" My husband and I have been asking everyone we know to please visit with us one Sunday. We want to share this good thing with the world.
ReplyDeleteI have been going to Next Level for almost two years now, and I feel that IT IS THE BEST CHURCH EVER. I AM SO THANKFUL THAT A FRIEND OF MINE INVITED ME TO GO WITH HER, I WAS HOOKED FROM THE START. I SERVE BY BEING A GREETER, SEATER, WELCOME PERSON, wherever they need me to serve. Its a great feeling to be part of such a wonderful church family. Thats what is is, my church FAMILY. Everybody makes you feel so special and loved. I love to see the new people come so they can experience the joy and love like I do. We have a wonderful band, awesome pastors, great Life group Leaders, Its a Blessing to know that I am part of this Best Church Ever for our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteI've been at NLC since '05. From day one God has made it apparent that this is were he wants me. Started with tearing down the setup when we were mobile and transitioned into greeters ministry, then life group leader/host and car repair team. I've never seen a body of people so willing to give themselves away to those in need. What an honor to serve along side you all. NLC, you're the best church ever.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the best thing about Next Level is a church that has no pretenses. The people of NLC are real, down to earth, screwed up people. They are people who aren't afraid to admit mistakes, failures and missteps. People who aren't perfect but are relentlessly pursuing a perfect God.
ReplyDeleteBecause of this, everyone is accepted. People who never thought they would come to know Christ have - and are able to learn and grow in an environment that is encouraging and uplifting.
Plus, the music rocks!
I love serving at Next Level because I believe in our mission to connect people to God. And I believe the people at this church are the most genuine, non-political, non-judgmental people I have ever known...but they have real convictions about God and the Bible. And I think the student and kids' programs are incredibly good. Plus I never feel pressure to serve - I feel that the leaders genuinely care about me and my spiritual wellbeing.
ReplyDeleteI'll add Steele Creek to this body of churches; for not compromising truth for popularity, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead from the inside out, and having transparent leadership. We are blessed with some great churches in Charlotte
ReplyDeleteServing is a great way to get outside of yourself for an hour or so - gives you a whole new perspective. Serving at NLC is the best because it is so easy. The leaders do all the upfront work and the volunteers show up, smile and make a difference...love it!
ReplyDeleteWe love NLC and consider it the BEST CHURCH EVER!! From the people with hearts bent towards serving others and Christ, to the outreach in the communities, to the small groups and to the sermon's and willing servants. We just love being apart of such a wonderful group of believers ready to reach others for Christ!!!
ReplyDeleteNLC is the place to be!! :)
Renovatus has been an awesome safe haven for me and my family. We needed a break from "ministry life" and quietly began attending there. Its been a while since I heard "this is where you need to be" from God. I love it there and feel that it will be challenging for me being a recovering "southern baptist" but have felt the Spirit move in me and my husband in ways that Ive never been moved before. This church rocks! We love it and are planning on making it home
ReplyDeleteI love that there seems to be no fixed idea of what church is "supposed" to be, other than a place to live, love, learn, and serve.
ReplyDeletei love my church b/c they are upfront about Jesus. it's all about Him. it's why we are there and why we go out of our way to reach people who don't know Him. we do WHATEVER it takes to get butts in the seats so they can hear the Good News about Jesus! and it's not just in the big church. it's in kid city and in the student center. i have been volunteering in kid city for almost 4 years it i still look forward to seeing "my kids" every sunday!
ReplyDeletei also love how my 2 children count down the days until sunday. they can't wait to go to church every week! i know they are going to be safe and loved on each and every time they are there!
My wife and I live in Pensacola, FL where I am stationed in the military. We are a part of Liberty Church where they have the same feelings about God's Church. A church made up of the people where ever they are in the world. My wife and I are praying about leading our small group when the current leaders are transferred and she also serves in the children's ministry with the special needs children.
ReplyDeleteI believe God's church has no location. It is made up of his people who are out there doing his work around the world. It is not made up of the people who show up for the "entertainment" each week, it is made up of the people who serve and step out of their comfort zones to do the work that God calls us to do.
I have been a part of my way cool :) church for over a year...before then I was a church hopper and felt the need to be a part of a bigger purpose...a greater plan. I love serving to help give first timers at NLC the kind smile I received when I attended on my first, second...everytime visit.
ReplyDeleteI like greeting and seating...but seating gets to be a challenge when there are so many awesome people attending, there seems to be a seat shortage! What a GREAT thing!
I enjoy spreading the love that had been shared with me. I tell anyone I can "God has a bigger purpose for us all." "A life of LOVE and JOY!, He has a plan for you and will continue working on YOU till his plan is complete, Come to my church it is rocking awesome with GREAT people and a message that helps me understand what God desires for ME." "God knows each star by name..He knows and loves each of US as well!!!!"
NLC is the first Church I have attended, that when it says "come as you are" they mean it. Other Churches say this but you don't feel it when you attend. So come as you are and feel the love at NLC!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFour of us friends that are a part of the worship teams at a couple of different churches, formed a band called "Reaching Out" and we volunteer to lead worship at homeless shelters, nursing homes, other churches and community events.
ReplyDeleteOur mission statement reads:
"Reaching out to our community through worship to spread the Good News of God's love and to help make the sick stronger, the hurt loved, the forgotten remembered and to trailblaze a direct path to Jesus Christ our Savior."
You can find us on Facebook at "Reaching Out Worship Ministry". If you have any upcoming events or know of anyone in need of our volunteer services, please give Dan a call at 704-307-9933.
We are working right now on putting together a multi-church outreach/concert/fundraiser for the homeless and the people living in the tent cities in Monroe.
NLC has brought our family closer together...finally we found a church that had no expectations on what a christian should dress like or act like only to take our next step with God. I can never thank NLC enought for restoring our family and our belief system. all our love.
ReplyDeleteI've been with NLC a little over a year now and absolutely love it! This church makes me feel so welcomed and it's awesome to know that nobody judges you...you really are accepted to come as you are! I started out volunteering with helping our projects with Rock Rest Elem. and now committed myself to the auto repair ministry at this church. Both are very rewarding in seeing what a big impact this church has on the community. I see single parent mothers and struggling families reacting to the auto repair team's assistance with joyful tears in their eyes..knowing that these families are now safe to drive to work, drive their kids to school and be able to get around without the worries of car problems...it's a huge relief for them and I truly believe the team is more satisfied by helping them than they are to get their car fixed. This church has such a heart for others and there's no denying their excitement to give their love away! I'm so thankful that I've found an awesome church that is focused on reaching out and ministering to our community.
ReplyDeleteThis link is to my favorite YouTube video. The best church ever is the one that is for the screwed and screwed-up. Jesus is my everything, and where two or more like me are together He is always there. Hubert D. Rabon.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g63HX4oLpXM