The secret to explosive church growth and life transformation

Christ Fellowship is a church in Florida. I’ve worked at CF for nearly 5 years now, and have seen it grow from 8000 to somewhere around 20 000 people joining us now weekly in worship.

I haven’t been able to quantify or qualify what or why God had chosen to bless us like he has. Working at CF, I have seen the good and the bad of gigachurch life. We are after all just people, with all the stuff, faults, and inconsistencies that human beings have. The numbers don’t impress me much, but the Life Transformation that takes place in the lives and hearts of people does. I’ve often wondered why. Is it just the blessing and hand of God? I used to think so. Until now…

2 weeks ago, we heard the story of two lead Gang Members in West Palm Beach, giving their hearts and lives over to God. It’s just one example of many stories of life transformation that we hear every week at CF. The stories are true, and they are life transforming. This morning in our staff meeting Daniel, one of our Pastors at CF, told us how God has captivated him…

He hasn’t been able to sleep. He’d toss and turn as he prepared for weekend ministry at Christ Fellowship. One day, he decided that if he can’t sleep, he might as well go to church and prepare for ministry. So, Daniel has gone to our south campus late on Saturday night, and has spent the night desperately pleading with God to move among us. He’s spent 8, 10, 12 hours each Saturday night on his knees before God. He knew there was nothing he could do if the Holy Spirit didn’t consume him. He knew that apart from God, we are nothing. Many people have joined Daniel in fasting and prayer. And hundreds of people are coming to Christ in incredible ways. Is there any question how God used Daniel to reach the hearts of these gang members?

As I heard Daniel speak, as I watched tears form in his eyes for a lost and dying world, I felt a tear fall down my cheek. I also felt God’s Holy Spirit quietly asking me three questions:

1. How desperate are you?
2. How much of your will and life have you truly surrendered to the Holy Spirit?
3. What price are you willing to pay?

I don’t think God in his infinite wisdom planned some crazy formula for church growth, discipleship, and life transformation. He planned to captivate the hearts and minds of people. Answer the three questions for yourself, and just watch what God does through you.

This story isn’t exclusive. It’s one of many that have embodied the heart and passion of Christ Fellowship. And no… it doesn’t have a single thing to do with numbers, it has to do with impacting the world with the love and message of Jesus Christ – One Life at a time.