1. I was hired by Grace Chapel to launch a church in the Andover area (aka GracePoint) in April 2005.

2. The very first event that was held to begin the launch of GracePoint was in May 2005 in a basement where I introduced myself and we talked about what shape GracePoint would have with multiple inputs from those in attendance. I think there were about 100 in attendance for those two separate meetings in that basement!

3. The first time we started meeting as a church was in September 2005 when we had three smaller groups doing core group development where we explored our mission and values.

4. We arrived at the name "GracePoint," after a failed survey of chosen names and then deciding to stick "Grace" with a bunch of other labels. GracePoint stuck out among all of them as the best.

5. Our first ever meeting in the auditorium at the school was a Christmas party where we unveiled the name of GracePoint Community Church, which brought everyone to their feet in a standing ovation.

6. The first service we held at the school was January 2006.

7. Dave Limina nor Ryan Phelps led the music at our first ever service (Dave came along in February 2006 while Ryan came along April 2006).

8. Grace Chapel commissioned us in February 2006, which Jenny and I didn't make because we were in Russia beginning the process of adopting Benjamin.

9. The first weekly service was in March 2006.

10. The first publicly held service was in April 2006.

11. I didn't take part in our first ever Easter service because I was in Russia adopting Benjamin. Okay, so I was there via a video, but I wasn't present and didn't preach at that inaugural Easter service in April 2006.

12. We incorporated as a church on May 2008, so we're actually a really new church!

13. Jenny and I took part in the first ever baby dedication at GracePoint when we dedicated Benjamin.

14. Our first drummer was an iPod that Dave Limina had loaded with drum tracks for the songs.

15. The first message series at GracePoint was... Beginnings where I talked about the beginnings for greatness, gratitude, and security. They are actually all online under the messages tab, should you want some nostalgia!

16. We have 63 members at GracePoint.

17. As a church, we support 24 kids in Aber in Uganda through World Vision.

18. One Life Community did a murder mystery to build relationships where Jenny and I dressed up as a mob hit man (me) and his trophy wife (Jenny). Somewhere, there are even some really embarrassing pictures of it, but that is for another time and another place!

19. When it snows, Dave Rikkers actually plows the school so that we can be sure to get in and out without getting caught at the school.

20. It takes about 50 volunteers to make Sunday morning happen from the set up to the tear down, from the service to the café, from KidsTown to the greeters. WOW!

21. The worship team gets to the school at 8 AM to set up the auditorium every Sunday morning, while the set up team gets there at 8:30 AM to set up KidsTown and the café.

22. We're averaging almost 50 people in KidsTown on a Sunday morning (kids and volunteers).

23. I am so thankful for the army of people who serve so selflessly and graciously at GracePoint all throughout the week.

24. I am so thankful for GracePoint as it demonstrates the power of God through his people to build a community, a ministry, a staff, and eventually a building!

25. I believe our best days are ahead of us and we're just picking up steam to be a real force for Christ in advancing his kingdom and manifesting his glory!