I love my pastor. I need him in my life, so, before I start, huge shout outs to Matt Tapley! Follow him on the tweets (@MattTapley). Anyway, I was bouncing some thoughts off of him as we were driving to Toronto a few days back… I was sharing concerns about Vintage and pastoring (nothing huge – just asking for direction).
That to say, I’m so stoked on the new season that is coming for VNTG. You see, its year 5 for me. That means I’ve pastored a whole generation of students through their HighSchool years and now… now I get to do it all over again… scary thought almost… But intimidating thoughts aside – I was reminded by Matt that now is the time to dream bigger! To see things as God sees them…
I believe that God calls us to leave legacy. Not one that glorifies the name of Drew Riach or VNTG or even Lakemount… I believe that God has called us to create a legacy in His name that will last throughout generations! And to know that I get to be a part of that process is WAY awesome!
He sees me, you, your friends that have yet to know His AMAZING GRACE… He sees more. His ways are higher and greater than the place you are in now – even if that place feels so good!
So its time to dream again!
Time to catch the heart of God for the new season that is upon us!
Remember – we are called to be His hands and HIS feet! Heaven on earth kinda stuff!
Get stoked for whats ahead!

-PDrew

Check it! Some new Anberlin…

Take a second! Let this speak to you!

Just thought I’d drop some thoughts on the old blog…
As your pastor, I think its important to let you know that my mind is already in September – not saying that I’m not focused on the importance of the ‘now’ – but I’m excited and anticipating what God is about to do in the new season.
I’m a little scared too to be honest… why? Cause its year 4 for me here at VNTG.
This means a transition year.
A group that I have mentored and loved is moving on into their young adult careers (but you’re not getting rid of me that easy).
But what I’m hopeful for is for the next faze. New faces… New potential and gifts and grace…
Knowing that God is the only constant in life reminds me that in times of transition – fear and worries have no place. God is always moving things along – and to know that we’re apart of the ONLY thing he is growing, HIS church, should find us in a place of peace and assurance.

So – let’s have an AMAZING summer and start to prepare our hearts for what’s to come!
WEAREVNTG!

HILLSONG New York from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.

God is speaking, moving and stretching us. We’re in an exciting time these days as God’s presence is so evident at Vintage. As God speaks, we must be people who listen, who recognize the voice of God, and the move of Holy Spirit.

What God has been speaking to me about lately is LISTENING, In 1 Samuel, it tells us the story of…who else…SAMUEL! surprise surprise. In particular chapter 3 tells us the story of when God was trying to get Samuel’s attention. The First time God said his name, Samuel was sleeping and thought it was Eli, the priest calling him so he got up and went to the priest…long story short, it took 3 times of waking and going to Eli, until Eli realizing it was the Lord, said “go and lie down again and if someone calls you again say ’speak Lord your servant is listening’. Finally, Samuel understood that is was God who was calling him. I love this story because it shows just how human Samuel was, and how we aren’t that much different from this man who lives hundreds of years before us. We may not realize or recognize the voice of God, however He is patient, and continues to whisper our name. Another great part to this account of Samuel, is that Samuel was obedient, and he was blessed and honoured for this. It goes on to say in this chapter that “As Samuel grew up the Lord was with him”. There is blessing in obedience…there is also sacrifice in obedience. Sometimes what God is speaking to us, may not be what we want to hear, there may be sacrifice involved in the speaking, but when we are obedient in what God calls us to, there is BLESSING!

What the Lord told Samuel, wasn’t exactly a sunshine and rainbows kind of message, however he was obedient in delivering the message to Eli and he was blessed for doing so.

When we position ourselves to LISTEN and HEAR from God-Great things happen…

If you were at lakemount on sunday morning…WOW! The Team’s obedience to hear what God was saying and then walking it out opened the door for LIFE CHANGE. 40+ people were baptized that morning. It felt like something straight out of the bible.

What would our lives look like if we truly learned to listen to what God was speaking to us? What would Vintage look like if the people in it refused to just “get through” life, but took a stand for the voice of the Lord, knowing that His wisdom, grace and love bring LIFE. What would our highschools look like? our jobs? our friends? our communities?

My challenge to each of you would to spend some quiet time with God, with all the voices, distractions and noise that come at us, it’s easy to get buried under it. MAKE the time for God, instead of just talking to him, praying to him, just take some time to listen-don’t be afraid of the silence, it may not be an audible voice, but as you seek God with your whole heart, you will find him (Jeremiah 29:12).

We Are…

LISTENING!

If you missed out on Overflow Convention this weekend… hang your head in shame… Now, pick your head up and get excited about the fact that God doesn’t reside at conference – He’s with you ALL the time! Good… now that that’s out of the way… Overflow was great! The worship team (which included a few VNTG members) was absolutely amazing! God was exalted and it was amazing to see 2500 students engage with their creator! Word on the street is somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 students accepted Jesus into their lives!

After thought – we should worship our God cause he’s worthy; he deserves it.
Not cause of lights or sound or how incredibly good looking the lead guitar player is (cough cough…. Tim Davidson)…
God is worthy to be praised like EVERYDAY was an Overflow Convention day.
WeAreVNTG!