Pastor Darian Rains Official Blog

The Big Day!!!

2009-04-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to touch base with all of you and thank you for all your great questions, encouraging words, thoughts, and excitement for our new Church launch here in Pryor. This weekend is the BIG DAY and We are pumped!!!! All the teams are in place, our venue has been "retro-fitted" to accommodate our DNA of a worship environment, and I have prepared myself mentally and spiritually for an Rock'n/Awesome Experience. We can't wait!!!

I wanted to personally invite all of you who may be interested in checking us out, to come and see for yourself what I have been ranting about for the last 9 months. We are so excited to see all the God is gonna do in the lives of soo many this weekend. If you already have plans for Easter, or are currently connected to a church family, obviously please stick with your plans, but if you are interested in being a part of a life giving worship experience this Easter then "come find YOURplace."

We are meeting at the Upperspace Building. 600 SE 49th ( just 1 mile east of Wal-Mart.) Our service time is Sunday AM's at 11:00. I'm not a long winded preacher guy, so If I haven’t struck oil in 30 minutes (or so) I stop drilling. You can expect the service to run roughly an hour and a half from "Good-morning" to "See ya later" and it’s a fairly casual atmosphere, so don't run out and buy a new Easter dress and a big phoofy hat, unless you want to.

If you have any questions about YPC that I can answer for you, feel free to shoot me an email, call, text message, carrier pigeon, smoke signal, or whatever form of communication you choose. I'll do my best to answer you in a prompt and satisfactory manner.

God Bless

Darian

Compassion vs. Pity

2009-03-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

Have you ever stopped to think “What is the difference between Compassion vs. Pity?” Both are emotions that someone may feel from time to time. Both result in a feeling, and both are real enough to make you ponder what other people must be going through.

The difference between compassion and pity is simple... Compassion does something about it!

Check out these scriptures about Jesus:

Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Mat 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Mat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Mar 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Ask yourself the question. “When you see people going through a particularly tough situation, do you just pity them from a distance, or are you MOVED with compassion to help?”

Just a thought today...

God Bless

Darian

Here We Go!!!

2009-03-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Its been a crazy couple of weeks!!! Tyra and I moved into our house in Pryor, We have changed YPC venue locations twice, made the front page of the Daily times, my Dad had a major heart attack and I had a blow-out on my car....WOW, I don't want to do that again.

All that being said, God is still faithful!!! We are still here, gaining momentum, and we are officially out of the gates. We had our first practice service last week and this week we are actually letting in the public.

We are receiving donations from all across the nation and even though we are spending alot right now, we still have $$$$ in the bank. I actually opened a savings account!

For those of you considering checking us out this weekend, our official venue is the Upperspace building located at 600 SE 49th, just 1 mile east of Walmart. After much deliberation our official service time is Sunday Mornings at 11:00.

Come check us out this weekend and help us continue to make improvements before the big day on Easter Sunday (April 12th)

Its a fun time right now and we don't want anyone to miss out on everything that is going on at YPC. We'll see ya this weekend

God Bless

Darian

Want to be apart of something REAL?

2009-03-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

YPC is Actively Recruiting Volunteers Now

Do you have a desire to be apart of something REAL? Authentic? Life-Giving?

You have found that right place. YPC is dedicated to producing an environment that is simple, strategic, obvious, relevant, and authentic.

Think about it..... There are very few other industries on the planet that have to do what we do.

Create a completely original, powerful, life changing, engaging, entertaining, thought provoking, eternally-based 75 minute production from scratch every 7 days...and in a mobile environment.
Not Hollywood—they have weeks to prepare, months to shoot, and lots of money and people!!!
Not Broadway—they do the same production over and over, and they have rehearsed for weeks.

Yet the team of YPC is dedicated to do just that. We are looking for awesome people to help us create an environment that people can experience the Life Giving Nature of God.

Want to be a part? Check out a launch team meeting this week

God Bless

Darian

Somebody's "That Day"

2009-03-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you have ever had one of these moments when a series of unfortunate events occurred and you desperately needed something to happen to rescue you. For me it was the day we thought we lost our third child Tyecin. He was still in the womb, and Tyra was experiencing some awkward pains. (Skipping all of the gruesome details, I'll just say there was evidence that she had miscarried him.) That was a moment that nobody wants to face. In that moment you desperately need to know that everything you believe about God is true. And that He will honor his Word. Fortunately for us we had spent time over the years attending a life-giving church and understood what the Bible says about God being a life-giver not a life-taker. I remember “That Day.” We stood on HIS Word and that little boy is here with us today.

Unfortunately, there are those out there that don't understand that God isn't in the life-taking business. Many people just assume that either God doesn't really care about them, or worse, that He is actually the one behind their suffering.

Many people are facing incredible circumstances. The loss of a job, potentially the loss of a house, a rocky marriage, children that are spinning out of control, a bad report from the doctor, etc. In moments like these, people are facing intense pressure. More times than not it’s when people have hit the bottom of the barrel (and in most cases they are under the barrel) that they, in a last ditch effort, cry out to God in hopes that He will move to change their situation.
It’s in this moment, this state of mind, this desperation, that we see them. They come to our churches giving it one more day on their marriage, one more day in their job, or even their life!!! And during that service, or worship experience, or maybe even a person they meet, it happens. God reaches down to them and picks them back up, changes their situation, and helps them through an impossible time. They will always remember “That Day.”

2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him

God is looking for people to show Himself strong in – to help, to change their life as they know it.
At YPC we understand that everyday could be somebody's “That day.” That is way every service you will find smiling faces, caring hearts, an intimate worship experience and a message that will change you.

Want to have your own “That Day” experience? Come check us out. Our first preview service will be later this month. And our grand opening is on Easter weekend.

God Bless

Darian

New Launch Team Location

2009-02-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

Well, we've done it. We have officially grown to the size that our location at Emerald City Coffee and Bistro is no longer adequate. Its pretty bad when all the "normal customers" see us coming and clear out. It was a great location for us, but I don't want that for our friends at Emerald City. Plus with out fail, just as I was about to make a great solid point about "who we are" and "what we are going to do" in this city, the blender would go off in the kitchen, or the door would open sending a blast of cold air through the restaurant. needless to say, it ruins the moment.

All that being said, our new location is at the Integrated Insurance Building just south of the Post office on Adair street. We are still meeting on Tuesday nights at 7:00. Just park and enter around back.

Our flow of meetings have changed as well. I normally spent alot of time on the "Sunset" or Vision of YOURplaceCHURCH, but now that we are so close to Go Time, I am spending a great deal of time training people and putting our DNA as a church into them.

Its still a great place to come and hear everything that is going on. If you have never been to a LTM, come check us out this week. We are still looking for people who want to be apart of a Life Giving Experience.

God Bless....

Darian

New Launch Date

2009-02-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well, if you are a regular visitor the my blog, then you probably already know that our projected launch date for YPC has come and gone. Your probably wondering why.. Its simple. We have entirely too much momentum building to launch this thing too prematurely.

· Last week we had 27 adults and 8 kids at out Launch team meeting
· We have five guitar players, 2 drummers, and 3 mic singers practicing on Thursday nights
· We have implemented YPConnect a Sunday night prayer and teaching service (located at one of our teams Ranch)
· We set up the sound system and have purchased a small special effects lighting system to enhance the look of our venue.
· We have our projector and laptop computer ready to go for implementing the various service elements and aiding in our service transitions.
· I have assigned an executive team and begin to orchestrate meetings centered around the construction and implementation of YPC vision, policies, and growth. ( I just work better in team environments)
· Our accounting process is in place and we have enlisted the services of a business manager to assist us in any questions that we may have.
· Our Children's department is forming now and discussing curriculum and polices.
· All banner Graphics and temporary signage are created and ready to print

All that being said we are still just a little ways off from being ready. We are still in need of some software to run our systems, a trailer to transport our STUFF, and a few little things such as a massive marketing campaign to blast all of Mayes county with the word that we are here.

Our new Launch date is April 12. Easter Sunday. What a great day to Launch a Life Giving Worship Experience.

Hope you all can make it.

God Bless......

Darian

The Sunset

2009-01-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

If I were to ask you to close your eyes and picture a sunset, you would probably picture a beautiful sunset full of all sorts of colors setting over the ocean or the mountains or whatever that place is that you see in your mind’s eye.

The truth is everybody has a different picture of a sunset. Mine is forever etched in my thoughts. I was 12 years old and at my grandparent’s house one summer. She lives on a farm in central Oklahoma. I was bored one night (not a lot to do for a 12 year old city boy) and I ran out the back door of that old farm house and began to look across the pasture at what was my first ever sunset (that I actually remember). It was the most beautiful thing my 12 year old little eyes had seen. The different colors of yellows, oranges, and reds seemed to reach all the way across the sky. If I were a painter, I could still paint a picture of it today. The colors, the way it settled over the horizon, the quietness in the air, was truly breathtaking.

Well, much like the Sunset we all have in our hearts, God has placed in our heart a picture of a sunset of what YOURplaceCHURCH is supposed to look like. I can see it just as vividly as that sunset over my grandma's farm. The only thing is, I don't have any paint brushes to paint what I see. Those are in the hands of the awesome men and women who have chosen to give their next few months to help launch YPC big! They are the ones God has called alongside us to help creatively reach people and introduce them to a passionate and REAL relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ask yourself: are you supposed to be a part of our sunset? We think so, and you are holding the brush to help us paint it just exactly has God has shown us.

Come find your place

God Bless

Darian

Cause Driven

2009-01-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had an opportunity to spend some time with a pastor friend of mine. He enlightened me on a few thoughts when it comes to planting a church.

Historically there have been two kinds of churches in the world. Evangelistic churches and equipping churches. What's the difference you ask? Some churches have a vision to reach the lost and really nothing else. Other churches feel called to equip the believers to live a successful life—these are equipping churches.

YPC has been called to be a “Cause Driven Church.” Yes, we will reach the lost and we will equip the believers, but there has to be something worth living for out there. Something bigger than just me, something bigger than just my house, my job, my life! Something meaningful, a cause worth fighting for.

Everyday we trade a day of our lives for what? A job—it’s necessary to provide a living for your family, I understand—but what eternal values are trading your life for?
There was a scene in a movie called “About Schmidt” staring Jack Nicholson where his character realizes that everything he worked so hard for over the years was dumped and replaced the minute he retired. It’s a sad thought, but so many of us are trying so hard just to get ahead we forget who we are leaving behind.

Everyday of our life is precious, and though it may seem like we have endured several long storms in life, it is still worth living.

What are you trading every day of your life for? Is it having eternal effects?

Come find your place

God Bless
Darian

Why

2009-01-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Since my trip to sunny south Florida last November, we have really dialed it in as a church. I had the opportunity to go see a rocking church in Ft. Myers, Florida who has been reaching south Florida for about 7 years now.

After hanging out with Matt Keller and the team of Next Level Church, they inspired me to ask three major questions about YPC:

What is the issue or problem God has called us to solve in Pryor, Oklahoma?
Why now?
Why us?

The problem is simple. I believe for the most part people we keep running into haven't given up on God, they have just given up on the Church! Sad, but true. I once read a statement from an old time man of God that said “Our theaters are packed today because the world can lie well—but our churches are empty because we tell the truth poorly.” ~Charles Finey
YPC is going to tell the truth in a relevant, easy to understand way. It’s all about life change in people, and where it happens most effectively for us. We recognize that there is a generation out there that lies untapped and is crying out for a place to fit, a place to be tapped in to, and a place to experience God in a real way. YPC is just that.
Why Now? Simple....Because if current evangelism trends succeed only 4% of this generation will be reached for God....and that is if the trends SUCCEED!! We are simply unwilling to let that happen. By telling the truth of God’s word in a language that this generation understands, we hope to reach the audience God has placed before us.
Why us? Because we are willing to stand up and do something about it. I can tell you this; it hasn't been an easy path to take, but it has been completely fulfilling. And many more are joining the cause daily.

Everybody reading this blog can either identify as being a person who needs this kind of creative life change or one who is called to help us do it.

We are not building a church through people—we are building people through a church.

Come find your place
God Bless

Darian

Uncommon Hospitality

2008-11-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Think about this scripture:

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

That was pretty uncommon then, how much more uncommon is it in today’s culture.
In today’s frequency of natural disasters, economic upheaval, and terroristic fears, the world is hoping that the church will “show up.”

As the church, we cannot disconnect ourselves from the community. Their problem is our problem. It's a pretty uncommon way of thinking.

In the last couple of months we have seen outbreaks of Ecoli in a surrounding town, major corporations in Mid America Industrial Park here in Pryor close their doors, resulting in massive lay-offs, and a ever increasing awareness of the uncertain.

What is our response to these misfortunes? I believe the church's greatest days are still ahead of us!

Just a thought for you to ponder today.

God Bless
Darian

Influence

2008-10-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

John Maxwell’s signature saying is, “Leadership is Influence--Nothing More—Nothing Less.”

One of our core values at YPC is influence. In 1 Samuel 22 we read a really cool story about David:

1Sa 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Think about it......400 people who were frustrated in life, in debt, and freaking out. (That is not a real desirable group of people to be around.) Yet if we keep on reading we see that in the very next book David has developed these Mighty Men of Valor!!! Where did they come from? These where the same guys who were the undesirables in the last book!!! David tapped into these guys and harnessed their God-given abilities.

What makes a person so influential? Why do people choose to follow certain leaders?
David was willing to get his hands dirty first--the lion, the bear, the Giant, and now leading an army.
We have to be people who lead by example.
We can't ask people to do something that we aren't willing to do.
Is God actively moving in our own lives—in a measurable way?
Are we believing God for some BHAG's (Big Hair Audacious Goals!) and seeing them come to pass?
Are you experiencing divine health, success, peace, joy? Or are you sickly, poor, frazzled, and depressed?
People want to follow something that gives them hope.

Our message is not going to be a doom and gloom message--The Bible says “it’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance,” not the sorrows of man.

In Closing: I believe that our mighty men are the ones God is leading to join our Launch Team now! You may not see yourself as being all that mighty—but neither did David’s men when they were 400 discontented, in debt, and distressed people. All they needed was a place—a place to shine, to be used, to be tapped into—greatness lay in each one of them.

Come find YOURplace in God at YOURplaceCHURCH

God Bless

Darian

Twitter

2008-10-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody,

I just found the latest and greatest thing....Its called "Twitter." For those of you who think "that is so last week" forgive me I am still trying to stay Tech Savvy and at times it takes me a little bit to discover.

go to www.twitter.com and search for me...click follow and lets do life together

God bless

Darian

Relational

2008-10-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever ask yourself, “how come I made it?” Think about it. Out of all the people who have begun a life with Christ and then, for whatever reason, have fallen away; why did you stick? What made you continue your life IN-HIM?

When I was still serving in a supportive ministry role, one of my job descriptions was expansion and development. I took it upon myself to research why people “made it.” What made them stick? Well obviously we know that the bible says that in Isa 55:11 “That's how it is with my words. They don't return to me without doing everything I send them to do."

All my research showed that people stuck for one of two reasons:
1.They either had a bottom of the barrel experience and out of a last chance desperation called out to God and He met them there, or
2.They simply had a relationship with someone who believed and was nurtured into a relationship with Christ.

I knew a guy who seemingly lost everything he was working towards. He lost his wife, his job wasn't fulfilling to him, he lost his daughter in the divorce, and with everything else lost his will to live. He had one of those “staring down the barrel of a gun” moments when as a last ditch effort he called out to God for help. Praise God!!! Today he serves on staff at a church and is helping people day in and day out. This is scenario #1

85% of everybody else I interviewed said that it was because of a friend, loved one, or co-worker that they are where they are in their journey today. Think about it, who better to lead someone to Christ then a person you trust. I was introduced to this life by a cute little, dark-haired, curly headed girl that lived around the corner from me. She was HOT!! That is why I wanted to meet her, but ultimately she led me to Christ. She is now my wife, and I thank God every day for putting her in my life.

John 1:42 says, “Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. And when Jesus saw him, he said, ‘Simon son of John, you will be called Cephas.’ This name can be translated as ‘Peter.’”

John 1:45 then says, “Philip then found Nathanael and said, ‘We have found the one that Moses and the Prophets wrote about. He is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.’”
John 1:46 goes on, “Nathanael asked, ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ Philip answered, ‘Come and see.’”

Relationships are a breeding ground for life change. Your guard is down, you have seen God work in their life, you recognize that your life stinks and theirs is better. It sparks questions, observations, thoughts and again ultimately life change.

SO think about it. How are you being relational in your life today? Who are you leading to Christ by your actions? What kind of questions are people asking about God because of you? Be purposeful in your relationships (not flaky-we already have enough of those around).

As the old saying goes “you may be the only Christ someone will ever meet.”

God Bless

Darian

Authentic

2008-10-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

In a world of fakes, want-a-be's, and masquerades, its hard to decipher what is true, genuine and authentic.

Dictionary.com defines Authentic as:
genuine, real, veritable share the sense of actuality and lack of falsehood or misrepresentation. Authentic carries a connotation of authoritative certification that an object is what it is claimed to be.2Corinthians 6:6 says “But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real.”

2Timothy 3:5 says “Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won't be real. Don't have anything to do with such people.”These scriptures sum up what we are trying to communicate when we say we are authentic. We are tired of “playing church;” no more “Fake it until you make it.” I am in no means discounting faith in its purest form, I believe that without faith it is impossible to please God, but all to often people are trying to “look the part” so much that they don't allow anybody to know they really are hurting and genuinely need some help!

One of the greatest things I ever heard was by a good friend of mine named Dan. He is a CEO for a large food chain and prides himself on hiring only the best. He said, “Darian, what is the most important part of communication?” Of course all my years of book reading mustered up a complicated but seemingly true answer, only to find out that I was wrong! The most important part of communication is “listening,” and not just listening to hear what they are saying, but genuinely putting yourself in the shoes of the person you’re talking to and seeing it from their point of view.

This form of listening takes effort. It’s not easy, it requires that you put yourself, your beliefs, your thoughts aside for a fraction of time and genuinely see things from their point of view. Easier said than done. It is said that if you were to suck all the air out of this room right now, your greatest need in life would be oxygen---well, next to air alone, the single greatest need in a person’s life is to be “understood.”

At YPC we are Authentic in our worship, in our service, and most importantly in our life. We don't just “Clock-In” when we get to church, we live it every day of our lives. We genuinely want to know people and display the REAL love of Christ to everyone we have the opportunity to meet and talk with.

Take a step back today and ask yourself the question, “Am I living an authentic life in Christ?”

God Bless

Darian

YOURplaceCHURCH Promo Video

2008-09-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Check It Out!!! Mr. Rick Martinez does it again. Our YPC video is up and running.

Core Values

2008-09-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Core Values

What defines a church? What are those things that make one church different from another? Is a denomination really what sets us all apart? I beg to differ!!

If you are apart of a denominational church then, rightly so, your affiliation a lot of times determines who you are. Especially if you are held to a strict agenda or way of ministry. But what sets most churches apart are their Core Values. These are not necessarily the great commission items of the Bible that we are all called to do. “Go ye into all the World” or even specifically having a great children's and youth ministry. Most churches will have all of these to some degree.

Core Values are those specific things that God has called your church to do. Though all churches are called to reach teenagers, some churches feel its their sole purpose in life to aggressively pursue this generation. That would be a core value.

At YOURplaceCHURCH our core values are still under construction. We have determined that we do want to be:
Authentic- In our worship, service, and life
Relational-Through Small groups, DNA meetings, and New Peoples classes
Influential- leading by example
Uncommon Hospitality-Lets utterly freak people out by our non-selfish service to them (not inward minded but outward)
Relevant in Communication- It’s not trying to MAKE people hear, but more of HELPING them to UNDERSTAND
Atmosphere- Starbucks meets U2 at a Billy Graham Concert

Our Core Values are what set us apart from every other church in Pryor. We genuinely want to reach everybody who breathes!!! But we feel that god has uniquely called us to do it in such a fashion that is meeting them right where they are. Isn't that what Jesus did?

God Bless

Darian

What's Your Skinny?

2008-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I am still brand new to the Blogging world and I have been here typing my guts out on our new Blog Spot for quite some time now. It’s the place for the 411, the privy, the shake down, the news, the Skinny on what’s happening now and what you can expect in the future at YOURplaceCHURCH.

One thing I do know is that everyone has a voice. If you are a profusive reader, as I esteem to be, then you probably have read Steven Covey's The 8th Habit, the Sequel to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's a great read! But I am about to give out the punch line, so if you are planning on reading the book STOP READING THIS NOW!!!

The 8th Habit is about how everybody has a voice. And we want to hear yours. Feel free as you’re reading along to add your comments at the bottom of the blogs. Let’s keep them simple, insightful and above all things positive (and holy!!!!) It does us all good to hear how these blogs are helping people. You may even have a story or your very own “heavy-revy” to add to what we have already said.

So go ahead...Now you have permission.....What's your skinny?

Why "YOURplaceCHURCH"

2008-09-18T20:09:00.001-07:00

How did you come up with the name “YOURplaceCHURCH?”

This was one of the questions that were asked at our last LTM's (Launch Team Meeting) The answer is simple. If you know me, then you know that one of my rantings is about your personal gifting from God. You see, I believe there are no accidents. When talking about creation, that would include you being born. God looked down through the expanse of eternity and decided that right now would be the best time for HIM to most effectively use you! So no matter what your parents have told you...."You were an oops, what can I say?”.....It doesn't change the fact that God knew exactly what he was doing when you were born.

So everybody who likes to belly-ache about “Why do I have to live in this city?” , or “I can't wait to move out,” or “why was I born at such a volatile time in history?” the answer is simple.....God strategically placed you here for such a time as this. Your skill set and giftings will show it.

A lot of people have no idea what they are capable of doing. According to Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, every person, saved or unsaved, has been chosen and given awesome and amazing gifts to use for the Kingdom of God.

Now, I believe that the ultimate use of those giftings, which have been so generously allotted to you, is in the local church for furthering the Kingdom of God. That's why HE gave them to you, and that's why we named the Church YOURplaceCHURCH. “Come find Your Place”

So if you ever wanted to know why you were created or what your place is in HIM, then come check us out every Tuesday night at Emerald City. We'll help you tap into everything God has created for you to do in life, and you'll find the unknown fulfillment you have never experienced before.

God Bless

Darian

Launch Team Location

2008-09-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well good afternoon fellow bloggers. It's a great day here in Pryor Creek, OK. The temperature is a breezy 70 degrees and there is a hint of Fall in the air. Autumn is my favorite time of the year. It gets a little cooler out, the leaves all begin to change colors, and you break out the hearty soups again!!!

With all the changes happening this is a great time to start Launch Team Meetings. As I mentioned in my last post, YPC has started our Launch Team Meetings. They are held every Tuesday night from 7-8:30 at Emerald City Coffee & Bistro just off Hwy 69 south of Pryor.

Last week we had everyone there that Tyra and I had personally invited. Now the word is out!!! This week I will be sharing along the lines of one of our core Values and being an Authentic church. You'll have to come Tuesday to get the whole story (or wait until next weeks blog). We will also be strategizing on the key elements of the launch.

Launch team meetings are open to the public, so if your in the Pryor area and want to be apart of something significant, join us this Tuesday at Emerald City at 7:00.

I'll see you there.

Launch Team

2008-08-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s August and if you are a part of the YOURplaceCHURCH Launch Team, then you know what that means... It’s time to begin our Launch Team meetings. Some might ask, “What in the heck is a Launch Team meeting?” Well, I am glad you asked. The days of renting a hotel room and running an ad in the paper are over. If you want a church plant to be successful in this day and age, then you start with an awesome group of people who are committed to launching with success.

What happens during a Launch Team meeting? We will get together once a month for the next few months and pray, strategize, build vision, and set team assignments. It is a great time to build relationships as well as get to know the direction YOURplaceCHURCH is heading.

Who can be a part of the Launch Team? Great question...the answer is: anybody who shows interest in being a part. I would say if you are interested, then come and check out a Launch Team meeting. Our first one is scheduled for the end of August. We are working on the venue location now, and I will post it as soon as it is nailed down. Ultimately, when we get moved in to Pryor, it will be in our home.

So all that being said, if you have any more questions about YOURplaceCHURCH or being a part of the Launch Team, feel free to send me an email at Darian.rains@sbcglobal.net.

Until then “Love God, Hate sin, and Live!!!”

Darian

Starting Fresh

2008-08-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever started over in life? A new career, changing cities, new friends, finding out where your new favorite restaurant is going to be. It can all be a little unsettling in the beginning. Tyra and I have moved our family back to Oklahoma, and even though we are closer to home, it’s all new to us. Having to find out where the kids will go to school, where we will do our shopping, and trying to create a sense of home is, at times, different to say the least.

But even though it’s all new, we are so glad that God has directed us to start this rockin, life giving, ministry called YOURplaceCHURCH. We thought about taking the “job” as the new pastor at an existing church, (even was hired at one point to do just that) but once we began to move that direction we had a strange feeling inside. You know the one that’s like taking a shower with your socks on. “Something just isn't right here.” Well, it took a little bit for us to recognize it, but once we did we made the adjustment and carried on.

One thing about starting a brand new, radical to the max, life giving, relevant, cool, relational church that is different from taking over a church, is that we have the freedom to start fresh. The people who come will not have to “unlearn” or change their philosophy of how church should be. We know that some people will like it and others will want that same traditional style that they grew up with. (We just may not be the church for them.)

The other thing about starting a new church from scratch is just that it’s “from Scratch.” We don't have a sound system, computers, over heads, cool banners, and all the equipment (or even a building) that comes when you take over an existing work. So we get to believe God for everything. Especially the finances to provide all that. It takes people who believe in us and what we are doing here in Pryor Creek, OK. People that feel, in some ways, compelled to partner with us in this “new thing.”

If you would like to help partner with us during the launch phase of YOURplaceCHURCH, we would happily receive all that you would like to do. You can follow the link to our website www.yourplacechurch.com and click on “Donate.” All of your giving is tax deductible, and you will receive a follow up email that can serve as your receipt.

Thank you for partnering with us as we help Pryor find their place in the Kingdom of God at YOURplaceCHURCH.

God Bless,

Darian

Patience

2008-08-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, summer time is in full swing. I don't know where you live, but in Oklahoma it’s hot, baby!!! Every day over 100 degrees. But just as quickly as it heats up, it will cool down. And with fall in our future, so is FOOTBALL. Many of you may not be aware of this, but I live with a future Heisman Trophy winner. My son Taylor is going all the way in his football career. Last week he started 8th grade conditioning camp. You know, those early morning drills where you lift so much weight that it seems like your guts are about to explode. Then they bring in some trainer (Taylor's just happens to be a chick) who forces you to do all sorts of weird palates moves using muscles you swore you never had before. And just when you think it’s all over, you spend the last 30 minutes running until you throw up. Literally, the first day I saw kids ejecting their breakfast right there on the football field!

This is one of those experiences that I will never have to face. Though the grueling practice of conditioning camp is abhorred by every football player on the earth, it is still the key factor to why Pryor Junior High football team has gone undefeated in the past. It’s called getting in shape, and when it’s over we all love the results of our persistence.

In some ways we all face those moments when it seems like if we have to go another day like this then we are going to explode! For you maybe it’s working at a job you don't enjoy, or sitting next to that person in class who, quite literally, annoys the crap out of you. Either way it’s conditioning you to be a better person.

For us it’s been starting this church. We have loved the opportunities God has given us to meet people, connect with others in the community and building the thing that, we believe, has been placed in our hearts. However, because we still have properties in Topeka on the market to sell, we can't buy a house in Pryor. We are forced to live 30 minutes away with Tyra's parents and anxiously await the necessary end to our real estate endeavors in Kansas. Don't get me wrong, Papa and G-ma are awesome as grandparents but not having our own space is a little unsettling. And I won't even go into all the thousand$ of dollars we have spent, trying to float two households in two different states.

I guess that’s when you take those scriptures that say, “But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:4 and “having done all, to stand. ...Stand therefore,” Eph 6:14 King James calls it Patience.

When you are forced to embrace patience it can seem like your guts are going to explode, but the results of becoming completely mature and not lacking anything are well worth it.

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. If you are facing some things in your own life, know that even though it may seem a little tough right now, “this too will pass.” Soon God will deliver you out. He always comes through.

Keep your chin up

Darian

Those of you interested in more info on YOURplaceCHURCH or have a desire to give towards the launch budget go to www.YOURplaceCHURCH.com

Coming soon

2008-07-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends, family and potential launch team members.

I can't say it enough..."We are stoked about YOURplaceCHURCH. You got to check out the new site. www.yourplacechurch.com Designed, Created and Inspired by Marcus "The Rang-a-Tang" Rangel at www.topcitywebdesign.com/ He is a creative genius!!!

You will have to check back often and engage in conversations that provoke thought. YOURplaceCHRUCH is not gonna be your traditional "open your hymnal" kind of church. We are going to Rock it. For those of you who know the legendary Bradly Dexter then you know what we are talking about here. Brad & Kelly have joined the YOURplaceCHURCH team and are pumped about the possibilities that lie ahead.

If you are interested in finding out more about what we believe, or what is next at YOURplaceCHURCH then this is the place to be. Check out the site or follow the blogs. It will be an interesting ride.

Darian