My guest blogger today is my one of a kind friend Ray Jeske. If you are at all interested in what's happening in the Cornerstone multi-site effort at our Montrose Campus, set to open at the Regal Cinema on Medina Rd. on Feb. 15, check this out. Thanks, Ray!

"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth . . ."

So yesterday morning I arrive at Regal Cinemas in the Montrose area of west Akron, Ohio about 8:30.  And what a sight awaited me!

A little army of cheerful workers.  Giant color-coded plastic containers like a Tupperware party at Paul Bunyan's house.  Boxes.  Tables.  Brand new skirting.  Cables.  Walkie-talkies.  Toys.  Microphones.  Speakers.  Extension cords.  Laptop computers.

People working in pockets, teams, over here, over there.  Lobby.  Theatre 3.  Theatre 9.  Kids area.

A kind of chaos, yet peaceful.  Fun.  And Pastor Charlie, brooding over it all, clipboards in hand, calling it forth, naming everything, bringing order.  "Beautiful.  OK.  We'll get there.  Good idea.  Write that down.  Who's got the list?  Anyone seen the power cord?  No, the other power cord.  Can you carry this box to Theatre 3? They need it.  And this table?"

Then gather together in theatre, uh, the sanctuary.  Q & A.  "Any problems on your teams?  Someone write that down?  Good.  Don't forget."

Then devotional.  Isaiah 61.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. That we might be oaks of righteousness.   The planting of the Lord.  That He might be glorified.

First ever service of sorts.  Tithes and offerings.  Making history.  Ground floor.

Admonition.  Reminders.  Keep inviting.  Let's fill this place.  Holy Spirit brooding over it all.  

"Now let's pack up.  Everyone their detail.  Bring to the storage room.  We've got to get it down to 20 minutes by the 4th time we do it on our opening Sunday.  Don't worry if there are problems.  Just our first time.  We'll get there.  Now ready.  Go!"

First time.

Twenty-two minutes and 30 seconds!

Cornerstone Church.  Montrose Campus.

The King is coming.  Regal Cinemas, indeed.

Kudos to the entire Cornerstone Akron family that is making this act of multiplication happen.  Your sacrifice and willingness to just plain work hard cheerfully is inspiring.

More stories like this and the Living Water Massillon multi-site plant to be shared at this Saturday's Leadership Summit.

And a chance to meet and hear from some of the next generation leaders from The Called.

Be sure to communicate to Bev the names of your team members, and keep inviting the next generation.  Like Charlie would say, "we'll make it work."

Much love,

Ray