The Encounter Church ministry has come to a close. Read more here.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Fun Day & Concert at Memorial Park - July 14 @ 5pm

As part of Encounter's Countdown 2 Launch Summer concerts, you and all your friends are invited to a community Summer Fun Day & Concert at Memorial Park on Wednesday, July 14 @ 5pm.

There will be a Rock Climbing Wall for all ages, Kids Bouncy Jumpers (for toddlers and older), as well as free Cotton Candy, Popcorn, and Snow Cones.

Plus, you'll enjoy some awesome bands & rockin' live music from Helena and more!

You don’t want to miss this free event for the community, for families, youth, and individuals.

WHAT: Summer Fun Day & Concert in the Park
WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 @ 5:00pm
WHERE: Memorial Park in Helena
WHO: All Ages | Families, Youth, Individuals
PRICE: FREE Entry, Activities, & Food Items

This non-alcohol event is hosted by Encounter Church and rated "E" for everyone. You can help us get the word out by downloading a flyer or passing on this link to a friend.

Download a Flyer here
RSVP on Facebook here
Send this link to your friends: http://is.gd/d7VxH

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Temple Veil in Concert: Live in Helena - Saturday, July 3

To kick-off Encounter's Countdown 2 Launch Summer concert, you are invited to a great live concert over the Fourth of July weekend!

Enjoy a free local concert with Temple Veil in Downtown Helena on Saturday, July 3 @ 5:30pm.

About Temple Veil
Temple Veil is a duo that is touring North America, while pursuing their desire to reach a broad audience with their original music.

Their love for God, people, and music; and their passion, purpose, and calling to bring all these together with a modern sound that is stripped down, acoustic, raw, and real.

More Details
This concert is open to all ages and is part of the Encounter Summer Concerts. Doors open at 5pm.

Join us and invite a friend to concert at the 38 Dunphy Block building across from the Mediterranean Grill and behind the Base Camp.

WHAT: Temple Veil in Concert
WHEN: Saturday, July 3, 2010 @ 5:30pm

WHERE: Dunphy Building Top Floor, 38 S. Park Ave [map/directions
]
AGE LIMIT: All Ages
PRICE: Free Entry

Temple Veil website here
RSVP on Facebook here

Friday, June 25, 2010

Countdown 2 Launch: What's Happening This Summer?


WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS SUMMER?
You may be asking, what is this Countdown 2 Launch? What is this new Summer schedule all about? Well, let me put it like this. We've had some awesome Friday Night FWD gatherings and now they are morphing into something greater for Helena.

That's why we are focusing this Summer on connecting with the community and inviting the public to three Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings — one in July, August, and September. In truth, the new Summer schedule is more than just a schedule, it is an intentional strategy to launch Encounter on 10-10-10.

What's happening this Summer? There are really two answers to that question. Here is a full listing of this Summer's events so far, but know that we may be adding more!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

First, we're going to continue serving and building relationships within the community. We want to focus on serving our friends and neighbors in Helena, as well as get people talking even more about who Encounter is and how we are not just a church in Helena, but a church FOR Helena.

We'll be intentional about letting people know when they can check out a Sneak Peek Worship Gathering. We want to get people talking, creating a buzz for our Grand Opening and launch of public worship gatherings on 10-10-10!


Saturday, July 3 @ 5:30pm —
TEMPLE VEIL IN CONCERT: LIVE IN DOWNTOWN HELENA

Enjoy a free concert in Downtown Helena with Temple Veil. Temple Veil is a duo that is touring North America, pursuing a broad audience with their original music. Their love for people and music drives their passion, purpose, and calling with a modern sound that is stripped down, acoustic, raw, and real.

Wednesday, July 14 @ 5pm —
SUMMER FUN & CONCERT AT MEMORIAL PARK
All are invited to a Summer Fun Day & Concert at Memorial Park. There will be a Rock Climbing Wall for all ages, two Kids Jumpers, as well as free Cotton Candy, Popcorn, and Snow Cones. Plus, some awesome bands & live music. You don’t want to miss this free event for the community, for families, youth, and individuals.

Saturday, July 17 @ 4pm CONNECTION BBQ
We’ll be warming up the barbeque and cooking up some great conversation! These Saturday BBQs are a way of building relationships and connecting people like you to unleash your passions and talents for something greater than yourself. Come on out and enjoy the food, games, and friendship.

Wednesday, August 18 @ 5pm — ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE
Come climb the Encounter Rock Climbing Wall for free this Summer at Alive@Five. For us, it’s just an opportunity to serve our awesome community and let you know who Encounter is and what we are all about.

Wednesday, September 8 @ 5pm — ROCK CLIMBING WALL AT ALIVE@FIVE
Come climb the Encounter Rock Climbing Wall for free this Summer at Alive@Five. For us, it’s just an opportunity to serve our awesome community and let you know who Encounter is and what we are all about.

Saturday, September 11 @ 4pm — CONNECTION BBQ
We’ll be warming up the barbeque and cooking up some great conversation! These Saturday BBQs are a way of building relationships and connecting people like you to unleash your passions and talents for something greater than yourself. Come on out and enjoy the food, games, and friendship.


CONNECTION & WORSHIP EVENTS

Second, we're gearing up internally as well. As we do life together and work through our challenges and successes, we want to be intentional in our plans and ensure that we reflect our values.

We'll be meeting two Sundays a month for Connection and end each month with a Sneak Peek Worship Gathering. Come join us!


Sunday, July 11 @ 5:30pm —
EnVISION LAUNCH GATHERING

A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself. Come join us at the Dunphy Building for our next EnVision Launch Gathering as we better understand our vision, learn how to live our values, and celebrate our successes. The spiritual landscape of Helena will never be the same and you have an opportunity to be a part of the change.

Sunday, July 18 @ 5:30pm —
SERVING TEAM HUDDLE @ RED ATLAS

These Serving Team Huddles are for anyone who wants to utilize their passion and use their gift or talent to serve others this Summer. We will meet at various places over the Summer and discuss creative details for upcoming Community Impact Efforts, Connecting Events, Sneak-Peek Worship Gatherings, and the Encounter Grand Opening.

Sunday, July 25 @ 5:30pm — SNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Join us in Downtown Helena at the Dunphy Building for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

Sunday, August 8 @ 5:30pmENCOUNTER HUDDLE
A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle. This once-a-month huddle is an opportunity to build friendships, team unity, and have some fun while we discuss and plan details for upcoming Community Impact Efforts, Connecting Events, Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings, and our Grand Opening on 10-10-10. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle.

Sunday, August 22 @ 5:30pmSNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Join us in Downtown Helena at the Dunphy Building for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

Sunday, August 29 @ 5:30pmENCOUNTER HUDDLE
A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle. This once-a-month huddle is an opportunity to build friendships, team unity, and have some fun while we discuss and plan details for upcoming Community Impact Efforts, Connecting Events, Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings, and our Grand Opening on 10-10-10. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle.

Sunday, September 19 @ 5:30pmSNEAK PEEK WORSHIP GATHERING
Join us in Downtown Helena at the Dunphy Building for worship like you've never experienced before. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to get a sneak peek of how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come check out these edgy, yet spiritually-focused gatherings. And of course, invite your friends.

Sunday, September 26 @ 5:30pmENCOUNTER HUDDLE
A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something greater than yourself. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle. This once-a-month huddle is an opportunity to build friendships, team unity, and have some fun while we discuss and plan details for upcoming Community Impact Efforts, Connecting Events, Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings, and our Grand Opening on 10-10-10. Come join us at various businesses in Helena like the Red Atlas for our next Encounter Huddle.

Sunday, October 10 @ 5:30pmENCOUNTER GRAND OPENING & WORSHIP GATHERING
This is the big day. Join us in Downtown Helena at the Dunphy Building for worship like you've never experienced before. Come see how we worship in a unique and creative way. Come celebrate our Grand Opening with us with some edgy music, and a spiritually-focused discussion. Of course, make sure you invite your friends.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Countdown 2 Launch: Why Launch?


WHAT IS COUNTDOWN 2 LAUNCH?
You may be asking, what is this Countdown 2 Launch? What is this new Summer schedule all about? Well, let me put it like this. We've had some awesome Friday Night FWD gatherings and now they are morphing into something greater for Helena.

That's why we are focusing this Summer on connecting with the community and inviting the public to three Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings — one in July, August, and September. In truth, the new Summer schedule is more than just a schedule, it is an intentional strategy to launch Encounter on 10-10-10.

Our next article will focus exactly what will be happening this Summer, but let me tell you that it will be ... you guessed it, AWESOME! Click here for a glimpse. In the mean time, read through these thoughts from a recent discussion of the folks here at Encounter.

BE A BURNING BUSH

Based on the Exodus 3 story of Moses' encounter with God through the burning bush, we want to be like a burning bush...

We want to be something out-of-the ordinary
that catches people's attention
so they can encounter God.

We are called apart. We are not ordinary. We are out of the box. In fact, we are a strange and peculiar people. And according to scripture in 1 Peter 2: 9-10, we are a peculiar people to bring forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness!

That is why we feel we need to step out of the boat and create a safe place for people to embrace a dangerous faith. As with any encounter with God, you will never be the same!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

There are always challenges when you step out of the routine. When you decide to make a difference rather than settling for the status quo. And because of the resistance to change is often fierce, we find it important to celebrate those successes that God has brought our way.

We've made a difference, we've changed lives by serving people in our community. And the giving away of ourselves reflects what we value — being relational, authentic, and intentional. It has been awesome to reach people through Friday Night FWD — we've been able to live out a creative, authentic, and relevant faith through an accepting environment that is both edgy and impactful.

We also want to make a difference in people's lives right where they are. Helena parks, Summer concerts, and downtown events are just a few places we will be building relationships and serving our community.

WHY LAUNCH?

Whether you call it Launch Day, Grand Opening, or our first Public Worship Services, the Encounter Launch is key to making a difference here in Helena.

We need to launch to create awareness so that more people know that Encounter is here. We need to launch to connect with more people so that we can move toward self-sufficiency as a faith community. We need to launch because it creates urgency, excitement, and momentum — this stage of our church development that we are in will never come again, and it is the perfect time to connect with others (both for growing the launch team and building financial partnerships).

Most importantly, we need to launch because it will allow us to help more people encounter God and take the first steps of knowing Jesus better.

WHAT IS A LAUNCH TEAM?

Finally, what is a launch team and why do we need one? Basically, a launch team is a temporary team of people committed to launch public worship gatherings. The team will disband no more than 6 months after our launch. The reason we need a launch team, is because a church is not just one person. We must understand that each one of us on the team is a church planter.

What does it mean to be on the launch team? Quite simply, if you are serving in some way, if you are doing something specific to help us move toward launch, you are on the launch team. What are the expectations? Here is what we determined:
  • Give of your time, talent, and treasure for at least 6 weeks into launch
  • Serve in some role such as front line, musician, kids, setup, etc.
  • Tell others. Invest in their lives
  • Invite 5 people to each sneak peaks. Invite 10 people to launch
WHAT IS NEXT?

Our 10-10-10 Launch day is confirmed. And so this Summer is about connecting with others in Helena that long to see a unique, creative faith community focused on see the disconnected of Helena encounter Jesus in a real and authentic way.

The upcoming "Countdown 2 Launch" strategy for this Summer is crucial. Not only do we need your help to for the Encounter Sneak Peek Worship Gatherings, we need you to share the excitement with friends, invest yourself into this momentum, be consistent in your support (both time and treasure), and come out to make Jesus' name known in our community through Encounter.

Right now, I want to challenge you to step up with us. For us to join together as a team and make this happen. To listen to the vision that God has communicated, and find that safety with Him in the midst of chaos. I am personally asking you to respond right now.

ENVISIONING LAUNCH: THIS FRIDAY

Please join us on Friday, June 25 for an EnVision Launch Gathering as begin to kick off this whole thing. I guarantee that each one of you is a Rockstar. Now is the time to step forward and let that light shine.

RSVP on Facebook here

EnVision Launch Pre-Gathering - Friday, June 25 @ 7pm

SOMETHING GREATER
Something awesome is happening in Helena. A creative and unique faith community is emerging — and we are excited to invite you to come find out how to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

JOIN US FOR DISCUSSION & PIZZA
Tomorrow on Friday, June 25 @ 7pm, all are invited to the Powell home to join us for this gathering over pizza.

We'll have a fun time as we gather your input and feedback, and discuss the particulars of how this creative, authentic, relational, relevant, intentional, and excellent church will publicly launch this Fall on 10-10-10 (October 10, 2010).

How do we truly become something out of the ordinary that catches peoples' attention so they can encounter God? How do we make a difference? What needs to be in place before we launch? We will talk about these questions and more.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Maybe you want to do it for your friend who doesn't know God. Maybe it's your bother or sister that is fed up with church politics or just doesn't connect with traditional church. One thing is for sure, you can be part of the foundation of this movement in Helena that makes a difference. The spiritual landscape of Helena will never be the same and you have an opportunity to be a part of the change.

WHAT: EnVision Launch Pre-Gathering
WHEN: Friday, June 25, 2010 @ 7pm

WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]


Pizza and pop will be provided. No commitment, just an opportunity to see the momentum that is gathering. There will be Wii and board games for the kids. So kids are welcome, but there will be no child care.

Please RSVP on Facebook here

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Order An Encounter Tee This Week!

We are ordering a new batch of Encounter tees this week! If you want one, let me know ASAP. They are available in sizes from S to 5X with the Encounter Church logo and website on the front and back. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

If you can order one for $25, anything above the $15 tee-shirt cost gets donated directly into the Encounter Church fund.

Of course, those of us involved in this Summer's community impact efforts can get them at cost.

Make sure you let me know how many you want and what size(s) you want to order.

Donate Here – Online, Check or Cash

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Fun & Game Night @ The Powells - June 4

Building relationships, meeting new friends, and doing life together is important and so we’re having another Fun & Game Night this Friday, June 4 at 6:30pm.

We invite you bring a new friend as we talk, have fun, and maybe even play Apples To Apples, Killer Bunnies, or bring your favorite board or card game. Kids are welcome (think age appropriate).

WHAT TO BRING
– Bring your favorite game(s)
– Bring a friend
– Bring a snack or pop to share

The fun of the night will be meeting new people and getting to know each other better, so definitely invite some friends for those "party games" you'll be bringing. If you've wanted to check us out, this is your opportunity to come and just have some fun.

WHAT: Fun & Game Night
WHO: Everyone Welcome (games for all ages)
WHEN: Friday, June 4 @ 6:30pm
WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]
KIDS: Kids are welcome – Wii and kids games

RSVP on Facebook here
Read more about Fun & Game Nights here.

Friday Night FWD Update: Don't Look So Sad!

Why does this dude look so unhappy? (No, despite the uncanny resemblance, this is not Pastor Eric)

This dude looks unhappy because our June 4 Friday Night FWD has been canceled. SNAP! It's the last Friday Night FWD before the Summer schedule.

But don't look so sad, dude, because we have already organized an Encounter Fun & Game Night instead. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Plus, this dude looks unhappy because he doesn't know that a lot of cool and exciting things are planned for the Countdown 2 Launch over this Summer!

You know, like a Featured Concert with a cool new band, a Community Family Day & Concert in the Park, the Rock Climbing Wall at Alive@Five, our new Sneak-Peak Worship Gatherings, and much more. Yeah, I know we haven't posted them yet, but trust us, they ARE cool and exciting.

For now, be sure to mark your calendars for the next event, our 10-10-10 Launch Meeting on Friday, June 25 @ 7pm. And of course, you don't want to miss our very first Sneak-Peak Worship Gathering on Sunday, July 25 @ 5:30pm.

Keep checking back here and the Events Calendar for the latest developments!
 

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