Nicaragua Mission Trip

As you may know The Vine Church has a couple, Brian and Maggie Brannon, who are committing to a 1 year mission with Amigo’s for Christ in Nicaragua.  There are also a few people who have decided the week of June 23rd – 30th would be a great time to go and work along side them.

Here is the information which was shared with me in an email from Brian and Maggie.  Each person is taking this trip through Amigo’s for Christ but are seeking to go on the same week.

Hey Guys, we are both very excited that you are all still considering the Nica trip for Sat June 23rd – 30th. The groups on trip will be The Vine/Maggie & Brian’s friends, 12Stone Church, Friends of N GA and Buford Presbyterian; because there are several groups…the 20 spots reserved for us are in high demand and we would like to release them asap if they are not going to be filled. Soooo…please respond and let us know if you are IN, OUT or MAYBE. We would like to release some of the spots if they are not going to be used on the Monday after Easter and then WE HAVE TO release all that have not been signed up for on May 1st. Below is some recent information on the trip to consider.

The trip fees are $250, but they DO NOT have to be paid until 30 days before we leave! The option at the end of the sign up is PAY LATER WITH A CHECK, but please sign up and complete all the steps if you definately are going to make the trip.

The Non-Stop Delta flight is $688.00 now.

Other information about the trip is that it’s gonna be awesome and you should come!

God is doing great things through Amigos in Nicaragua and you all deserve to be a part of it. Check out the youtube links below for the last well project we completed and some video from the trip we took in March. Awesome opportunities to serve!!!!!

El Chonco   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXv4Jqcp51o

March Trip      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6wqBmRAKno&context=C44daec8ADvjVQa1PpcFNZsauNF8hCikDUIR-dztIXX9lkJWUYwgw

We hope to see you all in June,

Brian & Maggie

If this trip interest you and you would like to sign up please go here

Bridge 2 Success

I want to take an opportunity to introduce a new non-profit in our local area which is making a difference in the lives of young people.  Adrieene Johnson, a regular attender of The Vine Church, is the president for a Bridge 2 Success.  Their vision and mission are compelling and it is easy to see why people are getting behind this project.

Vision Statement

To reduce the dropout rate in Hall County and surrounding counties, increase rate of college bound high students, and instill self-confidence for young men and women to be successful in the world today.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide access to educational services, middle school and high school counselors, technology, scholarship research assistance, and  workshops and seminars in money management, etiquette, and studying skills for students and parents, to help a young lady or man be successful in life.

Check out more information online: bridge2successfoundation 

Follow them on twitter 

Upcoming event to support:

1st Annual Serving for Success Tennis Tournament

May 13 – May 15

Spouts Springs Sports Complex (FBHS)

Message From The President

Bridge2Success is hosting our first ever Serving for Success Tennis Tournament. If you remember the movie The Blind Side, about Michael Oher’s life and the challenges he faced, the Tuohy family felt it was their calling to assist someone less fortunate and lift them up to a better place so that he could succeed in life. Bridge2Success Foundation is following their lead, however we are trying to reach all the children in the community. We believe that every child should have an opportunity to be lifted up and put on a path to success. The first way we do this is by providing scholarships to students who need tutoring but are not able to afford it. We can’t do that without you. 

The tennis tournament is one way we can bring the individuals of the community together to socialize, play some tennis and help out our youth.  

Sponsorships opportunities are also available.  I look forward to seeing you all there!

Adrieene Johnson

President & Founder

Sphere of Influence

(cluster map above shows visitors to blog from Feb. ’09 – ’10.

cluster map in right column shows visitors since map reset )

Over the last year we have post a blog to keep people at The Vine informed about things going on in the area of outreach.  In this time we have also informed people from all over the world what we are doing at The Vine regarding Loving God through Loving Others.  It has been a call for people to “get off your donkey” and love those God loves so much.  It’s excited to look at the picture above and realize we not only get the opportunity to encourage one another.  We also get to encourage people all over the world to take their NEXT step towards getting out of their comfort zone and serving.

Have you taken your NEXT step toward Serving God through Serving Others?

Serving those who Serve you

One way to serve others as the days approach Christmas is to serve those who serve you regularly.  Find someone who serves you on a regular basis but you do not get an opportunity to express your appreciation to them for their service.  Maybe you have never even thought about being thankful for them serving you.  After all it is there job, right?

What if this year, you gave your mail carrier a gift or a card, maybe a gift card.  How about the people who pick up your trash and recycling.  Is there a restaurant or dry cleaners where the people see you more often than your Aunt Sue, but you never thought of stopping by and giving the people at the restaurant or the dry cleaners a Christmas card.

These are simple ways to serve those who serves you.  It’s an opportunity to live the set apart life which will lead others to one day ask you to tell them about your God.

Who can you serve before Christmas?