CCC Gainesville | Blog
Lanya Olmsted has been a part of Christ Community since 1997, when her
parents, Sylvia and Tom, arrived as new Gainesville residents. They were
new Christians with two young children.
In many ways, Lanya seems to me to be one of “our” first kids to grow up
and go off to college. We were privileged to watch her mature, take trips
to Africa and Mexico to serve people, and begin to discover what important
ways God wants to use her to advance His kingdom. When Lanya left—I had
no idea what college would be like for her. How it might change her, etc.
(Especially since she was going off to the Mississippi State of the
north—Harvard!) Visions of all kinds of fearful things were abundant.
But God’s grace is always stronger.
Over the past few months it has been my privilege and joy to listen as
Lanya recounts the powerful work of God in her heart and mind. There is
much joy and transformation of Lanya’s thinking, feeling and desiring that
is so obviously God-wrought.
I am thrilled that she will be telling her story in both services on
Sunday May 20.
Tomorrrow I’ll introduce our new director of youth ministries, Drew Donovan, to the congregation. His first official day is on Monday.
Over the coming weeks, I strongly encourage you to make time to get to know Drew by inviting him to lunch or dinner…simple fare or your finest stuff, no matter, whether you’re a family with youth or grandkids or toddlers. You will be glad you did.
Click below to reserve some time:
If you missed the original announcement, click here to learn more about our new Director of Youth Ministries.
What was the last book you read?
The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Do you like to cook?
I am not much of a cook, but grilling has become one thing I love doing.
I am not much of a cook, but grilling has become one thing I love doing.
What’s your favorite food?
I love pizza any day or time of the week.
I love pizza any day or time of the week.
Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have an older sister, Lesley, who is 30. And an older brother Sean, who is 28.
I have an older sister, Lesley, who is 30. And an older brother Sean, who is 28.
Which sport do you like?
I like most sports, but Golf, soccer, and football are my favorites.
I like most sports, but Golf, soccer, and football are my favorites.
Have you ever lived in another country?
Last summer (2011) I was able to spend six weeks studying abroad in Paris, France. I took two courses, Photographing the City and Art and Architecture. It was an amazing experience.
Have you ever met a famous person?
I got to meet one of my Gator heroes, Danny Wuerffel, at the Florida-Georgia football game a few years ago.
I got to meet one of my Gator heroes, Danny Wuerffel, at the Florida-Georgia football game a few years ago.
…and you’re invited.
On August 9 and 10, the Family Church (across the street from CCC) will host the Global Leadership Summit, featuring addresses from pastor Bill Hybels, former secretary of state Condoleeza Rice, and author of Good to Great Jim Collins, to name a few.
The Global Leadership Summit is presented by Willow Creek Church Association, which serves local churches around the world and seeks to call out and equip local leaders to transform their communities. I’m confident that the content of this summit will be enriching and beneficial for all who are called to work or to lead others. You can learn more about the summit here: http://www.willowcreek.
The Family Church has graciously offered a separate room for us to meet privately and process what we are learning.
Our membership in the Willow Creek Association affords us a substantial group discount: $149, or $79 for students and faculty, for both days.
Interested? Email Leslie before Thursday, May 17
“The Holy Spirit is the seal of our authenticity, the unmistakable sign that we belong to God. If the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives—if he is convicting us of sin, giving us faith in Jesus Christ, persuading us that the Bible is God’s Word, enabling us to call God “Father,” making us fruitful in ministry, and helping us to grow in grace—if the Spirit is doing any of these things at all, then no matter how much we are struggling in the Christian life, we have God’s seal of our eternal salvation.”
