Last Sunday, Clear Creek Community Church (CCCC) had the first, of what we hope to be many more, Church Has Left the Building (CHLTB) events. In a nutshell, CHLTB is a time to mobilize as many people as possible to go out and serve in our community. Our initial date was cancelled due to weather, but this past Sunday afternoon the rain held off and over 1000 people from CCCC participated. In cooperation with CCISD, the project took place at two schools, McWhirter Elementary & Clear View Education Center. Over 100 teams, young and old, gathered in the parking lot to get their project assignments. When Senior Pastor Bruce Wesley gave the signal, we dispersed onto the school grounds. It was exciting to watch teams jump into action and for the next 2.5 hours work really hard and in the process get a ton of work done. A thousand people can get a lot done in 2-3 hours! In case you missed it, make sure you check out some of the photos to get an idea of the wonderful transformation that took place.
I think one of the most inspiring things was the number of people who made comments to me such as “When do we get to do this again?” or “I want to do this every week.” It is neat to see the heart that comes out when people serve together and in the process realize they are making a huge difference. At CCCC we use “Seven G’s” to help paint a picture of a healthy spiritual life, and what it looks like to truly experience the life God offers. One of these “G’s” is Go. We like to emphasize that Go has two parts…good news and good works. This past Sunday it was primarily good works, but what we emphasize with our Go teams is that good works create good will, which gives us opportunities to share the good news. Serving our community makes a difference.
Thanks to all who both led and participated this past weekend. The schools are very grateful for your work that was done. The staff was amazed at how much we accomplished . . . even down to painting the trash receptacles school colors. If you are getting antsy and are looking for other opportunities to serve, take a look around this site to learn about opportunities for you, your family, and small group to serve both near and far. Also, please share comments about your “Church Has Left the Building” experience.
Click here to view photos from “Church Has Left the Building”.
–Chad Clarkson
Church Planting & Go Ministries Pastor
Clear Creek Community Church
Whoa! That was the first word out of my mouth as I drove up and saw 100’s of people lining up and getting ready to work. It was a pleasure to go out and work hard for a few hours with what seemed like the whole church body and I hope for many more opportunities for church to leave the building and serve the community.
Church Has Left the Building was an amazing experience. As I came up and saw the hundreds of people in the Clear View parking lot, I knew we’d get a lot done. But as I walked around three hours later looking at what had been accomplished, I was floored. It is true like Chad says that thousands can get a lot done in a couple hours but to see the effects were awesome.
There is something about serving others that stirs in you the passion to serve more. I can’t wait to do this again – it was a fantastic experience to go through with my group and I can’t wait to do it again!
I’m overwhelmed to be a part of a church body that places so much value on the community. Our impact on our world can’t be limited by the walls of our facility, and CHLTB was another inspiring example of what God wants his people to represent.
It was amazing to see so many people working together for the common good of serving others……we saw “chruch” in action last Sunday. What a blessing to be able to share this experience, and know that for a few hours we were all the hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s do it again soon!
What a fun,awesome day serving God together! My team had such a blast,grew closer to one another in the process and the concensus was “when are we going to do this again!”
Honestly…i wish cccc did something like this once a month.
What an awesome day! It was a great experience to serve with my seven -year-old daughter and to have the opportunity to explain to her that all of the people that she was seeing working together were doing so, in the name of Christ, to improve the school for the students. Thank you to all of the people who coordinated this event. I hope to do another group project like this again soon!
I just have to say that I have never been so blessed as to be part of church has left the building. I was working side by side with our 8 yr old and watching all the youth from creek kids on up working .. and working hard.. but smiling laughing playing fellowshipping all the while the smiles in their eyes..I think we all felt the gratitude to be able to be part of. I found myself saying thank you to all of the staff walking around saying thank you … and I MEANT IT WITH FULL HEART.. I was overwhelmingly joyfully tearfully happy! So Thank all of you that made that happen!
I always wanted to add that I too walking up with our son who is 8.. seeing the crowd in the parking lot.. chills ran over me and the overwhelming wow that only Christ can bring running all through me.. just amazing! Was there a count as to how many church families were there??? Just curious.. it was truly a blessing to us as a family and YEA for the peewee volunteers.. without yall watching our little ones one of us would of had to miss out.. so THANK YOU PEEWEE STAFF!!!!
Unbelievable! It’s truely amazing what we can do as a church when we listen to God’s direction, have great leaders to organize and have 1000’s of people with a heart to serve! Between CHLTB, CORE and countless other ministries, Clear Creek can make a difference in our community! Hopefully, others will see our spirit and say “I want what they have”!
I can’t wait to do it again!!!!!!!!
The Church Has Left The Building was an incredible experience! What a great way to bring the Church body together for such a great cause. As I go to Church Sunday after Sunday, I never really get to experience the friendships I’ve made, in such a powerful way, as I did working together on Sunday. I drove away in awe at the power God has in those who follow him. Thanks CLEAR CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH…where we are a community in the community!!
The church is not a building. The church is not a place. The church is a group of people that have the same goal, in the same community, which is to bring people to Christ. I am so proud of the Clear Creek coming together in such a way that is representing Christ as being in our community and not in a building. My team worked together so well. They were flexible, available, and selfless in their work. We focused on working excellently in all that we did. Good job Clear Creek!
I was truly moved by the CHLTB experience. Our small group is comprised of many PeeWee volunteers, so we were underrepresented at the school as our group members were at Egret Bay Campus watching your children. Our CHLTB group was augmented by others who were wanting to contribute but didn’t have a place to serve.
On Monday I was at a meeting at NASA and I saw one of the familiar CHLTB T-shirts. I went up to the person to inquire into their experiene and to my surprise it was William with whom I toiled, sweated and rejoiced with on Sunday.
He and I both concluded that the transformation of the school was one thing but the connecting and serving with other people is even more rewarding.
When is the next one? SIGN ME UP!!
James 2:17 says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” What I saw at Clearview High School was a large, diverse, church body demonstrating its faith, by its works. It was, in fact,team spirited, enthusiastic, selfless works that were on display for all who drove by or who saw the results. It made me proud of CCCC.
It WAS hearwarming to see so many show up and volunteer. And Greg Poore was right, the rain held off.
Should put up some before/after photos for the services next time. I think a lot of people (especially those who didn’t make it this time) would then see the difference.
We had a good time. Went to dinner with some of the folks in our group afterward. Good way to connect.
This was my first experience with a “GO” opportunity of this magnitude and I absolutely loved it! The time spent with my team and other CCCC members and families will always be etched in my mind.
It is truly amazing what a group of people working together towards a common goal can accomplish and the photos alone are evidence enough. I know on our team how much the children got involved and were enjoying what they were doing….They didn’t even seem to mind the hard work. I love how we came together and made an impact in the lives of students and teachers at both facilities right here in our own community.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve! I am anxiously waiting for the next CHLTB!
“…good works create good will, which gives us opportunities to share the good news.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. And so I won’t.
I never thought I would have so much fun painting curbs to the glory of God. It made my heart glad to see so many from CCCC loving their community with their hands in a way that is reminiscent of the church in Acts.
I am new to CCCC and the large turn out for CHLTB is just one of the many things I have seen and experienced at CCCC that has brought me to the conclusion that this is truly the church for me and my family.
Thanks to all. And when is the next one?
There are already so many great comments up here that I wholeheartedly agree with, so I’ll just share my favorite moment of the day! It was about 4:30pm and CHLTB was just about to wrap up. McWhirter Elementary was looking spic and span as far as painting, 90% of the mulching was done, and window washing was complete. We just had one job left… the “Bucket Brigade!”
As I was rounding people up to join the team passing buckets of mulch from the mulch pile to the playgrounds, I saw my dear friend Amy who was there with her husband. I told her I was rounding people up for the brigade. She had just finished her job and was taking an armful of supplies she brought back to her car to head out. However, when she heard that there was more work being done, she said, “Let me throw this in the car and I’ll be right there!” She could have so easily just hopped in the car. She had already put in her time and finished her assigned job. But she chose to join the team and help until the end! That’s just one example of how Clear Creek members rose to the occasion without grumbling or complaining. With hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude, we served. Together. I think we truly glorified Him that day, and we should never forget how rewarding that is.
Helen and I were impressed with how easy it was to organize a few folks and GO. Our team began the afternoon by washing windows, but that evolved into much more as we found ourselves inside the Butterfly garden at McWhorter Elementary. A school parent had organized a day of gardening, but sadly, only one other parent showed up. So, when our team emerged into the garden and began working along side the two parents, they were overjoyed. We not only cleaned the windows in the garden, but also weeded the garden and helped spread mulch. It was neat to see people pitch in and help even when it was beyond their assigned task. We look forward to the next project!
We all have more pride in the school thanks to the hard work of Clear Creek Community Church! You truly did impact the lives of students and teachers in ways that will last for years to come. Thank you again! Karen (princpal/Clear View)