Come As You Are ... This Friday Night ... Really.

Five years ago (May 1, 2009)  we hosted our first CommonGround event.  Doesn't seem possible does it?   

We've seen God do UNBELIEVABLE things during the last NINETEEN events.    Remember...

• when God unleashed a spirit of generosity on CGgirls and you donated 1,120 Christmas gifts for 14 girls in foster care?


• when God provided an offering that supernaturally paid off all of our start-up costs?
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• when God nudged CGgirls to donate enough camp items for Royal Kids Camp to cover years of camps?
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• when God directed CGgirls to fill a church van (literally!)  with donated blankets and socks to help homeless men stay warm?
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• when God asked CGgirls to lay down our preconceived notions about women far from God who dance in strip clubs to collect items to fill gift bags for them?
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• when God knew CGgirls would meet the immediate need of a family whose Mom was diagnosed with cancer by collecting $2,000 in gift cards in two weeks?
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• when God knew a women who miscarried her baby two days before would come to a CG event (not knowing  our guest speaker would be a woman who delivered a still-born baby) and a time of intense healing began within her.
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• when God asked us to start a 60 day prayer challenge called Brave Girl Boots and 150 of you committed to doing it.  Drawing closer to God in the process.
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• and so, so, so much more.

Because of God's kindness and grace we're celebrating our TWENTIETH event this Friday night.  There will be live worship,  Heather Costa will be sharing her story,  we'll be collecting items (see below) for homeless Veterans,  20 prizes and a fantastic after party with women from 30 Detroit Metro Area churches.

Come As You Are.   It'll be a night you won't forget.  

We'll leave you with the same thing we wrote five years ago before our first event.

"The vision of commonground is one that we can’t claim as our own.  We feel very strongly that we are following His direction.   Jesus.  Period.  By Him, For Him, With Him.   Great efforts to serve our communities really don’t mean much if they aren't done for the Lord.   Only what is done for the Lord will last.  "

Ask God to prepare your heart for CommonGround.   If you are coming just for the music, the message, the prizes, the afterparty...you might miss Him.   Ask Him to prepare your heart.
He is extending the invitation.  We're just planning the party.

The Voice

CGgirl,

What voice are you listening to today?

CG: onward we go!

Hi CGer's!

Our very first commonground took place on May 1st and we couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.  The event itself blew our minds away -- 150 women from 15 different churches!  I mean, seriously -- wow!!!   Our prayer has been that God would be pleased with CG.  We definitely feel encouraged to do the next one!   Thank you to all of  you who prayed and continue to pray for CommonGround (YOU know who you are!!)  Mark your calendars:  Friday, August 28th!

Thank you to all of the girls who volunteered their time the night of CG!   You girls inspire me!


The coolest thing is that 48 hrs later  two different women contacted me and said that God had "nudged" them during CG to step out and do something for Him in ministry.    We are so stoked about that!!  Thats our hope for CG.   Women who love God serving him.

• Karen McKean said she has a passion to minister to women in prison.   She really felt prompted during CG to explore this more.  Karen attends Connection Church and will be involved with helping to launch a Prison Ministry for Women at her church.  (If you attend Connection,  please see the notice in this week's bulletin for more information.)
  


• Linda Cox, also attended CG and felt prompted to create an outreach for something she is very passionate about.  More to follow (hopefully soon on this one!)

A big thank you to Christie Martin who took these pics and sent them into the blog from CG!




[caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Kara Spence created this art piece for commonground"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_97" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Amy Voss opens up the first CG!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_98" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="150 women from 15 different churches. Girls who love God."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_99" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Networking in Ugly Mugs Cafe afterwards."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_100" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Lots of appetizers..."][/caption]