I’m posting up this blog as I just got back from an incredible weekend of ministry on the West Coast.  God is doing something incredibly unique at our ministry in Tampa, but it’s beautiful to similar movements happening across the country.  There is truly a SHIFT taking place in our cities.  My family just spent the weekend with hundreds of next generation leaders at UYWI’s West Coast Conference. I had the honor to speak at the opening general session and talk about Imagining a church that valued others before themselves.  I’m going to share some of those thoughts this coming Sunday at our church as we kick off our Growth 2010 Vision Series.  There are dozens of leaders planting new multi-ethnic churches that engage urban culture.  The workshops I led were full of these guys!  Friday night we got to hear Sergio Demoya in general session share his story of how God scooped him up as a young hip-hop DJ on the radio in LA and turned his life around and got him ready for ministry. He planted his church 10 years ago and 3 years ago took over an abandoned movie theaters in the hood in East San Diego. Today that church in the hood is the 2nd fastest growing church in our nation!  Later that night I got to briefly chop it up with Lecrae who is part of a new church plant in Atlanta (Blueprint). I’m so encouraged to see what God is up to as what is happening here in our city isn’t just an isolated thing.  Sunday I spoke at Parkcrest Church in Longbeach.  My friend the campus pastor Josh Chavez and his wife Noemi have an amazing work going on there.  Similar story to Crossover’s as the campus was given to them as an older church basically died out and God is restoring that community.  He’s a young dude in his 30’s leading this multi-ethnic, multi-generational church that is now thriving with 3 services!  2,000 miles away had a similar vibe as home… there is a SHIFT happening.  I’ve recently visited ministries in Atlanta, New York and Florida that have this similar vibes as well.  Young emerging leaders that are re-imaging church and going back to those basics - those book of Acts basics where we rock the city and become a church engaging all nations in a contextually relevant way. Get ready for the SHIFT - coming to a city near you!