How often does someone get to play a role in launching a church that could see up to 2,000 people attending the first weekend? And more importantly, bring the message of Christ to people who are lost, hurting and wandering through life without purpose?

It’s overwhelming—and scary at times—but we obediently follow where God is leading. Some days I wonder how we are ever going to open by September,  but those thoughts are often followed by a day where God provides just the right volunteer leader, a potential staff candidate or I come across someone who needs to know Christ, and I’m reminded of why we work tirelessly to open this campus.

You need to be a part of this.

Not because we have 600 volunteer roles to fill, but because you want to be a part of the movement that God is orchestrating.

Let’s be real: no one enjoys stepping out of their comfort zone, whether it’s to serve, give or pray boldly. But what I’ve noticed more than usual lately is the profile of people in scripture that God used in miraculous ways; they did NOT have it all together, some didn’t even want the job in the first place and some were less equipped than you and me. But they all had one thing in common—they followed God’s promptings.

If you are like me, you’re wondering how YOU could actually be a part of launching Woodbury. Or you might feel unqualified to play the role God’s nudging you to play or maybe you are not even sure where Woodbury is located.

We can all play a role in launching Woodbury and reaching people.  If you are not going to attend the new campus – PRAY!  Pray for wisdom in hiring staff, pray for God’s anointing on our volunteer leaders and pray for the people who work behind the scenes entering data, ordering cribs and goldfish crackers for our kids’ area. (Yes, that really happens.)

If you are going to be attending the Woodbury campus, be a part of opening weekend. Don’t miss this chance to have a front row seat to see the power of what God will do through his church in this community. A sincere thanks to the 300-400 of you who have already expressed an interest in serving; be praying about where God can use your gifts and passions, because you’ll be hearing from us soon.

So let me leave you with a question: Where is God leading you right now? Will you follow? It won’t be easy, but it will have a kingdom impact.

To get more information on serving at Woodbury, or at any EBC campus, e-mail serve@eaglebrookchurch.com.

Our plans to launch a church in Woodbury are quickly coming together!

Since purchasing 40 acres of property in Woodbury, our desire has always been to begin construction as soon as we were able. And yet an even bigger goal has been to get started as soon as possible, because we’re simply running out of room at our current campuses.

An opportunity to launch within East Ridge High School in Woodbury appears imminent, meaning we will have our first weekend services there sometime this fall.

Though plans must still be finalized with the school, we are working on to be ready from a staff and volunteer standpoint.

Lino Lakes Campus Pastor Jason Anderson, also a member of our Teaching Team, has accepted the Woodbury campus pastor position, and is already hard at work building the team that will be needed for this unique opportunity.

We’re also pleased to announce that Steve Duede, worship pastor at Lino Lakes, will be Woodbury’s worship pastor. By July 1, we expect to have many of the staff in place and be well on our way to identifying key volunteer team members.

Since the Woodbury campus will be in a temporary location, it will have its share of challenges, but our team has been researching, visiting, and learning from other mobile churches so that we can be as prepared as possible for this reality.

The great news is that the school looks and feels a lot like Eagle Brook already, and the people there are excited to have us.

We’re being given the opportunity to do what God has called this church to do—reach others for Christ. As long as He opens the doors, we will continue to walk through them.

Woodbury is calling—how will you respond?

Register as soon as possible at ebcevent.com. (Please only choose one time slot when you register.)

Not Without You Update March 2011 from Eagle Brook Church on Vimeo.

In February, along with some generous partners, NWY provided the funding (about $400,000 in total), and you provided the muscle and packing power, that allowed us to send more than 2 million meals to Haiti and other hurting countries in need through Feed My Starving Children. I had the chance to visit Haiti this summer, and saw firsthand the desperate need of the people there. Way to go, church!

As part of the NWY series, our church sponsored more than 2,300 children in Mozambique, providing almost $1 million per year that is revitalizing communities, setting them on a path to self-sufficiency, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Unbelievable!

For many, the capstone to the first year of NWY is the opening of the Blaine campus, and the response we’ve seen already.

Hovering just over 2,000 in regular attendance already, people are beginning to ask why our faith was so small! With a great staff and volunteer base in place, we’re confident that hundreds of people will find Christ for the first time because of your generosity. Can you believe we get a chance to be a part of something so miraculous?!

Among the remainder of accomplishments in year one is the updating of the kids’ areas at White Bear Lake and Spring Lake Park, bringing much-needed carpet and renewed uses of space that are fueling continued growth spurts at both campuses. Did you know that the White Bear Lake campus is our fastest-growing campus, up almost 25 percent from last year? This is unheard of! It’s just a continuing reminder of God’s work in us and through us.

Now, we’re getting ready to tackle the last major project (smaller ones are slated for the coming years, too) in NWY—the Woodbury campus. Your continued participation (and starting toward a pledge, if you haven’t yet), is critical to our plans to establish in Woodbury as soon as possible. The property has been identified and purchased (yeah!), and the city approvals have been granted (no minor detail!). Now, it’s just up to us, and others who will join in making this dream a reality. We’re excited to keep moving forward and see what God does – but Not Without You!

A little more than 10 years ago we adopted a pledge of sorts—that we would do whatever it takes to reach people who are far from God. 

It sounds kind of simple, really, but it has real depth when the actions necessary to live up to it are considered.  That decision led to a $25 million move to Lino Lakes that was simply impossible without God’s leading.  It led to the decision to re-open White Bear Lake, making us a multi-site ministry. Not because of a strategic plan, but simply because that’s what it took.  We partnered with another church that decided they were willing to do whatever it takes, and the Spring Lake Park campus was born.  When SLP filled beyond capacity, we knew it would take more in the area, so the idea of Blaine was born; whatever it takes!

This weekend, we open our fourth campus, Eagle Brook–Blaine, and though it represents a continuing commitment to do whatever it takes to reach people who are far from God, it’s also just another reminder that at Eagle Brook, this is simply what we do. 

We look at what God is doing, remind ourselves of our calling to reach people, and work like crazy to bring it about.  We’re going to Blaine because it’s what we do. We reach people. 

And next we’re going to Woodbury, because it’s what we do. 

I couldn’t be more excited about this weekend and what it represents for our church—the ongoing commitment to partner with God in his desire to reach people who are not in relationship with him. Yet.  It’s taken millions of dollars, thousands of man hours, hundreds of volunteers, and dozens of staff. And if that’s what it takes to reach your friends, family, and co-workers, that’s what we’ll do every time!

Blaine Update from Eagle Brook Church on Vimeo.

Plus, check it out… as of May 16, the walls are up on the Blaine campus!

May 16

Friday, March 26, the earth was moved—a little. But, big things are happening. Ten ceremonial golden shovels officially broke ground on the much anticipated Blaine campus, Eagle Brook’s fourth church location (see photo slide show).

Left to Right: Clark Arneson (Blaine City Manager), Darcy Wood (Early Childhood Coordinator), Pete Smith (BWBR), Tom Ryan (Blaine mayor), Blair Madsen (US Bank), Brian Hegseth (EBC Board), Pastor Bob Merritt, Campus Pastor Matt Anderson, Gifts Pastor Lisa Welter, Sheehy representative

The event started off with some prayer before the official ceremony. People spent time walking on the land and praising God for His provision, praying for the ministry that will happen to reach those in the surrounding area, asking for protection during the build and finances to continue to come in, as well as for good relationships to develop with other churches in the Blaine area. Mostly, the prayer team asked for God to keep our church’s heart keenly close to His.

Nearly 60 people attended the groundbreaking. Core Blaine campus volunteers, Not Without You supporters, some EBC church staff and board members joined up with representatives from the City of Blaine, BWBR architects, SHEEHY construction and US Bank to get the project underway.

The new Blaine Campus Pastor Matt Anderson and Senior Pastor Bob Merritt shared a few thoughts. “When the Spring Lake Park campus opened in December 2007, we never would have dreamt that our fourth campus would be birthed from SLP less than three years later and less than five miles away,” Matt said. “If we continue to be faithful to share the message of hope found in Jesus Christ with our hearts in line with His, I believe we will see God do amazing things here in Blaine. What a privilege it is for all of us to be used by God for such a time as this.”

SLP Worship Pastor Josh Dekker led the group in a few worship songs as they dedicated this project and campus to the Lord. With the shovels in the ground, construction could begin.

SHEEHY Construction rolled in shortly thereafter and is already hard at work on the project. Both SHEEHY and BWBR Architects have worked on previous EBC projects, including the Lino Lakes campus. We’ll see the shell of the building up by the end of April, and so far the schedule is on track for an early fall grand opening.

Remember, those interested in attending the Blaine campus as their church home can get a head start. The Blaine campus is already meeting on Sunday nights at 4:05 and 6:05 pm in the Spring Lake Park location for the same great weekend worship experience. Nearly 300 people are currently attending, and more volunteers are needed to help open the new Blaine facility in the fall all trained in and full of momentum. All this is being made possible through funds contributed to the Not Without You campaign, so THANK YOU!