Todd

Hello Lee,

I wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you how much we have come to love Jesus over the past 18 months, since coming to The Creek. We attribute this to many things, including the worship experience, the leadership of the church, the strength of the messages, the encouragement/tools given to grow and "live it out" every day of our lives - but we've found one of the most amazing things that The Creek offered (actually, extended open arms) to us is the ability to serve. Every time we serve at the Creek or with the other Creekers (outside) - we feel God drawing us closer and closer (knowing it is our hearts drawing closer to Him).

Also, while I was waiting for Ed today at McDonald's and stopped by to say "hi", I realized for the first time we've never really talked for probably more than 30 seconds previously. I wanted to let you know that our whole family loves you very much as our pastor, even though we haven't gotten to know you personally. You are simply an awesome pastor and a great man of God - we appreciate you deeply.

Co-Servants In Christ,

Todd & family
 

Lori

Lee & Kyle,

About two months ago Cedar Creek sent out a mail piece asking everyone to take one minute to pray for one person, once a day, at 1:00 (remember this?) As soon as I read this, I immediately knew of the person I wanted to pray for – my older brother. He had not been to church in nearly 25 years, and I knew, just knew that he would love Cedar Creek if he would open his mind and heart. I had invited him to church many times before, to no avail, but I thought I would take the challenge of One. I said the prayer one time. One. Time.…Once.

The next day – THE NEXT DAY!!! My brother called me and said that he heard an advertisement saying that Denny Schaffer would be speaking at Cedar Creek and that he was considering going to hear what Denny had to say. I was floored. This was so unlike my brother. I immediately thought of that little prayer I had said the day before. That little tiny prayer I said one time turned out to be huge. He has gone to church with my family every weekend since that day. He absolutely loved it and has begun to have conversations with me that I thought we would never, ever have.

I just wanted to let you both know that your efforts are not wasted. They are appreciated and admired and I am so glad there is a place like Cedar Creek. My husband and I have been attending the Creek for over three years now and it has made such an impact on our lives. Keep doing what you are doing.

PS – Kyle, you sang “Viva la Vida” that day and my brother has now made that song his ringtone. See – we do pay attention!

- Lori
 

Anonymous

Dear Lee,

Winter before last I was a patient at the River Center Clinic in Sylvania. While there I attended CedarCreek regularly. It was and is a ministry to me. I participated in the Tuesday night group doing the Divorce class. Mike had one student, me. I am still married and in counseling now with my husband at home. Anytime I visit Sylvania I plan it around a Sunday so I can participate in worship at the Creek. I stay in contact by listening to the messages each week and am trying to do the LivingItOut studies. I want to encourage you in your ministry. I know the emphasis is to reach new believers. However, your messages are always used to reach me in my darkness times and daily living times during my Christian walk of many years. You and the other pastors are direct in speaking to me from the Lord. This past Sunday I visited and did church twice, once at 9:00 for just me and God and then had others join me at the 10:45 service. CedarCreek is the meeting place when we (others from my treatment time) get back together. I am also making a commitment to give to the 2010 program. CedarCreek is part of my church family, even though from a distance. May God bless you and Kyle and Ben, along with the many others who serve doing the background foundation ministry. Brother, you are appreciated.

God Bless,
(Name left out for confidentiality)
 

Heather

Lee,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you so very much for allowing me to go on this missions trip to Honduras. It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but with being in school the past 4 years it has been difficult to find one that was not during the time that I was in school.

It's hard for me to find the words as to what I have been going through today, just one day after being there. I knew that it would be hard for me to get back into the swing of things, but didn't realize that I would be this affected and broken. I can't seem to get the images out of my mind, which is probably good, but I also can't seem to stop crying, which I'm sure will at some point subside, but it has really affected me more than I would have imagined. Everything seems so trivial here right now. Trying to explain what I experienced to friends/family that have never experienced it is so difficult!

Anyway, I know being Brandon's wife that it is probably just expected that I would love Cedarcreek church, but I wanted you to know that I started loving it way before I met him. I came to Cedarcreek broken and as many people do during bad times, searching. It was right before my dad died and from the moment I came by myself to Cedarcreek and sat in the auditorium and listened to you speak, I knew I was home. Over the past 6 years of attending Cedarcreek, I have struggled in my journey as a Christian between still trying to be in control of my life and giving the control to God. Struggling with seeking God just in times of need instead of seeking him all of the time, good and bad. Brandon has been phenomenal in helping me through all of this. What I'm trying to get to is that going on this trip, as Brandon said, I saw the face of Christ everywhere I turned and it has totally changed my heart. Thank you for what you are doing at Cedarcreek! It is an amazing place! I only hope that I will be able to go back to Honduras many times and that I can make a difference too!

Thank you again Lee.

God Bless,

Heather Harris