I’m home.  I’m exhausted.  I can’t sleep.  I’m still reeling from the past two days.

I attended the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA where 12,000+ church leaders gathered to develop leadership potential in the church’s next generation. 

Every single part of it was amazing to me.  I am still processing all of the information – which is probably why I can’t sleep!  This was my first church conference. I would have been excited to hear any ONE of these people speak.  Instead, I got to hear  Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Seth Godin, Dave Ramsey – and lots more – all in the same 48 hour span.  Words can’t even explain.

Steve Fee and Eddie Kirkland, among others, led a spirit filled worship.  We were also led in worship by an African Children’s group.   Words can’t describe that either.  (I peeked down the row to see if these African children made Kem feel a little closer to her daughter that is currently in Africa!  I saw a big smile on her face, so I’d like to think that they did!)

When I first got invited to go to Catalyst, I was thrilled.  An awesome opportunity to learn from some amazing leaders.  When I found out that my pastor was one of the amazing leaders that was going to speak, I was even more excited.  I just knew that he would blow up the place.  I was right.  He did!

But I realized something when he finished speaking. I am so lucky.  So honored.  So thankful.  To not only serve an almighty God, but to serve under a man that is anointed so heavily by that almighty God.  I am so grateful that I get to hear Pastor Steven Furtick speak on a weekly basis.  I am so grateful that I serve at a church that has a mission to find those that are far from God and get them saved.   Elevation is truly blessed…and those of us that call Elevation home are truly blessed to have Pastor Furtick leading us.

Catalyst really did change me.  It moved me.  It made me realize some strengths, some weaknesses and some areas that need improvement.  It challenged me to tweak these areas. 

Thank you John, Jessi and Brandon ~ for allowing me to go!  Het, thanks for being my “partner”! 

It’s late.  I’m tired.  I hope I’ve made sense.  I hope I can go to sleep now!