R U A CHAMP...

Since the Spring of 2006 we have taken a picture of every Adult Championship Team. Everyone has always enjoyed checking out the past Champions and seeing who took the crown the season before. A few years back we out grew the space on the window in my office and have since been looking for a new location to proudly display all our past champions. It is now finished; permanently laminated and stuck to the wall in the Sports Wing. Next time your by the gym, come check it out..hopefully you can spot yourself.

P.S. More to come on the idea of being a CHAMPION

Our new CHAMPS mural in the Sports Wing

The old pics outside my office...we only got to the year 2009, before we ran out of room.

Golf Tourney Pics

Here is a sample of pictures from our Golf Fundraiser this year at Porter Valley Country Club. Coming soon to the Shepherd Sports website is a behind the scene video of everything that went down at this years event. Click Here to see this and other features from Shepherd Sports. Thank You again to everyone who made this day a reality.

what is GREATNESS?

Most of us strive for greatness in something we do, and watching this video reminds me of what we are all capable of. When I was a kid I loved to ride BMX, and I thought jumping a curb was a huge accomplishment – it still is! After seeing this amazing video and the stunning footage of talent displayed, I am reminded that we are not all called to be great at the same things, but we ARE all called to be great.

Growing up, I knew that being involved in sports was God’s calling for me. After I finished playing basketball however, I did not know what would come next in my career. God used this time to develop and prepare me for this calling in sports ministry.

Although I do not know where my career path may take me next, I see this video of a man who has perfected the art of riding his bike, and I am inspired… not to excel in riding my bike like him, but to continue striving for greatness in the talents God has given me.

I know you will appreciate his talent and enjoy this video. More importantly though, I pray that you will recognize God working in your life and the blessing that is your own talent - and strive for the greatness that is your path.

A deep breath...

A DRIVER that finally fits me :)

WOW!!! What a day. We just wrapped up our 5th Annual Golf Tournament and what a relief. That is not to sound indifferent but actually feeling overwhelmed that all the planning and hard work has paid off. God showed up in spades for our annual fundraiser and although I am still trying to catch my breath from the last couple of weeks and the preparation needed for this day...our ministry was truly blessed by all those that came out to sponsor, donate and participate.

We added a few new wrinkles to the program this year and they all seemed to pay off. I spent the day overwhelmed with love from over 35 volunteers who took the day off work or got baby sitters so they could help us with the event...thank you everyone who put their heart and soul into this day. Shawn Parr was again, an amazing success and what a huge blessing for this church and our ministry to have someone use their talents in such an extraordinary way. Thank You Shawn, for everything. The rewards will go so far in our attempt to reach lives through Sports.

My personal day was filled with running from here to there from sun up to sun down...no complaining of course, but man was I tired come 9pm. I couldn't even get out of my office chair to go home after all our guests had gone. It is always fun to see everyone and mingle and thank all the golfers and dinner guests for coming out...and of course checking to make sure everything is perfect to ensure the greatest possible experience for all those in attendance. Two years ago during our round of golf I started sitting at a hole hitting my driver as a fundraiser...I get to take pictures with all the golfers and I also get to work on my swing. The time always fly's by and I hope by hitting balls all day that my swing would improve...not :) All part of what makes this day so much fun...and of course for what I believe to be an amazing cause.

Coming soon to our website on the feature page is going to be a behind the scenes look at this years golf and dinner benefit...this should prove to be funny and a little insightful for everything that really goes on behind the scenes. Thank you everyone, for a great day.

In Love, Pastor J.

Standing Tall

I can't believe its been almost two months since my last post...I've personally been going through one of the busiest seasons of my life. I can't think of anytime in my life that I have had so much going on at one time. I can't complain as much of what's been going on, is good stuff, but too much good stuff can become overwhelming. I am back with my head above water as I recently finished a class within my masters program, sold our home, packed our old home, moved and unpacked again and am helping my wife through her new pregnancy. YES, were expecting again. :)

So all in all, no complains...just busy. (hence the no blog posts) Someone recently shared this video with me and it touched me as a man, a golfer and someone who has spent time serving on two mission trips to the Dominican Republic. When things seem bad, we need to know that God is your hope and we should only lean on Him. Hope you enjoy.

One Time a Year

My boy getting ready for the big day

Im proud to announce the date for our Golf Tournament this year...

Monday, April 18.

With Easter landing towards the end of the April this year we have been playing with some different dates for our tournament since we usually try to run our fundraiser towards the end of April. Besides the date we have several exciting changes coming to this years big day.

First, we are moving golf courses this year to Porter Valley Country Club. As a private club this is a rare chance for those that aren't members to play this Championship golf course. We will also be moving our dinner, auction and trophy presentation to the Family Life Center that same night. I am most excited about moving our dinner on campus because it is going to give those of you who don't golf an opportunity to get involved with our Dinner and Auction. This night is always such a great event and by having it in the FLC it is going to give everyone a chance to be part of this great evening. Also in the house that evening will be Outback Steakhouse and GO. Country's Morning D.J. "Shawn Parr". So save the date and if your a golfer, get that swing ready.

The LineUp

Coming in 2011

Starting this weekend we are proud to announce the launch of "The LineUp". "The LineUp" is going to be a quarterly information and promotional piece that will include all upcoming events, contact information and new program details for all things Shepherd Sports. "The LineUp" design is set up to allow anyone who opens the professionally designed piece to have a quick insight into all we do at Shepherd Sports.

Our pray for "The LineUp" is for the people within our ministry to use it as a way to reach out to their friends, family members or neighbors and encourage them to become involved with what we do. Although we are all passionate about sports our goal has been and will continue to be reaching out to this community to share God's love and word with them. We hope you will not only pick one up for yourself, but grab a few and get your friends and family involved.

Pics from our Leadership Dinner

Here are a few pictures from our amazing Leadership Dinner this past week. Thank you for everyone who came...Praying this night is going to impact everything we do in 2011.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

Time to Celebrate...

As we enter the Christmas season it also represents another year in the books. To celebrate this year we are hosting a Leadership Dinner for all or our Coaches, Captains and Volunteers. As we approach December, 20th...I'm getting more and more excited. Although we communicate and work together all year long with our Sports Ministry Leaders, it is rare we all get to gather in the same place. I am excited to celebrate with everyone (secret recap video is being made) and looking ahead at what we can accomplish through sports for the Kingdom in this city.

If you've been involved with us over the past year as a volunteer of any kind, please SAVE THE DATE...my desire is to gather the heart of the ministry together for one fun night of celebration, and if that doesn't get you excited to come...then come for the free food and some cool give-aways. The evite should arrive in your inbox sometime next week. Make sure to RSVP, the deadline is December, 16. If for some reason you do not receive an invite and have been apart of Shepherd Sports then please contact Emily so we can make sure you get your invitation.

I would also like to extend an invitation to anyone looking or interested in getting involved with Shepherd Sports. We want you to come and enjoy the night and see how you might get involved with Sports and Ministry in 2011.

Emily North:

enorth@theshepherd.org

818-831-9333 x234

with CHANGE comes GROWTH

With growth comes change and with change can come new problems and new problems can create out of control turmoil and so on and so on. As people we are often so in tune with our own lives that a little distraction or speed bump can send us spiraling for some solid ground. Most of us enjoy the comforts we have created for ourselves and we often times go to great lengths to keep these margins of comfort at whatever cost.

I am all too guilty of this, and God often reminds me we we’re not called to be comfortable with our own Christian bubble. As a ministry leader this issue can magnify it self in many different ways. Over the years God has blessed Shepherd Sports but that doesn’t mean we haven’t faced our own trials along the way. I believe the only way to sometimes achieve growth is through trials…and to achieve growth sometimes God is calling us to change. If we’re standing still, we can often get to comfortable with what we currently have. If I have learned anything, it is that all we have can be gone in an instant. The bubble we create of worldly comforts can be here today and gone tomorrow. This is, except our faith and relationship with God.

At Shepherd Sports I have story after story of speed bumps we have faced along our journey, each one creating new opportunities and chance for growth. I believe this is how we must face obstacles in our life. God is always using a facet of different things to get our attention and on the surface these uncomfortable issues can seem negative and sometimes downright awful. However, we must rest on God’s word that He will not leave or forsake us and He promises to provide for us.

Lets take what comes our way and grow, learn and become better at what we do and whom we are. We must seek God in these decisions but we must look for ways to grow. By taking the glass as half full and the truth that God wants good things for us, our outlook on change should be that of excitement of what God is going to do next in our lives.