OUTTHINK?

After a welcome to the blog, I guess the next thing needed is an explanation of what it's all about.  Those of you familiar with Grace Community Church in Goshen Indiana probably don't need an explanation, but I have a strong suspicion that people around the world will read this blog.  So for them - a "quick" explanation.

As 2009 began, there was a lot of uncertainty in Elkhart County, in America, and all around the world.  Large portions of the US economy had taken a serious beating.  The housing bubble burst.  Foreclosures were increasing dramatically.  Record high energy prices had recently stung people and businesses.  Financial markets were shaken to their foundations.  Credit came to a standstill.  The automotive industry reported record low sales.  The US economy was in serious recession, and Elkhart County led the Country in one of the most painful ways possible - unemployment above 15%.

Grace Community Church witnessed the real-life pain and suffering of significant unemployment first hand.  And I am so proud to say, her leadership and congregation did not sit on the sidelines.  Going back to August of 2008, a series called Bridge Over Troubled Waters was presented to meet hurting people right where they were and help them toward whatever God had for them.  The Elkhart County economy is tied inextricably to the RV industry.  Unfortunately, the RV industry tends to be a leading economic indicator of a down-turn.  So Elkhart County felt the pain long before many other communities.  Yet through the second half of 2008 and especially into the holiday season, I have witnessed so much love shown to those hurting.  If you're not a part of it, you should also understand the love is directed out of the church walls.  It's not like we were just taking care of each other.  We delivered food to people we've never met before just because we learned of a need and want to love on people.  There are so many examples, it would take a really long time to recount them all here.  Just read Pastor Jim's blog for some of the great stories of love!

The theme at GCC for 2009 is "It's Time!"  It's Time to: OutTHRIVE, OutTHINK, OutSTAND, OutGIVE, and OutLEAD.  Something special happened on the morning of January 18th when Pastor Jim implored us to OutTHINK.  As a matter of fact it was so special and unique, he decided to replay the video of the first service during the second service.  To put it simply, he said "Why Not?"  Why not us at GCC?  Why not Goshen Indiana?  Why can't we be the ones to come up with an idea or product to change Elkhart County and the world?  We love and serve the living God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.  He's big enough.  Why Not?!?!?!  I want to scream it even now - WHY NOT?  To anyone with faith in God, the question is rhetorical.  There is NO reason why not.

So a few weeks later, nearly 200 people packed in The Link at the Goshen campus of GCC and brainstormed business ideas. Products. Services.  Nearly 100 startup business ideas were thrown on the table that night.  Creativity oozed out of the building.  Unbridled entrepreneurship.  It was really fun.  Many of you were there.  So I sincerely want to say thanks for your hearts and desire to help people.  For Jim's blog about that night, go here.  There were a whole bunch of ideas, but what in the world would we do next?

Pastor Jim asked five local businessmen to review the ideas and forge a way forward.  So Dan, Chris, Lonnie, Jason, and I (Eric) have been working on this ever since.  I'll leave subsequent (and hopefully much shorter) posts for more info on the process ...