When you attend any type of business conference you can experience something called “information overload” and leave mentally and physically drained. In fact, usually you’re more exhausted after attending a conference than you would have been working your typical work week. Many conferences leave individuals unfulfilled, with the most satisfying moments of the conference being the breaks for snacks, coffee and hot meals. I am pleased to say that SonRise Church staff & volunteers left a recent C3 Creative Church Conference at Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX. filled with energy, excitement and a passion for new ways we can further our church’s mission.
There was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was alive and very present at the C3 conference. Imagine a room packed with thousands of church leaders, staff and church volunteers from all over the world praising our Lord and Savior. The unification and shouts of admiration for Jesus were overwhelming. God was speaking to each one of us there, and when the Lord speaks, it is a beautiful thing! It is the voice that stirs a fire within to accomplish whatever the Lord lays on our hearts. When I say a fire, I don’t mean a campfire that you roast marshmallows on; I mean a wildfire that can be seen for miles and miles!
Some of the world’s best preachers spoke at this event, including the host and founder of C3, Ed Young, along with Judah Smith, Jack Graham, Steve Kelly, Steve Green, Rich Wilkerson Jr. and Johnny Hunt. To say that the speakers were phenomenal is an understatement. Beyond the incredible speakers, the behind the scenes volunteers—the parking lot team, door greeters, trash collectors, coffee baristas, etc.— transformed C3 into something beyond imagination. Not once did our staff open a door for themselves. At every turn, we were greeted with a smiling volunteer who was dedicated to doing whatever it takes to share the love of Christ.
SonRise’s staff & volunteers left this event highly motivated, encouraged and ready to implement new practices in order to reach those in need of Jesus Christ. On the plane ride back, each one of us was focused on drafting the new and exciting processes and practices the Lord placed on our hearts. Below you’ll find responses from SonRise’s staff & volunteers regarding their experience at C3.
“C3 was a terrific experience! Everyone made us feel welcome, from the parking team to the ushers and everyone in between. The App Sessions were filled with practical information that we will be able to use to help make the SonRise experience even better! This was one of the best conferences I have ever attended.”
-Ken Dorhout, Serve Team Leader
“I’ve never experienced the strength of God’s presence like I did at C3. It was unbelievable and like nothing I’ve ever encountered. If you didn’t leave the conference with a fire burning within your soul to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, you had to have been sleeping. God spoke and made it clear that it’s time to reach our full potential and give our best to the Lord (no matter the position you serve in), which in return, will help further his Kingdom!”
-Alison Wiegand, Communications Director
“The C3 Conference was outstanding! A beautiful mix of worship and training. The App Sessions were well designed and created an experience that allowed me to really dig into how the different crews and teams came together to make it all work so well. The speakers were influencing, poetic, and wise. I am more than thankful for the opportunity to attend! Thank you SonRise!”
-Kevin Walter, Creative Team Member
“If I could choose two words to describe last week – energy and excellence. Everywhere you looked, energy emanated, from the parking lot to the messages to the greeters as we left. One of the phrases they kept repeating was, ‘We serve an excellent God, why should we give Him anything less?’ We should be excited about the opportunity to serve an excellent God. If we who know and follow Him are not excited and doing our best to serve Him, how can we expect to reach those who don’t know Him? There is still so much I am reviewing and rereading, but those were the standout takeaways!”
-Rachel Celenza, First Impressions
“Last week I had the unbelievable opportunity to attend the C3 conference. I was so moved by the worship and the phenomenal visual creativity that accompanied it. In addition to the worship, the sermons had such a fundamental impact on me. One of the speakers said something that got me thinking about the difference between the “Not Here’s” and the “Not Yets.” My prayer for SonRise is that we continue to love those who are no longer with us, but we press on to reach the “Not Yets.” Those who are still searching for the redemptive power of Christ… “
-Danny Drummond, Worship Leader
“When serving in ministry, it can be easy to feel on an island with your wins and challenges. Attending C3 and being surrounded by people who are experiencing relatable journeys was refreshing and uplifting; it was a great reminder that at the end of the day, we are ONE Church with the same goal –> helping people take those steps towards and with Jesus. The opportunity also gave me a chance to get to know others at SonRise better — praise breaks, spilled coffees (plural!), getting lost on Dallas highways, and more — and I’m proud to serve alongside them.”
-Jerran Orwig, Uprising Leader
“The 2 days were packed with ideas to make our Family Ministries more exciting! I also loved hanging out with the SonRise Team! Lastly, I love when I can get away with other church folks and help pour into each other while refining our vision”
-Mark Urton, Family Pastor
Please join the staff in prayer that the information that was shared will bring many blessings to the SonRise family as we seek to obey and serve our Lord.
SonRise Church 
Thank you SonRise church for joining us for C3! As “iron sharpens iron” we at Fellowship were blessed to have you. I know I am refueled by seeing the church as one body together. Hope to see you next year!
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