What Others are saying
View video testimonials from US churces
from six senior pastors who participated in the Fall, 2002 Campaign (run
time approx. 10 minutes):
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Mike Brummitt, Heritage Christian Church, Dublin, VA (Size: 200)
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Tom Mullins, Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach, FL (Size: 10,000)
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Tami McGrew, Riverside Community Church, Riverside, CA (Size: 800)
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Gonzalo Rodriguez, Good Shepherd Baptist, West Monroe, LA (Size: 300)
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Jeff Calloway, lightBluehouse Community Church, Eastlake, OH (Size: 100-200)
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Nelson Sercey, The Journey, New York, NY (New church plant: 100-200)
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AUSTRALASIAN TESTIMONIES
CLICK HERE for a full
report on one church's experience with their 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.
At Onslow Community Church there were many benefits from doing the 40 days journey.
Virtually all adults in the church were involved in small groups during the time our
highest participation rate ever. It provided a good base for everyone at church to have
"spiritual" related conversations when they met each other. Resources were provided that
gave fully integrated teaching across age groups, and in various locations. Through the
campaign we saw our emerging leaders given the opportunity to exercise their gift. Many
opportunities were opened up in the home with the material for families and we took the
opportunity to bring greater variety to our services.
You will be blessed.
Alastair Boult, Onslow Community Church
Wellington, New Zealand
God has used 40 days of Purpose to bless our church richly. Over the 40 days we saw the
number of our small groups triple. We saw numerous people commit or recommit their lives
to Christ. In a nutshell, we saw a wonderful time of prayer, focus and excitement.
Rev Jamie Long, Lead Pastor, Pendle Hill Baptist Church
Australia
We've just finished our 40 Days journey with 8 people baptized in a fantastic celebration
Sunday on 4 April. Thanks so much for the support you gave. The effect on the life of the
church here has been very positive - small group participation has more than doubled and
Sunday attendance has increased significantly. It remains to be seen what the lasting
effects will be, but we have plans in place to build on the gains made during the past two
months. May God bless you in your service for His Kingdom.
Rick Lewis, Castle Hill Community Church
Sydney, Australia
We really can't speak highly enough of the 40 Days of Purpose. We have had cells in our
church for many years with an average number of around 25 open adult cells. We followed
the recommended program for the 40 Days with small groups and Sunday sermon series,
closing down all other activities.
Over the 40 Days we have had 52 open PDL groups plus a few closed groups around a task
team (eg our preschool staff). A number of the group leaders were new or inexperienced
leaders and they have coped well with the material. We have had the largest number of
un-churched people ever in our groups with most groups having at least one un-churched
person and some as many as 5! The overwhelming feedback from the groups has been
extremely positive
in fact I have not heard a single negative comment. Group attendance
has been very consistent at about 95% of those who joined initially.
There has been other positive spin-offs including a deepening of relationships within the
task teams, people who where previously resistant to small groups enjoying themselves and
reactivation of leaders who had burnt out in the past.
I must say, the success of the 40 Days so far has really caught us pleasantly by surprise!
Pastor, Bay City Outreach Centre
New Zealand
40 Days of Purpose has been a great journey and well worth the effort.
A gentleman who has been attending our Corps for a number of years but not a member (his
wife is a member) purchased 'The Purpose Driven Life' book and started to read it. He took
it to work and a fellow worker (a Christian) picked up the book and read a few pages. This
person asked if she could get her own copy. Another worker also requested a copy of the
book. This gentleman has sold 15 copies of the book to fellow workmates and has taken a
copy of the small group video curriculum to work and is holding a small group meeting. He
has now requested to do membership classes and wants to become involved in our Corps.
Prior to the Campaign we had approx. 70 people attending 7 small groups. During the
Campaign we had more than 200 people attending 25 small groups.
Murray Jackson, The Salvation Army
Australia
The 40 Days of Purpose deeply impacted our church and the lives of many people. Here are
some of the comments made by people from our church:
"the most confronting and challenging study we have ever been involved in"
"Reading the book has really cemented my relationship with Jesus and made me think more
positively about serving God"
"There has been a sense of unity and strong fellowship in group life"
"I can use the bad experiences of the past to help others"
"I learnt it's not about me, but its about living for God's Purposes".
Maree Winter for Dean Brookes Senior Pastor, Hope Valley Uniting Church
Australia
There was some concern how people would react to a video of a speaker in a church service
but it was extremely well received. Rick Warren is an outstanding communicator, is low on
"hype" and comes across with great integrity.
We saw a 40% increase in the number of people in small groups, increases in baptisms and
those wanting to join the church and it proved a catalyst for the birth of new ministries.
Trevor Geddes, Senior Pastor, Dunedin City Baptist Church
New Zealand
"Aberfoyle Uniting Church did 40 Days of Purpose in March 2003 and there is no doubt it was
one of the most significant seasons in the history of our church. We were overwhelmed with
the response from our church (we almost ran out of books!), but most exciting was what
happened in the hearts and lives of our people. One lady said
Before getting into this book, I felt that I was a Christian
but I never thought of
surrendering all my life to God - I had always been very independent.
(but through
this book)
I made a promise to put God in all of my day. I consciously thought of
God all day in everything I did.
I started to write down my thoughts, and to answer
the "Questions to Consider" at the end of each chapter. I was challenging myself each
day as I read further and further into the book, and I could not wait to get to the
next chapter. I know I am only in my infancy but I am very grateful to the church, my
small group and to this book which has opened my eyes to a new world with God. - LLani
40 Days of Purpose not only helped inspire the faith of those in our church, but also lead
many people into fresh relationships with Christ. I would wholeheartedly encourage every
church who wants to see lives changed to be a part of 40 Days of Purpose."
- Graham Humphries, Aberfoyle Uniting Church
WA, Australia
"40 Days of Purpose exceeded all our expectations fast-tracking large numbers of our
people into small groups. More than 100 people spoke of having a life-changing experience
throughout this time and the sense of unity that developed was significant.
- Trevor Geddes, Dunedin City Baptist Church
Dunedin, New Zealand.
"We thank God for the fantastic spiritual impact the 40 Days of Purpose campaign had in
our church. Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" book was great because it is intensely
practical and at the same time deeply spiritual. As a result of this campaign our church
has stepped up to a new level of commitment as we pursue God's purposes for our lives and
our church.
- Charles Olsen, Berwick Community Baptist Church
VIC, Australia.
TOPIC: USE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE LONG-RANGE PLAN OF THE CHURCH
"We are moving into a new building this month and thus beginning a new chapter in
the life of Hope. The Campaign will help lay a spiritual foundation that is so much more
important than the building's foundation."
- Doug Carroll, Hope Covenant Church
Chandler, Arizona
(Size: 100-200)
"This Campaign is a tremendous launch in establishing the values in our
congregation prior to presenting the strategy which will be laid out in the Spring. We're
so grateful for God's timing and blessing."
- Brad Mitchell, Trinity Church
Lansing, Michigan
(Size: 2,700)
"We are using the Campaign to launch our church's seven-year strategic plan."
- Greg Curtis, Community Christian Church
Yorba Linda, California
(Size: 100-200)
"Thank you for making the joy we have pastoring this great church even greater by
catapulting us forward in momentum. Because of the Campaign, we are farther down the road
after two years of ministry here than I thought we would be in five."
- Mike and Christi Brummitt, Heritage Church
Dublin, Virginia
(Size: 200)
TOPIC: IMPACT OF THE CAMPAIGN ON LIVES
"We had two conversions Sunday and the altar was crowded with people dedicating
their lives as an act of worship. That is just the end of Week 2! I am overwhelmed with
the positive reaction this is having on my congregation."
- Rev. John Glennon, Emporia Free Methodist Church
Emporia, Kansas
(Size: Under 100)
"I cannot tell you the thrill I have as I see God's people committed to the
journey of discovering his purposes for their lives! I keep telling them that this is the
adventure of a lifetime."
- Mike Brummitt, Heritage Church
Dublin, Virginia
(Size: 200)
"Our 40 Days of Purpose has been a phenomenal experience for all of us here at
Christ Fellowship. I had no idea going into it the power and impact of this great
experience that we've had together. Thousands of our church members came to understand
their real purpose in life. The puzzles of their life started to make sense. I can
recommend this with all of my heart because it has changed the life of our church, and it
has changed my life personally."
- Tom Mullins, Senior Pastor, Christ Fellowship
Palm Beach, Florida
(Size: 10,000)
TOPIC: SMALL GROUPS
"Our church is being transformed by God. Small groups are reporting
continued growth and the atmosphere of love is greater than anything we have ever seen
here. Scores of unsaved people are showing up in the homes. My own life is being affected
greatly and I know this will impact everyone around me for good."
- Jimmie Davidson, Highlands Fellowship
Abingdon, Virginia
(Size: 100-200)
"God is doing amazing things through these 40 Days of Purpose. We held a
Connection event in our gymnasium. 800 of our 1800 congregation showed up and we
jumpstarted 104 new small groups. Every week, new groups are being formed as the momentum
has been building. Even local churches in the area have been amazed to see what God is
doing, and we're meeting together to brainstorm how they can begin forming groups in their
churches. Thanks for the inspiration, leadership and challenge that you provide to so many
churches. We're having the adventure of our lives and it's a blast when God's power creates
the waves!!!"
- Sharina Husted, Trinity Church
Lansing, Michigan
(Size: 2,700)
TOPIC: LAUNCH VIDEO PRESENTATION BY RICK WARREN (SIMULCAST)
"I believe the Simulcast was one of the most
powerful two hours I have been involved with in a long while. The Biblical message
was great; the music, video and testimonies added much depth; and it was obvious to me
many people had been praying for God's best for the Simulcast. My people walked out
encouraged and enthusiastic about the 40 days ahead of us. The Simulcast was
outstanding, and God used it mightily in our church this day."
- Dr. Art Hunt, Senior Pastor, lightBluehouse Christian Center
Puyallup, Washington
(Size: 200-500)
"What a start! 75% of our congregation came at 9:30 a.m. last Saturday. I've never
seen so much excitement among our people. Rick Warren hit a home run! When you guys were
singing "Reach One More For Jesus", our people began to stand all over our
worship center. There was not a dry eye in the house. I have never seen that many grown
men cry at one time."
- Jimmie Davidson, Highlands Fellowship
Abingdon, Virginia
(Size: 100-200)
"One man showed up reluctantly on Saturday night. When he first saw Rick Warren he
thought, 'Who is that guy in the wild shirt? Why did I waste my time?' But before Rick
finished his introduction, he was sitting on the edge of his seat. He told me afterwards,
'I almost fell out of my seat as he began to describe the exact things I had been thinking,
like "Why am I even here?"' He now knows why he's here, and he has committed to
exploring God's plan for his life through the rest of the Campaign."
- Rob Tibbitts, Crossroads Baptist Church,
Vinton, Louisian
(Size: 100-200)
TOPIC: CAMPAIGN TEAM
"We are a new church plant, officially launched eight months ago. I wasn't
sure at first if we were ready for this Campaign, being so new and not having a lot of our
structure in place yet. However, it has been a great blessing! Our Campaign Coordinators
have come together and risen to the challenge. New leaders are emerging as people get
excited about finding their purpose in Christ."
- Jim Cowart, Harvest United Methodist Church
Warner Robins, Georgia
(Size: 100-200)
TOPIC: CAMPAIGN RESOURCES
"The resources you have provided have been fantastic. Your hard work has
enabled and equipped us to dramatically enhance our presentation of the gospel of Christ
on Sunday mornings. Thank you for your tremendous effort."
- David Holderman, Lakeside Christian Church
Escanaba, Michigan
(Size: Under 100)
"One of the most amazing growth impact benefits that this had for our church is
what it did for our staff. Under the direction of Saddleback Church, who I believe are
simply experts at doing this sort of thing, we went through what I would call the
equivalent of a seminary course on how to do evangelism and spiritual growth for our
congregation. Step by step, moment by moment, week by week, we followed what they told us
to do almost to the letter, and our staff learned together how to do an event like this."
- Tami McGrew, Riverside Community Church
Riverside, California
(Size: 800)
TOPIC: LISTS OF 40 DAYS OF PURPOSE CHURCHES
Mentor Churches: This list contains churches that have been through the
40 Days of Purpose Campaign and are excited to help other churches get started
on their journey. They are prepared to answer questions, provide coaching, and give ideas
and examples of their work to other churches.
CLICK HERE
to view the list of Mentor Churches.
October 2004 Churches: This list gives the names and cities of the churches that are
registered for the October 2004 40 Days of Purpose Campaign. Churches are listed by
state or by name.
CLICK HERE
to view the list of August 2005 Churches.
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