Blake Goss

Sunday we wrapped up the “One Prayer” series with guest speaker, Mark Ayers. Mark is the pastor of a church planting in Flowery Branch, GA called Reveal Church. Reveal is one of the churches that Freedom is investing in. There were some incredible things that took place during this series and we are anticipating even greater things in the upcoming “Let Freedom Ring” series. If you were there last sunday……way to bring the energy. It was rocking thanks to you guys. We will bring it again next week so ya’ll come ready to get loud!

Set List:

• Sing Sing Sing- Tomlin
• We Shine- Fee
• The Real Thing- Bo Bice
• Rescue / I Exalt Thee- Jared Anderson / Pete Sanchez

Sunday was an extremely cool day at Freedom Church. In honor of the message title, “make us one”, we had one service. The services combined in a big room at North Metro and we got to worship as one church. Afterwards we are able to celebrate with an event called “bounce.” We had inflatable blow up games and even an ice cream truck. I love going to a church where you never know what kind of surprise they will pull out next.

Set List:

• Broadcast- Fee
• We Are- FreedomLive
• Hosanna- Starfield Version
• My Savior, My God- Aaron Shust

In the message last sunday JR talked about how there are too many critics. People who are always critical of those who fall while trying something extreme for Christ, as opposed to building them up and applauding them for “getting out of the boat.” Then I started evaluating my own life to see if I’m a critic of others. I realized that the person that I am the most critical of is myself. I’m pretty sure this is something most christians deal with. I think it’s because when we mess up we view ourselves through our own eyes instead of remembering how God views us. Next time satan tries to hit you while your down, slap him with this scripture:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

There is also a really cool quote I heard one time that says: “You can’t let God down, because you were never holding Him up.”

How incredible that we don’t have to read or hear about a revolutionary movement of God, but we can experience it. If you want to experience a revolutionary movement of God then you are going to have to get out of the boat. And if you get out of the boat it’s going to be tough and you’re going to mess up. It’s ok! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ so take joy in that promise and keep pursuing the incredible experience of God. The lyrics to this song say it the best:

“I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, when I think about the way He loves us.”

1. It was an incredible Father’s Day service. After hearing JR’s message, every person who was there should want to be taking over the city of Acworth.
2. Had some really sweet creative elements: classic car show, basketball arcade, foosball, root beer floats, and much more.
3. There were a ton of new people there and attendance was great. Week after week I am amazed at the wide variety of people that show up. 
4. Don’t miss next week! We will have one service at 11am. Be prepared to stick around for all of the fun after the service as well. I’ll give you a hint: We’re calling the event, “Bounce.”

In honor of Father’s Day I can’t help, but to post about how God blessed me with such a godly Father. If you know my dad at all then you know that he’s one of the most hilarious guys. He’s always making people laugh. Growing up I was able to see each and every day the example of a man after God’s heart. My dad went above and beyond to sacrifice himself to help me achieve my dreams and goals. He is by far the most supportive and loving Father. If I had a basketball game 5 hours away, he was there. If I was ever playing a gig and there were only 5 people there…..it was the band and my dad. Fatherhood is a step of life that I know isn’t too far away for me. I’m just so grateful that I had the privilege of growing up under the influence of a dad who would do anything for his children and I can’t wait to show the same love to my children that he has shown to me. 

“Welcome to Freedom Church, want to play softball?”

                                                    -Rick Goss

1. We launched the ONE Prayer series this sunday. This is going to be a great 4 week series.
2. JR’s message was dead on. It was one of those messages that reminded me why I love Freedom so much.
3. Yes, we did do a Bon Jovi song…..and it will not be the last one we do.
4. The stage design was taken up a notch. Thank you Shane.
5. We had our first official volunteer appreciation party. There is nothing like seeing grown men hula dance. It was a ton of fun and we really are extremely grateful for our amazing volunteers. Freedom couldn’t happen without you guys. 
6. I can finally say I sang and played guitar while wearing a grass skirt. Life is complete.

I think that this week I am setting some kind of personal singing record. With the combination of singing at Freedom and 2-3 set lists per day at Impact it was a lot of songs. From sunday to sunday it is a grand total of 40 songs. I love any opportunity to lead worship and I’m especially pumped about this weeks set at Freedom…..Don’t miss it.

This week I’m leading worship at a camp in Toccoa, GA called IMPACT. It’s a really awesome camp that I used to go to as a student and have led worship for the last 4 years. Mike Linch, Pastor of Northstar, is the speaker for the week and it’s been cool to hang out with him and learn from him. If you’ve ever worked or been to student camp you know that they go all out with production, creativity, and create that “camp feel.” It’s like they give it the best they have for that one week. The most awesome part is that I see that same excellence done every single week at Freedom Church. Growing up I used to always wish their was a church that could do every week what an awesome camp does once a year. God answered that by sending me to Freedom Church. 

Set List:

• Our Victory- Freedom Live
• Solution- Hillsong United
• Beautiful Jesus- Kristian Stanfill
• Glorious One- Fee