This Summer we are GATHERING DIFFERENTLY by inviting friends to Watch Parties we’re attending or hosting. To the hundreds of you doing this, I FRIGGIN LOVE IT!!! I’m so proud of you and can’t wait until we can share all the amazing stories of what God did. I sense a wave coming.

Mark chapter 5 contains a story that shapes much of my missional theology: the decision to GO, the strategy to STAY.

Check this out.

“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.”

Of course Jesus would say yes. He’s Jesus, right?! We know He’s spiritual, but is He strategic? Often we wonder if those two things even go together? Mark 5 shows a Jesus who is both spiritual AND strategic. Jesus knew how and when the kingdom might spread the most. The response of Jesus might have gotten some pastors fired.

“Jesus did not let him, but said, go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Jesus wanted him to bloom where he was planted. Jesus wants YOU to party where you are planted.

Here are 3 ways to party where you are planted:

1. SEE IT

When doing something new, it’s always helpful to “see it” first. As I’ve said to many of you, a WP (Watch Party) is more simple than you’d expect. I started hosting these in person WP’s back in late April. If you’ve ever had anyone over for dinner, you’re 75% of the way there. That said, we put together a video a number of weeks ago that shares more details on HOW to throw a Watch Party. The link is below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=63&v=rVT4CTERNS0&feature=emb_logo

2. SEED IT

A fun and engaging WP (Watch Party) that friends attend and want to attend again is a WP seeded with prayer and partners. Before anyone shows up, make sure the Guest of Honor has been invited first, and that Guest of Honor is the Holy Spirit. Seed your WP with prayer. If you’d like others to come and pray with you, contact info@WeAreMission.com and someone from our staff would LOVE to come and pray with you. In addition to prayer, you need some allies. Holding a WP seeded with a few who are partnering with you is a game changer. We see this principle in Alpha as well which is why we always have a host and at least two helpers. My WPPT (Watch Party Pro Tip) is to invite 2-3 others into this, heart and soul. Have them join you in praying. Share with them the names of neighbors that will be attending. Ask them to join you in creating a warm and fun vibe. Seeding my WP’s with prayer and a few partners has been such a help to the WP’s that Kelly and I have hosted.

3. SEIZE IT

At some point, you just gotta SEIZE the missional moment before you. Neighbors have never been more open to connecting with people they feel are “safe”. With cities spiking in new COVID cases, the idea of our friends and neighbors attending large gatherings on-campus is something I believe they won’t do for quite some time. Good thing our 3rd value at Mission is GO (...more on that later). That said, I believe to my core that God has Sovereignly placed you where you live and where you work. Perhaps your influence is on your street or with a group of co-workers. Either way, seize this missional moment to help your friends connect with Jesus in a meaningful way. There are lots of ways to do this of course, but a WP is one of the best ways I’ve come across in a long time.

So...for the sake of reaching new people with the love of Jesus, STAY WHERE YOU LIVE... stay where you have influence. Refuse to climb into the boat of other believers...Jesus didn’t allow it and I think He’d have a similar response to us. He might say, there’s a time and place for everything but the time and place right now is RIGHT HERE...in YOUR driveway, on your back patio with YOUR friends and neighbors!

Simply put, Jesus might say: party where you are planted.

For more information on hosting a watch party, click here. https://www.wearemission.com/watch-parties

To see what folks are already doing this, click here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_-skbjrPVE

Onward!