Mark Mellen on Funding Initiatives in Your Church

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to the on well hi everybody welcome to the on seminary podcast my name is Richard the seminary podcast my name is Richard the seminary podcast my name is Richard the host around these parts thank you so host around these parts thank you so host around these parts thank you so much for tuning in happy Thursday we much for tuning in happy Thursday we much for tuning in happy Thursday we hope that you're having a great week as hope that you're having a great week as hope that you're having a great week as we get ready for this weekend at your we get ready for this weekend at your we get ready for this weekend at your church we know that you've got a lot church we know that you've got a lot church we know that you've got a lot going on and so it's our honor our going on and so it's our honor our going on and so it's our honor our privilege that you would take some time privilege that you would take some time privilege that you would take some time out to listen in to us today today we're out to listen in to us today today we're out to listen in to us today today we're we're honored to have mark melon with us we're honored to have mark melon with us we're honored to have mark melon with us he is at elevate church in florida yet he is at elevate church in florida yet he is at elevate church in florida yet they've got two campuses church from they've got two campuses church from they've got two campuses church from about 1,200 people they're one of the about 1,200 people they're one of the about 1,200 people they're one of the fastest growing churches in the country fastest growing churches in the country fastest growing churches in the country mark welcome to the show today thank you mark welcome to the show today thank you mark welcome to the show today thank you for having me why don't we start with for having me why don't we start with for having me why don't we start with you telling us a little bit about you telling us a little bit about you telling us a little bit about elevate church give us the kind of elevate church give us the kind of elevate church give us the kind of flavor of the church if someone was to

flavor of the church if someone was to flavor of the church if someone was to come on a Sunday what would they come on a Sunday what would they come on a Sunday what would they experience ah we're a young families experience ah we're a young families experience ah we're a young families church are our pastor senior pastors church are our pastor senior pastors church are our pastor senior pastors about 35 years old soon as you get out about 35 years old soon as you get out about 35 years old soon as you get out of your car you're going to hear music of your car you're going to hear music of your car you're going to hear music it's very upbeat contemporary when you it's very upbeat contemporary when you it's very upbeat contemporary when you walk in the front door it's going to be walk in the front door it's going to be walk in the front door it's going to be we're in a cafetorium I've never seen we're in a cafetorium I've never seen we're in a cafetorium I've never seen anybody do a mobile setup like we do we anybody do a mobile setup like we do we anybody do a mobile setup like we do we do a ton of pipe and drape it's about do a ton of pipe and drape it's about do a ton of pipe and drape it's about eight to ten hours is set up on Saturday eight to ten hours is set up on Saturday eight to ten hours is set up on Saturday Wow and we use a lot of lighting and you Wow and we use a lot of lighting and you Wow and we use a lot of lighting and you won't know that you're in a cafeteria won't know that you're in a cafeteria won't know that you're in a cafeteria when you walk in it look it feels like when you walk in it look it feels like when you walk in it look it feels like an auditorium right and so I I guess its an auditorium right and so I I guess its an auditorium right and so I I guess its probably be hard for me to describe probably be hard for me to describe probably be hard for me to describe young and contemporary would be the feel young and contemporary would be the feel young and contemporary would be the feel ah so very cool what are you tell us ah so very cool what are you tell us ah so very cool what are you tell us about your role there at the church I'm about your role there at the church I'm about your role there at the church I'm the executive pastor I do all sorts of the executive pastor I do all sorts of the executive pastor I do all sorts of things but that I mean as a lot of rules things but that I mean as a lot of rules things but that I mean as a lot of rules right now for me so I I do the business right now for me so I I do the business right now for me so I I do the business department I help manage the staff a lot department I help manage the staff a lot department I help manage the staff a lot of the strategy I work with the pastor a of the strategy I work with the pastor a of the strategy I work with the pastor a senior our senior pastor with a lot of senior our senior pastor with a lot of senior our senior pastor with a lot of the strategic planning and right now i'm the strategic planning and right now i'm the strategic planning and right now i'm currently over our creative department currently over our creative department currently over our creative department although i always think i'm the moat I'm although i always think i'm the moat I'm although i always think i'm the moat I'm like the least creative guy on staff and like the least creative guy on staff and like the least creative guy on staff and yet over our to create a creative yet over our to create a creative yet over our to create a creative department in fact uh our church was so department in fact uh our church was so department in fact uh our church was so creative that our pastor pastor Tim creative that our pastor pastor Tim creative that our pastor pastor Tim stair thought man I have to lower the stair thought man I have to lower the stair thought man I have to lower the level of creativity on this team and level of creativity on this team and level of creativity on this team and he's like I know a guy and that's I he's like I know a guy and that's I he's like I know a guy and that's I ended up on the team you're like great

ended up on the team you're like great ended up on the team you're like great equalizer yeah I'm like the equalizer yeah I'm like the equalizer yeah I'm like the antiperspirant that's good nice well you antiperspirant that's good nice well you antiperspirant that's good nice well you know I think describing your church know I think describing your church know I think describing your church obviously a young church um you know obviously a young church um you know obviously a young church um you know growing and impacting your community I growing and impacting your community I growing and impacting your community I would imagine funding a mission like would imagine funding a mission like would imagine funding a mission like that is is difficult can be difficult at that is is difficult can be difficult at that is is difficult can be difficult at time we'd love to learn from you kind of time we'd love to learn from you kind of time we'd love to learn from you kind of what you're learning on you know what you're learning on you know what you're learning on you know encouraging people to give to the encouraging people to give to the encouraging people to give to the mission of elevate life what lessons are mission of elevate life what lessons are mission of elevate life what lessons are you learning on that front these days you learning on that front these days you learning on that front these days well we're actually in our second well we're actually in our second well we're actually in our second fundraiser or our fundraising initiative fundraiser or our fundraising initiative fundraiser or our fundraising initiative in in the same amount of years so a in in the same amount of years so a in in the same amount of years so a couple years ago the school had come to couple years ago the school had come to couple years ago the school had come to us and they said you're gonna have to us and they said you're gonna have to us and they said you're gonna have to get out of here oh man we're we're in a get out of here oh man we're we're in a get out of here oh man we're we're in a town in oakleaf in florida and town in oakleaf in florida and town in oakleaf in florida and jacksonville people in oakleaf don't jacksonville people in oakleaf don't jacksonville people in oakleaf don't want to leave oak leaf so we have about want to leave oak leaf so we have about want to leave oak leaf so we have about a three-mile radius that we have to be a three-mile radius that we have to be a three-mile radius that we have to be in otherwise they're just you can lose a in otherwise they're just you can lose a in otherwise they're just you can lose a lot of people that are coming to your lot of people that are coming to your lot of people that are coming to your church I thought that maybe weirdest to church I thought that maybe weirdest to church I thought that maybe weirdest to hear but that was true and so we looked hear but that was true and so we looked hear but that was true and so we looked all over the place and we couldn't find all over the place and we couldn't find all over the place and we couldn't find a place that we could move to we came a place that we could move to we came a place that we could move to we came back to the school and they said well if back to the school and they said well if back to the school and they said well if you do something significant like by you do something significant like by you do something significant like by land or something else then we'll let land or something else then we'll let land or something else then we'll let you stay until you build and land in oak you stay until you build and land in oak you stay until you build and land in oak leaf is super expensive too so we needed leaf is super expensive too so we needed leaf is super expensive too so we needed to get a million dollars on our annual to get a million dollars on our annual to get a million dollars on our annual off our annual budget was about 800,000 off our annual budget was about 800,000 off our annual budget was about 800,000 so we went into a so we went into a so we went into a an initiative we called no limits and an initiative we called no limits and an initiative we called no limits and this one and our second one is totally this one and our second one is totally this one and our second one is totally different than our first one so this one

different than our first one so this one different than our first one so this one was very small groups driven so we met was very small groups driven so we met was very small groups driven so we met with 600 people in 60 small group with 600 people in 60 small group with 600 people in 60 small group setting in a six-week period mmm uh setting in a six-week period mmm uh setting in a six-week period mmm uh where we basically had them share we where we basically had them share we where we basically had them share we pastor Tim would share the vision of the pastor Tim would share the vision of the pastor Tim would share the vision of the the church and where we're going with the church and where we're going with the church and where we're going with them and the urgency of the hour and them and the urgency of the hour and them and the urgency of the hour and then that led up go ahead yeah tell me then that led up go ahead yeah tell me then that led up go ahead yeah tell me about those those meetings give me a about those those meetings give me a about those those meetings give me a structure of what those kind of small structure of what those kind of small structure of what those kind of small group meetings but there's a lot there I group meetings but there's a lot there I group meetings but there's a lot there I people might have rolled over that 600 people might have rolled over that 600 people might have rolled over that 600 people six weeks 60 meetings you know it people six weeks 60 meetings you know it people six weeks 60 meetings you know it was timid all those did you to go to all was timid all those did you to go to all was timid all those did you to go to all those what happened in those both of us those what happened in those both of us those what happened in those both of us were at all of those those two a night were at all of those those two a night were at all of those those two a night it was the ground it was grinding but it it was the ground it was grinding but it it was the ground it was grinding but it was but basically we would come we would was but basically we would come we would was but basically we would come we would arrive pastor Tim would we had like a arrive pastor Tim would we had like a arrive pastor Tim would we had like a little video that would kick it off with little video that would kick it off with little video that would kick it off with pastor Tim would then share all the pastor Tim would then share all the pastor Tim would then share all the things that were happening why it was things that were happening why it was things that were happening why it was important for us to join this initiative important for us to join this initiative important for us to join this initiative and then we would go we actually would and then we would go we actually would and then we would go we actually would go around the room and share why the go around the room and share why the go around the room and share why the church has meant so much to us and every church has meant so much to us and every church has meant so much to us and every person would share and inevitably person would share and inevitably person would share and inevitably somebody starts crying and they start somebody starts crying and they start somebody starts crying and they start sharing how that you're just changed sharing how that you're just changed sharing how that you're just changed your life and really that's that's the your life and really that's that's the your life and really that's that's the that that right there is the thing that that that right there is the thing that that that right there is the thing that makes that motivates the people in the makes that motivates the people in the makes that motivates the people in the room to join the initiative and then at room to join the initiative and then at room to join the initiative and then at that led up to a worship night where that led up to a worship night where that led up to a worship night where everybody committed for that year we we everybody committed for that year we we everybody committed for that year we we had 1.2 million dollars in commitments had 1.2 million dollars in commitments had 1.2 million dollars in commitments 500,000 came down front we needed 500,000 came down front we needed 500,000 came down front we needed 200,000 to secure the land so over half 200,000 to secure the land so over half 200,000 to secure the land so over half our annual budget came in on one weekend our annual budget came in on one weekend our annual budget came in on one weekend wow that's a great day yeah it was it

wow that's a great day yeah it was it wow that's a great day yeah it was it was a it was awesome no and where did was a it was awesome no and where did was a it was awesome no and where did you end up against the 1.2 did you end you end up against the 1.2 did you end you end up against the 1.2 did you end up collecting all that or a little less up collecting all that or a little less up collecting all that or a little less yes sir oh that's incredible in one year yes sir oh that's incredible in one year yes sir oh that's incredible in one year we we raised the full 1.2 million in we we raised the full 1.2 million in we we raised the full 1.2 million in fact I think we raised it just a little fact I think we raised it just a little fact I think we raised it just a little bit more than that right uh and then six bit more than that right uh and then six bit more than that right uh and then six months later we're now in our new months later we're now in our new months later we're now in our new initiative which is called run look how initiative which is called run look how initiative which is called run look how that one that one was that one was to that one that one was that one was to that one that one was that one was to secure the land and build a building for secure the land and build a building for secure the land and build a building for oak leaf while we were while we were in oak leaf while we were while we were in oak leaf while we were while we were in that initiative we launched our Fleming that initiative we launched our Fleming that initiative we launched our Fleming Island campus because we thought hey if Island campus because we thought hey if Island campus because we thought hey if we could could make this just a little we could could make this just a little we could could make this just a little more complicated let's do it and so more complicated let's do it and so more complicated let's do it and so we're in wearing we're in wearing we're in wearing cafetorium live broadcasting to a movie cafetorium live broadcasting to a movie cafetorium live broadcasting to a movie theater with no office space we have theater with no office space we have theater with no office space we have nothing yeah we're mobile in all our nothing yeah we're mobile in all our nothing yeah we're mobile in all our settings great so we launched that that settings great so we launched that that settings great so we launched that that that fleming island location it took off that fleming island location it took off that fleming island location it took off we have 400 people in in that movie we have 400 people in in that movie we have 400 people in in that movie theater right now and so we have to kind theater right now and so we have to kind theater right now and so we have to kind of finish out this project and break of finish out this project and break of finish out this project and break ground on the building so we need to ground on the building so we need to ground on the building so we need to raise another additional 300,000 but why raise another additional 300,000 but why raise another additional 300,000 but why raise additional 300,000 when you can raise additional 300,000 when you can raise additional 300,000 when you can raise an additional 1.5 million so we raise an additional 1.5 million so we raise an additional 1.5 million so we went before the church and this one is went before the church and this one is went before the church and this one is very Sunday driven so it's it's a rather very Sunday driven so it's it's a rather very Sunday driven so it's it's a rather than meeting in small groups we met with than meeting in small groups we met with than meeting in small groups we met with larger capacity donors who can fund the larger capacity donors who can fund the larger capacity donors who can fund the vision individually and then we were vision individually and then we were vision individually and then we were bringing it to the church and basically bringing it to the church and basically bringing it to the church and basically we have four initiatives we're going to we have four initiatives we're going to we have four initiatives we're going to finish out our Oakley building launch a finish out our Oakley building launch a finish out our Oakley building launch a campus a year for the next five years by

campus a year for the next five years by campus a year for the next five years by office space for our fleming island office space for our fleming island office space for our fleming island location and build a dream center in location and build a dream center in location and build a dream center in downtown Jacksonville so we it's very downtown Jacksonville so we it's very downtown Jacksonville so we it's very vision driven and and before the the vision driven and and before the the vision driven and and before the the original campaign was hey make a original campaign was hey make a original campaign was hey make a commitment and give it this one's all commitment and give it this one's all commitment and give it this one's all about expanding your giving so we're about expanding your giving so we're about expanding your giving so we're asking everybody we've created this kind asking everybody we've created this kind asking everybody we've created this kind of generosity ladder and we're asking of generosity ladder and we're asking of generosity ladder and we're asking them to take another step so a thousand them to take another step so a thousand them to take another step so a thousand people out a thousand families and our people out a thousand families and our people out a thousand families and our church don't don't give a tall are they church don't don't give a tall are they church don't don't give a tall are they giving consistently if you gave giving consistently if you gave giving consistently if you gave consistently even a hundred dollars a consistently even a hundred dollars a consistently even a hundred dollars a month we would we that would be 2.5 month we would we that would be 2.5 month we would we that would be 2.5 million dollars in expanded giving right million dollars in expanded giving right million dollars in expanded giving right so rather than making a commitment we're so rather than making a commitment we're so rather than making a commitment we're asking you to just expand your your asking you to just expand your your asking you to just expand your your level of generosity interesting now level of generosity interesting now level of generosity interesting now you're in the middle of that fit you've you're in the middle of that fit you've you're in the middle of that fit you've met with your core donors already and met with your core donors already and met with your core donors already and then you're doing the public phase right then you're doing the public phase right then you're doing the public phase right now yes sir yea yea and how is that now yes sir yea yea and how is that now yes sir yea yea and how is that going how is people's response you know going how is people's response you know going how is people's response you know what's that looking like good I think what's that looking like good I think what's that looking like good I think it's going good I mean you never know it's going good I mean you never know it's going good I mean you never know until it's all said and done we have until it's all said and done we have until it's all said and done we have about 19 families that have committed so about 19 families that have committed so about 19 families that have committed so far beforehand and there and that's far beforehand and there and that's far beforehand and there and that's about 300,000 and expanded giving okay about 300,000 and expanded giving okay about 300,000 and expanded giving okay and I think we're going to hit it I mean and I think we're going to hit it I mean and I think we're going to hit it I mean I and I think I heroes was was my fear I and I think I heroes was was my fear I and I think I heroes was was my fear you you you just came out of a campaign yes six just came out of a campaign yes six just came out of a campaign yes six months ago right and now we're going months ago right and now we're going months ago right and now we're going back into another initiative and for the back into another initiative and for the back into another initiative and for the people to go off the never ending people to go off the never ending people to go off the never ending initiative but the vision is different

initiative but the vision is different initiative but the vision is different the style is different and people have the style is different and people have the style is different and people have received it really really well so yeah received it really really well so yeah received it really really well so yeah what else did you do to cut obviously it what else did you do to cut obviously it what else did you do to cut obviously it is a different you know different ask is a different you know different ask is a different you know different ask you're not just asking for the same like you're not just asking for the same like you're not just asking for the same like above and beyond kind of giving what above and beyond kind of giving what above and beyond kind of giving what else did you do to kind of fight the else did you do to kind of fight the else did you do to kind of fight the donor fatigue side of the equation you donor fatigue side of the equation you donor fatigue side of the equation you know the people are just tired of seems know the people are just tired of seems know the people are just tired of seems like you guys are always asking for like you guys are always asking for like you guys are always asking for money anything else you did to kind of money anything else you did to kind of money anything else you did to kind of battle that ah not not really uh we it's battle that ah not not really uh we it's battle that ah not not really uh we it's probably because the first the first probably because the first the first probably because the first the first time around was a definitely urgency of time around was a definitely urgency of time around was a definitely urgency of the hour hey guys if we don't do this the hour hey guys if we don't do this the hour hey guys if we don't do this running forward where we're gonna lose running forward where we're gonna lose running forward where we're gonna lose this location and you're going to be this location and you're going to be this location and you're going to be going to church somewhere else right so going to church somewhere else right so going to church somewhere else right so if you love our church you're going to if you love our church you're going to if you love our church you're going to do it this one is very vision driven so do it this one is very vision driven so do it this one is very vision driven so it's not really a need as much as it is it's not really a need as much as it is it's not really a need as much as it is we God has it God has blessed our church we God has it God has blessed our church we God has it God has blessed our church for some reason yeah much is given much for some reason yeah much is given much for some reason yeah much is given much is required here's what we think the is required here's what we think the is required here's what we think the next were five years old so you so next were five years old so you so next were five years old so you so basically this is what God's done in the basically this is what God's done in the basically this is what God's done in the last five years what this is what we last five years what this is what we last five years what this is what we think God could do in the next five yeah think God could do in the next five yeah think God could do in the next five yeah if if we were able to step up in our if if we were able to step up in our if if we were able to step up in our generosity and I think the pastor Tim is generosity and I think the pastor Tim is generosity and I think the pastor Tim is just an amazing vision Cassar he's a just an amazing vision Cassar he's a just an amazing vision Cassar he's a great he's just an amazing communicator great he's just an amazing communicator great he's just an amazing communicator and a phenomenal leader and I think and a phenomenal leader and I think and a phenomenal leader and I think because of his ability to communicate because of his ability to communicate because of his ability to communicate the vision people get excited about what the vision people get excited about what the vision people get excited about what what could come and we actually built it what could come and we actually built it what could come and we actually built it around this kind of idea he kicked it around this kind of idea he kicked it around this kind of idea he kicked it off with this fact that Phillip Phillip off with this fact that Phillip Phillip off with this fact that Phillip Phillip it runs after the guy and a cherry in it runs after the guy and a cherry in it runs after the guy and a cherry in the Bible and here Phillip has the Bible and here Phillip has the Bible and here Phillip has experience revival after revival after

experience revival after revival after experience revival after revival after revival and he's got to be exhausted and revival and he's got to be exhausted and revival and he's got to be exhausted and then God says go get that guy on the then God says go get that guy on the then God says go get that guy on the chariot and Phillip runs he takes off chariot and Phillip runs he takes off chariot and Phillip runs he takes off like like that guy is the only guy in like like that guy is the only guy in like like that guy is the only guy in planet or if that matters right and here planet or if that matters right and here planet or if that matters right and here we are it seems like we've been running we are it seems like we've been running we are it seems like we've been running and running and running and and there's and running and running and and there's and running and running and and there's a guy somewhere in Jacksonville on a a guy somewhere in Jacksonville on a a guy somewhere in Jacksonville on a chariot who needs Christ hmm and are we chariot who needs Christ hmm and are we chariot who needs Christ hmm and are we gonna are we gonna go Oh God we got to gonna are we gonna go Oh God we got to gonna are we gonna go Oh God we got to get this building built first or we get this building built first or we get this building built first or we don't and so that's its don't and so that's its don't and so that's its it's um is that is that the vision is it's um is that is that the vision is it's um is that is that the vision is helped us out of time cool look stare helped us out of time cool look stare helped us out of time cool look stare right at that yeah a couple things just right at that yeah a couple things just right at that yeah a couple things just to pull out that I you know hope people to pull out that I you know hope people to pull out that I you know hope people are hearing one is that burning platform are hearing one is that burning platform are hearing one is that burning platform you've got a very clear gosh we have got you've got a very clear gosh we have got you've got a very clear gosh we have got to do this on the first campaign you to do this on the first campaign you to do this on the first campaign you know the first piece of this and the know the first piece of this and the know the first piece of this and the second you're painting a really clear second you're painting a really clear second you're painting a really clear compelling you know image I think the compelling you know image I think the compelling you know image I think the other part is it's just a lot of work other part is it's just a lot of work other part is it's just a lot of work whether it's you know the 60 meetings in whether it's you know the 60 meetings in whether it's you know the 60 meetings in you know six six weeks or you know doing you know six six weeks or you know doing you know six six weeks or you know doing the core donor and then the public think the core donor and then the public think the core donor and then the public think there's there's just there isn't a there's there's just there isn't a there's there's just there isn't a shortcut when it comes to these kinds of shortcut when it comes to these kinds of shortcut when it comes to these kinds of initiatives it just takes you know a lot initiatives it just takes you know a lot initiatives it just takes you know a lot to happen can you unpack what you're to happen can you unpack what you're to happen can you unpack what you're doing with the current run campaign in doing with the current run campaign in doing with the current run campaign in the public phase that is you know a the public phase that is you know a the public phase that is you know a little different than what you've done little different than what you've done little different than what you've done in the past how are you kind of in the past how are you kind of in the past how are you kind of articulating that from stage what does articulating that from stage what does articulating that from stage what does that how does that look differently we that how does that look differently we that how does that look differently we didn't articulate the other one from the didn't articulate the other one from the didn't articulate the other one from the stage at all only one Sunday so you you stage at all only one Sunday so you you stage at all only one Sunday so you you had to go to what we called a PI meeting had to go to what we called a PI meeting had to go to what we called a PI meeting to to to hear the vision this is all to to to hear the vision this is all to to to hear the vision this is all from the stage and we're not asking you from the stage and we're not asking you from the stage and we're not asking you to come to any specific meeting and we

to come to any specific meeting and we to come to any specific meeting and we are the this again this is definitely are the this again this is definitely are the this again this is definitely this is what the future could look like this is what the future could look like this is what the future could look like and we can do this and now rather than and we can do this and now rather than and we can do this and now rather than and now the series is turned from it and now the series is turned from it and now the series is turned from it kicked off on our birthday with a real kicked off on our birthday with a real kicked off on our birthday with a real vision and I next week I'm going to tell vision and I next week I'm going to tell vision and I next week I'm going to tell you how we can run then it then it was you how we can run then it then it was you how we can run then it then it was here's the four initiatives and he ran here's the four initiatives and he ran here's the four initiatives and he ran out by the way for that to happen we out by the way for that to happen we out by the way for that to happen we have to we have to increase our have to we have to increase our have to we have to increase our generosity and now the next four weeks generosity and now the next four weeks generosity and now the next four weeks is going to be all about it's going to is going to be all about it's going to is going to be all about it's going to be a series on generosity with a tool be a series on generosity with a tool be a series on generosity with a tool this generosity ladder and helping them this generosity ladder and helping them this generosity ladder and helping them identify where they're at and then identify where they're at and then identify where they're at and then saying take the next step and so then saying take the next step and so then saying take the next step and so then they'll fill out a commitment card and they'll fill out a commitment card and they'll fill out a commitment card and it won't be a little be what am I it won't be a little be what am I it won't be a little be what am I currently giving mmm what uh what am I currently giving mmm what uh what am I currently giving mmm what uh what am I expanding my giving with x 2 and what am expanding my giving with x 2 and what am expanding my giving with x 2 and what am i bringing the starting line offering i bringing the starting line offering i bringing the starting line offering plus that and and and you'll get your plus that and and and you'll get your plus that and and and you'll get your total number so their their commitment total number so their their commitment total number so their their commitment is there ty is or what their ever is there ty is or what their ever is there ty is or what their ever current currently getting their current currently getting their current currently getting their expanding giving and what they're expanding giving and what they're expanding giving and what they're bringing up front so it's a pretty large bringing up front so it's a pretty large bringing up front so it's a pretty large commitment we're hoping that overall you commitment we're hoping that overall you commitment we're hoping that overall you know you have 4.5 to five million dollar know you have 4.5 to five million dollar know you have 4.5 to five million dollar in commitments but some of that's in commitments but some of that's in commitments but some of that's already they're already doing yeah already they're already doing yeah already they're already doing yeah absolutely yo are you guys using a firm absolutely yo are you guys using a firm absolutely yo are you guys using a firm a campaign for anything like to help you a campaign for anything like to help you a campaign for anything like to help you this or you've cooked this all up this or you've cooked this all up this or you've cooked this all up internally no the first one the first internally no the first one the first internally no the first one the first one we borrowed from a friend of mine one we borrowed from a friend of mine one we borrowed from a friend of mine and this one we're using generis uh yep

and this one we're using generis uh yep and this one we're using generis uh yep yeah that's great that's fantastic it's yeah that's great that's fantastic it's yeah that's great that's fantastic it's a great you know great firm if you're a great you know great firm if you're a great you know great firm if you're looking for people to talk to you on looking for people to talk to you on looking for people to talk to you on this this front anything else you want this this front anything else you want this this front anything else you want to share before we jump into the rest of to share before we jump into the rest of to share before we jump into the rest of the episode this has been fascinating the episode this has been fascinating the episode this has been fascinating kind of insight into you know how your kind of insight into you know how your kind of insight into you know how your funding the mission there at elevate funding the mission there at elevate funding the mission there at elevate life I know you're right it is taxing life I know you're right it is taxing life I know you're right it is taxing and the the important thing is that I and the the important thing is that I and the the important thing is that I think we have a really strong staff think we have a really strong staff think we have a really strong staff culture and we have people who are culture and we have people who are culture and we have people who are willing to the simon Sinek talks about willing to the simon Sinek talks about willing to the simon Sinek talks about having those Johnny Bravo's creating a having those Johnny Bravo's creating a having those Johnny Bravo's creating a Johnny Bravo culture where people are Johnny Bravo culture where people are Johnny Bravo culture where people are willing to die for one another why are willing to die for one another why are willing to die for one another why are they willing to sacrifice with one they willing to sacrifice with one they willing to sacrifice with one another we have a small team that is another we have a small team that is another we have a small team that is willing to take the hill together and we willing to take the hill together and we willing to take the hill together and we only hire from within and we train them only hire from within and we train them only hire from within and we train them up and so when you hit our team you're up and so when you hit our team you're up and so when you hit our team you're ready you you're the kind of person who ready you you're the kind of person who ready you you're the kind of person who I know we just came out of campaign and I know we just came out of campaign and I know we just came out of campaign and I know it's a ton of work but I'm gonna I know it's a ton of work but I'm gonna I know it's a ton of work but I'm gonna I'm gonna stay up all night making these I'm gonna stay up all night making these I'm gonna stay up all night making these videos and cutting these things and videos and cutting these things and videos and cutting these things and because we believe in what God's doing because we believe in what God's doing because we believe in what God's doing here so you have to really have a United here so you have to really have a United here so you have to really have a United team because it can be if you don't that team because it can be if you don't that team because it can be if you don't that kind of stuff could break break your kind of stuff could break break your kind of stuff could break break your team absolutely this is the uncinate team absolutely this is the uncinate team absolutely this is the uncinate podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary well we're going to turn to the seminary well we're going to turn to the seminary well we're going to turn to the lightning round that part of the episode lightning round that part of the episode lightning round that part of the episode where we ask similar questions of where we ask similar questions of where we ask similar questions of everybody that's on the show super everybody that's on the show super everybody that's on the show super excited to have mark melon with us today excited to have mark melon with us today excited to have mark melon with us today he's from elevate Life Church in Orange he's from elevate Life Church in Orange he's from elevate Life Church in Orange Park Florida just glad to have you here Park Florida just glad to have you here Park Florida just glad to have you here today mark what is a you know a online today mark what is a you know a online today mark what is a you know a online resource you're using these days that's resource you're using these days that's resource you're using these days that's been particularly helpful to your

been particularly helpful to your been particularly helpful to your ministry facebook sure yeah that's good ministry facebook sure yeah that's good ministry facebook sure yeah that's good i mean i use facebook a ton we do i mean i use facebook a ton we do i mean i use facebook a ton we do facebook ads and stuff like that I mean facebook ads and stuff like that I mean facebook ads and stuff like that I mean we online resource with other churches we online resource with other churches we online resource with other churches no it's good a facebook is great how are no it's good a facebook is great how are no it's good a facebook is great how are you using facebook ads too is that you using facebook ads too is that you using facebook ads too is that attract people on the front end attract people on the front end attract people on the front end encourage your people to come back what encourage your people to come back what encourage your people to come back what does that look like for you will to get does that look like for you will to get does that look like for you will to get anything out there that anything out there that anything out there that from our fan page so if we we were from our fan page so if we we were from our fan page so if we we were having our 5th birthday i put a little having our 5th birthday i put a little having our 5th birthday i put a little logo up about our 5th birthday and then logo up about our 5th birthday and then logo up about our 5th birthday and then I hit an ad just to kind of get it out I hit an ad just to kind of get it out I hit an ad just to kind of get it out there online with these with this there online with these with this there online with these with this initiative that we're in every sermon initiative that we're in every sermon initiative that we're in every sermon we're posting it on our fan page and we're posting it on our fan page and we're posting it on our fan page and then I'm putting an ad on it to try to then I'm putting an ad on it to try to then I'm putting an ad on it to try to up the amount of people just watching it up the amount of people just watching it up the amount of people just watching it and keeping them engaged for you know and keeping them engaged for you know and keeping them engaged for you know what's going on so what's a book you've what's going on so what's a book you've what's going on so what's a book you've read in the last six months that's had read in the last six months that's had read in the last six months that's had an impact on your thinking or ministry an impact on your thinking or ministry an impact on your thinking or ministry right now I'm reading the key to right now I'm reading the key to right now I'm reading the key to everything by pastor Matt Keller it's everything by pastor Matt Keller it's everything by pastor Matt Keller it's all about teach ability I'm a big fan of all about teach ability I'm a big fan of all about teach ability I'm a big fan of pastor Matt Keller he's a is a great a pastor Matt Keller he's a is a great a pastor Matt Keller he's a is a great a great at leadership teachings i would great at leadership teachings i would great at leadership teachings i would say some of the biggest books that i say some of the biggest books that i say some of the biggest books that i always recommend is tale the tales of always recommend is tale the tales of always recommend is tale the tales of three kings that's amazing amazing book three kings that's amazing amazing book three kings that's amazing amazing book mazal changed my life the advantage by mazal changed my life the advantage by mazal changed my life the advantage by lencioni we built our staff culture lencioni we built our staff culture lencioni we built our staff culture around that and i would say good to around that and i would say good to around that and i would say good to great by jim collins by jim collins yeah great by jim collins by jim collins yeah great by jim collins by jim collins yeah yeah nice good what's another ministry yeah nice good what's another ministry yeah nice good what's another ministry you're looking at these days just to you're looking at these days just to you're looking at these days just to kind of inspire you we we I mean I kind of inspire you we we I mean I kind of inspire you we we I mean I worked at church of the highlands we

worked at church of the highlands we worked at church of the highlands we take a lot from church to the highlands take a lot from church to the highlands take a lot from church to the highlands we also take a lot from next level we also take a lot from next level we also take a lot from next level church and we're probably most like church and we're probably most like church and we're probably most like elevation church okay we steal a lot elevation church okay we steal a lot elevation church okay we steal a lot from elevation as well very cool very from elevation as well very cool very from elevation as well very cool very cool if you could get 15 minutes with cool if you could get 15 minutes with cool if you could get 15 minutes with any leader alive today who would you any leader alive today who would you any leader alive today who would you want to get that with and why Wow 15 want to get that with and why Wow 15 want to get that with and why Wow 15 minutes with any leader alive today uh minutes with any leader alive today uh minutes with any leader alive today uh John Maxwell nice yeah great good all John Maxwell nice yeah great good all John Maxwell nice yeah great good all right well I appreciate being on the right well I appreciate being on the right well I appreciate being on the show today I know you're busy when show today I know you're busy when show today I know you're busy when you're looking to just kick kick back you're looking to just kick kick back you're looking to just kick kick back relax have some fun what do you do just relax have some fun what do you do just relax have some fun what do you do just to take some time massive downtime there to take some time massive downtime there to take some time massive downtime there I like a lot of outdoor stuff camping I like a lot of outdoor stuff camping I like a lot of outdoor stuff camping hiking me and my son go hiking a ton hiking me and my son go hiking a ton hiking me and my son go hiking a ton cool out here in fact we were hiking the cool out here in fact we were hiking the cool out here in fact we were hiking the other day and a water moccasin slid out other day and a water moccasin slid out other day and a water moccasin slid out on the path and just like it guarded the on the path and just like it guarded the on the path and just like it guarded the path I jump back all it was nuts it was path I jump back all it was nuts it was path I jump back all it was nuts it was not SIA de I had to find a new path I not SIA de I had to find a new path I not SIA de I had to find a new path I was like you know what that's all you was like you know what that's all you was like you know what that's all you you can because you just stood there and you can because you just stood there and you can because you just stood there and waited for me to come and they're deadly waited for me to come and they're deadly waited for me to come and they're deadly here and I'm from Minnesota originally here and I'm from Minnesota originally here and I'm from Minnesota originally and in Minnesota we have this this and in Minnesota we have this this and in Minnesota we have this this pesticide called winter that kills pesticide called winter that kills pesticide called winter that kills anything that anything that anything that kill you and so I'm not used to animals kill you and so I'm not used to animals kill you and so I'm not used to animals being able to kill me down here nice being able to kill me down here nice being able to kill me down here nice well mark thanks so much for being on well mark thanks so much for being on well mark thanks so much for being on the show today if people want to get in the show today if people want to get in the show today if people want to get in touch with you or with the church how touch with you or with the church how touch with you or with the church how can they do that you shoot me an email can they do that you shoot me an email can they do that you shoot me an email at mark melon m.a.r.k Emmy llen at at mark melon m.a.r.k Emmy llen at at mark melon m.a.r.k Emmy llen at elevate live TV or you can just go on to elevate live TV or you can just go on to elevate live TV or you can just go on to our website elevate live TV and I'm sure our website elevate live TV and I'm sure our website elevate live TV and I'm sure our contact page or just click on any of

our contact page or just click on any of our contact page or just click on any of the staff pages right we'd be more than the staff pages right we'd be more than the staff pages right we'd be more than happy to help with all sorts of things happy to help with all sorts of things happy to help with all sorts of things that we do we don't got it all figured that we do we don't got it all figured that we do we don't got it all figured out that's for sure and if you contact out that's for sure and if you contact out that's for sure and if you contact us we'll probably pick your brain more us we'll probably pick your brain more us we'll probably pick your brain more than you'll pay cars good well thanks so than you'll pay cars good well thanks so than you'll pay cars good well thanks so much thanks for being on the show today much thanks for being on the show today much thanks for being on the show today thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's thank you for tuning in to this week's unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out on seminary inbox to connect check out on seminary inbox to connect check out on seminary inbox you can sign up at unsummon re calm and you can sign up at unsummon re calm and you can sign up at unsummon re calm and we'll send you helpful training we'll send you helpful training we'll send you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain resources every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive immediate access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you members area with tons of resources you can use connect with rich on Twitter at can use connect with rich on Twitter at can use connect with rich on Twitter at rich birch or through email rich at rich birch or through email rich at rich birch or through email rich at unset Maneri calm don't forget to check unset Maneri calm don't forget to check unset Maneri calm don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode at out the show notes for this episode at out the show notes for this episode at unset Maneri com it includes links to unset Maneri com it includes links to unset Maneri com it includes links to what we talked about today and more what we talked about today and more what we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from leave a comment we'd love to hear from leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop you did you enjoy today's episode drop you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks by itunes and leave a review thanks by itunes and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to this week's on again for tuning in to this week's on again for tuning in to this week's on seminary podcast join us next week when seminary podcast join us next week when seminary podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they we'll learn more stuff we wish they we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary