Looking for a better life? Who doesn't want that? That's what my wife and I were looking for about 3 years ago. We had both "grown up in church", but hadn't attended for a few years for various reasons. Then we stumbled upon 7 Hills Church. Our life has been 100% better! We love it! Same God, different approach.
Here are some of the things that I love about 7 Hills Church:
1) The Church's heart is for those that do not know Jesus. The "Lost" if you will. The church is designed to reach those who wouldn't normally come to a "Traditional" Church. Come as you are (jeans, t-shirts), but don't stay as you are (spiritual growth). 7 Hills Church is all about love and growth not about judgment, guilt, and shame. It is not a "Hall of Fame for Saints", rather it is a "Hospital for the spiritually sick".
2) The Youth and Children programs are top notch. Growing up I attended church with my mom. As a child/youth, I got very little out of church because it was tailored to adults. I wanted better for my child. 7 Hills Church has a team dedicated to tailoring church to the level of the child.
In Hills Kidz Jr., 7 hills offers 2 nursery rooms (6 weeks-12months and 12 months-24months) and separate rooms for ages 2-5. The 3, 4, and 5 year olds combine briefly to have "Preschool Chapel". Here they have worship and a message on their level. Preschool Chapel has seen many characters like Mailman Matt, Itchy Izzy, and even Donnie the Donkey (Yes, a real donkey!). Recently, I have heard about 2 new "Superheroes" named Orange and Grape. It'll be interesting to hear my daughter's thoughts on them!
In Hills Kidz, the 1st - 5th Graders are all together on the weekends. Once again they have worship and a relevant message on their level. During service your child can expect contemporary worship, funny skits, games, and a creative message that is applicable to their grade school life.
Got a middle schooler? Legacy Middle is the spot for them to hang out. Middle school years can be tough! Legacy Middle understands that and will help your middle schooler build a strong foundation for years to come. Your middle schooler can expect during service interactive games, hilarious skits, live worship, and creative illustrated messages.
In high school? Legacy Youth takes over one of the auditoriums on Wednesday nights. Live contemporary worship, videos, and an attention-grabbing message from Pastor Matt will leave you challenged, inspired, and passionate for a better, God centered life. Recent events on Legacy youth nights included an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, a Glow Party, and powder paint / water balloon match during the Back to School Bash 2012.
The safety of your child is paramount at 7 Hills Church. All staff and volunteers in the children and youth ministries have had and continue to get extensive background checks. The volunteers have also received special age related training to aid them in making church the best part of the child's week. There is a safety team that regularly rounds to ensure all is safe and secure. Sally gets sick during service, no problem! You will be paged in the main service using a number paging system so you can excuse yourself from service to attend to Sally.
3) Relevant, understandable messages. The messages that Pastor Marcus delivers are impactful, current, and applicable to current life events. Pastor Marcus routinely uses himself, his friends, and his family as examples in his message. He has used many illustrations to relay God's message. From live lions and eagles to swords and shields to a work boot and a woman's shoe all creatively used by Pastor Marcus to relay what God has put on his heart. Some of the best messages are during the annual "At the Movies" series. During September popcorn, candy and diet coke are served (all Free), and screenings of recent popular movies are shown with clips for Marcus delivering a message interspersed in the movie. My past favorites include: "The Blind Side", "Up", "The Help", "The Book of Eli" and "The Shawshank Redemption".
4) Multiple opportunities to get involved/give back. Seven Hills Church has a large heart for the Florence/ Greater Cincinnati area and the world. Multiple areas to serve with the church during service times (Media team, worship team, children/youth ministry, first impressions team, parking lot, etc.) as God has gifted you. Missions more your speed? Local (Tornado relief, Heart the city projects) national (Appalachia and Hurricane Sandy relief) and international (Haiti, China, Germany) mission teams. Think this sounds like a large church? Hills groups small groups make it more personal and intimate. Men's groups, Women's Groups, Married Groups, Singles Groups, 7 Hills has the group for you! Some groups are Bible study groups while others are interest based ( Cooking, Exercising, Coed Softball, Fishing, Movies).
Whew! That was a lot! Thanks for reading. We are living a better life! read more