This morning I had my first fill-up at my new Spiritual Gas Station.  Buckhead Church.

For the longest time my friend Jessica told me about her husband Tim who played in the band at North Point Church (which is like going to a Braves Game from what I hear.)  So when my friend Trey invited me to join his family for the 9 o-clock service, I said sure.  My first impression? WOW!
Located at the Buckhead Loop and nestled in between Wachovia and Bed Bath and Beyond is Buckhead Church.  Throngs of people from all directions parking in multiple lots with precision and ease directed by Atlanta’s finest with a team of hosts from the church to ensure all runs smoothly.  What looks small from the outside becomes HUGE on the inside resembling a concourse at the GA Dome.

When I entered the auditorium I was amazed to find a game show taking place!  On stage were two hosts emceeing a game from the hit NBC show “Minute To Win It” which I just saw for the first time this past Friday.  (On the TV show the contestant was Jonas Brother Kevin who played “Nose Dive” among many games towards a $Million Dollar prize for his charity.) The Buckhead Church version was just the same as TV (minus the cash prize) and with the same production elements I might add–lighting, cameras, music, effects, produced voice overs and more.  Two people from the audience placed vaseline on their nose and then dipped their head into a bowl of cotton balls and had to transport as many as they could on their nose from one bowl to the next.  Such pressure and all of this happening at 8:45 a.m. BEFORE services start!!  Once the game ended the band seamlessly emerged on stage and broke into three songs with the same intensity as a Third Day concert!  And they were all talented musicians with a great sound.  I WAS AMAZED!  I had tears in my eyes. A game show, a rock concert and services hadn’t even started!  (Now being raised a Catholic, this is a far cry from my church but I LOVED IT!! )

As the band finished their last song a large video screen that covers the entire stage descended and then appeared Senior Pastor Andy Stanley as if he was actually there in person.  (He is live from North Point Church.)   Get this, wearing JEANS! No fanfare, robes or “please rise” but merely a man with great communication skills and personality spoke a message about “Guardrails” and how we all need them.   This was another of the wows that really hit home.   In about thirty captivating minutes,  Andy said goodbye and the lights came on and it was over.  

Everyone mingled in the concourse and I followed my friends to “Waumba Land” (Waumba Land (Waumba is Swahilian for Creator) is a small group environment for preschool children six weeks old through pre-kindergarten.)  Let me just say that Waumba Land is quite amazing with painted jungle murals on all the walls along with plants, animals and brush that resemble a real African safari.  My favorite besides the Octopus on the wall was the Tiki hut in the kids play area.  And infused throughout is a reminder that God made everything…the animals, dirt, trees, etc….

I left Buckhead Church feeling more alive and filled with the spirit.   I’m talking The Holy Spirit and it’s strong.  I know the tears in my eyes were from the healing and light that traveled through my soul and helped me with the guardrails  I need to keep on the path The Lord has for me.   If you need a guardrail, try Buckhead Church.  All are welcome to this amazing Spiritual Gas Station.

For more on Buckhead Church and North Point Ministries, click here.

You may also enjoy my blog on “God Stories”  by clicking here.