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There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed…

Acts 2:44 Voice 

Four years! 

It has been four years since we have come together as a church at one of the premier outdoor venues of the Bay Area, Shoreline Amphitheater. Margo and I can’t wait!! Even as I write these words, I am having a hard time containing my excitement. Not only has it been four years since we have been together at Shoreline, it has been nearly four years since our whole church has met together at all. I am anticipating not only meeting new friends, but also seeing old friends, some of whom now have kids I haven’t even met. 

Margo and I first moved to the Bay Area from Washington DC in 1993. The following year, in 1994, our church started having big family celebrations at Shoreline. We have such great memories from each year. The music is always spectacular, the preaching is incredible, and the bounce castles, train rides, hoops games, and food are epic. But by far, the best thing about service at Shoreline is the people who are there. As Acts 2 communicates above, there is an intense sense of togetherness when everyone gathers with a belief that through this unique place God can change the world! 

These are the two themes that best paint the picture of the essence of the Shoreline experience to me: our family and our future. 

Our Family

They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together. Day after day they met together in the temple.

They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,  while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.

Acts 2:42, 46-47 CEV

 

Though we come from many diverse cultures, and we each have our own story, we are family. When you walk through the front gates of Shoreline Amphitheater, even if it is your first time coming to church with us, you will experience the undeniable feeling that you have just become part of our inclusive family. In fact, one of my favorite parts of Shoreline service has been the picnic afterward where I have gotten to sample everyone’s food “happily and freely” as the verses above describe. 

I also love how God connects us to just the right people when we meet together. In 2017, I was backstage toward the end of service when my friend Ming Siu excitedly ran up to me and said, “You have to meet Caio, he is a distance runner just like you!” Caio is from Silicon Valley and was getting baptized that day. I did not know that in just two years time, Margo and I would be moving only a couple of exits down the 101 from Caio and his family, or that our wives share a background and love for southern food! We started an annual southern cooking night where we introduced our friend Dr. Dave Traver to sweet iced tea! Instant family!

The next year, in 2018, we saw Sabrina Mendez get baptized by her husband Sal. Again, we didn’t know that a pandemic was just two years away and that the Mendez family would play a crucial role in meeting needs in the Silicon Valley community: from feeding the homeless to making care packages for underfed and underserved kids in their school district. 

Though this year may look different than past years as we continue to work to stay safe during the pandemic, what stays the same is the joy of togetherness that comes when we meet as one big family.

Our Future

Get up now, and stand upright on your feet. I have appeared to you for a reason. I am appointing you to serve Me. You are to tell My story and how you have now seen Me, and you are to continue to tell the story in the future.

Acts 26:16 Voice

 

Another hallmark of our time at Shoreline throughout the years is our focus on the future. God has a story to tell and he wants us to tell it both now and in the future. That is why each year we highlight and hire new young leaders. Hundreds of people throughout the years have been able to receive summer scholarships for leadership training, be hired as ministry interns throughout the Bay Area, and learn how to live out their purpose by changing lives. 

Some of these scholars have gone on to lead ministries in our church and some have gone on to develop great careers in education, technology, and more. The training they received has enabled them to be leaders in the workplace, the community, and in the church. In fact, many of those on our digital team who are now reaching tens of thousands of people both domestically and internationally had their start in our internship programs. So many lives have changed and many more will be touched through leaders whose development started with and was nurtured by these opportunities. 

Together Again

The churches became stronger in their faith, and each day more people put their faith in the Lord.

Acts 16:5 CEV

 

Don’t miss the opportunity to bring your friends and family on May 22 to Shoreline Amphitheater! The kids will love the train ride, hoopers will ball out at the 3-on-3 tournament, and everyone will eat great food from the food trucks (which will offer GFCF menu options!). The music and lesson with a focus on God will strengthen the faith of all who come. 

You can find all the detailed information you need for the day (including a parking map, seating map, and a digital invitation) by visiting our website

Margo and I can’t wait to see you all there!

Till next week,

Scott and Margo Colvin

Written by

Scott Colvin

Scott Colvin is an evangelist at the Bay Area Christian Church. Scott ran cross country for the University of North Carolina. Some say he's still running to this day.