Dawn of the Revolutionaries

As I am writing this it is the end of July and soon we will have a new building! By the time you read this, you will be like “We ARE in the new building…duh”. Well, I’m going to write about it anyways, so there!

I don’t know about you, but I have excitement bubbling inside of me to be in the new building. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us when we get there…new people, new equipment, drinking fountain, awesome decor, no more hearing Crossroads worship practice. It is gonna be awesome! You may have noticed that the theme of this issue of RevoMag is “Zombies”. So I’m going to do my best to tie in zombies with the new building. And no, I’m not going to talk about taking shelter at the new church and defending it from hoards of zombies; though that would be pretty cool… Oh, are you still there? My train of thought took a small detour, sorry about that.

If you have read my other article, (which you should since it’s epic) you would know that I view Christ-followers as zombies. Now we as zombies can’t really do much being cooped up in a church basement at our parents house. We need room to stretch out our stiff zombie arms. This will be a time for us to test our undead legs for the race we are all in. A time for us to break out and be who we really are…Revolutionary Zombies!

It is a new beginning, nothing holding us back! I know that throughout the whole process of getting our new building ready has been tiring and our legs are wearing out. The “race” verse that probably best describes us right now is “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). But when we get into the new building, I think that verse will look a little more like this one “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV). It sounds hopeful and promising just like moving into our new crib. I know without a doubt we will still have problems when we get settled in and maybe even more. But we are not running this race in vain, only for God’s glory!

Some Kind of Zombie by Cassie Riley

It’s really incredible that the lyrics of a specific song still resonate in my mind and soul even after 14 years.  Some songs just seem to provoke certain emotions that seem to linger over an indefinite amount of time; the kind of song that seems to transport you back to a different time and place and bring back the feelings from “way back when” to the present.  There is one very unique song that takes me back to my teenage years, when I was 16 and on my first trip to Branson, MO with a group of kids I really didn’t know, on an uncomfortable bus, headed to somewhere I had never been before.  It was such an awkward experience and I was incredibly nervous, but even now I realize that the awkwardness was also coupled with anticipation.  At the time I had no idea what God had in store for me, or that He had prepared the way before me.  All I knew is that I was on my way to Branson to a youth revival and everyone seemed really excited that I was going.  They yammered on and on to me about the bands they were going to see and I just couldn’t realize what was going to be so cool about a hymnal choir.  I was so wrong.  That one trip changed my life, and there is a song that moves me back to that very time and place every time I hear it or hear the name of the band.   So, you may be wondering what the name of this song is and who the band is.  The song is titled “Some Kind of Zombie” by Audio Adrenaline.

I remember arriving outside of the stadium, thinking how can this many people be excited about God.  At the time I did not have a relationship with Jesus.  I was curious.  I wanted to know what the big deal was about this Jesus guy everyone seemed to love.  I wanted to understand why they could be so passionate about someone they couldn’t even see or touch and it was very odd to me that so many people believed in a book that was written in a language I couldn’t understand.  I was incredibly nervous, and yet very excited about this “concert”.  It was AMAZING!  I had absolutely no idea that Christians could rock out like that.  The music, the bands, the experience was soul changing.  I was in the presence of Skillet, Audio Adrenaline, Rebecca St. James, and a few other bands I can’t remember, but the most important presence that I was unaware of was God.  I arrived with the intention to figure this whole “Christian” thing out and before I knew it, I was back stage with 100’s of other teenagers out of the 1000’s in the auditorium, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior.

The lyrics in Audio A’s “Some Kind of Zombie” took on a whole other meaning.  At first it was just this cool song that sounded awesome, that made my heart pound and pulse race.  After the concert I bought a C.D. and listened to every song over and over again.  I desired to be “some kind of zombie” for Jesus.  I was enamored with this man who died for my sins and sacrificed his life so I would be able to be with him forever.  I was in awe of the bands who believed so passionately that it flowed through their music like water, like air.  I wanted to be some kind of zombie and change my life, change my mind, change my attitude.  I was now dead to sin and alive in Christ.

ReVo Reboots

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Welcome to the new ReVoMag…now online for your convenience. Please feel free to look around at articles from the past and be sure to always check back to see what’s crackin…I mean..uh…new.

Revolution 5 years!

A Revolutionary Step in Faith

by Julie Eastin

When one thinks about a Revolution we might think of an overthrow of a current system, or a radical and pervasive change in society and this is exactly what Senior Pastor Jeff Piepho and his wife Meadow want you to think. The only catch, this Revolution is for God.  In 5 years these Revolutionaries for Christ have witnessed God provide, open doors and answer many prayers. I recently was able to sit down with Jeff and Meadow and hear their extraordinary journey in faith that led to Revolution Church as we know it today.

I was very curious to know how and when Jeff knew he wanted to be a lead pastor and his answer may surprise you. Without hesitation he explained to me that he knew for sure in college that God wanted him to start a church someday.  He recalled how as a boy his parents had helped to plant a church and, though he did not recall this until later in life, he knew it must have made an impact. Then he said something that completely showed his love and passion for Christ, “I knew that churches needed to be started and people need to be reached for Jesus Christ.”  It was this faith and Jeff’s desire to reach people for Christ that would begin his journey. And who had God placed in Jeff’s life to help him along the way?  Meadow of course, and she too agreed that in college she knew God had big plans for the future.

In 2003 the purpose God had for Jeff and Meadow would start to take form in their lives. The church Jeff was working for closed their doors and he found himself with no work. Then the denomination they were with in California asked them to consider starting a church. They were both thrilled at the opportunity.  But then came something they weren’t expecting, the denomination felt Jeff’s desire to target people in their 20’s and 30’s was, “Too Progressive,” and requested that they consider a more traditional church. Jeff and Meadow didn’t let this discourage them; it instead caused them to seek God’s plan for them. It was then Jeff and Meadow prayed and began to ask God for direction in this area.

God answered those prayers by laying Crossroads Church in Salina, KS on their hearts. They had no idea at the time why God would place this church on their hearts.  It was a different denomination, it was back in Kansas, and they had only attended a few services there in the past.  They lifted Crossroads Church up in prayer and soon took a step of faith and called Pastor Ron. They were amazed to learn that just a week or so prior, Crossroads had decided to create a position that would teach and work with people in the 20’s and 30’s, Pastor Ron also shared that he had a desire to help plant churches. God had already begun opening doors and soon they would find themselves back in Kansas.

Jeff began working at Crossroads and Meadow took a job here in Salina. Eventually Jeff and Meadow led a small home group. Jeff was amazed and honored to see the members in their group mature and grow in Christ and he knew that he would spring the question on them to help start a church. It would be this group of believers that would lay the foundation for Revolution Church to be built upon.  They approached Brethren in Christ and Meadow recalled how they were met with excitement and joy about their idea for a new church.  She knew then they were right where they needed to be.  God had opened another door and a new church would be planted by this small group with a big passion for Christ.

So, what’s in a name? When asking this about Revolution Church you’ll learn not only is Revolution the name but it is exactly what they want to happen in the spiritual lives of people. Jeff and Meadow lightheartedly joked about meeting with Jen and Cory Frey in their “terrible 200 square foot” apartment to think of names for a church.  They discussed different names, and the more they talked the more they knew it was more than just a name they wanted to change lives, they wanted to witness people’s lives glorify Christ, they wanted a revolution, a revolution of the soul, a Revolution Church. So there in the tiny apartment a name was found and a radical and pervasive change in how church was being done had begun.

I think the most heartrending part of meeting with Jeff and Meadow was when I asked if they could share one thing that they felt was truly astounding. Meadow shared a particular sermon where Jeff had rhetorically asked, “Who would be willing to stand up and follow Jesus in this way?” A woman in the back of the room stood and shouted, “I will.” Then more people began to stand, they did not answer this question merely in their heart or mind, they made a public stand for Jesus. Meadow summed it up this way, “It was a goose bump moment for me that you just remember and think that was awesome! I want to be that way!”

For Jeff it goes beyond a moment, it is one thing a leader, a teacher, and a believer in Christ should strive for; to see people grow in Jesus. Jeff shared it this way, “There are so many things I can think of… but I think one thing I really enjoy is seeing someone grow in Christ. When their passion for God is so deep it leads them to share the gospel with others. It is much more than bringing an unbeliever to church to sit and hear a sermon… it goes way beyond this.  It is a desire so strong they need to share Jesus Christ… That makes me happy.  When people are excited about Jesus and they start doing the footwork and it overflows into their hands and mouth in their whole life and they are part of the body sharing the word of God.”

God has done more than grow a small church plant in the past 5 years; He has masterfully crafted a Revolution here in the heart of Salina, KS.  With Jeff’s ability to teach and engage us with the Word of God and Meadow’s love and kindness that flows into all she does, I am positive that God has much bigger and far more amazing plans for Revolution Church in the years to come!

Gods Grace and Hope

Gods Grace and Hope

By: Julie A. Eastin

Inspired by Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham

This month ReVo has focused on missionaries and discipleship something that All Christ followers should consider important.  March is also Ted Geisel or Dr. Seuss’ birthday so all of us here at ReVo thought it might be fun to show discipleship in Dr. Seuss style.  We hope you all enjoy!

I am Christian. I am Christian.

A Christian I am.

That Christian I am.  That Christian I am.

I do not get that Christian I am.

Do you know Gods Grace and Hope?

I do not know Him Christian I am.

I don not know Gods Grace and Hope.

Would you try to Him here or there?

I would not try Him here or there.

I would not try Him anywhere!

I do not know Gods Grace and Hope.

I do not know Him Christian I am.

Would you try Him in your home?

Would you try Him when you’re not alone?

I would not try Him in my home.

I would not try Him when I’m not alone.

I would not try Him here or there.

I would not try Him anywhere!

I do not know Gods Grace and Hope.

I do not know Him Christian I am!

Would you try Him when you’re poor?

Would you try Him through dark scary storms?

Would you try Him when life makes no sense?

Would you try Him when everything’s a mess?

You do not know Him so you say try Him, try Him!

Try Him so you may be saved!

You say Gods Grace and Hope can set me free…

I will try Him we will see.

Say…

I do so love Gods Grace and Hope!

I will invite Him in my home.

I will share Him when I’m not alone.

And I will share Him here and there,

I will share Him EVERYWHERE!

I do so love Gods Grace and Hope…

Thank you, Thank you,

Christian I am.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:14, 15).