Our hot summer weather has started to give us a break. The evenings are getting darker sooner. And that means football pre-season is almost over and the real football games begin soon. I don't know about you, but I love this time of year, and I love NFL football. Our staff just about covers most of the NFL when it comes to our favorites...
Pastor Vinnie & Joe are fans of the 49ers. (I don't even know?!?)
Jess is a die hard Steeler fan.
Pastor Todd is a NY Giants fan.
Pastor Eric is the only one to follow the "home team", the E - A - G - L - E - S.
I think they're still in the NFL??? -- anyway, Pastor Curt & Pam & even Pastor Jeremy for some reason cheer on the Cowboys??!??
My team -- I'm a Denver Broncos fan!! (Me and the Creator of the universe. Why do you think sunsets are Orange and Blue?) Okay, sorry...stay with me.
This past off-season was a big one for my Denver Bronco team. For those that don't know, or care about the NFL, or think that ESPN is just part of the alphabet soup you had for lunch....let me tell you why is was so big for the Broncos.
The coveted, future Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning was available after being released by his only team the Indy Colts. The Colts were drafting number one, the future of their franchise, and the next "sure thing" in Andrew Luck of Stanford, so Manning wasn't needed. They were banking on their future. When Manning became available, teams scrambled to figure out if they "could land" the biggest free-agent signing in the NFL.
The short list for Manning's options came down to the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers, the Tennessee Titans, and the Denver Broncos. I guess towards the end, it was a decision he had to make between the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos.

But seriously, it didn't make sense.
Why?
Peyton Manning has a home in Miami.
He loves being in the city of Miami.
It sunny and always warm in Miami.
Even Lebron James tried to influence him to Miami.
And Miami offered the same amount of money as Denver.
So Why?
Here's the inside scoop.
It's about culture.
The reporters said that "he was taken back by the Dolphins' front office culture and that was the #1 reason he chose Denver over Miami."
What does Peyton Manning choosing Denver over Miami have to do with Victory Church?
Well, people are "choosing" Victory Church and more importantly choosing Jesus because of the ministry of Victory Church, because of the culture of our church. If you've been around Victory for any length of time - like even if last week may have been your first - you know and see that we're different. In a good way. Not a week goes by that we don't hear the stories and emails shared about the "buzz", and the culture of our church. Victory Church is full of "if you only knew me then....people." We're a church that "it's okay to not be okay and come here." But here's the deal....we're not okay with you staying not okay. Okay? We're a church that wants to help people take their NEXT step in their relationship with Jesus Christ. ...so you can't stay not okay!
We're a tribe that is chasing after God and expecting Him to encounter us each and every week, but also each day. (Remember 7>1)!! Great things are happening at Victory Church! Just a few weeks ago, at the Theater Campus over 300 people were in attendance! And 28 people got baptized in one day!! At the Greenfield Campus it's full every week - both services - and the kids rooms are packed to capacity...again! We're hearing comments like "there is something happening in this place and I'm just so glad to be apart of it" Or "worship lately, has been off the chain!" (said by a dad...of teenagers...obviously) It really is an exciting place to be and each and every week more and more people are not only checking VC out but choosing Victory Church as their church....because of the culture, because of the evidence and obvious favor of God in this place.
So tribe, fall is just about here. Vacations are pretty much over. School buses are out early again. The anticipated "routine again" from Moms all over begins with school night bedtimes. And for us as a church -- we'll probably be even more full than we've been over our growing-not-slowing summer. We need to keep loving God and loving people and let those that you invite and those that you meet for the first time - "that there is something about the culture here." The culture is one that is inviting to first time guests. It's a place where life change is happening each week and expected. It's a place where people are encountering a God who is deeply in love with them for the very first time.
As exciting as it is to be a Bronco fan, and think, and hope, there is some promise because of the great, Peyton Manning - as exciting as that is (and I do hope the Broncos have an amazing season) -nothing excites me more than Sundays and being apart of what God is doing right now at Victory Church! I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!
~Rick Glass