The Gathering @ Elizabethton

LIVE @ The Coffee Company

Ashley Martin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 03:22:33 +0000

You won’t want to miss our latest music event!

On Saturday, July 16, 2011, The Coffee Company (directions here) in downtown Elizabethton will transform itself into a beautiful live music venue. You’ll be entertained by talented local artists (Chris Smith and Matt Sanders), and you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our new church. Everyone is welcome, and be sure to bring a friend for a night of fellowship, great local music, and of course – the best coffee in town!

Feel free to download our promo image and give to all your friends. Hope to see you there!

Taking A Firm Stand

Ashley Martin — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:42:27 +0000

“When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed my voice.’

“Now the angel of the Lord came and set under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out the wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.’ And Gideon said to him, ‘Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, “Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?” But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.’ And the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’ And he said to him, ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am he least in my father’s house.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you…’” (Judges 6:7-16)

I admit to those close to me that I struggle with insecurity. It has not been uncommon in the past two years for me to question why God would use me to pastor a new church in my hometown. Could – or would – God use my wife and I to be part of a ministry that could change the spiritual direction of Elizabethton? Sounds like a mighty big task, and I’m not sure if I’m capable of doing my part.

All of those thoughts brought me to a few conclusions. First and foremost, I had to deal with the fact that it wasn’t going to be “me” that did much of anything. The only way the vision of The Gathering can be completed is by the mighty hand of God. Gideon told the angel of the LORD, “How can I do what you’re asking?” After all, Gideon stated that he was the weakest person who came from the weakest clan in the weakest tribe…talk about last pick on the playground!

The LORD, however, addressed him as “warrior.” Can you imagine what was running through Gideon’s mind – “Who is he talking about? He’s mistaken me for someone else.” No, God was talking to Gideon and instructed him to go “in the strength you have and save Israel out of the hand of Midian,” because it was God himself who was sending Gideon. Many of you know the rest of the story. It was never Gideon who saved Israel. It was his eventual obedience that allowed God to work through him that accomplished that which God has set out to accomplish.

A few weeks ago I had a good friend speak some much needed truth in my life. He had sensed my insecurity in some of my actions and my words. He looked very serious at me and asked, “Do you truly believe that God led you from where you were to come back to this community to plant a church?” “Of course” was my quick response. “Yes, I am confident that he did.” My friend went on to assure me that if it was God’s decision for this to occur I needed to suit up and go forward, trusting him as we moved forward.

Gideon went from hiding on the threshing floor to leading Israel’s army in a route of the much stronger enemy. Satan currently has a grip on my hometown. Everyday, the news is filled with the stories of people caught up in the undercurrent of drugs, our leaders struggle to lead us and many of my fellow believers are ineffective at their post of duty, lulled to sleep by complacency and apathy. It’s time to go to battle. Let’s take back our families, by restoring marriages and loving our children by instructing them in the ways of righteousness. Let’s empty out our jails, reduce the burgeoning load on our court system and lay off our probation officers because their client load has dwindled to nothing. It begins by reclaiming the ground Satan has taken from us. It will take a firm stand – and one that requires our obedience to do whatever our King asks of us.

In Him,

Pastor Bryan

First Sunday was great!

Ashley Martin — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:46:14 +0000

You never know what to expect when you open the doors of a new church.

Our core group was surely busy in the days that led up to our first Sunday morning service at The Gathering. Was the effort worth it? It was worth every minute of it!

We arrived two hours early to transform the Elizabethton Recreation Center into a church. We assembled the sound system and put up the video equipment. We set out our chairs not knowing how many we would need. We set up our Nursery and Toddler area and our teachers were prepared with a wonderful lesson. Then we waited…

By the time our service began we had approximately 30 in attendance. While we don’t measure success in how many seats we fill, we do measure it by hearts that are changed. We praise God that there was at least one who responded by rededicating his life and asked if he could begin attending our services!

Sunday morning was a beginning for us. We will continue with the theme “Under Construction”throughout the Summer as it leads up to our September 11th launch. We will continue teaching on the basic beliefs of the Christian faith and telling (and re-telling) our vision for Elizabethton and how others can be part of it.

The Gathering @ Elizabethton truly wants to share a fresh message with as many as will listen. Those of you who are fellow believers and currently involved in your church, we ask for your prayer support as we reach out to those yet to know Christ. Those who are without a church home or currently seeking for purpose in your life, please stop by this week and check us out.

We are looking forward to meeting you again on Sunday!

In His Service,

Pastor Bryan Smith
Lead Pastor, The Gathering

The Grass Pistols In Concert

Ashley Martin — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:33:23 +0000

More Information

The Grass Pistols

In concert at The Coffee Company in downtown Elizabethton

May 28, 2011 @ 6:00PM

For more information about the band, visit their website at www.grasspistols.web.com or call 423-383-4519.

LIVE @ The Coffee Company

Ashley Martin — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:23:55 +0000

You won’t want to miss our latest music event!

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, The Coffee Company (directions here) in downtown Elizabethton will transform itself into a beautiful live music venue. You’ll be entertained by talented local artists, and you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our new church. Everyone is welcome, and be sure to bring a friend for a night of fellowship, great local music, and of course – the best coffee in town!

You’ll find our event poster below. Feel free to view full-screen, or print some out to give to your friends. Also, share our page on Facebook!

Sunday Morning Meetings!

Ashley Martin — Sun, 15 May 2011 18:57:54 +0000

Are you ready to join the movement?

If you’re ready for a fresh start, then we invite you to join us at The Gathering @ Elizabethton on every Sunday morning at 10:00AM! We’re meeting at the Elizabethton Recreation Center on 300 West Mill Street in the Blackbottom area. Of course, we’re a work in progress – and we’re on track to make our big launch on September 11, 2011. But for now, we’re beginning our services to continue the progress we’ve made, as well as to open our doors as an opportunity for you to get involved.

So, please come and check us out! You’ll be blessed by passionate worship from Andy Curtis (of the CURTIS Band), relevant teaching from our brand-new series called “FOUNDATIONS,” and great fellowship with your friends and neighbors, from right here in Elizabethton. If you’ve been away from church, then this may be the perfect time to get back in. If you’ve been searching for a ministry with a heart for connecting people and reaching out to the needs of our community, then The Gathering could be the place for you!

For more detailed information, feel free to contact us (click here for our contact page). Be praying about how God would lead you to be part of Elizabethton’s newest church – The Gathering!

In His love,

Ashley L. Martin
Small Groups Pastor

The NEXT Christians Study

Ashley Martin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:17:51 +0000

Click “The NEXT Christians” Book Cover to the left to visit our The Next Christians Study Resource Page! All of our study materials are available for download and you can check out our schedule and RSVP information.

Crazy Love Week 10

Ashley Martin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:46:29 +0000

Hey everyone! Check out this week’s video: Chapter 10 of Crazy Love – “The Crux of the Matter” It will give you a sneak peak at what we’ll be studying at The Gathering’s Bible Study for the final week of our study. If you’re in town, join us! If you’d like more information, or to sign up, visit our Facebook Group Page.

Crazy Love Week 9

Ashley Martin — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:06:58 +0000

Hey everyone! Check out this week’s video: Chapter 9 of Crazy Love – “Who Really Lives That Way?” It will give you a sneak peak at what we’ll be studying at The Gathering’s Bible Study this week. If you’re in town, join us! If you’d like more information, or to sign up, visit our Facebook Group Page.

Don’t Lose Focus in the Kumbaya Moment

Bryan Smith — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:40:33 +0000

Last night at our small group gathering in which we have been discussing the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, we had a real Kumbaya moment. For the past 8 weeks, our wonderful group of people, who before this study did not know one another for the most part, has jelled into this group of great friends and confidants. Over this time together we have heard one another’s stories of success, failure and reflection. We have seen the vulnerabilities of others while opening up and discussing our own. We have prayed fervently for one another and gone as far as adding their telephone numbers to our Contact lists.

Wow, that sounds really great, doesn’t it? For many ministries, these are the moments they live for. However, for The Gathering, these moments serve as confirmation we are on the right track. I admitted last night that I am guilty of not “living in the moment” but looking over the hill for the next fulfillment of our vision. I very much appreciate everyone’s input regarding their thankfulness for what is taking place, but as a leader in this ministry, I must also make sure that the “main thing” remains “THE” main thing.

Now, had our goal been from the beginning to feel warm and fuzzy, then we knocked it out of the park last night. However, this is not the goal but a wonderful benefit of striving for our goal, which is speaking truth into the lives of those who are yet to know.

What are they yet to know? They are yet to know, not only Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, but also that He wants a relationship with them that is genuine and fulfilling in every way.

As we go forward, The Gathering will strive to maintain an environment where God can be accessed, your voice can be heard and all of us can strive together for a common goal – that common goal of harvesting believers and teaching fellow followers of Jesus Christ. This ten week study of Crazy Love comes to an end on February 17th, but thankfully, another small group study begins on Thursday, March 3rd.

For those who took part in the first study, we’re excited to continue growing in our relationship with you and hope you will spread the word. For those who missed the first round for whatever reason, get ready for a wonderful challenge. For those still unsure if this is for you, get over any preconceived notion you may have and give it a try. I am thankful each day that I get to be part of what God is doing and will continue to do in our community through the ministry of The Gathering @ Elizabethton.