40 Days With Jesus After the Resurrection

By Mark & Kathy Vaselkiv

We welcome you to Central Church and are delighted you have chosen to join with us in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Twenty-three years ago, on Easter Sunday 1980, a young seminary graduate from Texas held the first worship service of a new church in a local high school auditorium in Saddleback Valley, a rapidly growing community in Southern California. About 200 people attended that service. Today Rick Warren continues to pastor Saddleback Community Church, a congregation of over 15,000 members. Last year, he preached at 11 of the 12 Easter services held at the church, during which more than 2,400 people made commitments to Christ. This Easter, Central Church will be joining Saddleback and more than 800 churches across the country in beginning 40 Days of Purpose, a six-week spiritual growth campaign.

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes that "the ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for his glory. God's glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the light of the world, illuminates God's nature. Because of Jesus, we are no longer in the dark about what God is really like. Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God."

During the next 40 Days, we invite you to join with us in searching the Scripture for the answer to the question "What on earth am I here for?" To receive the full benefit of these 40 life-changing days, you will want to participate in each spiritual emphasis:

• Hear all seven weekend messages (April 20th-June 1st) in the series, "Purpose Driven Life."
• Read the 40 daily readings in The Purpose Driven Life book by Rick Warren. These readings will guide you in your personal journey to discover God's purposes for your life. Pick up your copy at the Welcome Center in the Concourse and begin reading today.
• Join a 40 Days of Purpose small group starting this week. Stop by the Welcome Center to find out times and places. There are still openings available.
• Memorize a Bible verse each week that will remind you of God's purposes for your life.

It is exciting to start 40 Days of Purpose on Easter Sunday, knowing that the disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection. It is our prayer that we will be unified in mission and ministry, accelerate spiritual growth and be prepared for the next stage of our church life, as we learn to live out God's five purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission.