In January of 2005, we hesitantly began the year with this sermon series. We had just launched our new main campus and began to see an increased presents of those from our once before never reached community. We found this extremely creative approach to "bringing" (giving tithe) that supernaturally escalated our churches giving 260% in 6 weeks. This was such a crucial crossroads in our emreging church's history. We were unsure at first in our intial ability to continue to meet the obligations of a new campus while maintaining the first campus. To date, January 2006, we have continued to see tremendous commitment to the "bringing" mentality of our very spiritually young church. Praise God for yet another fantastic sermon series. This is such a creative approach to an often avoided topic. Thanks for inspiring us to be vertical players! Pastor Mike Clack Bridgeway Church Antioch, CA

Mike Clack (, )

Way to go Ed and FC! I've always hated teaching on this subject because of how freaked out people get about their money. This series really helped broaden people's thinking about God's provision and blessing. In Southern California we too easily accept debt. Very positive feedback from people. So far, giving has increased 30%! So many people just didn't know the truth of the matter! God cam was a blast, plexi glass board was very cool (I didn't spit on mine) We reduced the series to 4 messages. We're following up with FPU by Dave Ramsey. Blessings, Phil Herrington, Pathways Church, Santee California

Phil Herrington Pathways Community Church (Santee, CA)

I used this message series and the response was great. I came on board a year before this series and after digging some found that the church had never talked about giving! So, it was time! The crowd loved learning about the challenge of "bringing" back to God what was His in the first place. Great series that inspires and motivates the church to rise up and resource God's vision for this generation!

David Holland Heartland Community Church (Omaha, NE)

We are a brand new church plant that has reached young couples. A church our size (200) should be able to receive a good offering; but we didn't. This series got such great feedback from new church attenders and those who have been in church for years. After the second week, about bringing the tithe, we received more than half our monthly budget! I thank God that there are creative ways to present His Word to people who don't understand God's principles.

Jamie Noel The Journey CHurch (Springfield, OH)

We finished In The Zone two weeks ago. It is unbelievable what God is doing to honor His Word. The first week of the series our "bringing" was up 32%. The second week it us up 46%. The third week 51%. The last week of the series our "bringing" increased 75% over our average for the year. It did not stop with the end of the series. Our people have continued to trust God and to take Him as His Word and His promise. The last two weeks our "bringing" has increased 100%. Do you realize that the last two weeks our people brought twice as much to God's temple than in the past? I am trusting God to continue His blessing, our people are enjoying being a blessing.

Last Monday morning a lady who has only been at our church for a short time came running in my office before their ladies meeting and handed me her tithe. She had received her back child support and couldn't wait to tithe. Oh, by the way, later that week she got a job. Do you think that is a random act or a divine blessing? I know where I stand. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Roger House

Roger House Allen St. Baptist Church (Clinton, MO)

I just finished the series "In the Zone" last Sunday. I've never sensed such excitement in our church! The last Sunday of the series we called it "Bring It" day ... and our people "brought it"! It was the 2nd greatest one day offering in the 80 year history of our church. During the series we had more decisions for salvation, baptism and membership than we saw in almost all of 2004! I loved it and our people loved it. Pastor Tony Colburn Winnwood Baptist Church

Tony Colburn Winnwood Baptist Church (Kearney, Missouri)

This series has really opened the eyes of my congregation to the biblical pricipals of stewardship. Preaching about tithing can be difficult - you see the barriers going up! But "In the Zone" put the subject matter over in such a way that was compelling and informative. Thank you for a tremendous resource.

Graham Mizon Gosford Corps (Erina, NSW)

I've been teaching the "In the Zone" message series at our church and God has really been blessing us with supernatural results. The last several weeks our budget giving is up approximately 40%! It is amazing! I believe this series is by far the most effective and Biblical series I've ever shared with our church on stewardship. The fresh and creative approach is off the chain! South Biscayne is literally buzzing right now over the idea of living "In the Zone" - our people are totally loving it! Our attendance has been increasing during the series as well. I am amped up about the long term effects this series is having on our church and the Kingdom of God! Thank you for making this series and other creative resources available through the Fellowship Connection and Creative Pastors.

John Cross South Biscayne Baptist Church (North Port , FL)

I am a youth pastor from St. Augustine, Florida and we just went over "Living in the Zone," and I know it has changed my life, and many of my students. They now look at money, blessing, and God in new light. I highly recomend this teaching for your church or ministry.

Derek Outley Church on the Rock Ministries (St. Augustine, FL)

I am a student pastor / church starter in the Tampa area and I recently spoke for both our Sunday morning services. I picked up the "In the Zone (Skittles)" talk and called it "The Sweet Spot" and tied it into the sweet spot on a golf club and I changed the skittles to M & M's (Money & Material Possesions). The response from the service was outstanding and the following week I came into my office on Monday and found a bank envelope that said, "For student ministry use." Inside was $1,000 cash!!! A real "Yeah God" moment followed!!! Just wanted to say thank you for giving everything away to help busy pastors like myself expand the kingdom.

Brian Moon Lakeside (Tarpon Springs, FL)

This series is excellent - it has helped our church understand the sweet spot of God that he wants us to live in. The zone has help me to show members that the key to blessings is stewardship. I added some music to the zone to increase the learning. We have seen growth in giving since week 1 of the series. God Bless Fellowship Church and Pastor Young.

Glenn Bone III (Chicago, Illinois)