Refresh

In 2020, East Cooper updated its vision and launched some specific initiatives to help broken people treasure Jesus. The tangible goals articulated within this vision require sacrifice. A desire to create a church-wide space to give particular teaching on how to think about these goals was the catalyst for launching Refresh, a yearly church-wide class. This year's Refresh class focused on spending your life well. Pastors taught through scripture that both challenged and defined the idea of what the good life looks like, and tied those teachings into the specific goals we have here at East Cooper:

"It can be tempting to love Jesus but still do your own thing. The Lord cares how we spend our lives and gives some stern commands about how not to spend it We see that the sometimes difficult life of serving and following Jesus is the truly good life," shared Pastor Leland Brown, who created the curriculum for this class. The spent life is modeled for us through the life of Jesus. We are reminded in Mark 10:43-45, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." There is an emphasis on serving others in this scripture and other verses that talk about the life of Jesus."

Since the class ended in January, pastors and staff have witnessed fruit and growth in the area of service. The idea that our lives, time, and money are not our own has resonated with members, who are reevaluating how they are spending their lives. "It has been an encouragement to see an increase in serving and a willingness in people to jump in where needed," Leland shared.

Moving forward, Refresh will be offered every January. All church members and anyone who calls East Cooper home are encouraged to prioritize attending this class. It is meant to be an encouraging space to learn from biblically­ based teaching and fellowship with others in the church. Throughout the class, participants sit at round tables where discussion is encouraged. "If you did not attend Refresh because it was a new idea to stay for both hours, I would encourage you to trust the Lord with both hours. Trust that it will be a blessing to you. If you didn't attend because you are skeptical of this new vision and values, I would encourage you to think about your role in the local church and think about this class as an opportunity to be all in as a church member."