Ridgell's Originals

It came up again last night after HIP. We had blunt preaching, powerful testimony, and lots of openness. Several people talked about the fact that Southern Hills has a reputation as the church for people who have screwed up their life. Some outside of SH say it in a derogatory way, but I like it. And yes, it may be because I have been one of those screw-ups. I heard a lot of people last night thrilled at the kind of church we are, and excited that we can be honest, and humbled that we are a place wounded Christians can come home to and be healed.

I do need to point out that if you have messed your life up, and don't care, and want to stay that way... we are not your church.

But if you have messed your life up, we are for you. All you have to do is...

Admit it. Want to change it. Ask for help. Accept guidance from Godly men and women. Let the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit heal you. Then help others.

We have lots of faithful members that have never crashed and burned -- at least that anyone but them know about. And I love the fact that they are willing to get their hands dirty helping those in trouble. And we have lots of faithful members whose lives did crash and burn at one time. And God restored them. And they are helping heal others.

At Southern Hills we do believe the our God can set the captives free, that He is mighty to save, and that He can move mountains, that He can make the blind to see and the lame to walk.

And I love it.