Guest Blog – Brian Howe

Northway Church – Colonie is now a reality. Yesterday, as I counted the hands that were raised high professing a new found relationship with Jesus Christ at our 11.30 service in Colonie, it hit me…it’s happening. 11 people entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. The same God who has performed miracle after miracle and changed life after life in Malta and Clifton Park is alive and well in Colonie.

I am so proud to be a part of a movement of God with  people who put their preferences aside and work tirelessly to make sure people experience a God who loves them more then anything. People from our Colonie, Malta, and Clifton Park campuses came together over the past month to make sure our Grand Opening was an overwhelming success. We had standing room only in our first service and the second filled up quite nicely.  Over and over I heard guests say how much they enjoyed their experience and how they can’t wait for next week! People were challenged in their relationships and had a ton of fun in Church!!

Thank you to all of you who worked so hard, thank you for “being the church.” This is just the beginning…history is being changed forever in Colonie! 

It’s hard to choose a particular Christmas memory. We had wonderful Christmases when I was a child. My folks made it very special. Santa brought everything. We went to bed on Christmas Eve to an empty tree and woke up to a Christmas wonderland. I don’t know how they did it all in one night. We never knew. Santa got all the credit. I know my parents would sometimes not even get to bed before I would wake up all starry-eyed and excited, sometimes before 5am. I would try to wake them to no avail, so I would go to my sisters’ room for reinforcements! I would start with one sister, then the other. “Come-on, wake up! You should see all the presents!”

As a 5 year old, I didn’t understand sleeping in, especially on Christmas! My parents would ALWAYS make me wait until after 7am and then I would still have to pry my oldest sister out of bed, MAN! I always enjoyed this special day with my family, the BIG Christmas dinner, with all the wonderful aromas, and all of us playing with our new toys.

Of course there was also visiting family members; every year my mother made homemade strudel and German cookies for all our cousins and we would deliver them on every Christmas Eve. This also gave us an opportunity to see all the Christmas lights – it was very magical and helped pass the time until Christmas morning for one very excited five-year-old boy.

Christmas for us started at my grandfather’s house on Christmas Eve. My sister and I would open so many presents that we thought there was no way we could possibly get any more on Christmas morning. We would be so excited to get up early. Once we were awake, we would yell down the stairs to my parents to see if Santa had come to our house. “Did he come? Did he come?”. My parents affirmed to us that had come and that he left lots of presents.

We weren’t allowed to come down the stairs though until the room was “prepared”. This involved my mom spreading out the presents under the tree so it looked like a sea of presents. It really was breathtaking to a little kid. My dad would also start playing his tape player of Christmas songs he had recorded off the radio with classics from Elvis and Bing Crosby.

When I hear those songs today, I still think of those Christmas mornings. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we were allowed to come downstairs. My sister, Deana, and I would run down the stairs into hours of opening presents and a lifetime of memories. I don’t really remember the presents, but I’ll never forget those mornings with my family.

The picture is Christmas morning 1979.

My favorite Christmas memory is all about coming home for Christmas.

When I was 12 years old, my oldest brother joined the military. He was off to boot camp just before the Holidays. I can still remember the sadness in my Mom’s eyes as he informed us there was no chance he could return home for Christmas.

It was a tradition each Christmas Eve for our parents to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ before tucking us into bed. (another GREAT Christmas memory!) This particular year, the pages of this spectacular picture book didn’t seem so bright. I remember tossing and turning in my bed that night…wondering what my brother was doing. Was he all alone? I prayed so hard that night that he was surrounded by friends that loved him.

Sometime very late that night, I heard noise on our front porch. I ran like crazy to my parents room to tell them someone (or something!) was on our porch!! My Dad said it was my imagination, and he walked me back to my room. As we got near to my room, we heard key in the front door. I froze with fear as the door opened slowly…but only for a moment. As the door opened, there in front of us stood my brother!! He had come home for Christmas after all!

My family gathered around the tree in the middle of that night, and my oldest brother was the one to read “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. My prayers were answered…he was surrounded by people who loved him very much! I have to tell you, the pages of that book have never been as bright as they were that Christmas Eve!

My favorite Christmas memory is when I actually heard Santa’s sleigh land on my roof.

I was about 5 years old. I prayed and prayed that God would talk to his friend Santa, and let him know that I was good, so I would get presents. (Cuz they are buds, ya know!) On Christmas Eve, my mom was trying to get me to go to bed, but I wanted to stay up with everyone else. I was so excited for tomorrow! Suddenly, I heard a thump up on the roof! I thought, “Oh, no! Santa will see that I am still up, and leave!” I ran to my room, jumped into bed, and closed my eyes tight, so Santa would think I was asleep. We all know, that Santa will not bring gifts to children who are still awake!

The next morning, I awoke to find a beautiful wooden high chair, for my dolls. It had a big red bow on it. Phew…I fooled Santa. He thought that I was asleep!

I will never forget the feeling I felt, in the pit of my stomach, and the sheer panic, when I heard Santa’s sleigh land on the roof, or the joy I felt, when I saw my gift.

I have many wonderful memories of Christmas, but this one makes me giggle…just a little, whenever I think of it.

(Many years later, I found out that it was not Santa, at all. It was my Dad and oldest brother, getting the gifts out of the attic, and they dropped the high chair.)

When I was asked to blog about my favorite Christmas memory, one thing came to mind right away…my dad’s jingle bells. They have been a part of my family’s Christmas tradition (or should I say “Christmas dread”) for as long as I can remember.

It is simply a leather strap with large bells attached to it. At first, they were a front door decoration designed to add a little Christmas noise when visitors stopped by. Then, they became a way to get my brother and I out of bed to see what Santa had brought us. Let me tell you, no alarm clock can hold a candle to those bells! Now, my dad brings those out pretty much…all the time. We hear them at night…over the phone…in the morning.

You might wonder why we put up with those jingle bells every year, but the answer is simple. It brings my dad so much joy to get those out of storage the weekend after Thanksgiving. They remind him of all our Christmases together as a family. And, that is all that matters to me. I have a lot of other great Christmas memories, but the image of my dad with a smile on his face, holding those jingle bells, is my absolute favorite!

When I got the opportunity and privilege of being a part of the team at Northway three years ago, I was shocked and awed by a lot of things.  I was shocked and awed that a place like this existed…a place that used culture and creativity to communicate the greatest message ever…that God had placed such a limitless vision in such a passionate guy as Pastor Buddy…and most of all I was shocked and awed that such a phenomenal group of people rally around one vision and are unapologetic about reaching people who are far from God.

Week in and week out, over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving with a group of over 400 VIPs who love and honor God with their time, talent, and treasure.  They serve selflessly with hearts after God.  These are people whose attitudes are ground-breaking…whose passion to make a difference is extraordinary and whose obedience in chasing after the things of Jesus Christ is revolutionary.

Three years later I am still truly shocked and awed that God has sent such a group of people to the Northeast…to Upstate New York…to Northway Church.

 ”We will serve and obey the Lord our God.” – Joshua 24:24

During this time of year I really get to thinking about all of the blessings God has given me.  The way God has blessed me with my family and career and what God has done in my life to get me here is a miracle.  I love being able to work at Northway Church.  One aspect that drives NC is our constant pursuit of being our best for the Best – God.  We’re constantly asking the hard questions:

• What needs to change?
• What do we need to quit?
• How do we reach our community?
• What are we doing to take the Northeast for God?

Even 6 months ago, who knew we’d be here taking the risks we’re taking for God…that’s what I love!  Nothing is sacred.  Nothing is off limits.  In a recent message, Pastor Buddy said this, “if it ain’t broke, break it.�  Then proceeded to impale himself with a broomstick while trying to break a piñata on stage.  The piñata won. Sure, change is tough and to be honest I hate it at first, but I’ve discovered that I can only grow outside of my comfort zone.  As a result of flexing our faith muscle and not being afraid of change, our church is changing…growing.  I can feel it and see it.  I’m changing.  Growing things change.

The one thing I appreciate the most about Northway Church is the VIP’s. I feel so honored to be working side by side with such a loving and giving group of human beings. It is so easy to see that their hearts are on fire for Christ! Their tireless effort to get the job done is amazing – from our weekend services to the opening of our Clifton Park campus. These people truly have servant’s hearts! Their love for Christ shines through in everything they do.

I would also like to add how honored I am to be a staff member at Northway Church. Never in my life have I had the privilege to work with such an intelligent and creative group of individuals. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these amazing people towards the vision of Northway Church. I thank God everyday that I am able to be part of something this amazing!

When I was asked to answer the question, “What’s the best thing about NC,” I immediately thought of the people!  Yes, I know Buddy wrote the same thing, but it’s true!  Since NC began, I’ve had the opportunity to serve with VIPs – Very Important People – in several different ministries.  Our VIPs are just the best!  They get it!  They get that it’s all about others.  These people go the extra mile on a continual basis and with a great attitude!  NC would not exist without these dedicated people!

I’ve also had the chance to work with an incredible staff!  This team loves God!  Buddy leads with an intense passion for Christ and for those who don’t know Him yet, and the entire team works hard every day so that the love of Christ will be shared with others!  They encourage and inspire me!