Experience Events

Does the spirituality of the Bible and modern Christianity have anything in common?   What relevance does Biblical Spirituality have in a culture of economic crisis, political campaigns, rising fuel prices – not to mention depression, relationship challenges, and economic hard times.   The Experience invites you to a special weekend with Sam Leonore, as he explores how modern Christianity has misrepresented the true reality of God.  

Sam Leonor is excited about life and authentic spirituality. He is a spiritual mentor to students and faculty at La Sierra University – and is passionate about spiritual awakening, especially college students.   His work is marked by a call to radical faith that engages culture deeply and emphasizes justice.   He also loves making music and has traveled over North America as a part of the indie band, Big Face Grace; enjoys traveling history and good food.   Sam is married to Shelley Campbell and have two awesome children – Alexandra and Micah.

Friday, October 24, 7:00 pm – What God Really Cares About
Is God angry with you? What does it mean if you believe there is a God? Most importantly, what does God think of you?  

Saturday Morning, October 25, 9:00 OR 11:15 am- Stop Being Spiritual, Be More Human.  We are constantly bombarded by religious language that makes us feel like we are supposed to be something completely different than human. What does God think about religious people?  

Saturday Evening, October 25, 7:00 pm – What God Wants
Humans have invented all kinds of things to please gods for millennia. Find out how to stop trying to please God and experience Him in normal life instead.

Beginning September 24 and continuing until December 3, a special night once a week for you and your friends and family to grow. Grab your special people and head to The Experience for a light supper at 6:30pm. Then, there will be a variety of groups for all ages, including child care and youth group. Below are just a few of the Growth Team Groups currently offered.

“The Mind of God” – Have you ever wanted to know what’s going on in God’s mind? “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways…” (Is 55:8) Go on a journey in exploring the heart of God and learning to understand His ways – especially when He seems incomprehensible.

“Frameworks” – Are you ready to build a deeper relationship with God? Are you ready to be grounded in the Word? This is the core growth class of The Experience – learn the Biblical depth of The Experience and put in a strong foundation for a journey with God.

“Recovery” – Are you ready to deal with life’s addictions in an environment of honesty and vulnerability? Are you ready to experience the freedom God has promised? Join The Experience’s Recovery Ministry.

“Women to Women Mentoring Training” – Women’s Ministry is starting a new mentoring program. This will be a training series for those who would like to take part. Mentoring means using the wisdom that comes from life’s experiences to help others who are encountering similar issues. Christian women mentors are role models. Most people learn better when they can see an example of what they are trying to learn.

“Spiritual Disciplines for Men” – Spiritual Disciplines is for any man striving toward a personal walk with Christ. Through exploring these disciplines or habits, we can become stronger, courageous, and firm in our faith, moving farther along in our walk with Christ. Therefore, whether you’re a new adventurer or a veteran on the journey, Spiritual Disciplines will encourage and challenge you to newer heights.

“Book of Acts” – The questions are designed to promote discussion and should help us not only to learn facts but also find practical ways to apply what we are learning to our own lives. There will be a plan to have a simple meal each week. Our first study for this class will be on September 26 and will meet from 6:30 – 8:10 at the Cockrum’s residence.

If there’s anything we can do to help you connect to our growth teams, our classes to help you grow in God, or just to figure out what The Experience is about, let me know! We’d love for you to be a part of our family.

Hello … I’m a member of the spiritual family here at the Experience and would ask that you take a few minutes and read on.  I haven’t always been a follower of Christ … in fact I only believed in a “higher power” … whatever that was.  Growing up I didn’t have much exposure to God but plenty of exposure to what Satan has to offer. 

I have a family history of drug abuse, mental abuse, abandonment and much more that yet has to be dealt with … which I am sure is not surprising to many of you … you see all that and more wherever you go.  I left my seriously broken home when I was at the young impressionable age of 16 … only to carry out some of the terrible dysfunction that had been passed down from my parents and then me to my three kids. 

Please know that I don’t blame anyone for this dysfunction … at least I don’t now.  But merely two years ago I was as broken as I could be.  Being in control is my addiction; codependency combined with Satan’s discouraging words and temptations pushed me into a state of serious depression and anxiety.  I felt I had nowhere to turn, no one to talk to, and no one who would understand.  I didn’t think I was worth anything ‘cause that’s exactly what Satan was whispering in my ear … all the time! 

But by the grace of our wonderful Savior, I am here and all I did was make a choice … I asked Him into my heart; told Him I couldn’t bear the pain any longer … He asked me to let go and give those burdens to Him … I am now 36 years young, have my three wonderful kids and have a husband that only God could bless me with. 

So, I ask you … Do you struggle?  Have addictions? Bear any dysfunction?  God wants you to give those burdens to Him.  The Experience family is a family of radical followers of Christ and would love nothing more than to meet you and introduce you to who God really is!

Heidi

“Surviving 2008 With Your Money Intact”

The Experience invites you to a one evening seminar, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. on how to get through tough financial times. How to build a budget that works, set aside money to have fun with, learn how to tell money where to go, reduce expenses, and how to not only survive but get ahead in these crazy financial times.

Presented by KTSY afternoon host, Travis Culver, this seminar is a must-attend for you and your family. Travis has taught financial management principles to students and adults as a high school teacher. He brings a fresh “normal guy” perspective to finances – a guy who lives in the real world, dealing with the same financial pressures everyone else does. Call 573-5473 to reserve your place and to sign-up for child care.

“Cheri Peters” – Guest Speaker - August 15 & 16

Most of us live pretty good lives. Place to live; transportation; something to eat and maybe occasionally even some ice cream. But have you ever wanted more? Have you ever wanted to deal with the deep down hurts and things you do that you can’t seem to stop?

Cheri’s story is a testament to the fact that God can change us. Born as the second child to parents that were 15 and 17 years old she was subject to a life of incredible abuse. At age 13 she decided it was better to leave home than stay and spent her years on the streets of LA. Drugs, alcohol, and abuse were her life. Burned out at 23 and seeking a way out, God spoke to her heart. From that moment forward she has held on to the fact that God loved her and she could have a life lived for Him.

One of the things that was so life changing for Cheri was coming to an understand how God deals with us through His Spirit. This may be a new concept – or maybe even a little scary – but Cheri will teach how God wants to live inside us and transform our lives through the power of God’s Spirit.

Friday Evening: 7:00 pm

Saturday Morning: 9:00 & 11:15 (identical presentations)

Saturday evening: 7:00 pm

Childcare will be available for these sessions.

Join The Experience for a journey into faith – as we ask ourselves some tough questions. Questions that challenge our faith in God. Questions that our friends are asking. Questions that maybe we’re asking but afraid to say out loud. 

April 19    Why be an atheist; or why are Christians such jerks?

April 26     How can God be love and allow children to be raped and starve to death?

May 3       Why doesn’t God just allow people to believe what they want and do what they want, rather than sending them to hell if they don’t do it His way?

May 10     How is the Bible any greater than any other religious book – from the Qur’an to the Veda to the The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

May 17     What if science contradicts the Bible? Can you still think rationally and believe in Intelligent Design? 

May 24     What’s different from Jesus and Satya Sai Baba? Or Genghis Khan? Jesus – historical character May 31 How can you prove that there is a God?

The world of 2008 is radically different than it was 15, 20 or 30 years ago. Real families are facing real challenges. Parents, spouses, children and teens; we’re all facing challenges we didn’t imagine or understand. Join The Experience for an honest look at some of these issues. We’ll take an open look at real life with a healthy dose of hope and healing.

January 25 – 26 – Breaking the Silence – A weekend on the porography epidemic. Friday Night – 7:00 pm – “It Hurts Me Too” – For Women; Saturday Morning – Keeping it Pure – “Protecting your family and your relationships” – For the Family; Saturday Evening – 7:00 pm – “Being Real with The Issue” - For Men.

February 2 – Depression & Suicide – The twin challenges of hope and peace.

February 9 – Gangs & Teens – Dealing with loneliness and community.

February 16 – Domestic Violence – Facing the issue of personal safety in relationships. What to do if you’re at risk; what to do if you’re hurting others.

February 23 – Break in the series for a special musical weekend on worship.

March 1 – Addictions – The war on drugs isn’t over. How to protect your family and find freedom from chemical dependency.

March 8 – Healthy Sexuality for families – How to help your kids embrace a healthy sexuality.

Wow!  What a year!  Some may agree that 2007 has been quite the journey; some of it good and some of it not so good.  But nonetheless it’s coming to a close and what better way to say goodbye to 2007 and hello to 2008 but to have a carnival and celebrate!

The Experience is having a Fun Family Carnival at the Boise Valley Adventist School on Monday, December 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  There will be tons of fun, lots of games, awesome carnival food and even a performance by the Genesis Team! 

Bring your kids, aunts, uncles and even Grandma and Grandpa cause this is just going to be too much fun not to share!  Okay, here’s the best part … all of the games, prizes and the performance is only $5 per family … yeah, that’s right … whether you’re a family of 3 or a family of 8, it’s only $5!  (Food will be sold seperatly.)

If you have not spent time with the Experience family, now’s the time to do it!  We certainly know how to have a good time and best of all it’s in God’s love.

We hope to see you there.  If you need more information or directions, please give us a call or even send us an email!  God Bless and may you all have a wonderful New Year!

Do you ever wonder why you are here? Do you ever wonder what you were made for? Do you ever wonder how you can experience God deeper? Do you feel stuck in your relationship with God?

Many people find that they get stuck at one point or another in their spiritual walk. They start to move toward God and then they feel frustration because they spend months or years at the same point.

40 Days of Purpose can be an amazing journey that can move you beyond the rut you find yourself in. And 40 Days of Purpose can be a powerful tool in finding what you were created for.

We find our deepest joy, transformation, satisfaction, and power when we are living the way God created us to live. That’s why as a family, we’ll be going on this journey together each week. There will be a variety of ways for you to journey with us – from our weekly times of celebration to growth teams, and more!

Join us for 40 Days of Purpose this September! If you’d like to find a growth team to grow with on this journey, email Tim Gross at tgross41@msn.com.