Great things - and great conversations - happen around the dinner table. More often than not, the most significant time for building relationships is during a shared meal.

For CYPRESS CHAPEL, the driving force behind our missional community is behaving like a family in a home gathering. We'll share a potluck lunch either at a member's home after church, or at Creekwood Grill. Kids are always welcome. It might get messy and loud, but that's what large families are like.

As close relationships are being formed, home gatherings are also an excellent opportunity for intentional prayer for others in the group.

Your "first place" is your home and neighborhood, your private sanctuary. Your "second place" is where you work or go to church, where you help and support others on a regular basis. Your "third place" is different. It's the place where you socialize, relax, and have fun with your friends.

It can be game night. Or a baseball or swim team. A sewing circle or craft club.

At CYPRESS CHAPEL, our third place is "FAMILY NIGHT" at Creekwood Grill. We might paint pumpkins, play cornhole, tie-dye shirts, or make ornaments. And we always invite others to join us. It's our way to intentionally create a place for our non-church friends to become a part of our community.

We know that a lot can be accomplished with very little. The Bible tells us that Jesus fed 5000 people with just two loaves of bread and one fish. We are not a megachurch, but we are always willing to serve our community wherever God calls us. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.

It might be something big, like organizing a cornhole tournament for charity. Or something small, like baking Christmas cookies and bringing them to a retirement home. CYPRESS CHAPEL is always willing to serve.