[lead dropcap="yes"]There's something special about wide, open space. Open floor plans; big, breathable-whitespace-space. When you have an excess of space, all of a sudden you have the possibility of anything. Like a new canvas stretched across the artist's easel, space is an invitation for something beautiful to begin.[/lead]On our first Vision Sunday, we gathered to be encouraged, to see a glimpse of the future, and to be inspired into our purpose as we step into our second year as a church.

Make Space

In 2 Kings 4:1-7 Pastor Rich shares the story of a widow, wondering what to do to pay her late husband’s creditor who, according to customs, would take her two sons in exchange for the debt and approaches Prophet Elisha. What’s surprising is the prophet’s response. He asks, “What do you have in your house?”

In our times of need, it is easy to see what we lack. It can be challenging to see what we already have. The widow only had oil, and so she’s instructed by the prophet to gather as many jars as possible to pour oil onto them. She did as the prophet said and the oil only stopped flowing when all the jars were filled.God worked with what she already had and does the same with all of us. He is able to multiply our few into plenty, and make large our small. The full oil jars allowed her to pay her debts and keep her sons. This only happened because she made space for the Lord. She used her empty jars and poured more oil than she could ever imagine.As if that story wasn’t encouraging enough, Isaiah 54: 2-4 provides a guide for what year two will look like for VOUS Church. We believe God is calling us to stretch, not just physically, but in our hearts, in mercy and compassion. Also, we will expand in our service to this city and in our love for each other.

"Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. Don’t be afraid — you’re not going to be embarrassed. Don’t hold back — you’re not going to come up short. You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory." Isaiah 54:2-4 (MSG)

VOUS Vision

As we step into 2017 and beyond, here are a few things that we are doing in order to make space for God to do the remarkable:

• Launching 9 new crews this season, totaling 36 active crews that expand throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
• Our first ever Team Conference will take place on October 8.
• Introducing an Internship program where we’ll train new leaders.
• We’re expanding beyond our podcast and investing in new equipment for future live streaming and TV broadcasts.
• Next year, we’re launching a second location: VOUS Little Havana.

As we make these announcements, we are reminded of how faithful God is. When we take the first step and offer what we have to God, he has the opportunity to make it into something extraordinary.

Listen to the Full Message

VOUS Podcast

Just once is never enough! Listen to this week’s message and more by subscribing to the VOUS Church Podcast on iTunes.Get the Podcast

Heart And Soul

Join us this Wednesday as we celebrate the wins of SZN 2 and cast vision on SZN 3. This is our last Heart and Soul for 2016. We will be at Jose de Diego Middle School with a seat reserved just for you.

Pray First

Join us at 12 pm everyday on Periscope during these 21 days, believe with us and experience the power of God, activated by our collective faith. Find out more at vouschurch.com/prayfirst.

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