My 35th Birthday:: Reflections

Today is my 35th Birthday. I am officially in my mid-30's and I gotta be honest... I am having the time of my life.

If there is one word that I would use to describe my life at this point, it would definitely be GRATEFUL! I just feel so grateful that I get to live this life God has given me.

• I have a great wife. Sarah, I couldn't ask for more. You are more than I could have ever imagined 18 years ago when we got together as teenagers.


• I have 2 great boys! They really are amazing. They have such sensitive spirits and know right & wrong. Amazing.


• I have a great church! NLC, you truly are a great group of people who get the vision and heart that God put inside of us so many years ago. I can't believe we get to impact Southwest Florida like this!!!


• I go to work everyday with my best friends! Not too many guys get to do life with the group I get to. I seriously couldn't ask for a better team. Thanks NLC Staff for getting me and being willing to work with me and around me, at times, to make the dream of my life come true everyday.


• I have my family close. I'm so thankful that my family lives near me and is apart of our lives like they are. We seriously couldn't do it without you! I love you mom & dad!!!


• I get to influence other pastors & leaders across the country which is a dream come true. What a privilege to serve the Body of Christ like we get to do on a regular basis.

When I look across my life, there's really nothing else that I want. So today, on my 35th Birthday, I am so aware that there are very few people who ever reach the place that I find myself today.

"What a privilege, Lord, to get to do this. Thanks for giving me the courage to stay the course, even in the hard and difficult times. Thanks for shaping me in those seasons. And thanks for allowing me to experience where I am today. I am truly GRATEFUL."

Matt Keller

NLC 1st Monday Fasting & Prayer Guide

Hey everybody,

Thanks for praying today!  Here’s how you can pray specifically today & all month…

1.  Pray for NLC’s Future Facility. There are two areas where we need to pray specifically in terms of NLC’s 1st Permanent Facility:

First, pray for Financing. We have officially approached several banks with our proposal and there are 3 that are reviewing it, literally as we speak!!!

Second, we need to continue to pray for the 25% down-payment. ($1.2 Million).

• Pray for everyone who has made a 6 month commitment. It's hard to believe we're already 3 months in. Pray that God will provide for them to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings.

• Pray for the miraculous to keep happening remaining $283,000 (as of last week) that is still needed for us to reach the 25% mark! We're making it, you guys! It's happening! Let's keep believing!

For all the latest information, & to pray even more specifically go to: www.ThisIsOurTime.org.

2.  Pray for our NLC Staff. Many of the staff are taking some much needed downtime with their families this month. Pray for protection over staff families as they travel this month. Pray for marriages to be strengthened. Pray for strength & wisdom as we continue to walk through this season of growth, opportunity and influence as a church.

Also, be sure to pray for our Youth Pastors, Will & Arianne Hutcherson, who just had their 1st child, Liam, over Memorial Day Weekend. They're doing great and adjusting well to parenthood!!!

3.  Pray for “Our Communities” downtown. Palmetto Courts & Sabal Palms. Pray for single moms and children specifically to be lifted! We’re making a difference one family at a time! Pray for our 3rd Saturday Serve Day, June 19th! This month we're doing a special Children's Outreach. Go here for more informaiton: www.BeOrange.me

4.  Pray for our Missionaries.

• Christ for India; Jameson, Johnson and Mary Titus. Pray for  pastors in their seminary, pray for the Children in their school, pray for the pastors they’re sending out to plant churches.


• Kelly and Kathy Johnson in Kenya, Africa as they train pastors and plant churches.


• Mark & Stephanie Pyles in the Dominican Republic as they plant “Next Generation” Churches in Santiago.


• Luke & Sandy Walters in Sri Lanka. They are working to gain influence among the next generation of business leaders in that nation.


• Paul & Mary Triller. They are working to plant churches across Europe, one of the darkest mission fields on earth today.

5.  The People of NLC. For provision and jobs. For promotions and miracles.  Pray for marriages to be strong & kids to be wise. Pray for favor with neighbors and family they have influenced through our Feeding Fort Myers campaign.

6.  Pray for the Following Church Planters we are Coaching right now:

• Maurice Stargell in McDonough, GA. I was just with Maurice last month. They are doing great and are about 4 months old now! Pray for momentum and strength as they impact their city for Christ. www.hope-church.tv


• Tory & Elizabeth Farina in St. Paul, MN. HighPoint Church is a 4 year old church meeting in a Movie Theater. Pray for wisdom as they launch into the next level God has for them. www.highpointchurch.tv


• Shane & Rachel Frasier in Lebanon, IN. Freedom Church is about a year old & God is doing an amazing thing there. Pray for continued strength as they grow. They are getting ready to launch 2 services in the movie theater where they have church in July. Pray for wisdom for their leadership team as well. www.freedom-church.org

Thanks again for Fasting and Praying today.  For more info on fasting go to:  www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting

Pastor Matt