welcome to c3 church san diego's blog. we're stoked you're here! 'in other words' is the eventful mixture of stories, videos and photographs of whats happening in and around church. stay posted every week for new stuff! you can also follow us on twitter for even more ccc fun!

...or in a more manageable timeframe, five years in fifteen minutes. we get a look back at how our church started and how God has really blessed us over these past five years.

we hear some testimonies from those within our church that have been here since day one as well as talk in depth with pastors jurgen + leanne matthesius about their journey and what they see for the future of our church

*we also get some encouraging "happy birthday" greetings from those that have ministered in our church and have really helped shape the culture of what c3 san diego is

our worship band, house red, recently had the honor of playing the main stage at spirit west coast here in san diego. there's really not much else to say. they rocked it. hard.

it's amazing to think that our c3 church movement was birthed 30 years ago, and the fact that hundreds of churches have been planted around the world since then! we are so privileged to be a part of this and we know that the sky's the limit. this video gives a look back into how everything started, where we've been, and where the c3 movement is going. enjoy!

we know we all love our dads, but we thought there were a couple other pertinent questions that usually don't get asked. well....we asked 'em, and got some interesting answers. enjoy = )

moms rock. period.

a few weeks ago, ps. jurgen and andrew bennett (our worship leader) were able to take our very own dr. phil pringle up to snow summit for a few days of fun on the slopes. we were able to grab a few minutes with him and chat about the purpose and heart of volunteering and the importance it is to our church. enjoy!

this christmas, as a church, we wanted to do something really special to help people internationally as well as those in our own city of san diego. we decided to throw a huge party for the orphanage we sponsor in ecuador...we raised $1730 and bought food, decorations and presents for every kid. paola, who runs the orphanage, said, "the kids couldn't believe it when they saw the food, and they were so excited to see the tree with sooo many presents! all the kids dressed up, most of them had never eaten turkey or those kinds of desserts, they were extremely happy! from me and the kids, thank you christian city church, we had an incredible christmas!"

we also wanted to do something to help those in our own city. there is a crisis center in downtown san diego that was in need of clothing, blankets, toiletries, etc. to fill their supply room. over three weeks the church donated two carloads PACKED full of things they needed. the people running the crisis house said they had never received brand new towels, clothes and blankets and were extremely overwhelmed and grateful.

thanks so much for getting involved! it was amazing to see people changed and impacted by our church's generosity and love!

a few weeks ago, the super-awesome dave & kathy welsh put on a newlywed reunion for all the couples that have gone through ccc's premarital class. the young couples that have taken the course always finish with a stronger, more God-centered relationship and everyone is so thankful for the welsh's and their commitment to teaching and growing the young couples in our church!

the night started with a yummy dinner (potluck style), and then some hanging out and taking funny pictures...but the pinnacle of the night was the legendary newlywed game. all the couples came studied up and ready to engage in head-to-head combat. husbands made sure they knew how many shoes their wives owned, and wives made sure to know their husband's favorite sports team. many thanks to the welsh's and everyone else who made this fun night happen!

left pic: david and briana chiddick came out on top and were our newlywed game champions!!!
right pic: chris and jamie vanvliet joined us on the night as they will be stepping in and helping the welsh's run the premarital course.

a warm up to the the newlywed game was a rousing game of "pin the tale on the donkey" where your only communication was your spouse guiding you through a maze with their voice.

claire nolan is expecting her first child soon....unfortunately scott seems to have eaten too much food.

eating a candy necklace off your wife's wrist = priceless....and delicious!!!

as the S.P.F.V.O.V.O.T.M (secret panel for voting on volunteer of the month) convened, one thing was for certain...this month's award was going to one of the best and most servant-hearted people in ccc! so we proudly announce that the volunteer of the month for october goes to jiavani waldren! jia serves in many different areas of church, from leading the kidz church worship band (blue jello), to being one of the original preview announcers, to singing for house red (our ccc worship team).

jiavani's beautiful heart and magnetic personality are what sets her apart from the rest, and as a church we are so blessed to have her! her skills aren't just used in church, jia also does stand-up comedy and works at national comedy theater in downtown san diego doing improv comedy. we are so proud of jia and her accomplishments and we couldn't imagine ccc without you!