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passion

We are passionate about Jesus Christ. We want to experience Him, know Him and become more like Him. The Bible says all those who are in Christ also have Christ inside them and are in the process of being transformed into His image. This thought has captured our imagination and fueled our passion.

"Lord I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray that you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord, I pray that you would bring Christians to know Jesus Christ. Amen."

Arthur Burns
Chairman of the US Federal Reserve
and Ambassador to West Germany
(Eisenhower—Regan administrations)

Christ / Christian / Christianity

Think about the progression from “Christ” to “Christian” to “Christianity”. With each move to the right it loses warmth. The progression takes you from a “person” to an “ideal” to a “religion”.

Over the two millennia since Jesus Christ walked this earth much harm has been done by “Christians” in the name of “Christianity” —– but still Christ is there, calling people to Himself, loving the unlovely and healing the broken hearted.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings,
becoming like Him in death, and so, somehow, to attain the
resurrection from the dead.

Paul, the Apostle
Philippians 3:10-11

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. And we, who with
unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s Glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

II Corinthians 3:17-18

Transformation does not happen by the work of human determination. Transformation only happens by the work of the Holy Spirit.

The root of true transformation is worship. Until we enter into a spirit of worship and surrender we cannot be transformed beyond our own meager abilities.

Transformation is not a finite thing. Transformation is a life-long journey, accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We are not here to enforce transformation because it is not within our power — nor our desire — to do so. Instead, we are here to walk the journey together, encouraging one another along the Way.

Celebration is an emerging community
where rebels are transformed into
God-worshippers and worshippers grow into
fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

"If my life is motivated by an ambition to leave a legacy, what I would probably leave is a legacy of ambition. But, if my life is motivated by the power of God’s Spirit in me and the awareness of the indwelling Christ, if I allow His presence to guide my motives, that’s the only time I think we really leave a great legacy."

Rich Mullins