With the exception of thunder and lighting, no weather condition keeps this hearty crew from welcoming drivers and their passengers onto campus. No matter the elements, we are in our element—saying "Good morning!" and "Welcome to Blue Ridge!" and "It's good to see you!"
It makes us smile inside and out to see a child waving from the back seat, a bunch of college students pouring out of the same car, a family holding hands as they stroll along the crosswalk, and you smiling back at us behind those glistening windshields.
First Impression
We see our primary, collective role as the first impression of Jesus and of Blue Ridge, knowing that we interact with people far from God or who hesitant to surrender to God—every week. We get emails from folks who say our genuine smiling and waving broke down walls for them. We hear stories of visitors who followed a prompting to try church but were nervous to open their car doors and walk to what awaited them in the building. We know the enemy gives lots of reasons for a married couple to get out of sorts on their way to worship. We're trying to start a chain reaction that will catalyze during the service, resulting in life change.
Intentional Systems
Most people think we're out there to prevent motor vehicle mishaps, but our primary focus is actually pedestrians. Our system is designed to create as few pedestrians as possible in the path of moving vehicles. We constantly analyze and adjust our patterns to make them safer and more efficient, because we're also the last impression of Blue Ridge. We don't want exit times to be an excuse for someone not to return next weekend.
Prayer Circles
As part of a tactical team, each serving position on the asphalt and on the grass plays a distinct role; but the most critical place we stand is the prayer circle before we disperse. We take turns verbally accepting God's invitation to join in what He is doing. We ask for supernatural awareness and joy. We pray for our guests, the pending service, and its speaker. Then we pray for each other—sometimes even laying our hands on a teammate as we do.
Relational Incubator
As brothers and sisters, we're family. We take great pride in ministering to our drivers and passengers but know that some of our biggest ministry is serving each other and helping each other mature in our faith. The parking team is often one of the first environments a Blue Ridger tries outside of the Big Room or at least one of the first places they volunteer to serve. The stories of life change can give you goosebumps. Some of our team alumni have gone on to lead or contribute to other foundational ministries at Blue Ridge.
The parking lots are a surprisingly inspiring and energizing place to serve. Don't believe us? Ask Woody. It's where he serves when he's not on stage.