Wess Shortridge

Wess runs a church of about 250-300 people in Virginia. He planted this church with only himself, wife, and his kids. His major objective is to create relationships with his new comers. The church is, from what I can tell, about 90% catered to new comers. He does almost nothing but cater to them. He says that people can only be saved if they're saved into a community. He is a king of organization and everything I've seen has been planned and executed to the smallest point. Attributes of this church include things like small groups - which is the community he's referred to in his only saved by community statement - , bridging events - things to get people connected- , they also do friends day. A big outreach is the internet. The web, according to him, is where he puts most of his energy. That energy goes into facebook, Wess' personal blog, MySpace, google adwords, facebook ads, etc. The demographic is more of completely new people than churched people. The service is hard, 25 minute worship, 35 minute sermon, and out the door. The orginization of all of it is more amazing than I think I could have even thought of. The anouncements are either weaved into the sermons or not anounced. The building is old and the atmosphere is friendly. The whole thing makes my life seem like it has the organization of a garbage dump. He has had much experience and it has served him so, so well. The experience is clearly complimented by God. His casual dress, often and harley shirt and jeans, his adressing of the needs of the community such as money, relationships and addictions, his small groups, or the offering bucket right inside the door instead of passing a plate, he has done amazing things that God has clearly had his hands in and I got more and more impressed as I listen to him talk.