Meet the New Hope Interns: Third (and final) Edition

Today is Friday the 13th. Many people consider the number 13 to be unlucky. Not bakers. 13 is considered a baker’s dozen. The Brooklyn Bagel Bakery was opened in 1953 by Seymour Friedman. Interesting.

On Twitter, today is considered #followfriday. Jesus said “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” If you and two other men wanted to go fishing, you’d hop in a 16′ fishing boat.  Also Interesting.

16 multiplied by 1953 is 31248. March 12th, 1948 is James Taylor’s birth date.  March 12th, 1948 was ALSO a Friday. Interesting. And a little creepy…

1948 was a significant year, not only for James Taylor, but also for Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth, one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball history, died in 1948. Know who else is considered one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball history? With 41 more home runs than Babe Ruth, that would be Hammerin’ Hank Aaron. Hank Aaron wore the number 5. Friday is the 5th day of the work week. VERY Interesting.

And do you know what Hank Aaron and James Taylor have in common? Not much. But they do each share a name with Aaron Taylor, who JUST SO HAPPENS to be the New Hope Intern who is being blogged about today. On Friday. Coincidence? I think not…

Name: Aaron Taylor
Hometown: Christiansburg, VA
Place you wish was your Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Siblings: 3 – one brother, two sisters
Favorite Hobby: Just being outside
Favorite Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 11:6

Sum up your life in a movie line:

“Everything. OK! I’ll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max’s toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog… When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out… But the worst thing I ever done – I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa – and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.” ~Chunk, Goonies (1985) … (seriously, you need to see the clip. This is amazing)

The GOOD Questions:

Do you have a “stupid human trick” that will one day make you famous? (i.e. double jointed, eyeballs that pop out of your skull, uncanny impersonation of Frank Sinatra, etc): No

Have you ever played Disc Golf? Yes, every chance I get. (good man)

Worst gift you’ve ever been given: Chonies that were too big (yikes)
Worst gift you’ve ever re-gifted: I’ve never re-gifted anything, I always find a place for something.

You, a rabbi and an Avenger walk into a bar. Pick the Avenger. Finish the joke.
I walk into a bar with Captain America and a Rabbi. I say “who put that bar there?”

The zombie apocalypse will happen tomorrow. What advice do you give to mankind? What hiding location do you NOT tell them about? What weapon would you use to defend yourself?
Hmmm, I don’t know; I’ll be busy killing zombies with a spiked club and cricket paddle along with a crossbow. (Sounds like someone has some awesome crossbow skills…)

Imagine for a second that the New Hope staff is the cast of Big Bang Theory. Who is Sheldon?
I’ve never seen Big Bang Theory.

Well, did I lie? Are these interns not the most amazing representation of creativity, wit and outstanding moral fiber? I don’t make this stuff up. As a church, I count us as blessed to have Alexa, Micah and Aaron for the summer. Many thanks to President Mike Larkin for loaning them out to us. Dare I say, I think we …*get ready for it* … hit a home run. Cue the inspirational music!

Meet The New Hope Interns: Second Edition

So how’d you like Micah? Pretty awesome, right? Well believe it or not, we here at New Hope Worship Center scored not 1, not 2, but 3 interns … all “Micah Caliber”. How’d you like THAT Micah? You just became a category of awesomeness. See how far punctuality can get you kids? I digress…

My LAST post centered around Micah, but the time has come to shift our attention to the second of our awesome Ignite summer interns. You’ll have to pardon me if I’m extra courteous about this one. You see, she’s like a niece to my boss, and face it … if you were me, you’d do the same thing. Don’t lie.

Without further adieu, I bring you today’s intern spotlight … Alexa! (@alexamccant)

Name: Alexa McCann
Hometown: Cary, NC
Place you wish was your hometown: Cary, NC
Siblings: a baby sister, and by “baby” I mean 17 year old
Favortie Hobby: Anything and everything even remotely artistic
Favorite Bible Verse: James 1:22 + 2 John 6 (look it up yourself)

Sum up your life in a movie line: “You only have to believe if you wish to achieve. That rhymed. Unintentional.” ~Rod Kimble Hot Rod (2009)

The GOOD Questions:

Do you have a “stupid human trick” that will one day make you famous? (i.e. double jointed, eyeballs that pop out of your skull, uncanny impersonation of Frank Sinatra, etc)
I have some fat thumbs. I don’t know if they’re “famous” but they are infamous. (and she was even kind enough to show them off in the above picture. What a sport.)

Have you ever played Disc Golf? I have not.
If not, why? And when do you plan on remedying this problem? The last time I was invited I opted to sleep instead. I guess I truly haven’t lived yet…

Worst gift you’ve ever been given: A box of ziti.
Worst gift you’ve ever regifted: I have participated in too many white elephants, I wouldn’t know where to begin.

You, a rabbi and an Avenger walk into a bar. Pick the Avenger. Finish the joke.
Jeremy Renner’s character, obviously. A rabbi, Jeremy and I walk into the bar, and the bartender goes, “What is this, a joke?”

The zombie apocalypse will happen tomorrow. What advice do you give to mankind? What hiding location do you NOT tell them about? What weapon would you use to defend yourself?
I will tell mankind zombies are not real, therefore they need not hide, leaving me with all the hiding places and leaving them vulnerable for the zombies to attack first. (I see how it is. Ruthless.)

Imagine for a second that the New Hope staff is the cast of Big Bang Theory. Who is Sheldon?
I think it would help here if I watched Big Bang theory.

Right off the bat, I’m going to have to say that Alexa stands a much better chance at surviving a Zombie Apocalypse, though Micah would probably convert more of them to Christianity. Because Christians don’t lie to their fellow men when faced with dire circumstances. Jeez.

Also, I’m recommending that the readers of this blog buy our friend Alexa something better than a box of ziti as a present. Ziti is awesome. Just not as a present. To the wonderful Alexa, rather than a high five, how ’bout a solid two thumbs up! (Thumbs, get it?)

Meet the New Hope Interns: First Edition

I’m a huge fan of a lot of different things. Star Wars. Massachusetts sports teams. The *accurate* use of Greek in Sunday sermons.  For today’s post, I’ll be combining two things that I’m also a huge fan of: Ignite Academy and New Hope Worship Center.  If you’ve ever been to either, you know what I’m talkin’ ’bout. Through the brilliant strategery of Pastor Dale Jenkins (@ucancallmedale), fearless leader of New Hope Worship Center, and President Mike Larkin (@mikelarkin2), fearless leader of Ignite Academy, we are hosting three  interns for the summer. Woot!

Since 3 months is such a brief time to get to know someone, let alone THREE someones, I thought I’d do my part to crack open their personalities for the world to see.  You’re welcome. I spent 47 seconds and came up with a questionnaire to help accomplish this goal. Wouldn’t you know it … they even answered the questions.

Now I’d say this is “in no particular order” so as to try and avoid showing preference, but that’s just stupid. Of course I have a preference. Mine is based on a very simple fact: They were all given the survey at the same time. My perference leans HEAVILY toward punctuality. Seriously, punctuality is for winners.

And our first intern is … Micah! (@watersmicahblue) Gold Star. Gold Medal. You the man.

Snazzy picture compliments of Rachel Fesko.

Name: Micah Waters
Hometown: Stanley, NC
Place you wish was your Hometown: Christiansburg, VA
Siblings: 5
Favorite Hobby: Sports, specifically basketball.
Favorite Bible Verse: John 21:18 “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Sum up your life in a movie line: “Wax on, wax off.” ~Mr Miyagi Karate Kid (1984)

The GOOD questions…

Do you have a “stupid human trick” that will one day make you famous? (i.e. double jointed, eyeballs
pop out of your skull, uncanny impersonation of Frank Sinatra, etc)
No.

Have you ever played disc golf: Yes. (thus no need for further interrogation on the subject)

Worst gift you’ve ever been given: (left blank, booooo)
Worst gift you’ve ever regifted: I don’t regift.

You, a rabbi and an avenger walk into a bar. Pick the avenger. Finish the joke.
A rabbi, Bruce Banner, and I walk into a bar. Hulk MASH!

The zombie apocalypse will happen tomorrow. What advice do you give to mankind? What hiding
location do you NOT tell them about? What weapon would you use to defend yourself?
“REPENT. JESUS LOVES YOU!” I don’t hide; I run/drive/fly away.

Imagine for a second that the New Hope staff is the cast of Big Bang Theory. Who is Sheldon?
Pastor Matthew

Thank you Micah for being a good sport and leading the way. High five.