Travis Agnew

Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.

“My Portion” – Storytellers

by

“You can take all the pleasures of this world, for You are my portion.”

I wanted to share another story behind the song from one of the tracks off of our “Enter His Gates” album (You can get your copy of the album at the church or on iTunes).  Track #11 is entitled “My Portion” and was birthed out of a United Youth Worship event we were having at North Side.

I was gathering together a collective of worship leaders from different churches to form a band for the event.  As we prayed about songs, I felt led that a message needed to be sung that we couldn’t find the perfect song for, so we wrote it.

READ MORE

Summer Mission Legends

by

We are so excited to welcome our summer missionaries back today!  Their flight will be landing this afternoon and heading back this way by this evening.

These six girls have been prayed for so much by the North Side family.  While members have been praying for each ones, one morning we also gave all worshipers the name of one girl that they were specifically supposed to pray for.  It’s been neat to have different people ask me how one of the girls was doing and if there was anything specific to pray for.

A few weeks ago, I drove through miles of farm in West Africa to a medium-sized village.  The road was incredibly rough as we navigated through crops.  As we approached the village, I saw a sight that would have been worth the entire trip.

READ MORE

The Spirit & Salvation

by

What a passionate and eclectic day of worship today.  We went everywhere from gospel to a capella and about everything in between.  Last week, we had nothing but an acoustic set from the floor, this week, we had about everything else!

We were very blessed to have One Heart help lead us in worship this Sunday.  Peggy is a part of our normal worship team, but she also sings with an a cappella group called One Heart.  Becky and Beth were gracious enough to join us for our worship this Sunday.  As we focused on the Holy Spirit, I asked them to do a medley of Spirit songs.  I don’t think they had ever sang that arrangement until this morning, and it was so fantastic.  What a way to welcome the Spirit’s presence.

Got to see some sights from last week’s Shake-n-Shine camp and hear stories from Jeff.  Such an incredible mission-focused summer (Africa girls get back tomorrow).  Jeff’s message on the Spirit was so refreshing.  Baptists need to “remember” the Holy Spirit.  Unfortunately, he is the often neglected member of the Trinity.  This message was a powerful reminder of the Spirit’s work in salvation.

Today, we worshiped to:

READ MORE

Never Been More Helpless

by

While we were in Africa, we were busy sharing the gospel.  Even if we were meeting needs, we didn’t do it without sharing the gospel.  Why?  Because that’s what Jesus did.  Yes, Jesus met physical needs, but he always addressed the greater spiritual need.  He never gave people a handout that would last for a day, he offered them words that could change their lives.

On one day, we held a gospel/medical clinic.  We would let people enter the courtyard in groups of 15 that later would turn into groups of about 100 at a time.  We would share the gospel with them, we would pray over them, and then we would try to address medical concerns.

In that day, I have never helped more people in my life and felt more helpless all at the same time.

As I rushed from person to person, some conditions could be treated with a simple Tylenol, Tums, or Neosporin.  Some of the other conditions were too great for the country to handle.  From 8-6 that day, I served as a medical assistant to some of the following conditions:

READ MORE

“However Whenever Wherever” – Storytellers

by

“Till You come, we will go, to the world, till all may know.”

I wanted to share another story behind the song from one of the tracks off of our “Enter His Gates” album (You can get your copy of the album at the church or on iTunes).  Track #10 is entitled “However Whenever Wherever” and is a missional commitment song.

I wrote this song as we prepared to go to Ethiopia to adopt Eli.  While the activities may be different, God calls each of us to follow him in unexpected ways.  This song was a commitment of mine to follow Christ wherever he called.  I didn’t want anything to sway me from obedience.

READ MORE

“No One Else is Willing to Come Out Here”

by

I’m still processing all God did among us in West Africa.  In some ways, this was the hardest mission trip I have ever been on in the fact of the conditions and what it takes to get there.  In other ways, it was the easiest in that it was very simple in theory.  Our primary objective was to share the gospel.

When speaking to our partnering missionary, I told him how difficult it was to get to him.  I had to fly across the world.  Then drive across the country.  Then walk across the desert.  Then, I was where he wanted me.  He said, “This is frontline missions.  There’s a reason your church was the last one to visit me months ago.  No one else is willing to come out here.  It’s too far.  Too hard.”

It was interesting to find out that out of the 18 summer volunteers serving with them this summer, 6 of them are from North Side, 3 are from Brook Hills (David Platt’s church), and the rest are from different locations.  Out of all the Southern Baptist churches, only 2 “radical” churches (sorry for the pun) are willing to encourage their students to go there.  And that is the reason why we must continue to go.

READ MORE

The Hatred of the World

by

Today was such a special day at North Side after 2 weeks away.  I was overwhelmed at our church on mission.  The whole day was intertwined with God’s activity with our people as they reach others for Christ.

We started with celebrating Suzanna Edwards, a rising freshman at North Greenville, who displays a heart for missions.  We then got to hear and see our collegiate missionaries speak to us in 2 different languages – so proud of them!  Ben and I then led worship from the floor with nothing but what we had last week as we led worship in West Africa for a bunch of missionaries.  The acoustic, djembe, and congregation were so wonderful as we celebrated Jesus and connected with His Church around the world.  As we commissioned our Shake-n-Shine missionaries, we had Aubin Payne, a former Shake-n-Shine camper pray over our counselors and the impact they will have on children this week.

And we were just getting started!

READ MORE

Pray in Secret

by

Jesus instructed his followers that when they pray, they are to pray in secret. Read Matthew 6:6 and see how he tells his followers to pray specifically.

But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

In what manner does Jesus want us to pray?  He wants us to pray in secret.

If we follow this instruction, what did Jesus promise?  He will actually reward us?!  What do you think that could mean?

READ MORE

Back from Africa

by

I got back last night with these 3 fine gentlemen from a 10-day excursion to Africa. There is so much to say. Where do I even begin? Here’s the short of it:

READ MORE

“Psalm 117” & “Selah #2” – Storytellers

by

“Praise the Lord, all the nations, exalt Him all peoples.  For His lovingkindess is great towards us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting.  Praise the Lord.”  -Psalm 117

I wanted to share another story behind the song from one of the tracks off of our “Enter His Gates” album (You can get your copy of the album at the church or on iTunes).  Tracks 8-9 are the “Psalm 117” suite.  My torn up guitar got a beating on this track as we had a great time arranging and recording this song.

It’s titled “Psalm 117” because it is completely taken from Scripture.  All songs I write are based on Scripture, when it works, I like to just sing Scripture without any extra (how could I say it any better?!).

READ MORE

+ MORE POSTS