As we study Chapter 8 of the book of Romans, which the Puritans called "The Great Eight", we are reminded that faith gives us certain advantages: I Can Know Spirituality and I Can Rejoice in Suffering:

• May 27 - I Can Experience Acceptance: Part One - Romans 8:1-4
• June 2/3 - I Can Experience Acceptance: Part Two - Romans 8:5-13
• June 9/10 - I Can Experience Acceptance: Part Three - Romans 8:14-17
• June 16/17 - I Can Accept Suffering: Part One - Romans 8:16-20
• June 23/24 - I Can Accept Suffering: Part Two - Romans 8:21-23
• June 30/July 1 - I Can Accept Suffering: Part Three - Romans 8:23-27

Jeff served on staff with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) for 13 years from 2002-2015. He served at Southern Miss, University of Georgia, and most recently at the University of Alabama as the campus director from 2008 to May of 2015. Jeff joined the Perimeter staff as Pastor at Large in June of 2015.  He met his wife Rachel when they were students at the University of Alabama in the late 90’s. They have four children: Samuel (13), Ellie Kate (9), Abigail (7) and Annie (4). In his spare time (which doesn’t come often with 4 kids!), Jeff loves to watch and play sports, get in the woods with his son, and take his daughters on daddy-daughter dates.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-20
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
 

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

Our teacher this weekend is Randy Pope: 

Randy Pope is the founding & lead teaching pastor of Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his family moved to Atlanta in 1977 to plant Perimeter Church. 

In its earlier years, Perimeter was a pioneer in small group ministry and was one of ten churches to be highlighted in the book, 10 of the Most Innovative Churches in America.  It pioneered what was perhaps the first multi-campus church in America and then moved to a church planting model in the mid 1980's.

Over the past 39 years, Perimeter and its church plants have started over 40 churches in the Atlanta area. Perimeter was recently recognized by Leadership Network as the fourth most reproducing church in America. In addition to churches planted both nationally and internationally, Perimeter is a founding partner of Unite!, a group of over 120 churches from different denominations working together to bring Kingdom transformation to the city of Atlanta.

Randy is the author of four books and a discipleship curriculum used globally entitled "The Journey".  His latest book is entitled Insourcing:  Bringing Discipleship Back to the Local Church.

Randy and his wife, Carol have four adult married children and 14 grandchildren.