Update: 6 months in
Six months ago Janet and I, along with 3 other couples, envisioned and launched Hope Community. It was envisioned to be a place that brought the hope that is found in Jesus to everyone we came across and 6 months in that’s what’s happening. We have seen God move in great and interesting ways. We have found his favor with the board of the theatre, as we have formed a mutually- beneficial relationship that has helped us meet in a great location. We have seen Him in the faces of the people who come; the couple who’s been out of church for 15 years, the young woman who has finally found a church home, and the couple who has finally agreed on a church to attend. Each one of their stories encourages us.
Many years ago I started to understand my calling from God. My calling has led me to three rural churches in need of fresh vision and life. I am a builder, that’s what He called me to do. On the enneagram I am a 3. That means that I am driven, ambitious, and driven for advancement. When I was in the corporate world this was very much me and it translated well into my first three churches. All three were struggling when I got there and I dove in head first. When it comes to the operation of a church I’m a bit OCD. All I do is think about the church, it’s needs, it’s goals, it’s numbers. I’m a guy that’s driven by numbers. If you would’ve asked me, in my last church, where we were at giving wise this year vs last I could have told you without looking. I knew the numbers inside and out. When we entered our relocation and building project I knew every detail, every cost because I was obsessed with getting it right because we had one shot at it. That obsession though, led me to a tight rein on things. I work hard and have a real problem with people who i perceive that don’t. I have always thought that to be the same as stealing. If you work you should earn your pay, especially in the church. I also had a real problem with people I believed were trying to hijack the vision of the church. In some cases I was correct and those people were, in other cases I wasn’t. They were well meaning people who wanted to add value to the church. This ticked people off and I have made my share of critics.
But now, I’m in a much different place then I ever have been. For most of those years I have tried to achieve great things. I worked hard, prayed hard and sacrificed and it was all worth it but now I find myself being less obsessed and I’m happier for it. I still am working hard to help the church grow but it’s more open handed then before. Right now we have about 200 people that call Hope Community home. They are 200 glorious people, full of life, fun, doubt, and hurt. They are not unlike the hundreds in my past three churches, all filled with great people who love Jesus.
I have been privileged to see God move in such wonderful ways in my 25 years of ministry. I’ve seen 1000,s give their lives to Jesus. I’ve participated in hundreds of baptisms, married hundreds of couples and been blessed to sit by many saints as they drew their last breaths before Heaven and I can tell you one thing; Jesus is worth all the pain, heartache and frustration that comes with life and ministry. I thought at the end of December that I was done with ministry but God has showed me in these last 6 months that He’s just getting started with me again. He has greater things to show me and greater things to do through me if I just listen to Him.
The same thing is true about you too. God has amazing things He wants to do in your life, if you just let him. You don’t have to be a pastor or work in a church for this to happen. You just have to be willing and you too can see the miracles he does every day. I have always been optimistic about life and I am optimistic about the future of Hope Community, just like I was optimistic at 1st GB in Rochelle, Illinois, Corley Chapel in Graham Kentucky and at Vertical Church in Fort Branch, Indiana. Why? Because I have seen Him do it again and again. I will push and I will build the church of Jesus Christ because that is what HE called me to do.
Jesus said: I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
All of hell should be on notice. God is moving through his church in Princeton and we are coming to reclaim territory that was stolen.
