God's been opening doors all over the place since we committed to this God-size dream He gave us.
I mean, we shouldn't be surprised right? If he ask us to do something He's not gonna sit back and laugh at us while we fumble around making fools of ourselves while trying to accomplish it. Heck no. God's already got a crazy detailed manuscript He's directing and we are just blessed to be asked to have an extra part in a tiny scene of this movie we call eternity.
Way back in November 2011, when my husband shared with me that he was sure God was calling him to be a pastor {and if you know me and my hubs, this would be a shock to all of you as well}. Not only was he supposed to be a 'grown-up pastor' now but he was being asked to PLANT a Church.
WHAT?!?! Aren't there enough churches? Everyone is leaving the ones that exist. How are we supposed to do any better than what's already out there? We know NOTHING about running a church.
These were the questions that I later learned were flying through my husband's head when he began sorting this God-sized dream out. He joked about some of these things but it never seemed to be a dampener on what God was gonna let us do. I'm slightly childish in this way. When God ask me to do something, I'm sure its Him, I just do it. Some may call that extreme faith but I think its just how He made me...kinda like being short ;o)
If I give myself lots of time to think about something, that's when the questions come. Not the, "don't you know I can't do this God"s but the "well, what can I do to move this along" questions. This life of limbo is either one of two things; God teaching us {lots of} something(s) OR satan trying to mess with my head and get me to jack things up by trying to do it on my own during the waiting. Daily I remind my self of the spiritual battle going on and wiggle down into my comfy peace that, "God's got this!" Some days that works and other day I'm a panicky mess, don't ask my hubs, he'll give ya the horror stories. hehe
Any how, about all these doors God is opening since saying Yes to this adventure:
- a woman, we had never met before, who is committed {and I mean Committed!} to give us 1/3 of her already meager income
- a partner church who is interested in helping plant autonomous churches
- 100 folding chairs
- friends who have a heart for church plants
- friends who have a heart for the community we are going to minister
- random jobs {never saw ourselves working} to offset our income
- a radio interview {that came out of the blue} where I was able to share part of our story, as well as educate listeners on church planting and the de-churched
- can lights, a projector and a screen Fo Free!
- a couple churches who have committed to praying for us and/or financially supporting us
- and tons of other things I've forgotten to mention
SEE UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!
Things we are faithing God has in the works:
- a space for The Valley to meet in weekly {praying for "The General", an old Dollar General in a store front}
- people who will commit to being part of the leadership: ie. Financial Advisor, Worship Team, Administrator
{UPDATE: we've had vocalist, drummer, and other musicans come talk with us recently!} - A passionate move of God like no other ever seen in Vilonia, AR where those who know Jesus catch fire and Salvation spreads across that community so ramped that no one can deny GOD is at work!
I haven't talked a whole lot about the logistics of what we're doing on here...mainly 'cause I don't know if you'll care Or what you really wanna know, already know, or could care less to know. Blow up the comment section or message me. I'd love to share more. If there is a lot of interest I'll even do an entire Q & A post for ya.
Speaking of which; Matt and I will be doing a question and answer session a One Church {Conway} on the evening of January 27th. If your interested in more info about this then ask away!
I've also provided a link to the interview I mentioned above if you'd like to hear it. It's an hour long program but you can skip ~15 minutes in to where my interview starts and of course fast-forward through the commercial breaks. My part of the interview is really only about 20 minutes.
Download HERE to Listen
UPDATE:
I wrote this last week and when it went live this morning my husband was in the process of picking up an old screen someone had donated only to find out that they were searching for more equipment items to bless us with. Thank you so much Mark Cox & Indian Springs BC for being Jesus through extravagant generosity! And the Fagan family for letting us borrow your ginormous covered trailer to hall it all in. AND to Pappa Dean for helping us pick it up {and for storing it until we get a space of our own!
God is so randomly Good. Just when we think we understand Him... waBam!
And, if any of your readers out there in cyberspace happen to be in the Conway/Vilonia area:
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