9/25/06 UPDATE

As you may have noticed, I've added a few links to the right. These are all churches and organizations that are sponsoring us in some way. For those of you who don't understand the Southern Baptist lingo, the Eastern Nebraska Baptist Association is an affiliation of SBC churches in the eastern portion of Nebraska (think of it as a county - churches in a "smaller" region affiliate together for resourcing, etc.). They are our immediate sponsoring group - they were the driving force behind all of the events leading up to our coming here. The Kansas/Nebraska Convention is a larger group of SBC associations (think of this as a state, composed of many counties, composed of many cities/churches). I just realized I'll have to add one more - the North American Mission Board. They are the national organization for the SBC's work in North America. West Bellevue is our sponsor in this immediate area. They are providing immediate oversight and partnership with our soon to be "mission church." Long Avenue is the church where I have most recently served and have been sent as a church planter. They are providing monetary and prayer support for our work. Southview is the "newcomer" to the party. I met Pastor Aaron Householder has a vision for church planting and is sponsoring a work in Lincoln. In the meantime, he heard about what was going on in Omaha and wanted to help there. They recently blessed us with the funds to get my van repaired and to purchase a new notebook! Both were greatly needed!

I say all of this just to say thanks to all of these groups. If I were to go into listing each individual who has helped in addition to them, it would take a seperate blog. Still, I want to let each of you know how much you have been a blessing in your support for us, whether it it money, prayer, a phone call or email, whatever. I have been overwhelmed and humbled by all of the support that has been given. To each of you, I again say thanks.

I'm learning to recalibrate my measuring a "successful" week. In church planting, things aren't really judged by the number of items checked off the list. I'm learning that things are often much slower and much of the things to be done are of a foundational nature, so they take longer but pay off in the long run. That being said, I think I accomplished two big things this last week. One, I think we FINALLY narrowed down an area to focus on. It will be in southwest Omaha in a really growing area. It's on the outskirts of the growth, so we can kind of grow with the city in some respects. This allows us to reach many people who are transitioning to a new home, city, etc. As you may know, these times often represent a significant opportunities to reach people. It will also allow us to possibly find some land in the future, when the time comes. Anybody want to invest in some Omaha real estate? The "boundaries" for the area will be Q Street to the north, Giles on the south, 144 to the east and 192 to the west. This forms a rectangle 2 miles by 4 miles. It's hard to express the number of lives represented in that rectangle. I don't know everything that is located there, but I do know of 1 very large high school, 4 elementary schools and 3 middle schools, if that tells you anything. I want to stay toward the western end of this area where there are five or six large subdivisions, most of which are at the stage of only having the model homes completed.

Two, I found a coffee shop from which to base my operations. I know that seems like a small issue, but it really isn't. My task now is to find a way to make contacts and penetrate the culture. One way I've found is to just "get out there" and be available. Coffee shops and the like allow me to be accessible to a wide array of people and provide the place to get some work done. The one I've found is owned by a very interesting guy who's very involved in the Eastern Orthodox Church. We seem to have hit it off and have had some significant conversations. Pray for my time working there - that it will be productive, both in terms of working (reading, writing, thinking) but even more in terms of contacts with people. Pray for providential meetings, conversation starters, etc. Pray too for wisdom as I seek ways to penetrate the culture and get to know people.

So where do we go from here?

Well, this week, I'm going to be exploring a few possibilities for meeting places (schools and the like). We probably won't be meeting anywhere in the immediate future, but we've go to find a place. That's huge.

Also, there are several people that we've met who came to Omaha to start churches. Most of them just moved up here and found jobs to help by being part of a core group for a church start. Those starts have sputtered out for a variety of reasons. I've had several conversations with different individuals who are part of these groups. There seems to be a collective question of "What's God doing here when there are several people who have a heart for church planting and a church planter?" We're going to try to start meeting to just see if we "click" relationally and also explore if there is a fit philosophically too. If so, do we all want to be part of trying something new? One concern is that most of these individuals have been involved in trying to start a church for 2 years or so and the process was very difficult. Coming out of a time like that, it takes some time to recuperate (we know because we were there after "the New Hampshire Project"). Right now it's probably a bit early for many of them to really want to dive back in. Pray for God's leadership.

This week for J and the boys went pretty well. J has really made a ton of contacts. She got connected with a home schooling network and has been in contact with several ladies. One lives just a block or so from us and has three boys - 7,5,3 - how weird is that. They went on a field trip to the Arbor Day Tree Farm. They all had fun - we now have three blue spruce trees in jugs in the back yard, a bag of freshly picked apples, a 1/2 gallon of apple cider and a 1/2 gallon of cherry cider (never had it before, but it's AWESOME). They've also been involved in Awana and took a "hike" on Saturday to collect things God made. They also took a trip to the zoo last week to see the sharks fed.

Well, that's probably more than most of you wanted to read:) Here's a summary.

PRAISES:
Good week of homeschooling
Selected a "target area"
Contacts at the coffee shop

PRAYERS:
Meeting place
Leadership - meetings with prospectives leaders, core, etc.
Contacts with prospects in SW O!
Wisdom for ways to connect with people

HERE'S THE DEAL

Some of you are probably wondering what's going on (I am too, so don't feel left out:)) Last week I had several really good meetings with pastors. The frustrating thing is wanting to start seeing people saved, the church growing (or even started for that matter). The reality is that I've got a huge learning curve. I'm trying to rely on the insights of others who have been here longer to help me understand the city, people, some of the openings and opportunities they see, and the like. There have been several great contacts with other leaders, etc. who have a similar mindset and approach to ministry as I do. I'm trying to stay patient as I try and prepare the foundation for the church God is building. It's tedious and slow, but necessary as well.

I have started to find one good place of contacts with others - a local coffee shop here. It's becoming my new "office." Once I'm able to get a new laptop with wireless access, I'll be ready to roll! I'll be working to develop more points of contact in the coming weeks.

As for the location, I'm thinking a little differently about it than everyone else (i know nobody's surprised by that). There have been some contacts in various different places. I'm really thinking of trying to have several Bible studies in various locations where these leads are coming up. I'm hoping to develop leadership among these, progressing up to a public launch. Once that's in place, we can draw all of them together and develop the church in a central location. That would be phase one. After things settle down a bit, we can go back to those areas with the hopes of starting a church at each one - that would be phase two.

We had a really good meeting with a couple last night. They share some of the same ideas as J and I. They also have 4 kids (9, 7, 3, 1), so when we pulled into the driveway, Andrew said "Wow, there's kids here!" Most of our excursions have been with adults and I guess they've gotten a little tired of that. They had a blast playing while we ate and talked.

Praises:
We found out that we've been approved for insurance (they wanted to deny J).
Home schooling has been going pretty well.

Prayer Needs:
Wisdom as I do all the foundational stuff for the church.
Persons of peace to begin Bible studies, etc.
God to raise up leadership for the work.
The Spirit to move in the Bible study I'm leading beginning Thursday night.

HMMMMMM. . .

When people ask why your church is growing, the answer should be Jesus - not the name of the pastor.

SUNDAY FUNNIES

So the boys were cracking me up yesterday. We went to Heartland Community Church. They meet in a huge movie theater. When we pulled up, the boys said, "What are we doing here?" When we told them we're going to church, Jackson said, "We can't go to church in a movie theater." Of course, once we got inside, they got mad because we weren't going to watch a movie and wouldn't let them play on the arcade games. One of their attenders told me that it takes about a month before the kids go to church without being upset because they don't get to see a movie.

When we got done, we went to lunch with several couples and were walking past the theater to the van. Jackson pipes up as says, "Dad, there are thousands of people going to church in Omaha." After a short pause, he said, "Well, looks like our work here is done!"

We really enjoyed the church on Sunday and made several good contacts with people our age that have kids, etc. I think J'line hooked up with some times for children's story hour, women's Bible studies and the like.

One thing that was really cool is that they had earplugs available at a cart by the door - SWEET. It really wasn't that loud, but it was good and we enjoyed it.

So here's my dilemma . . . I'm in a city of 850, 000 in the Metro area, very few churches, lots of lost people, tons of needs. You could basically throw a dart at a map and just start a church there. I've got to determine the best place to start a work in the middle of all of that. We've got a couple of areas narrowed down and a few people who are possibly interested in each. I'm waiting to hear from or talk to them to find out a little more. I really need to narrow this down and fairly quickly. I need you to be praying that God would show us the best place for us to settle down and work. Pray that he will move in the lives of these people who could possibly be involved and have them commit to working on it - if that's what He wants.

To give you a little more info, we're considering the southwest portion of omaha. If you look on a map, Interstate 80 runs out to a city called Gretna. Essentially, that entire area from I-80 back to the city of Papillion has no churches and they are building houses everywhere. Our sponsoring church has a few people involved from that area. There are also a few people who indicated they might be interested in a Bible study in the city of Springfield. Springfield and Gretna are small farming communities that are now booming with new growth. That's one possibility.

Another is the city of Bennington - Northwest of Omaha. Same deal with the growth. In fact, as I was writing this, a native of Bennington was in and said there are 15,000 building permits issued for the area around B'ton. There's 2 Lutheran churches and another church meeting in the Elementary School. That's it. I met a couple at church yesterday who are both graduates of Southwestern Seminary and came up here to help start a church that didn't work out. They live in B'ton and told me I needed to start one there. I have to follow up with them and see if they would want to help.

In short, I need wisdom and discernment. We've got to get this decision narrowed down.

Thanks for praying.

QUOTE

Never tell anyone it can't be done . . . God may have been waiting for centuries for somebody ignorant of the impossible to do that very thing. - J.A. Holmes

I knew my stupidity would come in handy:)

CHURCH LIFE

Well, we went to our sponsoring church yesterday for worship. We've been wanting to get involved - particularly so the boys have a place to connect with friends. They got to go to SS and we signed them up for Awana's on Wednesday night. J and I will be going to a small group that meets in our target area on Thursday nights beginning Sept 21.

It was an invaluable experience for me. I've been stuck in one church culture so long that you get used to it and your brain kind of fills in the blanks of things that a newcomer finds baffling. Yesterday reminded me of what it is like to go to a church for the first time. You don't know where things are, how things work, what isn't communicated clearly, and what you need to have available for a first timer. Fortunately, i met the discipleship pastor at the door and he walked me through it all. after worship, we connected with the DOM's wife and she helped us with the rest of the stuff. The most helpful person of all was a young lady at the sign up table for children's ministries. She helped me with the stuff to fill out, but most of all she talked to Jackson, made him feel welcome, and helped introduce him in his class. She was awesome!
The moral of the story - when you see someone new at church, ask if you can help them with anything and walk them through it (take them to the class, etc.). Also, you don't have to be a professional, you just need to be friendly, helpful, and willing to have your junk interuppted to help someone else.

I also had two more "It's a small world" moments last week. You know, things like the Sunday i announced our move to the church and Chris Earley's grandson was there - from Bellevue, NE, when I told Bruce and he did DMin work with our sponsoring pastor, when I preached at FBC PSJ and a guy told me he had just moved to PSJ from Omaha. Well the two for this week:
I met the discipleship pastor (Joel Davis) from our sponsoring church, West Bellevue. He asked where we moved here from and I told him PSJ. He got a grin on his face and i said, "Do you actually know where that is?" He replied, "Yeah, I'm from Panama City. My parents had a house on St Joe Beach for years." He went to school at Graceville. The other involves my sister. She moved to Watertown, NY (upstate, way upstate) a few months ago. She was talking to her neighbors last week and i guess mentioned what we were doing. They told her they grew up in Papillion, NE (our target area). Weird, huh?

Thanks for praying. Your prayers got the van out here - i think the waterpump went out. I should have had you pray for it to not break down - period! This week I'll be prayer-driving our area with Steve Holdaway (our sponsoring pastor). The boys will be starting Awana's. J will be starting homeschooling:) I'll also be meeting the pastor of a church in Lincoln that may help for the remainder of the year. I'm also meeting with a guy I hope may be part of the core.

Your prayers make a difference, please keep it up! You are an invaluable part of our efforts to make a difference for the Kingdom.

WE MADE IT!

Looking at the counter, a few of you have been checking for updates this week (or else Suzanne was just checking every 5 minutes). We made it on Monday afternoon about 4:00. Everything's off the truck and in either our garage or storage unit.

So far everything is going great. We've met several of our neighbors - they are extremely friendly. It's like being in a sitcom or the twilight zone - haven't decided which yet. The boys are slowly adjusting by tearing each other's heads off - when we don't beat them to it. Three days in a car was a LONG time and it's taking a while for them to work off the excess energy.

Yesterday was really cool. We decided to take them to the zoo. We actually bought a year pass and only saw maybe 1/2 of it. i found out today that it is consistently rated in the top three in the nation or world (there was some confusion as to which). i believe it, it was the best i've ever been too. I'll try to post some pics later.

Had a good meeting today with the sponsoring pastor. He is really supportive and we are meeting to go "prayer driving" next tuesday. They are doing 40 Days of Community starting Sept. 17 and I'll be leading a small group for them that meets in our target area. I also met another pastor in the area who's family lives in the area and he's going to introduce us. The consensus is that the biggest obstacle will not be the people but where they will meet. The locations are in short supply, are very expensive, as is land. That will be a big thing to pray for - like maybe several churches, investors, etc. will see the need to come together to make it happen.

Sorry, I'm not posting updates as promised, but i don't have an internet connection yet - i'm about to die!!!

Anyway, pray for us to meet the right people, build small groups, and find a place to meet.

More next monday if not before!

LOAD 'EM UP, MOVE 'EM OUT

Sorry the post is late this week. J'line just let me out of the back room where I've been packing the last several days:) Actually, we've had a few breaks to socialize, etc. I'm taking a short break while it rains. We got a break today when the U-Haul place asked us to pick up the truck early so people would quit bugging them to let them rent it. I'm not sure how we're going to get all of our stuff in the truck anyway, so it helps to have more time so we can pack carefully.

The last several days have been very emotional - a lot of ups and downs. Church went well on Sunday. Andrew was baptized to begin the service. At the close, the pastor had us gather up front and everyone prayed for us to commission us. It was encouraging, humbling, and really worked up the ole tear ducts.

Sunday night, we had fellowship at the church that was fun and encouraging. They "equipped me" to go to Nebraska as a "faux Husker" and sent us off with some encouraging comments and CASH!!! Thanks to everyone who was a part. We really appreciate it.

For those of you on the prayer team, we will be sending out a letter this week with more info (for those who aren't and want to be, let me know), but for now, here's some requests:

At the present, our most urgent requests are for help in moving and a safe trip to Omaha (pray that God will hold the van together for the trip!). Once we arrive, I am praying that the boys and Jacqueline will make friends quickly. Please pray for them as they begin home schooling too! For me, the first several months will be ones of learning the community, finding doors of opportunity where God is at work, meeting people, and planning for the new work. Pray that I will learn how God is moving in this culture and join Him there. Pray also that we will meet persons of peace (Luke 10:1-24) who God is preparing to be involved in the work. Pray for leaders to join us in the work of the harvest. Pray that I will be alert and aware of opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that I will share it boldly, clearly, and that it will bear fruit quickly. Pray for the Papillion/La Vista/ 370 Corridor outside of Omaha to be receptive to the gospel. Pray also for wisdom as we make the countless decisions that are going to be needed in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your help!

PICKING UP STEAM

Things are really beginning to move now! 2 weeks until we hope to move. I never realized how much stuff we have. My parents were down and really helped us pack up a lot of it.

Yesterday was a bittersweet day for me. We had a fantastic service Sunday morning. God seemed to really be at work. A young lady I've been praying for since we came to Port St. Joe 6 years ago came forward and committed her life to following Jesus! All in all, it was really great. The bitter part came last night. We had our last small group meeting with several people who have become family to us during our time here. The adventure of moving and starting a new church is exciting, but it sure is hard to leave people like them behind.

This week will be more of the same - pack, pack, pack. We have a big Sunday coming up - Andrew (my middle son) is being baptized, i'll preach my last sermon here, and the church is having a farewell dinner for us.

PRAYER - Please pray for us to get everything ready for the move.

Pray that I will hear God's plan for what he wants done in Omaha.

Pray for me to present the gospel clearly and courageously at every opportunity. Col. 4:3-6

HERE WE GO. . .

I found out that we will be approved as church planters by the North American Mission Board either today or tomorrow (8/8 or 8/9). That is the last "hurdle" until we can move. I reserved a truck for 8/25, so we will be packing up and leaving a day or two after that. I'm guessing we should arrive in Omaha on 8/28 or 8/29. Then the real fun begins . . .

You know, things seem a little more real now.

JESUS IS EVERYTHING

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. . .” 2 Cor. 3:5

One of the great tenets of Scripture is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3,4)! He is sufficient for creation (Col. 1:16-17), salvation (Heb. 10:10-12), sanctification (Eph. 5:26-27), and glorification (Rom. 8:30). So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection (1 Pet. 1:18-20).

So complete is He that there is no other God besides Him (Is. 45:5); He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14,18); all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col. 2:3); the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Col. 2:9); He is heir of all things (Heb. 1:2); He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16); He upholds all things by the word of His power (Col. 1:17, Heb. 1:3); He is the firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15); He is the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3).

He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals, the Wall of Fire that defends; The Friend that comforts, the Pearl that enriches; the Ark that supports; and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures; He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3, 8:1); He is better than the angels (Heb. 1:4-14); better than Moses; better than Aaron; better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan (Lk 4:1-12); and stronger than death (1 Cor. 15:55).

He has no beginning and no end (Rev. 1:17-18); He is the spotless Lamb of God; He is our Peace (Eph 2:14); He is our Hope (1 Tim. 1:1); He is our Life (Col. 3:4); He is the living and true Way (John 14:6); He is the Strength of Israel (1 Sam. 15:29); he is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); He is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11); He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2); He is the Captain of our Salvation (Heb. 2:10); He is the Champion; He is the Elect One (Is 42:1); He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Heb. 3:1); He is the Righteous Servant (Is. 53:11).

He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer – the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth (Is. 54:5); He is the Man of Sorrows (Is. 53:3); He is the Light; He is the Son of Man (Matt. 20:28); He is the Vine; He is the Bread of Life; He is the Door; He is Lord (Phil. 2:10-13); He is Prophet, Priest and king (Heb. 1:1-3); He is our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:9); He is our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6); He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4); He is Lord God of hosts; He is Lord of the nations; He is the Lion of Judah; the Living Word; the Rock of Salvation; The Eternal Spirit; He is the Ancient of Days; Creator and Comforter; Messiah; and He is the great I AM (John 8:58)!

Taken from the MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1831

Well, it's been a while since the last post . . . mainly because there's not a lot to tell. The one thing we are waiting to hear is that we have been approved by the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This should be a formality, but it takes time and we can't get any money until it takes place. Since they are providing a large portion of our support, it's very important:) We should be receiving notice at some point this month.

Other than that, I have been spending a large portion of my time preparing for the work in Omaha. I've found a website for a network of church planters (Acts 29) that has been really helpful. They have posted their Boot Camp (training for church planters) online, so i've been able to listen to a lot of it. They are a group committed to communicating the gospel to the culture today. At the same time, they highly emphasize Bible teaching and theology, so it's right up my alley!

I've also been making contact with some of the pastors in Omaha. They are a very helpful group that seems to work well together. They are all excited about the work taking place there and having us join them.

Here are a few things you can pray for:

1. Col. 4:2-6 - That God will open a door for the gospel in Omaha. That I will proclaim the gospel clearly and seize every opportunity.

2. That everything will go well with lining up the move - that we can find a truck at the right time, get everything packed, etc.

3. Adjustment for our family. New friends for us and the boys.

4. Pray especially for Jacqueline as she will be preparing to homeschool Jackson and Andrew for the first time.

5. Leaders to go into the harvest field.

WELCOME

Just a welcome note to those of you just hearing about the blog. Keep checking back for updates and prayer requests.

You can leave a comment for us by clicking on the comment tab at the bottom of each entry.

A PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, I lift up my eyes to You. I realize that only from You will I receive the help I need. Forgive me for looking to men to supply my needs. Thank You for being my Provider. Thank You that just as You have supplied for the sparrows, the lilies of the field, and all of Creation – these just show that You will meet our needs too. Thank You that You have gone before,. Thank You that You are preparing the hearts of the people who are going to be involved. Lead people to be involved n the Prayer Team, Supporters, Launch Team, Worship Team. Prepare the hearts of those who need the Gospel. Thank You that You are already working in their circumstances, hearts, and lives to prepare them for the Gospel. Thank You for Your power that is contained in the Gospel. Thank You that the Spirit will give the words to share it. Thank You for Your Word that reveals Your Truth. Thank You that it penetrates their arguments, objections, thought, and ideas. Thank You for the Spirit that does the work of convicting of sin and righteousness and judgment. Thank You that we are not alone in this venture – that You have called us, You have sent us, You go to prepare the way, You provide what is needed. May Your Name be forever praised!
Thank You that the obstacles I see before me are opportunities for You to display Your glory. Thank You that there is nothing that will keep Your plans from being accomplished. There is no power or person or situation that can thwart Your desires. Thank You that if You are for us, nothing can stand against us. Thank You that You always lead us in triumphant victory. Thank You that You have already won the victory over Satan on the cross. Thank You that He is defeated, the outcome is already established. Thank You that there is nothing to fear because You are with me. Thank You that You are my god, so there is nothing to worry about. Thank You that when my strength fails, You give Your strength, You uphold me, You help me. Thank You God that You are the lifter of my head. Thank You that even though friends and family may desert me, still You will be there for me. Thank You that You will never leave or forsake me.
Thank You God that You supply a fresh start, a new life, and the power to overcome whatever is in my life. Thank You that in Christ, I am a new creature, the old has gone and the new has come. Thank You that I am dead to sin but I am alive in Christ. Thank You that the power of the resurrection is present in my life. Thank You that all I need for life and godliness is supplied in Christ. Thank You that You are at work in me – I surrender to that work and look forward to the opportunities to “work out” my salvation.

I began my pilgimmage with God many years ago. It has had many twists and turns thus far . . . and I anticipate many more before the journey is complete. In the next few weeks, the journey will be carrying my family and I to Omaha, NE to start a church. Here you can find the chronicles of that journey. You can check back for updates, prayer requests, reports, praises, and personal tidbits.

This leg of the journey began several years ago as God put a passion on my heart for starting new churches. As I have served as a pastor over the last eight years, this passion has been growing and becoming more clear. My prayer during the past year has been "My God, I want to do what you want." (PS 40:8 NCV) We've chosen to pursue this journey to Omaha to join Him in the work He has begun - drawing the people He loves so much back to Him.

Today I found a new theme verse for this season of life:

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." Psalm 37:5

That is my prayer for these coming days. I have committed my way to Him. I am trusting in Him. I am depending on Him to act.