Church Planting in a Crockpot
On the Road Again
We made it! Five people. Two guinea pigs. One hound dog. 1,664 miles. Four days on the road. Three nights in and out of hotels.
Well, technically, we did that about two months ago. But if you’ve ever relocated an entire family across the county…
…during the holidays…
…and amid birthday celebrations.
You can understand why this update is so late! But now that I’m finally able to get to a computer, I have some wonderful stories to share!
How was the Trip?
On a cold winter’s day, we stomped through the snow to load up our moving truck and overload our vehicles. It was 14 degrees if my memory serves me right.
Which wouldn’t have been bad if it weren’t for the wind 😉
Packing up and heading out took a bit longer than we were anticipating. But that was ok. It allowed us to make one final Culver’s run before leaving God’s country. Little did we know at the time how much we would LONG for Wisconsin cheese curds in the days ahead!
With our vehicles full of stuff and bellies full of cheese curds, we began our journey following Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean.
Minnesota and North Dakota offered the midwestern scenery you’d expect. Montana had more casinos than people. But then we entered northern Idaho – and WOW – that absolutely won the award for the best “Welcome to our State” sign and scenery.
Snow-covered mountains decorated by beautiful evergreen trees welcomed our little family to the West. From that point forward, straight roads seemed to evaporate from the map. Between Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, we weaved our way through four mountain passes.
And that is no joke for flatlanders. JEEPERS, ubetcha!
Our final night of our voyage was spent in Spokane, Washington. The drive from there to our new home in Portland was stunningly beautiful.
Driving through the Columbia Gorge feels like something from a magical, fantasy movie set. It is TOO beautiful to take in.
Mountains.
Moss-covered cliffs.
Rushing rivers.
Gushing Waterfalls.
Just a spectacular display of the splendor of our loving Creator.
Welcome Home
We pulled into our new home – and a welcoming crew. Thoughtful and generous new friends had picked up, set up, and decorated a Christmas tree for us.
This thoughtful gesture connected more deeply with us than our friends could have known. Our kids were bummed this year because we were unable to decorate for Christmas since we had to pack up our home instead.
After this, the welcome party just kept coming. For WEEKS after this, it felt like every single day, someone would knock on our door to welcome us to the PNW. Sometimes, it was people from our church networks, sometimes neighbors, and sometimes people from churches and networks we don’t know – yet!
We were flooded with generous hospitality. Gift cards, gift baskets, home-cooked meals, freshly baked Christmas cookies, invite to meals, worship services, youth groups, and bible studies – it gave us a picture of the welcome God promises us into the Kingdom. Unearned grace. Heartfelt embrace.
Settling into a New Normal
Moving is exciting. At least, it can be. We got to celebrate the girls’ birthday on the Ocean! First time that’s ever happened for anyone in our family.
We’ve gone hiking nearly every week and have been intentional about prayerfully exploring different neighborhoods in Portland.
But even when you change nearly everything about your life, you still need to engage all the regular, routine, mundane aspects of everyday life.
Our trips to the grocery store are more adventurous now because we have to go down a mountain to get there! But in the end, buying milk is buying milk.
Our kiddos are doing such an incredible job stepping out in faith and embracing being the new kids everywhere they go. Church. Youth groups. Lessons.
Elijah has started acting classes. Jojo is continuing violin lessons, and Ani is doing the same with piano.
We are SO stinking proud of our kids!
Back to Work
On January 1st, Kristy and I formally began our church planting fellowship with The Bridge Northwest. We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn how to engage in vocational ministry in a new way and context.
While I have served as a pastor for over 15 years, in many ways, we feel like – and are – rookies. Kristy and I co-planting and co-pastoring is a very different way for us to minister.
I’ve preached hundreds of sermons. But this is the first time Kristy and I ever co-taught during a Sunday morning church service. She was amazing!
The pastors at The Bridge NW, have graciously welcomed and entrusted us with meaningful ministry. We’ve been invited into the prayer ministry, teaching opportunities, men’s group, kids’ ministry, and more. Beyond this, the pastors meet with Kristy and me weekly for coaching, prayer, and encouragement.
Along with the fellowship, we are pressing into the church planting work God has called us to. The Holy Spirit has been weaving so many inspiring connections into our paths. Several churches and ministries serve overlooked, vulnerable people in the same area we sense God may be sending us.
Beyond this, Kristy and I are plugging away with our “day jobs.” My writing business is jam-packed, and Isaiah 61 Design is gaining new clients at a manageable pace.
Church Planting in a Crock Pot
Many people have asked, “When will the new church get started?! We’d love to know!” Well, we’d love to know too 😊
We’re on God’s timetable now. One of the lessons I learned the hard way is something that God makes abundantly clear in His Word: Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps.” Under Sean Thome’s wise guidance, we are committing ourselves to prayer until God clarifies our plans.
Waiting on God is difficult. But charging ahead without God is even more so. This stage in the journey is dedicated to “prayer and perspective.” We’re asking Jesus for His perspective on where He wants us to go and what type of church He wants to build.
So we wait. We ask. Seek. Knock. And as the Lord opens doors, we’ll walk through. As we do, we have full confidence that Jesus will be faithful to answer the prayer He told us to pray: that God’s Kingdom would come and will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.
May the grace of God overwhelm your heart, inspire your soul, invigorate your mind – and give you peace!
