January 2011

Jacqueline and I received a surprise blessing for Christmas in 2010. We found out that my sister and her family were going to come up after Christmas and stay until after New Year’s. They were mostly interested in seeing our new baby girl, Lacie Rae. They got what they wished for, and, once again, we got more than we bargained for! As with other visits, we did a lot of running around with the Cervones, because much like us, they like to go.

On one of the rare days that week, we found ourselves sitting in the living room of our house when the question was asked. My brother-in-law Matt looked at me and said, “I thought you were planning to start a church in Florida; what happened… Are you coming or not?” I was taken back by his forward question (not because it was forward, but because it put me into a corner). I was now faced with a dilemma… What do I say?

A year earlier I was so gung-ho to leave everything and begin this crazy adventure, but now after a year of so much change and work at Crosswind, plus the added negative experience of the ARC roundtable, I really didn’t know what to say. I began making very strong and understandable arguments (excuses) about why we couldn’t plant a church. I explained how we really needed to look for an established church instead, because of our special needs in terms of health insurance and stable income to be able to pay our bills (particularly the school loans).

Matt smiled at me and said, “OK, I can get you a job with insurance tomorrow, and I know a very wealthy businessman who could potentially underwrite the entire church plant. I can set up a meeting for you with him. Will you come?” Now what… My excuses had just been decimated; now what was I going to do? I paused, calculating my next words and then allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through me, in an instant making a bold proclamation and ending the lies of Satan… I said, “I know I am called to plant a church in Florida… I just can’t get away from it, so if you can get me a job, I’ll come.”

Once again, the year ahead would prove to be a time of growth and personal change for me, as God prepped my heart to learn to trust Him more and to rely on His strength instead of mine!

Brian