The Unconnected

We were surrounded by people who felt disconnected from God. Many wouldn't go to any church in the area. Maybe what we needed was a new church to help them through this process of getting connected. I felt a strong pull toward this. I also felt scared to death. So I finally spoke with my wife about this. Kathy was supportive. A few weeks later, my pastor gave a message entitled “A Branch is Rising”. He shared his thoughts on the need for Culpeper Baptist Church to start a new congregation in Culpeper. I couldn’t believe my ears. When God speaks, He speaks through a lot of people!

The Next Step

The first Tuesday of November, I was having lunch with an interdenominational group of Christian ministers. I happened to be sitting next to the Director of Missions for the Shiloh Baptist Association. Lanny Horton is a great guy with a heart that longs to see God's Kingdom grow. He was instrumental in bringing new churches to Culpeper. So I casually asked him when Shiloh was going to start a postmodern church.

Without skipping a beat he replied, "I don't know. When are YOU going to start it?"

I nervously laughed and shared some ideas for a new kind of church, but left it at that. Lanny wasn’t done. He called the next day and asked me again about starting a new church. He called a third time the following day with the same question! I had felt God calling me to be a creative messenger, but I didn't think of God calling me to plant a church. He would make that clear later on.

Genesis

My wife Kathy and I were on vacation, and I had gone to the motel lobby so I could chat with God for a while. I had been the Minister of Youth at Culpeper Baptist Church for several years and was happy. I loved the church and worked with a great staff. But I also loved tinkering and inventing, so I asked God "What am I here for?” I opened my Bible to Ezra. As I read, one verse jumped out of the pages and hit me between the eyes. Ezra 7:10 reads, "For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel."

I believe at that moment I discovered my calling. It was a calling to study and follow the way that God wants us to follow. A way of love, respect, peace, joy, and forgiveness. And it was a calling to creatively teach others to do likewise. But I was unsure what the next step should be.