As I’ve said, I’m involved in a church plant… now, I’m not the lead planter. No, no, no – I’m crazy… just not that crazy. I’m kinda like an associate planter (not a real position). In more traditional terms, I would be called a co-planter… yeah, that is as meaningless as the term I came up with.
On this post, I would like to introduce you to the three church planters I know here in Austin. I’m excited about what God is doing in this city – three incarnational/missional plants whose lead planters all live within a 5 mile radius of each other is obviously not coincidental.
Richard and I have been friends for over 12 years now (we first met in a church plant in Minnesota… long story for some other day). Richard is a man of great integrity and incredible intensity. His passion for God’s glory is a beautiful thing and (he’s gonna hate that I’m posting about him) and he’s one of those few gifted preachers who can both weep with great passion while yelling at you (usually to underscore an aspect of God’s character that is both moving and should compel us to act).
Jonathan actually lives on my street here in Southeast Austin (what a wonder that is). He has a great passion to reach the city center and to socially engage the city. The church has started meeting in the Hideout in downtown Austin (great venue) and their small groups have a mission to specifically engage the culture socially through a project (different for each group, I believe). It’s good stuff and he tackles some interesting social and cultural questions on Sundays (at least that’s been my experience). Good stuff and I’m pleased that God has chosen to make us neighbors (though we rarely see each other… we need to change that).
David is from Austin, but just moved back from another plant in Arizona. We actually met via Facebook and he invited me out to an initial housewarming get together he had at his mucho cool home here in Southeast Austin. We’ve been privileged to play some songs together and enjoy each other’s company a few times and this is a great guy. David has a vision to plant a multi-cultural church here in East Austin.
Hopefully, you see in these writings a man who is staying The Course and pursuing The Path amidst the pitfalls and selfish ways of being a son of Adam. I pray earnestly that my writing would encourage some of you by showing you that this journey - though arduous and sometimes tragic - is a journey of great satisfaction. A satisfaction greater than our greatest imaginings. The trials and refining fire of tribulation are to be recognized as a small shadow of the suffering of our Savior so that we can rejoice, as Peter and the disciples did, to be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of the Name.