I
feel extremely blessed to have had the privilege (and still get
another year of it) to be the youth pastor at First Baptist in
Geneseo. It was a dream come true for me to be able to work along
side my dad, and minister together. These eight years that my wife
and I have been in Geneseo, have been nothing but a blessing, and a
joy. God has allowed us to serve some of the greatest people I have
ever met. It has been a blessing to be able to see family after
family reached and changed with the Gospel. Many of the families that
have been saved here at First Baptist have become some of our dearest
friends. It's exciting to see the numerical growth, and the spiritual
growth of our church.
The
church has been so kind, and generous to me and my family. It has
been above and beyond any expectations that I had. We have seen God
do many miraculous things, and we give him the glory for them all.
Many
probably are wondering why we would leave such a wonderful place
where God is working, and where the church is growing. I honestly
believe that this is the most exciting time in our church since my
family has been here! We are consistently seeing people saved and
baptized, and families are being added. God has miraculously led us
to build a brand new church on the edge of town. We will have many
more classrooms, and a huge auditorium providing the space to grow
even more. The building will have a gym; for those that know me, know
that is music to my ears, as coaching basketball is a huge passion of
mine! As I look at all of the excitement that is in store for First
Baptist, it makes the decision very difficult. However, I know that
God has called us to plant a church. I would be miserable if I didn't
listen to God's calling, and follow Him. We have been burdened for
the last three years to plant a church, but didn't know where or
when. At one point, I thought God was leading to plant a church in
Los Angeles. To be honest, after the winter we have had, that sounds
better all the time! It was the fall of 2012, that God really put
Davenport, and the Quad City Area on my heart. Although there are
some good Gospel witnesses there, we also see a great need there.
It's an area that we know, and that I grew up around, and God just
opened my eyes to see the need of another church in an area of over
350,000 people. It will be hard to leave my greatest friends, but I
want to encourage all at First Baptist to see this, not as a
subtraction from our church, but as a multiplication of our church. I
trust that God has great things in store for Geneseo, as well as
Davenport. Please pray for my me and my family, as well as First
Baptist church during this time of transition.
Here is our general timeline of the church plant:
February
23rd – announce to church the vision
to plant a church in Davenport, Iowa.
March
2014 – begin to contact churches and Pastors to raise prayer
and financial support. I will try to stay local, and travel on some
Wednesday nights/Sunday nights.
June
2015- make the transition
where I would no longer be employed at First Baptist. At this
time, my family would look to move to the city of Davenport.
July/August
2015- begin Bible studies,
witnessing, and outreach events in the city. Find a location for church to meet on Sundays.
September
2015- launch Sunday services
for Cross Point Baptist
Church.
