Transition

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 discusses and drives home the point that for everything within the earth, and for everything God created, there is a season. Seasons are interesting... the weather is different in a season, the growth rate is different, and the reactions to each is different. Plainly put, seasons bring about difference.

God has given me the ability and calling to see things a little differently than just a typical ministry mindset. For years I have dreamed and envisioned huge things. 2 years ago, when God brought my steps in line with Ebenezer PH Church in West Columbia, SC I felt a big picture being painted. Pastor Gene felt the same. To me, ministry is much bigger than announcements, music, preaching, go home and do it all again in 7 days. I believe we are to get fueled up on Sundays and then live the church the other 6 days.

With all of that being said, God has shown Megan and I a new season. I have dreamed for years about planting a church and beginning a new, different ministry. Megan has not always seen the same things I have - which is totally understandable. However, over the past months God has brought her vision for ministry/life into the same alignment as my vision for ministry/life. So, therefore, with that we spent A LOT of time in prayer, worship, and discussion. And feel as if God has led our season to a certain place that will consist of a lot of work and a longer season.

God has chosen to release us to begin a brand new church plant in the Northeast Columbia area - most notably Killian Road/Blythewood. We have HUGE plans/vision for this great ministry. These are things that we believe are not man-made, however, God-breathed. We have been spoken over by MANY people, some that know us some that do not, that we are making a very wise decision and God is going to bless this. This step of faith is met with a mix of emotions.
1- Excitement! : We cannot wait to begin this tremendous kingdom work. It will not be easy, and it probably won't be a matter of a year to see great results, but we truly believe God is going to bless this work! We cannot wait to begin the beginning phase of small groups within the community. We cannot wait to begin our first service. And we cannot wait to equip people to love God and live God! We are so honored, and so pumped for this chance. The church will be contemporary, modern in every way. We will target 20-40 year old young couples, but the church, we believe, will appeal to others as well!
2- Sadness: we are sad to leave our current church/ministry family. We love Ebenezer and the people that are here. They are our family now! We appreciate their hearts and the support in which they have received this news and spoken life into this! I will continue to serve full time through the end of my contract with Ebenezer, and I will love every second of it!
3- Nervous: this is a GIANT step of faith. I'm talking - stepping out of the boat to walk on water faith. We have approximately $100k to raise within our first year of existence, and preferably before our first launch service! (If you would like to contribute contact me!) But we KNOW this is God's plan for our life, and season for our ministry and we cannot wait to see what He has in store.
What can you do? PRAY, JOIN, INVEST... 1- PRAY FOR US! We need your prayers. We are seeking to raise $100k within our first year, and we are praying for God to send us people, and workers, but we are more than anything praying that God will anoint us to make a difference in this generation with the Kingdom! 2- JOIN US! We begin our small groups phase on October 16. I will give you a time and location soon, but pray about joining. If you are interested you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com. 3- INVEST. What you invest in you believe in. What you believe in you benefit from! If you feel a need to help us reach our $100k goal please do so. Again, you may contact me for more information!

In closing, you will be kept up to date through the blog, our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/233740423343049/?notif_t=group_r2j), and our Twitter (@RadiateChurch) account of updates. The church will be called: Radiate Church - "Loving God and Radiating It" Psalm 34:5. If you would like more information, you may contact me at: radiatepastor@gmail.com as well. I will fill you in on vision and goals as deemed appropriate, but just know - God has HUGE things in store for this ministry... things that make me cringe sometimes, honestly... but if I could do it alone, why would I need God?