We’ve been on the ground 2 1/2 weeks in Columbus, and God is already doing amazing things! I’m so fired up about all the people we are meeting and building relationships with. I am now convinced that if your going to plant a church from scratch, the place to live is in an apartment complex. 

Every day, we meet 4-5 new families in our new “neighborhood” Greystone Falls. We’re making a ton of connections!  My wife made a meal for a deputy sherriff who lives here, made dinner for a family with a new baby, grilled out at the clubhouse and fed some military guys around the pool, and brought krispy kreme donuts to the apartment management. I made friends with our manager. He’s engaged and was planning to get married at the courthouse. Now, I’m doing his marriage counseling and his wedding!

I bet we are averaging 2 families a day who say they will be at My Church on launch Sunday! By the way, that’s January 11, 2009 Our first information meeting is scheduled September 27.

We asked God to put us in a home where we could reach the people around us. We had no idea He had this many in store for us! I don’t think there is a better, more concentrated group of people going through life transitions than at an appartment complex. I pray God allows us to love and reach everyone here with the Gospel!!!

Tonight we are grilling out at the pool with the neighbors above us. So, I gotta go!

At the end of June, some friends and I entered a race at Calloway gardens and  had a blast. I’ve been dreaming of how I could challenge people to grow mentally, physically and spiritually.  We all know that if you want to influence people to make a move, you’ve got to lead by example. People follow when you model. I saw this post by Mark Batterson  following this line of thought. ..If we are to lead people–we need to give them a reason to follow!  Discipline brings more discipline.  I know I’m at my best when I am kicking things up in the physical realm. Everything else flows from there… 

Oh–and by the way Paul, I’ll take your P90X challenge!!!

So we are still unpacking boxes but i can’t wait any longer. Tomorrow will be our 1st staff meeting that will begin a movement of churches. I love being in Columbus and meeting people who need Jesus.

Tomorrows meeting will focus on planing our launch team meetings and the missional events leading up to our Launch in January.  

   2 Highlights from the weekend:

       1.  Greg and Kendal’s wedding–great to see old friends

       2.  Kings Pastures Community Church–I can’t believe how gracious they were to us.  Pasto Gino is awesome.  What a great church!!