"Absolutely not. I'm not going back there."
It was a simple MC Gathering out on our friend Jeff's backyard porch when the question was
first posed that created such a quick and decisive response. The question posed was about
whether we would be willing to move to Federal Way to be part of a church-planting team. At
this point, I was dreaming of West Seattle and all the great things that could take place up there.
And then this was asked. Seriously? I was raised in that city, already served 2 church families
in that city and now go back and plant!? For someone like me who has the desire to go to new
territory and experience new things, this was the furthest thing I could imagine wanting to do let
alone actually doing. Besides, West Seattle is such a sexier place to live and plant than Federal
Way. Why would I ever want to make that trade?
At that moment, something started to shift though, and the Spirit started to pursue us heavily. I
had the opportunity to go on a trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas for an equipping conference with my
friend Jeff. During this time I met some great people, including one of the church leaders, Chuck
Gschwend. His story was similar to the one that the Spirit is calling us to be part of: returning
to a city to plant a church in which he served previously. The Spirit started to nudge me as I
saw His obedience and the fruit of his labors there. Jonesboro, like Federal Way, is not a "sexy"
place to plant, yet He was called. While I thought that was a good story for him, I still was not
ready to fully recognize that this is the story Jesus is calling us to as well.
Jesus, by the Spirit, continued to pursue us. At a kid's leadership meeting, all of a sudden we
found ourselves surrounded by those part of the FW community. Relationships in Tacoma
started to dissipate while all of a sudden I was having amazing opportunities to share the
Gospel with those who live in Federal Way, even rekindling many relationships in that area that I
haven't had in years.
Ultimately, it was my heart that needed to change. I had associated the city and people of
Federal Way with past experiences that have no authority over what this new work would be
like. I have grown immensely from my time with Soma Tacoma as the Spirit has shown me
many areas where fear of man was prevalent and how I had killed many of my giftings and
talents. My heart has shifted from finding my identity as a "church planter" to simply wanting to hear the Spirit and do what He says. This decision is part of that journey. While that work is still being done, Jesus ultimately changed my heart about the work to be done in FW. I started to connect with some of the people that are a part of the church planting team there and fell in love with them and what they are doing now. I spoke with many wise people about the opportunity and thankfully I am in an environment where people point each other back to Jesus and the leading of the Spirit rather than the voice of wisdom in the world.
I can now say that, by God's grace and willingness, Darianne, Judah, Joiya and myself are
moving to Federal Way to help lead the Soma Federal Way family. My desire and dream
remains the same: to see a 1,000 churches planted through our influence. To see a city
saturated with the Gospel so that every man, woman and child will have a daily encounter with
Jesus through His people, the Church. To see a city restored back to God's original creational
design. To see disciples who make disciples who start Missional Communities who plant
churches across the world. This has not changed, nor do I believe it will.
We're getting ready, we're getting excited. Pray for a home where we can have the space to
bless people on a regular basis. Pray for my business that I can continue to take in clients and
see that become financially viable. Pray for my family as we move our lives. Pray for the city to see a unique expression of life on mission that will be open to the gospel. Ultimately, pray that
Jesus be glorified through us as we follow Him.
It's no longer "absolutely no", it's now, "Let's Go!"
