I thrive on familiarity and comfort so yesterday was weird. I don’t know any other way to describe it except to say it felt strange not walking through the doors of Idlewild Baptist Church. Although I have known for quite some time this day was coming, I’m just now realizing how difficult it is to mentally prepare yourself to stop doing something you’ve done for 12 years. Over the past few weeks we have said our goodbyes, stepped down from our various responsibilities, and now we begin walking down a brand new path.
Admittedly, when I walked into Idlewild for the first time 12 years ago it felt just as strange. I snuck in, sat in the back, and made sure I didn’t make eye contact with anyone. I came late, left early and did my best to ignore the people around me. I was a skeptical, immature, baby Christian looking for every reason to walk away. But I didn’t. For some odd reason I kept coming back, drawn to the incredible Spirit filled preaching of my pastor, Ken Whitten. Week after week I walked through those doors and slowly but surely God changed my heart and I started growing in my relationship with Him.
It didn’t happen overnight but my commitment didn’t happen overnight either. Thankfully, God is faithful and as I slowly pursued Him he guided and directed my steps. I can actually look back over my time at Idlewild and see how He used circumstances, people, and conversations to help weave His purpose into my life. I love missions because a seed was planted by a missionary sharing his story and a few months later I traveled to Africa on my first mission trip. I love teaching and preaching because my good friend Jake English told me he needed me to lead a bible study with college students. I remember looking at him like he was crazy and telling him not only have I never led a bible study, I’ve never even been in one. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and 8 years later I can honestly say teaching God’s Word every week has completely changed my life. I met my wife at Idlewild and we have two amazing, beautiful adopted children because our church family encouraged us and taught us the biblical importance of adoption. I could go on and on but in the end my relationship with Christ is what it is today because the Spirit of God spoke through the men and woman of Idlewild and they helped mold and shape my life.
So why walk away? We have been asked that question many times over the past six months and to be honest I have asked myself the very same thing. Ultimately, as much as we love our church and as nice as it is to walk into a comfortable, friendly environment each Sunday we can’t ignore the stirring in our hearts for the people in our city who don't know Jesus. I’ve tried to fight it, ignore it, and even postpone it but in the end obedience is the only path. So, as of today, my wife and I are stepping out on faith to plant a church in Tampa.
Tampa? Yes Tampa. Believe it or not our city still has many places with little or no access to a loving body of believers and our desire is to begin where there is great need. This journey has taken many years and we have spent a lot of time in prayer seeking the face of God. As much as we would love to stay with the families we have grown to love, our desire to see gospel centered communities develop in new neighborhoods beckons us to walk down a different path. So with hope and anticipation we walk away from the only church in Tampa we have ever known. We don’t leave out of bitterness or dissatisfaction but because of an honest desire for the gospel of Jesus to be preached in our wonderful city. We love you all very much and would appreciate your prayers as we begin this journey.
Admittedly, when I walked into Idlewild for the first time 12 years ago it felt just as strange. I snuck in, sat in the back, and made sure I didn’t make eye contact with anyone. I came late, left early and did my best to ignore the people around me. I was a skeptical, immature, baby Christian looking for every reason to walk away. But I didn’t. For some odd reason I kept coming back, drawn to the incredible Spirit filled preaching of my pastor, Ken Whitten. Week after week I walked through those doors and slowly but surely God changed my heart and I started growing in my relationship with Him.
It didn’t happen overnight but my commitment didn’t happen overnight either. Thankfully, God is faithful and as I slowly pursued Him he guided and directed my steps. I can actually look back over my time at Idlewild and see how He used circumstances, people, and conversations to help weave His purpose into my life. I love missions because a seed was planted by a missionary sharing his story and a few months later I traveled to Africa on my first mission trip. I love teaching and preaching because my good friend Jake English told me he needed me to lead a bible study with college students. I remember looking at him like he was crazy and telling him not only have I never led a bible study, I’ve never even been in one. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and 8 years later I can honestly say teaching God’s Word every week has completely changed my life. I met my wife at Idlewild and we have two amazing, beautiful adopted children because our church family encouraged us and taught us the biblical importance of adoption. I could go on and on but in the end my relationship with Christ is what it is today because the Spirit of God spoke through the men and woman of Idlewild and they helped mold and shape my life.
So why walk away? We have been asked that question many times over the past six months and to be honest I have asked myself the very same thing. Ultimately, as much as we love our church and as nice as it is to walk into a comfortable, friendly environment each Sunday we can’t ignore the stirring in our hearts for the people in our city who don't know Jesus. I’ve tried to fight it, ignore it, and even postpone it but in the end obedience is the only path. So, as of today, my wife and I are stepping out on faith to plant a church in Tampa.
Tampa? Yes Tampa. Believe it or not our city still has many places with little or no access to a loving body of believers and our desire is to begin where there is great need. This journey has taken many years and we have spent a lot of time in prayer seeking the face of God. As much as we would love to stay with the families we have grown to love, our desire to see gospel centered communities develop in new neighborhoods beckons us to walk down a different path. So with hope and anticipation we walk away from the only church in Tampa we have ever known. We don’t leave out of bitterness or dissatisfaction but because of an honest desire for the gospel of Jesus to be preached in our wonderful city. We love you all very much and would appreciate your prayers as we begin this journey.
