Pray For An Offer On 12/22!

If you're tracking with us in prayer...you know that the selling of our house is the biggest and most immediate obstacle to moving to the Columbus area to get started in early 2007. It is our specific prayer that our home would sell in December so we can move sometime in January.

If you would, please make a special note to ask God that an acceptable offer would be made for our home on Friday, December 22. At this point (Thursday), a couple is supposed to come and view our home for the third time. They are representing their daughter who lives out of state. This could be the provision that God is making...we could be seeing God's plan unfolding again in amazing ways right in front of us. In any case, God's plan is perfect. We will wait on Him.

God Provides!

I'm typing this post on an almost brand new computer that is being donated to our new church! Would you take a second and utter a BIG "Praise God!" with us! We are so grateful for this gift! This was a major item of prayer for us. It's going to be a big step going from our current church, which is blessed with state-of-the-art resources, to our baby church, which starts with nothing! God has a plan and is working it out step-by-step in amazing ways! Thanks for praying with us! Special thanks to our anonymous donors-- 2 Cor.9:14.

If You Want To Help Financially...

Thanks so much for your desire to partner with us through prayer and giving. That is such an encouragement and blessing to us. Our prayer is that your prayers and your financial sacrifice will be multiplied exponentially as we seek to follow God and see lives changed in northeastern Franklin County.

Above all, we want to be accountable with the funds you donate towards our work. The best way for you to give would be to make any gift out to “Northwest Chapel” and send it to:

Pastor Martin Guerena
Northwest Chapel
PO Box 1234
Dublin, OH 43017-6234

Eventually, we will be putting together a formal support raising team (separate from our prayer team). It will be our responsibility to help raise money for the following areas: salary, ministry outreach and marketing, equipment expenses (computer, etc.), and facility/office rental. As you send a check to the above address, please be sure to put “NEFC CHURCH PLANT/WIRT SUPPORT” in the “memo” line. Any gift made out to “Northwest Chapel” will be tax-deductible and they will send you a receipt for tax purposes.

Thanks again for your vision to help us get this new work started. We are amazed to see how God is working through people like you to seed this new church. Please know that whatever God does—you’ll be a significant part of it with these gifts and prayers to get us started.

2 Corinthians 9:14,
Andy and Trish Wirt

Thanks, WRGBC!

Our church, Grace Church, Macedonia, OH (www.wrgbc.com) held a send-off party for us last Sunday night (12/10/06). It truly was a special time of hearing testimony of God's work through our family and celebrating dear personal relationships. This is a special church and it will be hard to leave. "God, help us take what we've learned here and use it for your glory in the new church you've conceived in our hearts."

Here's a picture of us on stage at our party, listening to kind people express words of grace towards our family. What a blessing this evening was. Soon, it will just be us...so we'll carry these words of encouragement with us into the joys and challenges ahead.

Prayer Team Soars Over 200 Mark

Please praise God with us! Our first goal in beginning a new church is accomplished. Sometime this week (the numbers change every day!) we added the 200th member to our team. At this point, we have around 215 people praying with us for God's work in northeastern Franklin County, OH. Our goal was to find 200 people to pray with us by the end of 2006. Praise God- He's done it!

"God, Please sell our house..."

God has blessed us with a great house. We're thankful for it and have enjoyed it much. We're learning a lot about the fact that earthly possessions are just that- earthly, temporary, and lacking in ETERNAL value. That doesn't mean it is necessarily any easier from a human standpoint to face all the adjustments that moving entails. We're moving away from what is comfortable...away from a place that holds memories of our two children coming into the world...away from a place that we've fixed up and made our own. BUT, we're moving to a place where we are anticipating God working towards something that will have value for eternity- changed lives in a community where new churches are needed. Pray with us that we can live Matthew 6:19-21 as we walk through coming days.

Pray also with us that God will release us from this burden. We trust His timing and His perfect plan. Yet, as we look ahead, the obstacle to moving, to getting started with the important work God has given us, to knowing our financial position, etc. is our house. Our time schedule and financial picture would be much more clear if we knew our house was sold. We want to get to work as early as possible in January...please pray that God would bring the right buyer at a fair price and strategic time.

Why Northeast Franklin County (Columbus), OH?

The following is a letter I wrote to Pastor Martin Guerena, Associate Pastor of Missions, at the northwest Chapel Grace Brethren Church in late November. I include it here so members of our prayer team can understand what and why we have sensed God's leading in this direction. God has been faithful to clearly communicate with us on our calling to church planting and His location for our work. Please, PRAISE HIM with us.


Dear Martin,

Thanks for your assistance in helping us confirm God'’s calling on our life for church planting. We are at the point of confirming God'’s leading to a specific location. We have spent much time visiting several different locations that were either of interest to us or brought to our attention by trusted advisors.

For a variety of reasons, it seems like God keeps pointing us to New Albany/Northeast Franklin County. As I sense God revealing His will, I'’d like to outline these indicators for you (as you requested):

Including our breakdown adventure with you, we'’ve been to the New Albany area 4 times in the last 4 weeks. Each time, we'’ve been impressed with:

• The number of newer homes that indicate explosive growth in the last 5 years or so. It is clear that this area has grown and continues to grow rapidly. There is clearly need for new, relevant, disciple-making churches to reach this growing population.
  
• This is a place we would enjoy living. At first we were concerned that we couldn'’t connect adequately with the exclusive nature of New Albany; but as we looked father, we realized that when you consider the greater community of New Albany and then factor in the eastern areas of Westerville and the northern areas of Gahanna, there are tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of middle-to-upper-middle-class people and young families that we feel we would connect well with. We feel we could develop a ministry that is missional in this context.
  
• There seem to be numerous connecting points for meeting people. We observed countless neighborhoods, community functions, community pools, pre-schools, schools, libraries, Starbucks, restaurants, fitness centers, shopping, sporting activities, etc. where we could participate and build relationships with unchurched people.
  

In addition to the community, there are other factors for us that point to God'’s calling for this opportunity.

• We are excited about the opportunity to team with Northwest Chapel in this adventure of faith. From our assessment results, prayer, and introspection, we understand that to be successful in this exciting challenge, we will greatly benefit from a strong relationship with a mother-church that truly understands and has a strong commitment to do what is necessary to plant a healthy, new church. I can'’t think of better people to work with. I'’m excited about learning from Terry and Martin (who both have been instrumental in our journey already!) and with a church that is proactively reproducing itself (a value our new church will adopt). We look forward to the structure, accountability, assistance in strategy development, and resources (people, teams, finances) that a strong mother church can provide. We recognize our need for assistance in these areas and desire to partner for Kingdom results.
  
• We recognize that God has led us to pursue a journey of faith that involves an aggressive time schedule. We consider the fact that our time table is fast (wrapping up our current ministry and getting on site for a new venture) AND the fact that God has led Northwest Chapel to target northeastern Franklin County in an aggressive fashion TO BE PROVIDENTIAL. God has brought our path together with Terry in training and Martin in assessment and our timetable and Northwest Chapel'’s targeting of this area-- perhaps it could be because He is ordaining a marriage of all these factors for a new, disciple-making venture.
  
• Factoring in some family, relational contacts from the past, and the fact that Tricia grew up close to this area (Worthington), of any of the areas that we examined, the New Albany area is the place where we would begin with the remnants of a support network already in place. We are familiar with the area and feel comfortable there.
  
• I would be excited and privileged to be a part of the NorthCentral OH district ministerium and would find much encouragement from fellowshipping with the good men there. I believe there is also potential for my wife to enjoy good relationships with godly women in the district as well.
  

There is probably more I could say. In a nutshell, this is how we see God moving. In sum, we are interested in talking further and taking a next step to confirm God'’s leading. Please let us know what this would be.

Blessings,
Andy Wirt

Wirt Prayer Update, December 06

The Lord said...GO... (Genesis 12:1)...
To northeastern Franklin County, OH. We are excited to communicate to you that we feel God has made clear to us that we are to work in conjunction with Northwest Chapel Grace Brethren Church (Dublin, OH) to begin a new church in this rapidly growing section of Columbus. We're relieved to know God's leading, excited at His calling, and scared to death! However, our fears are accompanied with a great sense of peace (Philippians 4:7) and anticipation of what God is going to do (Isaiah 43:18-19). In five years, we envision a healthy, disciple-making church full of people whose lives have been changed in a place where there wasn't such a church before. It can't get any more riveting than that! Here's how to pray and praise with us in December.

Please Praise...

• God has answered our prayers for guidance and clarity by calling us.
  
• God has provided a SUPER sending church to work with.
  
• Our current church has blessed us with freedom to discern God's leading.
  
• God is meeting our physical needs in amazing ways.
  
• God is teaching us faith and dependence on Him. We're in maximum position to give Him glory. Whatever happens will be HIS work...
  
• That 169 people have committed to pray with us for God's work!
  

Please Pray...

• That God would give guidance and wisdom as we continue to dream, plan, and record the vision, mission, values, and strategy of a new church.
  
• That God would sell our home in Northfield SOON and provide adequate housing close to our target area.
  
• That God would help our family through the transitions we are facing.
  
• That God would provide needed personal and ministry resources. If God prompts you, contact Andy for more specific information.
  
• That we would be able to relocate in early January 2007.
  
• That God would prepare and lead us to those that will join us as Launch Team members.
  
• That God would provide at least 31 more prayer team members by the end of 2006 (our goal is 200).
  

Thank You!
We praise God that 169 people have committed to pray with us for a new church! This is our first and most important task- to mobilize a group of people that will bring the praises and concerns from this and future updates before God. Our central concern is to bring glory to Him (Romans 11:36). We believe He is brought great glory when His people pray...and then celebrate His work! That will be the central aim of this page- to equip you with both requests for God's movement and provision...AND, more importantly, with invitations to praise God with us as we see Him work for His glory. Thanks for being on our team! We pray you'll be encouraged as we anticipate and witness Jesus building His Church!


New Albany and Northeastern Franklin County are experiencing explosive growth. "Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest..." (Jesus in John 4:35b). "Pray...that God may open a door for (His) message..." (Paul in Colossians 4:3) with the thousands of unchurched people in this area.

Is My Friend Dan a Prophet?

As we search for a location for our church, we're begging God for clarity. Sometimes he works in unusual ways. One of the locations we're closely looking at and talking with another church about tackling together is the New Albany, OH (just northeast of Columbus) area. The following is the text of an e-mail from my friend Dan that he sent to me last week (unsolicited):

Andy- You were on my heart this weekend and I was praying for you. I think there is a great opportunity to reach a growing community near Columbus. Have you visited New Albany? Nancy and I were in Columbus over the weekend and as we were driving back we stopped in this community named New Albany. You were on my mind the whole time as I was thinking of someone perfect to plant a church there.

Always in my prayers-D

Hmmm....

Big Things To Pray For This Week

Please pray with us:

• We're seeing God point us in some specific ways regarding a location for the church we sense God leading us to begin. There are many factors (several out of our control) that play into this decision...so I can't be more clear at this time publicly. I do promise that those who are praying with us will be the first to know where we'll land (when we know!). Please pray for clarity and wisdom over the next few weeks. We're hoping to know clearly where we are going by early December.
  
• That our house will sell. We have listed with a successful realtor in our area. She had an open house this past Sunday and is conducting an open house for local realtors on Tuesday. Pray that these professionals will be successful in quickly selling our house. We recognize that in this market, we're asking God for a miracle. He is perfectly capable!
  
• We're at about 90 members to our prayer team. We're asking God for 110 more people to commit to pray with us. We'd like to have this team in place and praying fervently by year end.
  

Blessings!

Thanks for praying for Silas!

Our little guy seems to be over his virus. His system is back to normal and he is beginning to eat and sleep on a more regular schedule (as regular as he gets!). He is starting to gain back his "smiley" disposition and continues to be as cute as ever. Thanks for praying with us for his healing. We appreciate many of you asking about him.

3 Ways To Pray- November 14

Thanks for praying with us! Here are three immediate prayer requests for our family:

• Silas has been sick with something that leads to diarrhea. His little butt is so red he shakes and cries when we clean him. Please pray that his system will get back to normal, that he'd be more comfortable, and that we would be able to keep enough fluids in him that he wouldn't become dehydrated.
  
• We have a realtor coming to our home this evening to officially list it as "For Sale." We've been trying...and hoped to sell it by owner...but that has not occurred. Our prayer goal was to go it on our own for 4 weeks. Since we haven't even gotten one phone call (except a guy who wanted to know what program I made the flier in!), it's time to get moving. Pray that Linda (our realtor) can move the house quickly and that these plans would fit into whatever God is doing towards moving us to our next location.
  
• We're nearing a decision on the location for the new church we believe God is leading us to plant. There are many factors involved in this decision. If you'd like to know more, please feel free to call or e-mail (andywirt@mac.com or 330.468.5087). Pray for wisdom, clarity, and faith.
  

What Does "Deal Or No Deal" Have To Do With Church Planting?

We're only about 3 weeks into this journey of committing our lives to beginning a new church. God took us through a whole process (over many months) of calling us to this exciting leap of faith. Ironically, one of the clinchers to discerning His work in our hearts occurred as we were watching NBC's popular game show, "Deal Or No Deal."

On this evening, one of the show's contestants had the chance to walk away with $111,000 or continue playing (with the chance for $1,000,000). The odds were against her. She took the risk and continued to play. I think she walked away with under $1,000. Trish and I looked at each other and asked what we would do with $111,000. Without thinking, I said, "I'd plant a church...that's two years of support we wouldn't have to raise!"

After thinking about it, I learned something from my response. That fact that my heart quickly communicated a desire to start a new church...if I only had the resources... indicated to me that what was holding me back from jumping full into church planting was not calling...it was money. If I'm really honest with myself, I'm afraid of not being able to find or raise the resources we might need to support our family, purchase equipment, do marketing, and rent space (all the stuff you have to finance in the first few years of getting a baby church off the ground).

The crucial part about this is that I've believed from the beginning of this journey (back in August) that God has clearly said to me, "Don't be afraid of resources." In a very real sense, right there in the comfort of my easy chair, I realized that church planting was no longer an issue of a choice between finding an existing church to pastor- it was an issue of obedience to God's calling and an issue of trusting Him for the needed resources.

"Deal Or No Deal" is a fun show. But, for me, it will always be more than that. Its a game of risk and chance. Church planting has a lot of risk to it. But, now that I know its an issue of obedience for me, we head willingly into the unknown. I know that God...Who has unlimited resources... is worthy of our trust and perfectly capable of meeting our every need to do His will. It's going to be fun to see what sort of "deals" He leads us through.

Links To Communities We're Praying About

Feel free to check out the links on the side-bar to the right of this blog. I've posted links to the communities where we are praying about church planting possibilities. There are great positives and some challenges to each community. Would you pray with us that God would guide us to the place where He will work through us to reach people for Christ and build a healthy, reproducing church? THANKS!

Check out the fireman and bumble-bee!

How You Can Pray- October 31, 2006

Please join us in asking God to:
*Help us build a team of 200 prayer partners by December 31,2006. We believe prayer is THE essential tool to choosing the right location, building a financial support team, recruiting core group members, reaching seekers, and ultimately founding and building a healthy church. To join the Wirt Prayer Team, e-mail Andy at "andywirt@mac.com" with "Add me to the Prayer Team" in the subject line.

*Guide us to the right location for this new church. Last week we traveled 1700 miles through south central PA and central and southwestern OH. We believe God will birth a new church in one of these areas. One thing we learned is that there are great needs for healthy new churches everywhere.

*Sell our home in Northfield.

*Help us begin to build our financial support team (once location is clear).

*Help us dream and plan well for what this baby church will look like. We're asking God for His vision, values, and initial strategies for this new church to begin and remain healthy and outreach oriented.

*Continue to bring peace to our hearts as we walk with God through this huge leap of faith.

An Amazing Journey...

God is working in our lives in amazing ways. Through an amazing series of events (both heart-breaking and thrilling) over the last 8 months... God has lead us to work towards beginning a new church. I'll try to share more details in the future. For now, we're searching for people to join a team that will commit to pray with us for the birth of a new, disciple-making church. If you'd be willing to seek God with us, please send me an e-mail (andywirt@mac.com) with "add me to the prayer team" in the subject line. Matthew 6:10