Some Exciting Family Times!

Trish and I celebrated 10 years of marriage (5/18/1997) last weekend. We enjoyed a great overnight away at a beautiful state park lodge on Lake Erie. It was the first time in over a year we had been away together without the kids. We enjoyed being together, remembering all that God has done and brought us through in 10 years of marriage, God's creation, and some needed R&R. Praise God! I'm so thankful for the wife God has given me and the children and work He's blessed us to build together.


Last Sunday, we also had the special privilege of being interviewed in the service at the Woodville (Mansfield, OH) Grace Brethren Church. As, Trish's dad interviewed me, we were able to share about what God is doing in the church plant and encourage people to pray with us for God's continued work. We very much enjoyed spending the day with Trish's parents, connecting with Pastor Ron Smalls, and the sweet people of the Woodville GBC.

A special time yesterday- Seth came home from his last day of pre-school with his first report card! He did well and his teacher commended him for how well he did despite all the changes that have occurred in his life this year (he started at this school mid-year in February). We praise God for Seth and how well he has come through all the changes we have made! Great job, buddy! We celebrated with some great ice-cream at a Columbus favorite, Greaters!

Music To Our Ears!

Praise God! Tonight, we got home after spending some time with some old friends in Upper Arlington. There was a voice mail from one of our neighbors, Beth. The gist of her message was that she was sharing that she's excited about helping us invite people from our neighborhood to attend our initial spiritual formation group this summer. She's already talked with two people willing to participate and a teenager that will assist with childcare during the gathering!

Please thank God with us for Beth and her husband Luke. They have an effective ministry of loving people and living for Jesus in our neighborhood. People like and trust them and when they tell someone about what we're (the new people...with no track record here) doing...the message is credible because our neighbors respect Beth and Luke. They are truly "people of peace" (see Luke 9:4) and God is using them in great ways.

A Cool Way To Spend A Friday Night

Last Friday evening, I got home around 7p. from being gone all day. As I was getting out of my car, our neighbor, Jay, yelled over to me and invited our family to attend their son, Sebastian's, birthday party that evening. We quick got ready and headed over. Seth enjoys playing with Sebastian and talks about him frequently. This was the first time we've been invited into a neighbor's home in our neighborhood and were thrilled with the opportunity to get to know Jay's family, some of their friends and co-workers, and some of our neighbors better.

Please praise God with us for this opportunity to meet several new people. As I was sitting at their table...with kids yelling and playing all around us...surrounded by handfuls of people that don't know Jesus, my thought was, "God, thanks for opening up this door...this is what church planting/being a missionary is all about..." Please pray we would be a light for Jesus in our neighborhood and that these new relationships would lead our friends to a friendship with Jesus.

More Surprises from God!

We're learning from Jesus' example that a prime way to love and reach people is to look for practical ways to serve them. Here are two recent stories:

1. With the spring rain and sunshine comes high, green grass! One of my neighbors is going through a divorce and is a busy, single dad. I noticed that his grass needed mowed...so I mowed it. I love mowing anyway and figured it might be a building block in my relationship with Maurice. He and I have enjoyed good initial interactions, even discussing religion, Jesus, and the Bible. I left a note letting him know what I had done and that I'd love to have breakfast or lunch sometime.
   
   A week or so later, I found this note in my mailbox. In part, it read: Dear Andy, I cannot say how touched I was to return home from a grueling trip for work, to find such a neighborly and friendly gesture. As I'm sure you know, times of divorce or separation can be very difficult periods of transition...I look forward to getting to know you and the family better!.
   
   I was so thankful to God for the opportunity to serve in this way and Maurice's positive reaction to my effort to encourage him in a practical way. It was a bit risky (sometimes people don't want help), but God worked it out well. Maurice and I are having breakfast tomorrow. Please pray for Maurice. Please pray that our time together will honor Jesus. Thank God with us for His work in this new friendship.
   
   
2. A few weeks ago, we were saddened and concerned as one of our distant neighbors (a few houses down the street behind us) was violently assaulted in her home. By God's grace, this woman lives two houses down from some new friends of ours, Luke and Beth, who are faithful, godly members of another GBC. Luke and Beth quickly began looking for ways to minister to this woman.
   
   Beth networked a few of us together and sent the victim flowers at the hospital. Trish and I pitched in a little to help with the purchase and offered to help Luke and Beth minister to her in any way we could.
   
   Last night, we were pleasantly surprised when our doorbell rang. Guess who!? It was Mesirat, the woman who had been assaulted. She's doing much better, is healing emotionally, and was going around greeting and meeting those who had ministered to her through the flowers. She also had a friend with her. The four of us got to talking, and somehow our work came up. We mentioned that we are starting a new church. Mesirat told us that she attends a good local church and is also going to church with Beth and Luke this Sunday. Great! They asked where we would be meeting. We said, "Here." They said, "Let us know. We'll come!"
   
   I was really encouraged by this. I was impressed that Mesirat took the initiative to go around and thank people she didn't even know. Please pray that we can minister to these two ladies and work together for God's Kingdom.
   

Please praise God with us for His progressing work. It is exciting to see things working out that can only be God!

Family #3 Is On Board!

Please praise God with us! Sunday night, we met with a family that we connected with at the YMCA. Trish knew the wife/mom of the family from her high school days. Through a God-ordained encounter, we connected with her at the Y, renewed contact, and were at their home for dinner Sunday night. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship, and towards the end, they shared that they have been praying with us about becoming involved in our first spiritual formation group. They've sensed God leading them to help us in any way possible. We're excited!

We're working on finding the best date for all involved to come together for meeting #1. It looks like this will take place sometime in early June. The other couple teaming with us is getting married in early June...so they are understandably focused elsewhere (smile!). Pray God works out all the details of people's busy schedules so we can commence this important first time together.

We have confirmed dinner plans with another couple for this Saturday that are also praying about if they should become more involved with what we are doing. Pray for them to sense God's direction and that God would continue to lead us towards those people that will help to accomplish the work of beginning a new church.

God is working...

"If I believed in signs..."

Yesterday, I was working in Panera Bread. Not working for a wage as an employee... but using a table there as an office. With my two little angels at home...sometimes it is hard to get any administrative tasks accomplished there. So, I sometimes take my office on the road. Earlier that morning, I had asked the Lord to use me in conversation with someone at Panera that morning. By trial and error, I've found that a favorite table by the door gives me a vantage point to notice people as they enter and exit and the opportunity to offer a friendly smile and greeting to anyone who passes by.

When Graham entered, he commented on my computer from the vantage point of a fellow Mac fan. On his way out, we started talking. He's a friendly, brilliant man of Australian descent and a business man who lives in northeast Columbus part of the year. We discussed his work. He travels all over the world. He asked what I do. I told thim that I'm a pastor working to begin a new church in this area. He mentioned that he is a "spiritual person and is not interested in religion" that adheres to a form of Buddhist beliefs. I asked him how he defines "religion" and "spiritual". We had a riveting discussion on the differences between Jesus and how the Church (sometimes) postures itself. I shared that our church adheres to a literal interpretation of the Bible, what it says about Jesus (I shared John 14:6), AND the love and compassion and respect Jesus had for individuals (even if they did not follow His teaching).

I learned a lot from our conversation. I learned that some of the current writing on how the world is open to Jesus and even His teaching but views the Church with contempt is true, at least for Graham. I was also struck by something else that Graham said. As he was leaving he shared how he had recently returned from a business trip to Ecuador. Sitting next to him for four hours was an ancient language scholar from a South American University. From the way Graham described this man, he is a believer that discussed spiritual things with Graham on the plane. Graham said, "I don't believe in signs...but if I did..." I didn't even respond...because I think it was obvious to both of us that God is working in his life...drawing him to Himself.

I'm amazed at the way God works and uses His servants as links in the chain of His work in the lives of those who are not yet part of His family. My conversation with Graham was just one step in the journey God has him on. By God's grace, our conversation will move him forward towards biblical Truth and a personal relationship with Jesus. Who will be the next step?

I left this encounter with thanksgiving for God answering my prayer to be used in a spiritual encounter with a seeker. I left the encounter amazed at the scope of God's plan as He uses people all over the world to reach out to those that need Him. I left desiring to be used further in the lives of others.

Would you pray for Graham? Please also pray that God will continue to use us in people's lives for Kingdom purposes. Where is the next person that God would have us serve as a link in His redemptive chain in their lives? Whose life does He want to use you in?

Please Pray With Us For Team Members

God has led us to some extraordinary connections within a few short months. We've met a lot of great people and had several encounters that only God could orchestrate. Praise be to God- He did choose to answer our (and YOURS- THANKS!) prayer request to provide one family to begin a spiritual formation group with by the end of April! Much to our excitement, Bobby and Jamie (picture right; the young man I led to Christ a few weeks ago) have agreed to begin meeting with us soon. In addition, there are at least 4 families right now, that we know of, that are praying about if God would lead them to team with us to begin a new church. We've invited these people to our new group and are praying they will join us. Obviously, if God chooses to bring one or more of these families on board...our potential for impact and service to our community grows exponentially. The exciting part about this phase is that one or two families double our efforts and add significantly (relationally, spiritually, service-wise) to our baby church.

Please give praise to God for His work...and keep praying for His guidance, provision, and step-by-step wisdom. WE APPRECIATE YOU!

Pray for Impact Through Coaching

One of the activities I have enjoyed most since we've been here is building relationships in the community through coaching soccer. I have the privilege of direct contact with 10 boys and their parents and indirect contact with other coaches, officials, league leaders, etc. It allows me to naturally plug into a place and activity where hundreds of local people gather several times per week. PLUS, I love the game and enjoy being around the boys and serving families.

Please pray with me that I have a positive testimony for Jesus. Pray that relationships can be established and built. Pray that serving people in this manner will open up doors for sharing about Jesus and our work of beginning a new church. Pray that our team wins one game (I'm sort of kidding...but you really could pray for that...we need all the help we can get!) THANKS!

Simple Things Can Be HUGE Praises!

Last week, the battery on my Mac (given to our new church by a donor!) laptop died. I was concerned about this due to the fact that there isn't much ($0) in our family's "technology fund." I was looking online at new batteries and was ready to buy one. I felt a prompting in my spirit to find a local Mac store and have the computer looked at. After having it checked out, I found out the battery is indeed dead. However, I also found out that the computer IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR 16 DAYS and they replaced the battery at no cost. I had never even considered this possibility. God saved me from buying a battery online and wasting $130.

I'm so thankful for blessings like this that we didn't even know to ask for. God is good!

Happy Birthday, Trish!

We enjoyed this past weekend as a time to celebrate Trish and her 34th birthday! We're so thankful for our wife, mommy, church-plant partner... etc, etc.! Please pray that this new year will be one of rich closeness with God, blessing, and fruit for Trish.

How Did He Do It?

THE major goal we are praying about and working on right now is asking God to lead us to the person, couple, or family that would be willing to join us in our first spiritual formation group (Bible study with an emphasis on building genuine spiritual community together). We're continuing to meet new people every day, trying to gently and lovingly feel out spiritual receptivity among the people we meet at the YMCA, coaching soccer, in our neighborhood, etc. We've asked several people to consider participating in such a group with us. However, the challenge of finding people who trust us enough or are open to such a relationship is even larger than we expected.

I'm trying to learn and contemplate why this part of our journey is so difficult. Part of it has to be that all of our relationships are new and there has not been time to build trust with our new friends. God has even led us to numerous mature followers of Jesus. These people are already connected to good local churches and friendships and I'm sure the prospect of starting a new church from scratch seems risky. Whenever we meet anyone and tell them of our work, their first questions are Where are you meeting? and How many people are working with you? I'm sure it is a bit freaky when we answer (something like), We're not meeting anywhere yet...because it is just our family. I guess I would be skeptical of me too.

These thoughts and fears in mind, I'm more amazed than ever at Jesus' methods. Mark 2:13-17 describes His call of Levi (Matthew). Jesus was out among people, saw Levi working, asked Levi to join Him, and Levi accepted. Calls of Simon, Andrew, James and John (Mark 1:16-20) were also successful. How did Jesus know who to pick? Why did the men readily accept? Was there any relationship or history or trust there that the Bible doesn't record? Did any initial contacts refuse Jesus' invitation? These are the questions I'm asking God today.

What I do learn from Jesus is that He was constantly among the people. Mark says He saw Levi "...as He walked along...". We've got to continue to find ways to meet more people. Jesus also had His eyes open. I don't know what it was, but there was something that prompted Him to approach Levi. God, open our eyes to the people and opportunities you want us to see and approach. Finally, I notice (simple!) that Jesus wasn't afraid to ask. He simply said, Come, be my disciple. God, give us the courage, wisdom, and words to clearly request of people that they join us on mission for you.

Friend, your prayers are needed. Thanks for praying with us. This post is an honest reflection of my heart today. I want to live Matthew 21:21-22...but sometimes my heart is weaker than my head. I also know we have a responsibility to work hard to meet and befriend people. But, ultimately, this is spiritual work. Please pray that Jesus would deepen our faith and do Matthew 16:18 with us today.

There Is Joy In Heaven!

We praise God for the first tangible fruit from our work here in the Columbus area. I've been working with a super young couple as they prepare for their upcoming marriage. This contact was passed on to me, by God's grace, from my new friend Nathan Harrison (a pastor at the Eastside, Columbus, GBC).

Last night we met for the second time. Jamie and Bobby and I were looking at what the Bible says about the role of the husband and wife compared to the example of Jesus and the Church (from Ephesians 5:21-33). I felt led of the Lord to ask some follow-up questions of Bobby from our initial conversation a few weeks ago. The long and the short of it is that the Holy Spirit has been working in Bobby's heart. He believed in Jesus as God's Son, the One who offers forgiveness for our sins, and his own need for Jesus' grace. After some good discussion around Titus 3:4-8, Bobby stated he was ready to communicate a personal commitment to Jesus. We prayed right there at Caribou Coffee.

Pray for Bobby as he lives out this new pursuit of Christ and he and Jamie as they prepare for a lifetime commitment to each other in marriage. Please praise God with us (Luke15:10) for His work! Pray also that they might accept my invitation to join us in our initial spiritual formation group as we move towards a new church.

"I don't think we have a Bible in our house..."

My new friend, I'll call him Ed, shared this with me at lunch. We had an great conversation (over some wonderful food at the Columbus Fish Market...I never thought I would like Walleye...) where he taught me some tips on marketing and developing a customer base (from a business perspective) and I shared with him our vision for starting a church from scratch by loving people who don't go to church or know Jesus.

Ed shared with me that he has a life-coach. The coach works with him from a holistic perspective- health, spirituality, vocation, relationships, etc. This opened the door for me to ask what sort of guidance or encouragement the coach offers in the spiritual realm of life. Praise God, for a first conversation (Ed did our mortgage...so this was our first contact outside of business), I was able to lay a foundation for my beliefs in the authority of the Bible and what it says about Jesus and His purposes of forgiveness and eternal life.

Before we met, I had no idea where Ed would be coming from. As it turns out, he is friendly, successful, kind, and giving. He loves his family and works hard to help other people. It hit me as we were meeting- this is the type of person God sent us to Columbus to reach. Ed is a good man, but, even though he doesn't realize it, he's apart from Christ. This breaks my heart and I'm determined to pray and try to find a way to further our relationship and conversations.

I learned some interesting (to me) things from Ed:

• Unchurched people aren't as scary as I sometimes think they might be. I'm not sure why Ed was willing to have lunch with me, but he was as open and kind as any believer I know. He was even open to the spiritual elements to our conversation.
  
• If I'm going to be effective in reaching out to those who do not yet know Jesus, I'm going to have to be willing to hear others' political views and be careful how I share my own. Like it or not, in many cases, as conservative Christians, we've ruined our credibility with unchurched people because of how we posture ourselves publicly or are portrayed politically by the media. Jesus was interested in loving, healing, and teaching truth...not winning converts to a political agenda.
  
• Ed is more open to spiritual things at this stage of his life because he wants his children to have an opportunity to explore various religions. A church that impacts his kids has a good chance of impacting him.
  
• It is more and more acceptable in the professional world to recognize the role of the spiritual in achieving "success". May this trend help missional people be more effective in sharing Jesus as The Way, Truth, and source of Life.
  

Would you pray with me for Ed? Pray for God's movement in his life- maybe in some result from our time together today. Please ask God to give me wisdom and opportunity for future interactions.

Rethinking Evangelism

I was talking with my neighbor, Sarah. As we watched our kids play, I tried to direct the conversation towards issues of spiritual significance. I shared with her that we had moved to the area recently to begin a new church and asked her what she thought of the churches in the area. She said that she really wouldn't know how to respond to that question because she isn't "really religious". My heart broke as we talked more about how she feels that "the whole religion thing is a sham" and doesn't believe in God. I said, "So, you can really look around you (at nature- sky, trees, etc.) and believe it all came into existence by chance. I know for me, when I see the amazing beauty and detail of nature, it reaffirms my belief in a Creator and Supreme Being."

On a different occasion, I was talking with another neighbor (I'll call him Jack) about his work and spiritual beliefs. He is an adherent of Sufism, an offshoot of Islam. God opened the door for a conversation that revolved around the reliability of the Bible as the sole source for spiritual Truth and Jesus as the Son of God.

I'm learning that evangelism in today's culture is a process, not an event. Previously, I would have been disappointed and felt that my conversations with Sarah and Jack were incomplete because I did not have or did not force an open door to share the complete plan of salvation. Now, on the contrary, I'm coming to believe that sharing my faith will be more effective as I enter into a journey of spiritual discovery with those God places around me. I'm praying for opportunities to build on these conversations with my new friends. My role with those God loves is to pray for them, look for opportunities to model and share Jesus' love, invite them into spiritual community, AND share the Gospel with them at the appropriate time.

In his book Planting Missional Churches, Ed Stetzer advocates that any discussion with a lost person that clarifies a misperception about Truth or Jesus or causes them to reconsider a rejection of faith in the Gospel qualifies as evangelism. In other words, stimulating an irreligious person to reevaluate their stance that there is no God or a Sufi to consider the authority of the Bible is evangelism (as seen as a process rather than an event).

Stetzer also quantifies the importance that spiritual community is to evangelism in the 21st century. He writes, There are two conversions-one temporal and one eternal. The first conversion is the conversion to community. With few exceptions people come to Christ after they've journeyed with other Christians, examining them and considering their claims. A next step with Sarah and Jack is to invite them to participate in a new spiritual formation group with other spiritual sojourners in our neighborhood.

I know that many of us long to practice a life of mission. I hope you're encouraged to forge ahead in making disciples as you remember that every time you share God's work in your life, share your trust in God's Word or your hope in Jesus, love another with Jesus' healing love, invite someone to join you in spiritual community, and/or share the plan of salvation--these are all evangelism. These are all important elements in the process of a seeker moving to faith. Conversion is an event, but in most cases, it is preceded by a process.

The Richness Of Fellowship

One of the greatest opportunities and challenges we're facing in starting a new church is the constant need to initiate new relationships. Wherever we're at- in churches, our neighborhood, or other venues where we're trying to build relationships- we're the new guys on the block. Almost without fail, people are very friendly. Yet, we've definitely felt the weight of the energy required in the many new relationships we've formed in the 7 weeks we've lived in Columbus.

I'm always amazed at how God knows and meets our needs. In the last two weeks, we've enjoyed rich times with new and old friends who share our same love for Jesus. We are so thankful to Him for the people He has brought our way. We've had dinner and fun times in our home with:

• one of many great couples from our new ABF at Northwest Chapel
  
• a staff pastor and family from the Eastside (Columbus) GBC
  
• a family we met while on a walk in our subdivision that just so happen to be members of the Powell (Columbus) GBC and that the husband was on a Barnabas Team Trish led in 1996 (what a God-appointed-connection!)
  

We also were invited to the home of friends we met in IN who are now on staff at the Pickerington (Columbus) GBC and had a great time there. In addition, Trish has had several play-dates with other Moms and their kids and I've enjoyed lunches with the staffs of both the Northwest Chapel and Eastside GBCs. To top it off, tonight we enjoyed time with Jason and Marcie Haymaker and kids who we worked with for 6 years in the Cleveland area.

When I think back in our first few weeks here, it seemed like we knew no one and things could feel quite lonely at times. However, now we look at life here as an opportunity to embrace new friends. Fellowship is much richer when you no longer take it for granted.

I'm so thankful for these times. They are like gas in our tanks. One of the ways that God fuels us with His love and fills our hearts for the work He has given us of loving and serving those who do not yet know Jesus is by enriching our lives through His people.

Thanks, Lord. These times are gifts from you. Help us to offer others the gift of true fellowship by sharing your love and inviting them to join your family.

My Kids, The Evangelists

Everyone said that kids will be an asset in church planting. Sometimes that is hard for us to see amidst the joys and challenges of chasing around a four and one-year-old. But, I'm beginning to see others' words take shape- and I love it!

Recently, we were outside on a beautiful pre-spring day. Since I haven't had a chance to build a sandbox in our new backyard, our front flower beds have become construction sites where all sorts of Tonka trucks and equipment are busy moving mulch all over our side-walk and grass for various "parks", "bike-trails", and "sky-scrapers". Anyway, being out front has allowed us to meet and talk with many people taking walks and enjoying the great days.

On this particular day, a mom and daughter came by and proceeded down the street. Silas, newly walking and unsteady on the grass and uneven surfaces outside, took off after them, waddling down the sidewalk. He walked a good half-block and, with me following after for protection, bee-lined across the street right over to these people. Silas broke the ice and allowed me to have a great conversation with this neighbor. Seth followed us and began playing with her girls. Without my kids, I wouldn't have had an "in" with this mom...or an excuse to stand around and have a spiritual conversation.

I'm beginning to realize these little gifts God has given us are probably our biggest church-planting assets. May the doors they open lead to lives focused on Jesus and His mission.

March Prayer Update

Time To Get To Work
Since our last update, we've moved to Columbus, unpacked all of our boxes, set-up our home and what will be our church office (in our basement), worked through MORE sickness with Silas, and faced all the natural adjustments that come with moving and its challenges, stress-ors and emotions.

God has a sense of humor, I'm convinced. Columbus dealt with its worst snow and ice storm in several years on the day we picked to move. Special thanks to our supervisor from Northwest Chapel, Pastor Martin Guerena and his brother, Phil, for braving the elements with me (left) to move items into our house. Thanks also to David, Dan, and Jim for helping us get the rest of our stuff a few days later. We're glad to be "home".

More importantly, however, we've begun "contact making" in full-force. This will be the most important and time-consuming part of our work for years to come--meeting, connecting, and building relationships with unchurched people with the hope of loving them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Shoveling snow and ice created opportunities to initiate greetings and conversations with all of our direct neighbors (6 different families). Other highlights include:

• Trish making contact with high-school classmates and associations that could lead to friendships for us and our kids or possible launch team members. In one God-appointed-opportunity, a woman came up to Trish in a Panera Bread store and said, "I think I know you..." She's the mother of a high-school classmate that Trish hasn't seen in 16 years.
  
• An encounter with Mark in a Graeter's Ice Cream store. First- I'm (Andy) so thankful that ice-cream can be a tool for building God's Kingdom. That helps soften the challenges of church planting! Anyway- after a conversation, Mark and I connected around the fact that he had recently moved to our community from Dublin and is a member at Northwest Chapel! He expressed interest in our work. Could this be our first teammate? Pray...
  
• A possible coaching opportunity in the New Albany recreation league. Our moving date put us just beyond the sign-up deadline, but after inquiring I learned there is still a need for coaches. I'm praying this opportunity will open up.
  
• Trish attending a one-week training class on church planting. While watching our kids, I participated with 15 women and 25 kids in a "baby lap-time" story/play time at our local library. Not necessarily something I want to do every week...but a great opportunity!
  

Please Pray With Us...

• To thank God for our home, the snags that He worked out to get us into it, and the help He provided in moving and unpacking.
  
• To thank God for His movement in the contacts and conversations He has ordained thus far. Please pray for additional interactions with neighbors, contacts at the YMCA, New Albany library book club and classes for kids. Pray that we would display the kindness and love of Jesus and lay a foundation for redemptive relationships.
  
• That Andy would be able to get a soccer coaching assignment in New Albany to build relationships with families.
  
• That God would lead us to teammates He'll provide to help us launch a new church.
  
• For wisdom as we complete the vision, strategy, and financial support structures of our new church by the end of March. You'll be some of the first to see how God leads!
  

How Would Jesus Start A Church?
This is a question I've contemplated much during my times with God. I've been working my way through Matthew, fascinated anew with Jesus' interactions with people and His disciples. As I constantly feel I'm on the outer edge of my faith and am woefully inadequate for the work God has given me, there is something peaceful and comforting in studying how profoundly simple Jesus' approach to ministry was. I notice that He was about at least 4 things: loving sinners (Matt.9:9-12, 11:19), healing everyone that came to Him (4:24, 8:16-17), teaching truth in creative ways (13:34-35), and making disciples (4:18-22, 10). I'm SO excited about the privilege of building the foundation of a new church. It is a large but AWESOME responsibility to build an organism that will follow Jesus' model by finding, loving, and healing those who need hope, teaching creatively, and measuring results by reproduction of mature believers and churches. By God's grace and discerning how to practice Jesus' methods in 2007, we will see the Kingdom of Heaven "forcefully" advance (Matt.11:12)!

Silas Turns 1!
It is amazing how much can happen in one year. We mark much by the birth of our little guy. Last March we began a journey that culminated in the last few weeks of searching for and discovering a new calling of God on our lives, welcoming Silas into the world and enjoying him despite his many and consistent (minor) health issues, and moving to Columbus for a new leg in the journey of our family and ministry. How thankful we are for Silas (and Seth!) and the marker that his birthday will always be of God's great faithfulness and movement in our lives.

What Are The Chances Of That?

God is working. I'm amazed. I spent time in prayer this morning, crying out to God out of a heart full of fear and being overwhelmed at the great work ahead of us. I was thinking out of a heart focused on my inadequacies. God brought me again to Psalm 145 and focused me on HIS greatness and the power of HIS work! He also challenged me from John 15 with His promises of great fruitfulness if we remain vitally connected to Him. Cognitively, I understand that any success God gives in church planting will correlate to our ability to keep our eyes focused on Christ and off of ourselves. That is easier said than done...but I want to learn how. I believe Jesus promises fruit when there is a central and consistent focus on Him and His mission.

That being said, I came out of my devotional time with a peace from God that I was very thankful for. My heart was at ease. And, the exciting thing is that we can see God working in a bunch of odd circumstances. Here are some below. Keep in mind- we're in a place unfamiliar to us with tens of thousands of people all around us. Encountering someone we know through other people is analogous to a miracle!

• Last week Trish and Seth were getting a drink at our local Panera Bread. A lady approached Trish and mentioned that Trish looked familiar. They talked for a while and Trish learned that this woman was the mother of a high-school classmate of hers. Add to that, this woman keeps in touch with the wife of another classmate of Trish's that lives in the New Albany area AND has a 4-year-old boy. Trish has since made contact with the couple and we're hoping for renewed friendships for us and a new friend for Seth. Could they be partners in our launch? We'll see what God has in mind.
  
• Yesterday at church, Trish ran into some other parents of a high-school classmate of hers. He is an elder at our sending church, Northwest Chapel. They also know a couple our age related through Worthington Christian (school) that they think might be interested in helping us launch a church in northeastern Franklin County. They are finding this couple's information and will get it to us. It is exciting to us as God reveals people who are thinking and praying with us about those who might be involved in God's work in this area.
  
• Also yesterday, our family is learning the area. For Wirt boys (and Trish too :), this has to include frequenting any ice-cream establishment in a 35-mile radius. We were in a Graeters in northern Gahanna (about a mile from our home) ordering. I was talking to the man behind the counter, Scott, who happened to be the manager. I was trying to make small talk to break the ice and build the beginnings of a relationship. As the conversation unwound, he shared that he had just moved to the northeast side of town from the northwest side of Columbus. I told him we had moved the area to work with a church in the Dublin area. I asked him if he had ever heard of Northwest Chapel. He said, "Yeah, I go there!" We had a neat connection talking about people we both know through the church. I was able to share what we are doing in the northeastern section of the county. He said, "Well, I'd come!" I asked him if he'd like to help us. He enthusiastically agreed.
  
  I was absolutely stunned. I can't even believe God would take us out to ice-cream and lead us to a friendly guy who, with his skills as business man and many community contacts, will be a huge asset to our fledgling ministry. Needless to say, I got Scott's card and plan to try to take him to lunch as soon as possible.
  
  
• Also at Graeters, we met a mom named Mara. We had a good conversation with her about raising kids and the related challenges. It proved to us that our target area includes many families, like ours! :), that face challenges with their children and they need biblical help. By God's grace and provision, we'll see Mara again someday!
  

To me, it was if God was saying, "See...you were all uptight at the beginning of the day...focusing on your weaknesses and how large the task is from your perspective. You focus on ME and I will work GREAT things that only I can do. You just be obedient and love people." I'll take that any day.

Thanks for praying with us! Praise God!

We're In!

I'm learning that we have many regular blog readers! Thanks! I don't want to be too surprised...but you never know who is reading! Thanks for caring to check up on us and pray with us! We appreciate you and recognize that your love and prayers are one of the reasons God is going to do Ephesians 3:20 type things in northeastern Franklin County!

Well- we're in! Moving day was quite an adventure. From what the natives say, the day we moved (or tried to!) was the worst snow and ice storm Columbus has seen in about 5 years. I'm learning that right from the start- God is teaching us that church planting is about flexibility. My supervisor (Martin Guerena) constantly teases me- because I'm not naturally flexible. However, I am learning that things will not go as planned and you just have to figure out how to get the job done without ideal circumstances. I look forward to applying this lesson to winning souls for Christ and not driving moving trucks on unplowed roads!

Anyway, due to snow, we really moved stuff over the course of a week rather than one day. And, in God's providence, that worked out better. We got to gradually process through stuff and try and empty some boxes a little at a time since we didn't have everything all at once. With two kids in tow, it was easier to do a little at a time. Martin and his brother, Phil, were a huge help in the snow and mess one day and three men from Northwest Chapel (THANKS JIM, DAN, AND DAVID!) helped us empty our stuff from our storage unit and unload it in our house/garage. God was good in helping us get all our stuff home in such crazy weather.

Incidentally- the weather gave us great opportunities for beginning connections. Due to so many being outside to shovel snow and ice throughout the week, I got to meet Steve, Maurice and his daughter Raden, Cathy and Greg, and Tommy. I'm thankful to God for this odd weather and the chance to meet so many when people would normally be inside.

Trish made our first night as a family in our new home a special time with a great Valentine's Day party! This time was extra special because it helped us celebrate an event in our new home. I think all of us feel a bit out of place in this house and area and have an ache in our hearts for familiar friends and places- so a time to celebrate and have special fun in our new home was truly a great first memory.

Otherwise, our last 10 days or so have been filled with all the joys of moving- unpacking, moving heavy stuff back and forth 13 times as you try and get it in the right place, hanging pictures (which I usually hang 5 times before they are in the right place!) taking plenty of breaks to play with kids, change diapers, clean up throw-up, etc. Fun, fun, fun! Seriously, we constantly remind ourselves why we moved- and are continually challenged and excited by God's call on our lives and the work ahead of us.

We've also been able to begin making connections with our new (sending) church family. The staff at Northwest Chapel has been extremely helpful and welcoming, for which we are grateful. Trish has also enjoyed the opportunity to attend a monthly mom's gathering and is on a women's retreat with the church as I write.

A continual challenge for us physically, spiritually, and emotionally, is Silas' health. He does seem to be recovering well from pneumonia he had a few weeks ago, but now is again throwing up and having diarrhea regularly. He also went through a long bout of this type of stomach issues around the Holidays. We're not sure what the issues are but are watching him closely for dehydration and praying God spares him from elongated sickness. Please pray with us for healing.

That's a brief (?) update. We are ready to roll. Please pray with us for God's great work. We're asking for wisdom to do the right things in the right time- for God's glory. Pray that God would help us take advantage of every opportunity He gives us to be a light for Him. Pray with us for a healthy baby church to move from embryonic to birth stages in the next 18 months. We appreciate you so much!

Silas Is Improving and WALKING!

We had a day full of driving and adventure yesterday as we went to Columbus to sign papers on our new home, came back to Mansfield to pick Silas up, and then drove to Cleveland for doctors appointments for Silas and Seth (who also has a bad cough and an ear infection). We returned to Mansfield last night. All in all, the kids did well, despite being sick.

God is so amazing in how He allows challenges and then couples those trials with fun and exciting things. Silas is responding to medication and breathing treatments and is doing better. The doctor confirmed pneumonia but said his lungs are much clearer and was pleased with everything else. Silas has maintained his smiley demeanor and is a lot of fun even while being sick. Not only is he a happy little guy, but he is also becoming braver and is connecting more and more steps together while walking between safe items. It is a joy to watch him develop and conquer new things even while he is sick.

THANKS FOR PRAYING! We have been overwhelmed by the response of so many praying for Silas and our important day yesterday. God is working. Please continue to pray for the health of Silas AND Seth, our wisdom in caring for them, and that God would help us persevere through the grueling week that next week (moving from storage to our house) will be.

We appreciate you and your faithful prayer.

Silas Has Pneumonia

We just returned from a 3-hour adventure to a Mansfield medical clinic where Silas was diagnosed with pneumonia. We’re waiting to here results back on an RSV swab. He was given two breathing treatments and a shot containing strong antibiotics. Besides being concerned for Silas, we are a little unnerved at being away from familiar doctors. By God’s grace, Silas got excellent and aggressive care from doctors and nurses at this clinic. Please pray for complete healing and wisdom for us as we watch and care for him. We also praise God that Grandpa Botdorf can stay with Silas as Trish, Seth, and I drive to Columbus tomorrow a.m. to sign papers to close on our home there. We’ll drive back after closing and run Silas back to the Cleveland area for a follow-up visit with our doctors there (as we don’t have doctors in Columbus yet). Pray for a busy day and wisdom as we make decisions and strength as we deal with challenges. Thanks!

Some Much Needed Family Fun!

Change always has its challenges. Many aspects of our life right now lack routine and are unpredictable. If you know me (Andy), you know I am ultra flexible and take everything just as it comes. If you really know me... you know I am lying through my teeth (smile!). However, God has us in his own training program...and we're glad for it. We understand that in church planting, there will be many times where we will need the flexibility we are learning now. Things won't go as planned and there will be many days where we have to make structure for our family out of instability.

I say all that to say, that we felt it was important during this in-between-houses-time of our lives that we make some memories together as a family. For the next week or so, all the boxes are packed and stored, and we're waiting to get set up in Columbus. So, we're doing some fun things.

Last week Seth enjoyed his first bowling experience. Mom and Dad also enjoyed higher scores-due to a nice feature called a "bumper" that kept many a ball on the lane and out of the gutter. I also found a way to injure both my ankle (by hitting it with the ball on release) and my knee (hitting it on the ball in motion)! I'm learning that I need to do a better job of taking pictures!

Before sharing briefly in the service at Northwest Chapel this past Sunday, we stayed at the house next door Saturday night. Seth declared this "the best vacation ever!" Oh to be 4 again. We love his attitude (most times! :) and aptitude for adventure.

A real highlight was fun at "Splash Harbor", a local (close to Mansfield, OH) Comfort Inn that has a great pool/indoor water adventure set up and gives discounts to pastors during the week. Both Seth and Silas (and Mom and Dad) enjoyed the pool and water slide.

We're so thankful to God for our family and for this interlude time in our ministry. Its challenging not having a home and frustrating to be delayed in our work...but in God's timing, He is readying us for His Work and leading us through His perfect training program.

February Prayer Update

Transitions...
The last 4 weeks have been ones of much change for our family. We're learning that following God is fulfilling (we know we're being obedient), exciting (there's never a dull moment as we wait for answers to prayer on a daily basis) and challenging (everything won't be easy even if we're being obedient). God is building our faith and honing our character. We're thankful for both.

One big curve-ball was learning that we couldn't rent from the purchaser of our home until we found other housing in the Columbus area. So...we hustled and rented a storage facility (picture below) in Columbus, rented a truck, and moved everything there--all within a week.


God has also brought many blessings our way. Thanks for praying! Praise God with us that:

• We found a house and God has worked out several issues!
  
• Grace Church (Macedonia, OH) and Northwest Chapel (Dublin, OH) provided so much help in moving that we loaded the first truck and cleaned our house in less than an hour, unloaded that truck at storage in 45 minutes, loaded another truck that night in an hour and unloaded this last load in less than a half hour. THANKS EVERYONE!
  
• Trish's parents, Jim and Janet Botdorf, are allowing us to stay with them until we can get in our house (2/12). Thanks Botdorfs!
  

Please Pray With Us...

• That God would work out some last minute snags related to our new home and closing so that we can get in on the date scheduled (2/12).
  
• That God would again provide sufficient help in moving our things from storage and into the new home so that we can unpack quickly and get to work!
  
• That God would help us through the transitions we're making (moving, unpacking, lack of routine, making new friends, learning a new area, etc).
  
• That God would be glorified by first interactions with people in our target area.
  
• That God would give guidance and wisdom as we continue to dream and record the vision, mission, values, and strategy of a new church.
  
• That God would prepare and lead us to those that will join us as Launch Team members and help with worship, children, and small group ministries.
  
• That God would prepare hearts of people that we will come in contact with. Pray that hearts would be focused on Jesus and His mission.
  

Matthew 6:19-34 takes on new meaning...
I've been challenged recently that much of our focus, planning, and communication has involved issues related to selling and finding housing and moving stuff. While this is a real part of life, God warns us to be wary of placing too much importance on things that hold only earthly significance. As we transition to Columbus and work on all that involves, we've felt God reminding us that what truly matters is storing up "treasures in heaven". To us, this means investing in work of eternal significance. The work that must be of utmost importance is the effort that leads to focusing people on Jesus and His mission for their lives. When our focus is there...and not primarily on where we live and store our junk...we're excited to embrace God's promise in Matthew 6:33. Check it out and be encouraged!

God Answers Again!
Last month, we asked you to pray that God would lead us to the RIGHT home in our target area 1) that would afford us ministry opportunities AND 2) that we can afford. God answered in a big way! After almost giving up and then sensing God leading us to look further, we found this home. It is in a growing shopping area with New Albany schools, Gahanna zip code, and right across the street from the Westerville school line. God put us right in the center of our target zone! Thanks, Lord! And, THANK YOU for praying!

We're So Privileged To Be Associated With Two Great Churches!

God worked on our behalf through many people in amazing ways during our move from Cleveland to Columbus this past weekend! We are SO thankful for the people of Western Reserve Grace Brethren Church (Macedonia, OH) and Northwest Chapel (Dublin, OH) who helped us load our trucks, clean our house, and unload our trucks in Columbus. We couldn't have done it without all the help we received.

On Saturday morning, over 20 people showed up to help us pack our first load and clean our house. The Northfield Police department stopped on more than one occasion to make sure emergency vehicles could get through the street because there were so many cars parked near our house. He remarked that he had never seen a move where so many showed up to help. We filled a truck in less than an hour...even though it all had to be carried down our nightmare driveway in snowy conditions! Several ladies cleaned our house. What some told me couldn't be done in less than 2-3 hours took an hour! Praise God.

In Columbus almost 10 people unloaded the first load in less than an hour and I actually made it back to Cleveland to get the second load an hour before I projected. Almost 10 people came out on a cold Saturday night to help me load the last of our stuff, including my sons' HEAVY swing set tower. Again, the truck was packed and the garage swept clean in less than an hour. Sunday afternoon, three men from Northwest Chapel came back again and we unloaded the last truck load into the storage shelter in less than a half hour. Praise God!

I'm so thankful that on this busy weekend, one where so much could have gone wrong, that God brought people and people so willingly served. God-thanks for working through your people to show us grace in this time of need. It helps me continue to learn the kind of help and service and love I want to offer others in their time of need-- especially when they can't do it on their own.

A Family Room Without A Family Is Just a Room

January 28, 10:30a

I’ve just packed up the last remnants of 82 Lowrie Blvd.— the home where we’ve painstakingly redecorated and landscaped, expanded our family, entertained hundreds of guests, hosted countless small groups, enjoyed our neighbors, made life-altering decisions, and just enjoyed living. With Trish’s natural giftedness in decorating and my hard work, we turned a beat-up house with an extreme sloped driveway and yard into a home that we loved and struggled to leave and sell.

As I slept in the empty house alone (Trish is watching the boys at her parents’ home as I pack/drive/unload in Columbus) last night (after filling a second Penske truck to take to a Columbus storage facility), I thought of all the birthday parties, small group events, sick kids, hard work in painting, tiling, landscaping, wrestling and fun play times, laughter, tears, and good and difficult conversations that have filled this house in 3.5 years. I will miss it. I’ll be honest (even though it doesn’t sound very spiritual)—I have come to love this place.

I will miss the space it provided for entertaining and playing. I will miss the satisfaction Trish and I feel when we think of what we have made this house to be. I will miss hearing Seth comment on how nice our house is and how much he enjoys living here. I will miss the trees in the backyard and watching them change through the seasons. I’ll miss our neighbors—all of whom we’ve ministered to and some who have become good friends.

It’s hard to leave. When I think of it, my heart is empty, heavy, and sad.

As I ponder the feelings and thoughts of my heart, my thoughts turn in many directions:

• Even though I’m sad to leave this place…this isn’t home. I love this house…but when my family is no longer there, it’s no longer home. I’ll miss this place…but it is just sticks and blocks. We may always miss this place, but Trish and I can make another building home. I’d rather be somewhere else, as long as we’re together and on the mission God has given us.
  
• We’ve spent so much time and money to make this house what we wanted it to be—all to enjoy it for a relatively short amount of time and barely cover our down payment when we sold it. Was it worth it? I don’t know how to answer that question. Maybe it is a question better left unanswered. But, just by asking it…I’m so thankful that God has led us to a home in our target area that doesn’t need much work. We always seek to be Kingdom focused with our lives, but by selling 82 Lowrie Blvd., I’m more determined than ever to make growing with Jesus, raising our family and building our new church my main life priorities.
  
• Why are we doing this? Why are we giving up a home we love? Why are we moving from an area where we have felt connected, supported, loved, have made good friends, and have had a fruitful ministry? As I’ve struggled through the emotions of moving and watched my family do the same, a resolve has grown even stronger in my heart. I’ve been reminded of God’s unmistakable calling on our lives—Go in faith, begin a new church, work in northeastern Franklin County. Feelings of sadness and fear have shaped even more a vision and passion for the new ministry that God has called us to. I’m praying:
  
  
  
  • God, thanks so much for Northwest Chapel who is paying our moving expenses and for Grace Church (Macedonia) and Northwest Chapel who have provided incredible help to load and unload trucks. Thanks for Trish’s parents who are allowing us to live with them until we can get into our house.
    
  • God, please help us adjust to a new home, new places, new people, and lead Seth and Trish and I to new friends and a supportive network.
    
  • God help us know how to get started. Help us lay a good foundation for a healthy church. Help us…even in our first interactions with people in Columbus to attract people to Your Truth and a relationship with you. Help us to know how to look at this move as a new opportunity to become missionaries in northeastern Franklin County.
    
  • God, help us to always focus on each other and ministry more than stuff. Help us to maximize our time with eternal priorities and limit our commitments to earthly distractions.
    
  • God, please give us 20 years somewhere. We’ve moved so much in our 10 years of marriage—help us establish ourselves, give us the privilege of putting down roots and raising our kids in a stable environment, and use us to build a healthy, reproducing, disciple-making church in the New Albany area.
    
  • God, please teach us what you want to teach us. Use us in the lives of people. Bring people to Christ directly and indirectly through us. Change us in the ways you need to make us more like what you want us to be. Help us not lose sight of why we are making these changes and the vision and calling that you have placed in our hearts.
    
  
  

So, as I say goodbye to a house and a place and process all the emotions that brings… the words of Paul (who was much more accustomed to change and sacrifice than I ever will be) ring in my ear… I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven (Philippians 3:13b-14).

God help us look back in 20 years to this move as a time where we were obedient (even in the face of difficult decisions, changes, financial sacrifices) and where we followed you to a calling where you worked to build YOUR Kingdom and one of YOUR churches for YOUR glory.

God Answers Again!

Today we learned that our offer and negotiations on a beautiful little home were accepted! Praise God! Ironically, we had almost skipped over this gem of a house because it seemed too small on paper. But, on a last minute change of plans, we drove by it with our realtor and knew the minute we saw the house that this was it. In God's amazing work- he led us to a house that turned out to be one of our favorites (out of the 25 or so houses we have looked at in the last 3 weeks) even though it is one of the cheapest homes available in the school district we want to live in. What's more- this home is in an ideal location. It is in the New Albany school district, has a Gahanna zip code, a Columbus address, and is a stones throw from Westerville school district. All that to say- we will be located near shopping and neighborhoods that are centered in all three of the communities we want to reach (New Albany, northern Gahanna, and eastern Westerville). God is good and continues to show us that despite the challenges of packing, moving, storing stuff temporarily, and moving again-- that He has a plan and He is working it to His perfection in His timing. Will you celebrate God with us (Psalm 145)? THANKS!

Movin'...Movin'...Movin'...

We're stepping into the whirlwind...! Saturday, we enjoyed meeting the buyer of our home. She bought our home from Arizona, site-unseen. Since she was moving in from out of state, we had been given the impression that it would take her a while to get here and that we would be able to rent from her for a short time after closing (set for 1/24/07). Our impression was wrong! She wants the house at the transfer date (which she has every right to). Translated-- we have a week to be out (by 1/28 at Noon). Fortunately, my mom visited (Thanks, Mom!) last week and helped with the kids while Trish and I (and Cindy Sloe-- Thanks, Cindy) packed furiously. We have about 85% of our worldly belongings sitting in boxes in our garage. So, we're pretty much ready to go-- but aren't sure where we are going! I truly have a smile on my face...because this is one more problem that only God can solve.

We have feelers out in a bunch of different directions for a place to stay until we can secure a house. We've rented a storage unit in Columbus and a truck for 1/27. We'll be looking for people to help us pack in Cleveland and our sending church (Northwest Chapel) is working on people to help us unload in Columbus. Exactly where we'll be sleeping is undecided! Please pray with us that God will provide an adequate place to stay. Our desire would be to get to Columbus and get working as soon as possible. We feel that this is the reason behind our circumstances-- God is pushing us out of our safe nest in Cleveland and pushing us to get to Columbus and begin working to build a new church. God has already come through in such amazing ways...we're confident He is walking with us through this new challenge and will lead, strengthen, and provide.

Also...we were house hunting yet again in Columbus today. This is our third trip to Columbus in 2 weeks (5 hour, round-trip, drive). We feel like God is leading us and giving wisdom. It has been a challenge to find something suitable in our price-range. But, there is promise...and today we made an offer on a home that we're excited about. It is small, but beautiful, in a GREAT location, and solidly in our (adjusted :) price range. Pray with us that God will lead us to the right purchase and block us from the wrong one.

We're House Hunting On 1/9!

If you see this and think of it- please pray with us today that God would lead us to the right home in the northeastern section of Franklin County. We'll be looking for that elusive house that is both affordable and perfect for significant ministry opportunities in our target area. Please pray for wisdom on whether to rent or buy...and in either case that God would clearly lead and point us to the perfect home for our situation. I'm reminded and encouraged by Matthew 6:32-33. God is able. Thus far he has provided us with a super realtor...so we're excited and anticipating what God will do.

Silas Is Improving!

Thanks for praying for our 10-month old son, Silas. He has kept all food/formula down for almost 5 days and his ear infections and cough seem to be improving. He's still suffering from some pretty severe diarrhea (we think it is due to antibiotic)...but we'll take this with joy compared to what he had been enduring. We're continuing to ask God for complete healing and thankful for the improvement we have seen the last few days. How great it is to see that smile and hear that adorable little laugh again! Praise God!

Wirt Prayer Update, January '07

Wow...! God is working!
Since our last update, God has:
• Worked through a friend to donate an almost new computer to our ministry! This is a huge answer to prayer and the first essential piece to gathering the equipment we will need to function effectively.

• Raised almost $8,300 in financial donations to our new church before it even has a name or place! This will help us greatly as seed money for additional equipment, facility rental, community outreach, marketing and personal support that we will be raising in 2007. It is amazing that God has provided these gifts even before we begin formal fundraising efforts.

• SOLD OUR HOME! Many of you have been praying with us that God would sell our home before the end of 2006. He has answered in a huge way...and we now have a fair contract on our home-- despite the time of year and slow real estate market. This is truly a MIRACLE and we praise God for it!

• Raised up almost 230 people to pray with us for God to work through us to change lives in northeastern Franklin County.

Would you take a moment to praise God with us? We would love it if you would take a few minutes to read Psalm 145 and meditate on (His) majestic, glorious splendor and (His) wonderful miracles (vs.5) with us!

Also, here's how to pray and praise with us in January.
• That God would lead us to the RIGHT home in our target area 1) that would afford us ministry opportunities AND 2) that we can afford.

• That God would give guidance and wisdom as we continue to dream and record the vision, mission, values, and strategy of a new church.

• That God would help our family through the transitions we are facing.

• That God would prepare and lead us to those that will join us as Launch Team members and help with worship, children, and small group ministries.

• That God would prepare hearts of people that we will come in contact with. Pray that hearts would be focused on Jesus and His plan.

• That God would provide needed personal and ministry resources. If God prompts you, contact Andy for more specific information.

(We) will proclaim (His) greatness...
Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery! Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness. The LORD is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will bless you. They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
Psalm 145:3-12 (NLT)

Happy New Year!
We trust you enjoyed times of rich connection and reflection over the Holidays and are anticipating God's great work in and through you in 2007. Like you may be, we're both excited and scared of how and where God is leading us this year...but we are so thankful that He is with us (Matthew 28:20) and wants to work in ways we can't even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). All- for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)!

HOME SOLD!

Wow... God has moved in an amazing way! God brought a unique buyer at this time of year and in this (slow!) real estate market and sold our home at a fair price! We rejoice and are so moved that God chose to answer this prayer request in His perfect timing. Many of you have prayed with us that our home would sell by the end of 2006...and God did it pretty close to that! This removes a huge obstacle to us getting started with the work God has called us to! This is truly a miracle. Please thank God with us.

Pray with us also that God would continue to lead and provide by guiding us to our next home. Pray that He would lead us to a home that 1) we can afford and 2) will provide maximum community ministry possibilities. Our home in northeastern Franklin county will be the center of operations and entertaining to get a new church off the ground-- the right location is essential. We'd appreciate your continued prayers as we make the necessary adjustments to moving our family and all the fun (?) and work ahead! Thanks for your faithful work with us through prayer!

God Is Providing!

It has been amazing to see how God is raising up resources...even when we haven't actively initiated the fundraising component to beginning our new church. To date, God has provided over $9000 in cash and equipment (computer) donations through private donors and Grace Brethren North American Missions. Wow! It is fun to see God working in response to your prayers...even before we begin formal efforts in this area. Pray with us that these gifts and resources would be seeds invested towards changed lives!

If God is leading you to contribute, make any gift out to “Northwest Chapel” and send it to:

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

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.

Please Pray For Silas

Silas has been sick for over 2 weeks with a bad cough that leads to frequent vomiting. He's thrown up one to two times per day for over 2 weeks. Subsequently, he's on a third round of antibiotics for ear infections and has diarrhea. It has been a challenge to keep him hydrated, his energy levels are low, and he seems to be in pain from ear infection or other discomfort. He also was affected by a round of stomach flu that ripped through all of us. Please pray for healing, that the vomiting would cease, and that we would know how to care for him best. Its been a trying time for Trish and I as he doesn't seem to be improving. Please pray that our faith would remain strong.

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!