Reflections on 2012
So, after I started this blog a few years ago I decided to put it aside for awhile while I worked on my degree. I really did not have time to devote to it, as my computer time after work has been mostly spent working on school. However later this year my degree will finally be finished, and I have been getting the “bug” to write again for personal pleasure. So in reflecting on what 2012 looks to bring I decided to write these thoughts down here, and see if I cannot get myself going again on some regular writing, and possibly developing some discussion and conversation, what I really wanted this blog to do.
Allow me to back up a bit. In 2010 my family had been attending a small, non-denominational church startup for several years. As some of the people began to leave for other churches the money began to dry up, and the church decided to fold. Since my wife and I had been attending the small groups of another church for several years, we decided to make our new church home The Vineyard Cleveland.
Shortly after we got there in January of 2011, Pastor Rick announced that the church was planning on expanding again. The main church had already spawned one satellite campus in another suburb, and now the idea was to start a third campus, this time inside Cleveland itself. Pastor Rick said the church would be somewhere on the near West Side, and he asked people to pray about possibly being a part of this new campus.
Immediately I knew this was what God wanted me to do. Not only was my wife in immediate agreement with me on this, but this was the part of the city I lived most of my life in, and where my heart has always been. This is a neighborhood of strong, working class people who have fallen on very hard times. Where the auto and steel industries once provided good jobs for thousands in this area, most of those jobs were gone. The infrastructure of local businesses is gone. For many, the hope is gone.
So we started on a journey to find a location and raise money for the new campus. In the summer we held a bike-a-thon, with a goal of raising $10,000 for the new campus. We met that goal with joyous praise for the Lord’s provision. Now, we have found a location, at the site of the old Puritas Lutheran Church, where we will be serving a free meal at 5:15, and holding service at 6. We are very excited to be starting this Saturday.
If you had asked me back in 2010, if I would be on a team of church planters today, I probably would have said no way, that it is impossible. However with God all things are possible, and I rejoice in this opportunity to serve Him, by helping to feed His people physically, and spiritually.
2012 is going to be a great year.
