The Launch.

What an emotional ride. It made me feel a little numb actually. I'll never forget that "Launch" morning. When you've been working relentlessly, praying unceasingly, hoping unconditionally for God to open the flood gates for months - even years in some ways - and then it's here. Honestly the day is still a blur to me. I regret being so charged up that I didn't capture the joy of watching God do what He promised He would. It stretched me. At 9:50 there was only few people who had made their way into the auditorium. Standing outside I can remember the feeling in my gut of 'oh no'. An even bigger 'oh no' is watching the people's faces who have invested in this step of faith with us. Wondering what they were thinking as we approached the ten o'clock hour. It was in that moment that God said, "Andy, c'mon. Don't be a punk. Don't worry. I'm in this. Always have been. Always will be. I'm at work here." Something amazing happened in that next ten minutes. God encouraged us. We don't always get to see God answering our prayers. But on this day we did. Every single person that walked in God invited. And we celebrated. We are honored and thrilled with anyone who wants to be a part of this journey. Every single person brings incredible value to our family...our story. We have seen God already do some incredible things. We've heard some incredible stories. And yet there is an energy and excitement in us that sincerely expects even greater things ahead. We do not just see this as starting a new church. We believe God is calling us to a movement. Everyone matters. Our stories matter. And greatest of all, we are part of the story of God. It doesn't get any better than that. I'm humbled. Grateful. There's nothing more encouraging than the many comments of "I could sense the presence of God." I could too. He's here.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21