An Epic Journey » Friends

The Great Depression Part 2?

epic — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:54:15 +0000

It seems like I know more and more people who are asking the question, “how much worse can it get?” I personally don’t know, and am not really qualified to even comment on our current economic status. I do know that my wife and I have felt the pinch just like a lot of our friends are feeling it. One of my chief concerns in times like these is that the church does not over spiritualize circumstances, but that we would neither downplay the significance of being spiritual and only focus on the physical needs. This is a crucial moment in our history. We will forge a future, the question is, will it be one that it is forged on fear or on hope?
I say we have a hope that is greater than the movement in the dow jones, we have a calling that is deeper than the recession – as Hebrews 10:39 says, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” My faith is not in the economic, political, scientific system. My faith is in the creator of the universe, who with one swift breath could breathe mud into a man (see the beginning of Genesis).

Rock Band

epic — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:36:00 +0000

So, I think Jenni and I have joined a band…
Hah, actually, last night we went over to some new friends house and played the game Rock Band. I had never played it before, but I thought it was a blast. I am, honestly, probably one of the best drummers you have ever met. It was really fun to just hang out and rock out all at the same time! I’m guessing that Lee and Jill will find Kent and Jenni knocking on their door in the future, needing another dose of Rock!
Hah!

Off to Work

epic — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:18:34 +0000

Today has been my first official day to work at Epic! I’m heading off to the Library in Andover – I think I’m going to “office” out of there. I have a ton of stuff to do, write grant proposals, work on our informational meeting for January 11th, get out our newsletter, and more!
Keep praying for Epic, Jenni and I met with a family last night and it was awesome! I think Aja & Todd are going to be some fun friends and a huge asset to Epic!

The Apartment Fairy!

epic — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:10:11 +0000

Yesterday, Jenni and I were visited by the apartment fairy. She brought us all kinds of great stuff! Including a small grill, pillows and a whiteboard. She also gave us produce and a really nice picture. It was awesome to be greeted with such friendliness! Thanks Aja! I’m excited to meet the rest of your family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

epic — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:30:56 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving to one and to all!

Here are just a few things I’m thankful for this year:

God’s immense love – no joke, I know it sounds corny, but lately I have thought a lot about where I would be if God had not brought me into a relationship with Him.
Jenni – I am not that great of a husband and she is so loving, forgiving and able to push me just right.
Peter – baby smiles, need I say more.
Our friends and family.
Those folks who are supporting Epic Church through prayer and finances.� Jenni and I have been taking stock of just how many people are making this thing happen.� It’s incredible!
My Grandma for letting Jenni and I live with her for the past 6 months or so.
Pecan pie!
Bible Christian Church – for being so faithful and allowing us to make this move into church planting with their blessing!
Disposable diapers (You know you’re secretly thankful too).
Our youth at BCC – they are honestly the best teens I know!

Anyway, that’s some of what I’m thankful for this year.� How bout you?

The Fundraising Struggle

epic — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:21:43 +0000

It is not an easy thing to raise money.� Hah, I know this revelation probably finds you with your mouth wide open and scratching your head, but it’s true.� Raising money is a hard thing to do, especially when the only thing you have to offer is a vision of what the future will look like.� At the end of the day, what people are investing in is you, not the idea.� Sure, they love the idea – or else they wouldn’t even consider it – but at the end of the day you are the one who has to execute the vision.

I have been blessed by so many friends, family and organizations who have placed their trust in Jenni and I and our ability to follow God as He unfolds His work in Andover.� I realize that the struggle I face is one they face as well.� We are partners in this mission to see people reached who are far from God.� I hope that each person who is financially backing Epic Church knows that I will do whatever it takes to reach those people – I will become all things to all men that I might reach them!

The struggle is not really one of finances or selling your vision.� The struggle is really to be a person of integrity and honesty – to be trustworthy.� I want for people to look at me and say, “I believe that he is invested enough in the Kingdom that he will really pull this off!”

So, the questions I have to ask myself:

Are you hungering for the word of God?
Are you spending real time in the word?
Are you being faithful to your wife?
Are you being a great dad to your children?
Are you making friends with people who are far from God?
Who are you investing in?
Who is investing in you?

Answering these questions right will continue to turn me into the kind of man people will want to give to and support.

Well, that knocked my socks off…

epic — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:27:17 +0000

I just got back from a lunch with a good friend at BCC.� I was telling him how the funding that we had been hoping to get had fallen through, see this post, and how bummed out I was.

He started to tell me how his kids had decided, after my last sermon, that they wanted to support Epic Church.� I was blown away.� To have kids dig deep and give to the Kingdom like that is truly one of those awe inspiring things – and entirely humbling.� He then proceeds to tell me that he and his wife have been talking too.� They had just yesterday, found out about a sum of money that they had attained from an investment – a rather significant amount of money.� They decided to give it to Epic in a lump sum.� I just about started crying right then and there.

I had been so bummed by the funding we had lost the day before – it was significant enough that I wasn’t sure how we could even make it.� On the same day we lose it, God moved my friends to give their significant amount.� I honestly am tearing up thinking about it.� God has used so many people on this journey to encourage us to continue the fight.

Another good friend told me yesterday afternoon that he is going to be supporting us on a monthly basis at a really significant level and not only that, but that he would add Jenni and I to their cell phone plan so we wouldn’t have to worry about a cell phone bill.

All of this right after we had some pretty crushing news.

I’m telling you, I believe more firmly than ever that God is the one who provides our needs – He is faithful, even when we are not!�� Praise God!

Friends

epic — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:10:51 +0000

Jenni and I got to spend the weekend with a bunch of teenagers from Bible Christian Church.� It was our last youth group trip as the youth ministers here.� The whole trip was tinged with sadness for me.� Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited about our church plant – I am confident that we have been called, but I am sad to leave these teens.� They are all good friends of mine and I can’t wait to see the great things God is going to do in their lives!

We got to see our friends Dennis and Tonda on this trip, they let us stay with them and it was such a great time!� Plus, they have an amazing house!

My only regrets from the trip are that the bowling ball didn’t break more when we dropped it from the spill way and that I forgot to call Dan and Sarah – doh!� (Sorry guys, I’m dumb).

I think the next month or so is going to be a constant mix of sadness and excitement frosted with the need for complete trust and faithfullness to God!

Do the Twitter Bug

epic — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:35:56 +0000

So, does anyone else “Twitter“?� It’s a quick way to update people on your life and what you are doing.� I just started, not sure if I will like it or not.� I suppose that will be determined by my friends and whether they get on board.

Jump in and start tweeting!

Epic Connect – Connect with People – Part 3

epic — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:03:16 +0000

So, the question is, “How do you connect through Epic Church?”

There are several ways you can connect with people at Epic Church.� Initially you can join us on our Launch Team.� Once Jenni and I move to Andover we will be meeting weekly with a group of committed families and individuals to talk about how we can reach people who are disconnected from God in Andover and Wichita.

The second way you can connect with people at Epic is to join in on service projects.� We plan on serving the community in a ton of creative and God honoring ways that elevate the position of the family (for example, handing out free roses on a street corner for husbands to take home to their wives!).

The third is to be involved in an small group.� Once Epic launches in September our next milestone will be to launch small groups.� These groups will give you an opportunity to meet weekly with a group of friends to spend time having fun together and encouraging one another in your walks with God!

So the final question is, who are we looking for?� You may be thinking to yourself, I want to have good quality friendships, but I don’t think I’m a good enough person to do any of the three things you mentioned.� If that’s the case, then join the crowd – I wrote this post and I don’t think I’m good enough!� We are not looking for perfect people we are looking for real people who have faults and problems but who are willing to take a chance on God and other people.

Who are we looking for?� WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!