What has been one of the most defining ministry moments in your life?
Eleven years ago, my wife and I sat at an ARC Church Planter Roundtable in OKC. We sat at a table with a few other couples, as well as Peter Haas and Billy Hornsby. Those few hours changed our lives. Peter said, “This is about loving God, loving people, and having an endless party.” The simplicity of his words stuck.
After many years and five different locations, we took a huge step of faith and purchased a facility. In February of 2019, we were chosen as a host church for Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine — an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older, centered on God’s love. The event is free for the honored guests and requires hundreds of volunteers. We had a red-carpet entrance with a hype crew, an incredible DJ, catered meals, a karaoke lounge, photo booth, shoeshine station, glam room, limo rides, gospel presentation, and a crowning ceremony for each of the honored guests. We hosted over 150 honored guests and caregivers and had over 500 people from our community impacted and influenced by this event. It was one of the best moments in the history of our church. Prophetic or not, the words we heard over a decade earlier, “love God, love people, have an endless party,” became a real-life experience during this event.
What is your church known for in your community?
Our church is known for living out our mission: “leading people to follow Jesus in everyday life.” Everyday life is real. It’s sometimes messy and hard. Sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back. We’re welcoming, accepting, and willing to be “friends with sinners.”
Choose one word to describe the story of your life or your church. Why?
Grace.
After nine years, I continue to be humbled by God’s grace. Our church values transparency and teachability. As the Lead Pastor, I tell people, “I don’t have everything figured out” or “That was God, not me.” There is both transparency and a release of pressure by admitting that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my weakness. I can only be faithful with who and what God has entrusted to me. I depend on His grace. As a church, our story is one of God’s overwhelming grace.
Join us for ARC Conference this October, as we celebrate the stories that have made the past 20 years of ARC so special, and look forward to the many more yet to be told. Visit arcconference.com to register.
Your story is our story. We want to hear from you! Visit www.arcchurches.com/shareyourstory to share what God has done in you and your local church.
