One Year
One year ago, on September 7th we launched weekly services at Central Community Church. While our community started informally through small gatherings of worship and prayer, making the jump to weekly public gatherings was quite a step of faith. Now we have a year under our belt and we couldn’t be more grateful.
First, we are grateful to God. There were so many unknowns as we stepped out in faith to plant CCC. In a journal entry from 2012, I wrote the following: “God is calling us to plant a church, the question is, where, with who, and when?” There aren’t many more unknowns than that! God answered all the big questions in his time, and in his perfect way. To witness a growing and healthy community start from scratch, people going out and serving the city, and new people coming to know and follow Jesus, this is all the work of God. This was God’s answer to our faith.
Second, we are grateful for the people who have jumped in to this adventure and chosen to be church planters with us. Church planting can be challenging and lonely. The combination of these two realities can quickly deplete the passion and zeal of any well-meaning group of leaders. Having committed and enthusiastic people makes all the difference in the world. Over and over since we launched, I have told my wife Cristina, “I can’t believe these people want to be a part of our church!” The value of a church is not in its programs or it’s presentation, it’s really in the people. We couldn’t be more grateful for the people who have made CCC their home, offering their time, treasure, and talent to the mission.
Third, we are grateful for the body of Christ at large in Seattle. Our sending church, Westminster Chapel has supported us in every way. Also, since launching CCC, we have been warmly welcomed by other churches and pastors throughout the city. We hope to continue this spirit of unity and encouragement with any and every relationship we have in the greater church body. There is one Church in Seattle and we have the privilege of being a part.
Heading into year two, the Elder’s and Ministry Lead’s gathered in August to pray and listen to God. There were many wonderful themes and pictures that surfaced in our time together. Just to list a few: “Continue to make room for the stranger, the unbeliever, the new person”, “Be willing to sacrifice for God’s plans and purposes”, “Be people of prayer”, and “Enjoy Jesus”. I have really hung on to the last of these, “Enjoy Jesus”. Our hope is that as we embark on a new year, with a whole new list of unknowns we will be filled with joy. I’m beginning to appreciate these unknowns a lot more than I used to. After all, these are often the places where God reveals himself the most in our lives, and when this happens our response is one of gratitude, and that gratitude leads us to joy.
So we end this year grateful, and we begin a new year joyful over what God has done. We invite you to give glory to God with us and to continue to pray for our church as we seek the heart of God in the heart of the city, shining his light and proclaiming his gospel to those who need it most. Here’s to another incredible year!
In Christ,
Jeff