We’re Growing!

We have officially had our first Launch Team Meeting this last Saturday. We had a great time of building relationships and spent some time praying together. It ended up being a wonderful and inspiring time. I can’t tell you how exciting it was to look around the room and to see the diversity of ages, stages of life, gift mix and passion. Nevertheless we were unified in coming together in order that we may make a difference for the sake of God’s Kingdom as we seek to “Live in and Live out God’s love.” Are team is continuing to grow. We are officially up to 18 adults with several others still considering their potential partnership with us. Ann and I were at Hillside Missionary Church this last Sunday and we had a very warm response from the people there. We had several that indicated an interest in partnering with Epic in some form.

We could use your ongoing prayers for us in the following ways:
• God would continue to bring more of the right people to join the Epic Church Plant. We have a goal of a minimum of 42 adults by Oct.
• God would continue to raise up prayerful and financial supporters.
• God would provide us with a location.
• God would have his hand of protection on all of our launch team members – Emotionally, physically, relationally, spiritually
• God would Ann and I incredible wisdom and discernment beyond our experience and own abilities.
• Epic would be used in a mighty way to impact lives as we remain focused on bringing the love of Christ to those who are far from God. Thanks for your prayers!

And the Journey Continues...

Ann, Caitlin and I have recently returned from a great deal of traveling in the car. We recently returned from a time that served as both a conference and much needed family vacation time in Orlando. As I look at what appears to be a very full summer and fall, we feel very refreshed, equipped and excited for this next leg of the journey with Epic.

I’m excited to say that we have had 11 adults sign on to our launch team at this point and we are thrilled by their partnership. We’re planning to have our first official Launch Team Meeting May 30th. We’re optimistic that there will be even more people joining us to be a part of the Launch Team by then as several more are still taking time to pray and consider. Additionally, Ann and I are planning to be in two more churches this month (Hillside and College Park) where we will be inviting people from these communities to join in partnering with us. Please pray that God will move in the hearts of these people in regards to their partnership and involvement with Epic. Our goal is to have at least 42 adults prior to our launch in October.

On the Financial front, we have a goal to raise a total of $250,000 (over two years). We currently have just over $135,000 that has been pledged and/or received. Please pray that God will continue to provide financially. We want to thank so many of you have pledged and given of your finances. I know that in these economic times it would one might be tempted to “hold back.” Thank you for your courageous faith steps and desire to help advance the Kingdom of God.

We are still in the process of trying to find a location. We have been told that we are able rent one of the schools in South Mishawaka, but only for six months max. This at least gives us an option to launch, and we are certainly grateful for this option. However, we are looking for something that would be more long term, affordable, and able to help us better serve the community. Please continue to pray with us as we seek God’s direction and provision in this matter.

On a more personal note, Ann and I are continuing to build relationships in our neighborhood and community. As I am typing this I’m looking out the back door of my home and noticing that there are 4 more new homes going in behind us. We’re excited about these potential relationships and it’s exciting to think about how God already knows who will be moving into them.

Thank you for your support and partnership with us. Together God will use us to make a difference and to bring honor to His name as we Live in/out His Love!

Jeremy

Launch Team!

Ann and I continue to meet with people who are interested in the church plant in one form or another. We’ve been preaching and sharing at various churches and have had many people indicate a level of interest - whether it be partnering in prayer, finances, periodic tasks/projects or even joining the church by being a part of the lead team. We’re continually being reminded that God is building His church and that we need to be sure to follow His lead.

We have had several informational meetings, with over 70 people from various churches either in attendance or asking for information on the church plant. As people have prayed and begin to count the costs, 22 people have come to our “Next Step” Meetings at this point in time. Out of that group we have had 3 people already commit to being a part of the Launch Team! All of the others remain interested but need more time to pray. We’re planning to hear back from them around the first week in May. In sharing this news with my Church Planting Coach, he seemed very pleased with the initial progress and response from people in the stage that we’re in. Our hope is to have an idea of an initial group to start the Launch Team by May. We’re planning to still have several other opportunities for people to join along the way. I’m planning to preach in two more of our Lead Team churches (College Park & Hillside) in May and we’re hopeful that out of these pools more people will get on board by joining the Launch Team. Please continue to pray that God will move in the hearts of those He has planned to form this Launch Team. Pray that God will give Ann and I wisdom.

In the next few weeks I will be doing a significant amount of traveling. I will be taking part in our Lead Team Retreat with our Lead Team Churches (College Park, Hillside, St. Mark, Sturgis & Wakarusa). Additionally, I will be taking part in the Exponential Church Planting Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain more insight and skills in planting a multiplying church. Please pray that I will learn what God has for Epic and for me during these times at the retreat and conference.

On a personal note, Ann and I are continuing to meet more of our neighbors and people in South Mishawaka and we are enjoying building these relationships and getting to know our neighbors. My daughter has especially enjoyed getting to meet new friends and have other kids to play with (Mom and Dad get a little boring after awhile). Please pray that we will build more friendships and grow the relationships that we have formed. Finally please pray for God’s ongoing protection on our family and for our hearts.

It feels like a snowball is being formed and we’re excited to see how it continues to grow. This will only happen through God leading the way and for your ongoing support. Many thanks for your faithfulness in partnering with us.

Jeremy

Yea God!

We just found out Sunday night that we will have a 5th church joining our lead team.  This is a huge answer to prayer as it helps both financially but also giving us another pool of potential launch team members.  We are thrilled to have Hillside join us and we know that they are going to be a wonderful addition to the team (St. Mark, Wakarusa, College Park & Sturgis).  Hillside took a congregational vote last night and an overwhelming majority voted to move forward and join the lead team - fully recognizing that this will be a sacrifice and faith challenge and yet believing that the Kingdom is worth it!  Ann and I were incredibly moved and encouraged by their faith step!

In some other news, I had the opportunity to preach at Granger Missionary Church yesterday and we were well received.  We appreciated the leadership allowing us to come in and share our hearts with their people and were grateful for several that were interested in partnering with us.

Ann and I are continuing a fast pace season right now as we are continuing to meet with people who are interested in possibly becoming a part of the launch team as well as trying to keep up with several other significant relationships in our neighborhood and area.  We actually have a week off from preaching this week, so were planning to head up to Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan to pay another visit (we have found this church to be an incredible blessing to us).  The "Next Step" Meetings are for anyone who is leaning towards potentially joining the launch team and would like to get to know us better and ask any questions that they might have before making their final decision in whether or not to commit.  These are some very exciting and yet anxious days all at the same time.  Please pray for God to sustain us with His strength, wisdom and discernment.  Also, please pray that God will protect our marriage and family during these very busy times.  I want to be sure to be Christ to Ann and Caitlin in addition to other (not to the exclusion of my family - I want to be sure to keep and intentional healthy balance of both).

Please be praying with us as we seek to try and find a meeting location.  We have some initial options that could get us through the first 6 months but we're continuing to try and find something that will be more long term.  We know God will provide we just want to have discernment to hear from Him!

Below are some significant upcoming dates:

April:

6 - Informational Meeting

7 - Informational Meeting

9 - Next Step Meeting

11 - Next Step Meeting

12 - Sharing at Crossroads Missionary Church

13 - Next Step Meeting

14 - Next Step Meeting

15-16 - Lead Team Retreat

20-23 - Exponential Church Planting Conference (in Orlando)

May:

3 - Preaching at College Park Missionary Church

17 - Preaching at Crossroads Missionary Church

31 - Sharing at Chapel Hill Missionary Church

June:

4-7 - Speak at Wakarusa Missionary Church youth retreat

14 - Share and Preach at Morenci Church of the Nazarene

Busy Times!

Hi Friends,

Ann and I are in the midst of a very fast pace season in life and ministry right now. We are either sharing or preaching at a church most Sundays from now until the middle of June. I’ve spoken at two churches over the last two weeks (St. Mark and Sturgis). Between the two churches we have had 49 people express interest in learning how they could potentially partner with us and/or potentially be a part of the launch team. We’re currently trying to follow up with all of them. I’m planning to preach at Wakarusa this Sunday and I’m hopeful that the Lord will continue to go before us and that there will be a favorable response there as well. Please pray that God will bring the right people to join this team…that they will be obedient to His call and that we will have discerning hearts.

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day and because everyone was outside, we had the opportunity to meet more of our neighbors. We tried to set up times to have them over and vice versa in order to get to know them better. Ann and I are so grateful for the people and friendships that the Lord continues to put before our path.

Please continue to be praying for us in regards to finding the right meeting place. I’ve made several phone calls and I’ve had many conversations with potential sites. I can tell this is going to be a huge challenge and God is naturally going to have to do the work…again (I should have seen that one coming by now!). Please pray that God will direct our steps and meet our needs in this area.

I can just see God’s hand at work in every area of my life. I’m grateful to have this vantage point and my prayer is that I wont get in the way of what He longs to do in me and through me. Additionally, I see that the Harvest in South Mishawaka seems to be so ripe and I’m excited to think of the ways that God longs to use Epic Church…may His name be glorified as His Kingdom continues to multiply. I recognize that there is an enemy of our souls who is doing everything possible to keep this from happening and so I would ask that you prayerfully do battle with us so that His attacks would fall short and that God’s purposes would be advanced.

Finally, I would ask for you to pray for God’s hand of protection to be on my heart, soul body and mind. I would ask for that same protection to be on Ann and Caitlin as well. We long to run the race in such a way so as to win the prize.

As always, thank you for your prayerful support of Epic Church and us.

Jeremy

God Is Amazing!

Hi Friends,

God is truly amazing! He continues to leave me in a place of childlike wonder as I reflect on who He is. I’m again reminded that Epic is His church and it is His plan, my only role is to be faithful and leave the rest to Him. Yesterday, I received the giving report for Epic. Two families whom I don’t even know have begun giving towards Epic! Additionally there was this church that decided to give over a $1,000. I’d never even heard of them before. As it turns out they had a heart to give towards a church plant and had learned of our ministry through word of mouth.

Ann and I have been working hard to get prepared for this upcoming season. This weekend I begin preaching and sharing at various churches. I’m doing this nearly every weekend until June. I’m also planning to have an informational meeting at most of these churches during the week. These meetings are intended to inform people how they can partner with us as well as to serve as means for recruiting people to be a part of the Lead Team for the church. Yesterday I drove to a place called Blissfield, MI to meet with my coach. We’re doing a considerable amount of traveling these next few months including driving to a church planting conference in Florida. My parents are actually planning to come and watch Caitlin in order that we can still take her and that Ann can join me at the conference (Let’s hear it for grandparents!!). We are looking forward to learning and being better equipped at this conference. We are very excited for the opportunity.

We’re still in the process of trying to find a place for Epic Church to meet. Please keep this, as well as the Lead Team coming together, as high matters of prayer.

Significant Upcoming Dates:

March:

8 – Preaching at St. Mark Missionary Church

11 – Informational Meeting at St. Mark Missionary Church

15 – Preaching at Sturgis Missionary Church

17 – Informational Meeting at Sturgis Missionary Church
22 – Preaching at Wakarusa Missionary Church

25 – Informational Meeting at Wakarusa Missionary Church

29 – Sharing at Granger Missionary Church


29 – (evening) Meeting with Hillside Missionary Church

April:

12 - Sharing at Crossroads Missionary Church
15-16 – Lead Team Retreat

20-23 – Exponential Church Planting Conference (in Orlando)



May:

3 – Preaching at College Park Missionary Church
17 - Preaching at Crossroads Missionary Church
31 – Sharing at Chapel Hill Missionary Church


Prayer Requests:

• For God’s protection over our marriage & Family…these are exciting & challenging days for our family.
• For incredible wisdom and provision as we seek to find a meeting place and recruit the launch team.
• For God to use me to impact lives as I preach at the various churches.
• That God will continue to go before us and meet our needs.
• For safety and good health over these next several months of travel.
  

Update!!

Hi Friends,

I want to share with you some exciting praises and updates and then give you some items to be praying with us.

Praise/Update:

Things are beginning to ramp up. Ann and I have begun to have conversations with people that say that they would be interested in taking the next step to discover if being a part of Epic Church (in some form) is what God has next for them. We’ve had several great conversations over the last month and we’re excited about the potential of what God may choose to do with these people in regards to partnering with Epic.

This week Ann and I went and met with a church up in Michigan and had an awesome time of sharing our hearts and vision with them. I received a phone call from the Sr. Pastor yesterday and he said that their church board unanimously decided to take a major step of faith and send us a $10,000 donation towards the ministry of Epic. Additionally they would like to partner with us and know of any tangible needs that the ministry may have in order that they might be able to help towards those needs as well. This is a giant step of faith for this church in these times and to say that I was humbled and encouraged by them would be a considerable understatement.

Significant Upcoming Dates:

February:
18-19 - Growing Healthy Churches Cluster Meeting (in Columbus, OH)
22 – Share at St. Mark Missionary Church

March:
8 – Preaching at St. Mark Missionary Church
11 – Informational Meeting at St. Mark Missionary Church
15 – Preaching at Sturgis Missionary Church
22 – Preaching at Wakarusa Missionary Church
25 – Informational Meeting at Wakarusa Missionary Church
29 – Sharing at Granger Missionary Church

April:
15-16 – Lead Team Retreat
20-23 – Exponential Church Planting Conference (in Orlando)

May:
3 – Preaching at College Park Missionary Church


Requests:

* Please continue to pray for God to go before us and to provide and give wisdom.

* Please continue to pray for his hand of protection to be on our family. Pray for us physically (Jeremy is currently feeling ill), emotionally and spiritually.

* Please pray for God to bring the people He has for this church and those that are to be on the Launch Team. Pray that we will be wise and incredibly sensitive towards His leading as this is a crucial step towards launching this church.

* Please pray for God to move in the hearts of those we will be speaking to in the near future in regards to a space to be renting.

* Please pray for us as we seek to impact our community and reflect the love, humility and compassion of Christ.

* Please pray for God to give us His words as we continue to share and begin preaching at churches.