Worship

Scripture

When we first landed on planting a church in Huntsville, TX, I decided to test the waters regarding the town with some others who knew nothing of my ambitions. So I approached a friend of mine and during the conversation, I asked, “Hey, what do you think of Huntsville?” His response wasn’t very motivating. He said, “Huntsville, oh gosh that’s a prison town. There’s nothing good going on up there.” On the chance I had just asked the wrong person, I decided to inquire with another friend of mine. “Hey, what do you think of Huntsville, TX?” Their response, “Oh gosh, it’s nothing more than a college town. There’s no money there, I don’t know why anyone would want to go there.” 

Welcome to church planting in Huntsville, TX. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered this “second-rate” mindset among some people in the town I pastor. I don’t know if it is the influence of the two organizations above, or if it’s just a cultural thing that needs redirection, but I’d imagine 5 of 10 people that I asked about our town would have something negative to say about it. Here’s the problem, whether it be by exile or by choice, God has called the people in our town to be His people, representing Him, evangelizing, and transforming the culture we live in. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” is not limited to blossoming metropolitan areas with great restaurants, it’s limitlessly commanded to God’s people with the idea that where WE go the kingdom comes along. 

Listen to the words of Jeremiah in a letter to the exiles heading to Babylon, a place they most certainly didn’t want to be. “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

What if we approached the current season God has for us with this mindset, “Its welfare will determine our welfare.” You might not be where you want to be, but God always has you where He wants you to be.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

There is nothing too big for our God. Honor His greatness!

ASK GOD