There are probably several who are unaware of what is going on with me in regards to church.  So I thought I would take a moment to clear the air, and let everyone know what’s going on. 

I have been a member and active participant at New Life Church for the last few years.  I began attending NLC at the Conway campus back sometime around the first of 2006.  When I moved from Conway to Little Rock in 2007, it only made sense to go ahead and begin attending what was then the Maumelle campus.  I was able to be a part of this campus through the building of the new Greater Little Rock campus and spent months there as well. 

I could not have asked for a better church home, especially as I was diving head first into the pool of full-time ministry.  Such a wonderful body of believers, who I had so many opportunities to serve God and serve people with. 

I found myself a few months ago hearing from the Lord that it was time to begin detaching.  So difficult to do when that has been home for so long.  So I did as directed and began opening myself up to where my next place of “residence” might possibly be.  There was NOWHERE in central Arkansas that I could have even thought about going besides NLC. 

A couple of 2 months ago or so, I was introduced to some folks who were walking out on the limb of a new church plant.  I was extrememly intruiged as I heard and read more about their efforts.  But how on earth could God be leading me to leave a thriving church with thousands of members, for a new church plant with only a couple dozen??  To leave a church that had been ranked the 6th fastest growing church in the nation! 

I found that The River Church was exactly in-line with the passions and ministry call that God had placed on my life.  Once I had spent 1 single hour with them, I knew this was it.  I knew that this church, who’s big priority was to be a missional church, was the place God had been preparing me for.  It was clear to me that His desire was for me to jump right in, and take off!!

Though this is an extrememly exciting time for me, my walk, and my ministry; it was so very hard to say goodbye to “home”. 

I set a time to meet with Bobby Hamilton, the GLR campus executive pastor.  He is one of the only people in my life who has completely embraced the call and gifts that God has given me, and fully encouraged me to run with them.  I love this man.  He and his wife, Jill, are two of the most incredible people I know.  Bobby will actually be marrying Lane and I.  There was never any doubt as to who I wanted to marry us, regardless of circumstances. 

As Bobby and I met at Starbucks in Maumelle, a familiar place, I began the meeting with that painful little lump in my throat.  I knew this was not going to be easy.  I should have known the response that I would get from Bobby.  “Man that is so awesome for you!”, he said; “That’s so perfect for you!”.  And then he looked at me like “oh crap that means your leaving”.  What a great man, to give me encouragement and tell me that I was doing the right thing.  He never wavered or had one negative thought about what I was doing. 

Most impressing of all, as the conversation began to drift on to other things such as our wedding, he was absolutely thrilled to be able to marry us.  We won’t be regular NLC’ers but this man was still so gracious that it didn’t matter to him one bit.  That’s amazing to me. 

Yesterday I got a message from Pastor Rick Bezet, senior pastor.  He told me that he had been informed of the news and that he would really miss me.  He only had compliments to offer me, as I was moving on and leaving NLC. 

I know a lot of people who have left churches, and were followed by nothing but hard feelings.  It’s so nice to know that there is a church like NLC who wouldn’t dare treat you that way.  I miss those guys already, but I will see them from time to time. 

As of now though, you can find me doin’ whatever it is I do at The River and at barchurch.  My new “home”.

So, there’s the scoop.  That’s the deal!  Love you all.