Don’t get your underwear in a wad. Of course we are NOT, but rumor has it we are. I love hearing about my and our churches “other life.” It humors me at times. And other times it hurts a bit. If you are wondering…this one is humorous.

The Hill family is launching the Ashland Campus as a family together. We signed up for the launch team and answered God’s call to be a part of the launch as a family unlike the Wooster launch where only I was involved to a great extent and not the rest of my family.

Some haven’t understood the Multi-Site thing. That we are 1 church in multiple locations. I am the Pastor of 1 church with 2, soon to be 3 campuses. I will love, nurture, lead and care for each campus because we are all 1 church in an effort to build bigger numbers to impress people.

Not.

So that we can fulfill the great commission. We actually believe we have to go into all the world to save lost people and help them grow to become passionate followers of Christ.

Yes, we are transitioning (as we have been for years) my role of chief care and shepherd for the Loudonville Campus to other Pastors at the Loudonville Campus so I can focus on teaching and leading all our campuses. I CAN’T DO IT ALL…We have to grow smaller as we grow larger, and we have to learn to care for one another as the body of Christ, and not just 1 Pastor. I know this is a change for many people to actually have to live out the mandates of Scripture instead of watching some poor soul in a suit do all the work while his family burns up and his soul burns out, but that is not how it is supposed to be. Oops, hope that came out right! :\

So…I will focus on my gifts of teaching and leadership, and we will all including staff and the laity focus on BEING THE CHURCH. Of becoming an UNSTOPPABLE FORCE, and it will take ALL OF US to do that!

You will see the same of me, the same love, the same care, the same everything, except for some hasty exits on the weekends at some services so that I can get to each campus. It will look much like it did when we transitioned to the Wooster Campus.

Now that I have stopped preaching, I will say that maybe someone has heard that we have for a long time considered being in a more central local to all 3 campuses in the future if they begin to grow like our first campus for a variety of reasons. Maybe, maybe not. That is up to the Lord.

Our heart is for all of the people @ New Hope. Those at the first campus in Loudonville, those who packed up to Wooster and who have joined from their community, and those who will be a part in the Ashland Campus. Who would have thought we’d be talking about this stuff 5 years ago??????

I will say that it does bless my heart that people love us that much. But I always end the gossip mill pretty quick. So now as Paul Harvey says…now you have the rest of the story!

Speaking of other stories…if you weren’t at 3rd Wednesday last night…the rest of the story on Matt’s resignation as the Wooster Campus Pastor can be found HERE. He will be greatly missed! He was a great brother and friend. I know God has the perfect place of service for him, and maybe one day he will be back with us Lord-willing! (In the interim, Pastor Tim is leading the Wooster Campus…so pray for him!)

Last but not least…for the latest info on the Ashland Campus, go HERE.

We have an amazing church. While most churches fight about the level of service they receive inside their holy huddle…we are actually out on the front lines just like the early church and taking it to the streets…YOU ALL ARE AMAZING! KEEP IT UP!

blessings and peace.

ps. I heard a story that Pastor Jeff kissed Matt on the lips @ a staff meeting once…