Washington state, Maine maybe?
Try again.
Utah. (Brad Olson, State of the Church Report)
Yes, Utah.
That is why we are called by God to go there. We wondered why God was calling us away, and now we know. Check out a few of these stats and see if your heart is wrecked as well:
- Utah was the fastest growing state in the country last year.
- But is the MOST UN-CHURCHED in the country! You read it right.
- In Ohio 20%+ attend church on a given weekend.
- In Utah it is 2-3%, making it dead last. The next level up is Nevada at 9%!
- There is a town that borders Salt Lake of 40,000 that has NEVER in the history of America had an evangelical church. Ever. Never. Nada. Zip. Are you freaking kidding me?
- In this area of 2.1 million people (Wasatch Front) we counted 5 churches (excluding LDS). We pass 6 churches in our town of 2,800 in a 3 block area!
- Don’t you hear all the buzz about this fastest growing state that has few church planters heading there? Probably not. It’s the last place on earth that we ever thought we would go!
Our hearts were broken. And we are answering the call despite the odds and challenges. If it is not hard and a challenge, we don’t want it. Here we are Lord…send us!
How about YOU? What is God asking you to do that you think is crazy? (Genesis 22)
pic: http://flickr.com/photos/maggiekedves/2957468834/
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Okay, Stick Stickley, it should be pointed out that a town of 40,0000 can still be considered in the Sticks. Even if SLC is a jog down the road, I think it still counts.
of course it does! especially out there…and not sure how big that # is in Michigan, but in Ohio it doesn’t compute… 40,0000? that’s a new one for me!
Charles, that’s awesome.It seemed pretty obvious to me that you would end up in the SLC area.We have work to do here or else I’d be volunteering to go out there with you!God is always faithful and your testimony is powerful and will change lives and minds!
Charles: I am unable to move with you (I am a pastor) and also unable to support you financially. However, I will commit to praying for you on a daily basis. I will put your name on my Moleskine prayer list that is prayed for daily. BTW: I look forward to attending Sticks again in November.
Why do you feel you have to make a clean break from New Hope? Why couldn’t this Salt Lake City, Utah plant be a New Hope plant? You are receiving montly funding, seed offering and people from New Hope to start this. Why isn’t it a New Hope Multi-site?
Don’t you feel you are making it even harder for New Hope to stay on course? As they prepare for your absence you are bringing so much attention to your future plans?
thanks for the comments all!to address a couple questions:I don’t think it is any harder on NH, than it is on us. I expressed how hard this is on our family and on NH, but we must ALL press ON in the power of the calling He has called us too!And it is not our vision to have multi-sites across state lines and the culture differences would be to great to make that option successful.blessings all! keep praying knowing that GOD is in control!
The fact that you say you don’t think this is any harder on NH than it is on you and your family, indicates the focus being back on yourself once again. You say making the Utah a mulitsite is not our vision because it would be across state lines and culture differences would be too great? What is China? You only have to listen to your message on Sunday you’ll hear how much is dedicated to NH compared to your new venture. Some things just don’t add up in all of this and I’m not convinced, nor alone in my belief that it’s not all of God. Anyone can come up with most any vision and claim it’s of God. By the way, thanks for finally posting the comments, although I aware that not all comments are posted.