When we “incorporate” as a “church” in the next month or so, I am excited about the first 7 checks we will write as an official “church”.

I am breaking covenants and law and rules by doing this, but someone will have to stomp on us before we give this up:

If we are serious about the GREAT COMMISSION, then we will understand that the first 7 checks we write will be this:

1. To an organization that is impacting our local community right here in our Jerusalem.
2. The next 6 will be to the above in: Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe and Antarctica.

We will repeat this every month, no excuses.

We will SERVE outside of ourselves before we begin serving OURSELVES. And yes, it is hard to find things to support in Antarctica in case you were wondering.

That’s what I feel like as a leader most of the time. So, it was time to re-name the blogg-o-la, for at least a day.

I have been called a control freak, and yes, that would be the case sometimes. Other times I have been called an absent leader and yes, that would be the case sometimes as well. [remember you can't win for losing in leadership, so stop trying. it KILLED me and still does when I try to people please...]

This is my heart’s desire, contrary to popular opinion sometimes from critics, staff, friends, strangers, family, yada, yada, yada:

TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK THROUGH ME TO SEE AS MANY PEOPLE DETOURED FROM HELL AS POSSIBLE. And while alive on earth, to help BELIEVERS CONTINUALLY GROW IN CHRIST until we meet our SAVIOR face to face.

That’s why I do what I do [period]. Why the Hades else would you put yourself or your family through this? [if that makes no sense to you, you are not a pastor or church planter, so skip on...]

Have I tried to “control” the work of the spirit? Of course I have. I’m human and I think I know best.

But, one of the most freeing lessons I have ever learned [am learning] was/is this:

THAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL A MOVE OF GOD, so do your best to MANAGE [herd] the CHAOS and get out of the way.

Here’s where I think I am today, and how I might be a better chaos herder than I was yesterday:

MOVE OF GOD + GODLY LEADERSHIP + ABUNDANT LOVE = ORGANIZED? CHAOS [Acts 2 and beyond]. [of course, there are a hundred other dynamics to put into the equation so don't comment the crap out of this ie: prayer, scripture, obedience, etc., but these are the biggies when I read what the apostles did].

A radical MOVE of God, shaped by GODLY leadership, that lives a life of ABUNDANT love [not superficial love, and after all, summed up: God is LOVE, so maybe we should too], and see it freaking explode in JESUS NAME.

This is what happened throughout Scripture. And I desire that: let’s herd some SPIRITUAL CHAOS TOGETHER.

That’s what the last 8 months have been. [this is not a cry fest, whine fest, or attempt to get self-promotion or show you how tough we are...anyway.]

When you receive a call from GOD, it’s supposed to be AMAZING right? The heavens open, trumpets sounds, angels sing, the path is slippery smooth and downhill!

Of course people will be extremely supportive, majorly encouraging, and fired up for your “obedience to the call of God”?

Well, maybe not always.

Our team has pushed through. Some are here, some are still there. Some are still pushing. Some are still being called.

Our family has endured 2 moves and a bunch of uncertainty. We miss our church, our friends and our family, and yes…it has been tough.

But we are here. And today it becomes real for me. Why?

Today is our first “staff meeting.” I have a blank sheet of paper and today we begin to jot out with our team what our mission and vision will begin to be.

We plan to start to form some God picture for how we are going to kick satan’s butt and start to put some life into 22+ cities out here in Utah that have no “churches” in them. [again if you are new, that's not a typo...there are ZERO.]

So roll out the toilet paper…we are about ready to wipe and flush. And man, it feels good!

["Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the COUNSEL OF THE LORD is what will stand!" prov. 19.21]

I would have never said that a few months ago…but SLC and the surrounding areas are one of the “best kept secrets anywhere.” I’m letting the cat out of the bag. meooooooooooooooow.

We thought we were being called to Utah and would “endure for the cause of Christ.” There must be NOTHING there but a dead lake and the Utah Jazz.

Instead we found one of the coolest places to live in the country. WHY?

*Great people.
*Amazing views like no other.
*Best snow for skiing anywhere.
*Hundreds of hiking, biking, camping opportunities.
*Cheap and amazing golf.
*A downtown that is being completely renovated.
*Tons of great restaurants, theaters, and culture.
*Fine arts and other concert events all the time.
*The climate is great [if you enjoy 4 seasons and over 300+ days of sunshine a year].
*The traffic is pretty smooth.
*Low crime.
*Lowest unemployment rate in the country.
*People who want to talk all the time about Jesus and the Church.
*And about a 472 other cool things.

The downside?

*22 cities without 1 “protestant” church in them. 22…no joke. For those of us who are non-LDS, this is the most un-churched population in the COUNTRY. [oh, and Utah is the FASTEST-GROWING state in the country...]

So…there are JOBS out here in the wild west for those who want to join the mission and be a part of our team as a non-staff member [we need more families who are called!]

And we have STAFF JOB OPENINGS for those who are feeling called to an amazing adventure with our amazing team. Here’s what we are looking for:

*Spiritual Development
*Youth/Kids
*Executive Pastor Type

Hit me: chazzdaddy17@gmail.com

We badly miss our family and friends at New Hope and in Ohio and would do anything to be with them…but honestly, WE LOVE THIS PLACE and WE LOVE THIS CALLING…[ask my wife...she said it.]

We are there right now and it’s simple. Here’s what our crazy family is doing in no particular order:

1. Working Out, Eating Mostly Right, Sleeping Well, Having a Ton of Fun! Stress will straight up kill you. It will. Go get all the tests the doctor’s can order. It’s probably just stress. Can you say heart cath @ 30 like I did at my first church plant?

2. Taking Our Time! Don’t launch too soon. We will be here almost 14 months prior to launch. #1 killer in my book.

3. Build an Intercessory Prayer Team. Without it, you are doomed. This is war we are in.

4. Relax. Meet a Ton of People. Those around you, those above you, those behind you. Those of influence, those of not.

5. Love and Serve #4.

6. Enjoy and Love Your Family. BIG TIME. Repeat #5 on them.

7. Get Out There. Coach sports, volunteer at the PTA [yes, I really did.], serve local churches that have NO clue who you are. Just drop in and tell them you want to serve a day a week/month, etc.

8. Go to the same stores, restaurants, gas stations, coffee shops, etc. and BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with the clerks. No drive-thru’s on a regular basis! And TIP BIG.

9. Spend quality time with God, your family, and your team.

10. Stop worrying about church planting, you have plenty of time unless you want to fail by launching too soon, and just start serving the crap out of those around you.

Oh…and love every minute of it…it’s a great calling and adventure we get to be a part of!

Remember that I told you that there were 22 cities without a non-LDS church in them here and that there could be more?

Well, pray for us. Tomorrow will be 1 week here. I hope to chronicle the journey more and more each week as we get settled.

The reality has hit us head-on::::

We have met a ton of neighbors, and others and I would say 90% are LDS.

It’s like being in a foreign country. NO, really it is. Come on out and you will see.

It has become a funny converation when they ask me what I do…

I tell them, and they ask: What’s a pastor? What do you do all day? And the classic: So you stay at home and only work on Sunday’s. Some things never change.

We need serious prayer. Thanks for rocking it for us.

so…we leave in 6 days.

follow the Hill’s journey on TWITTER or on FACEBOOK. and then when we land, i hope to keep this blog dedicated to small town/rural church planting and get real about it again after we get settled. [the towns we are reaching rang from 7K to 29K!]

also…did you sign up for our Utah Church Planting updates? go to the MISSION WEST WEBSITE for that. sign-up. updates right to your inbox. We are up to almost 1,000 people on our sign-up list. so here’s a little something to push us over the 1K mark:

i will send you something simply amazing if you are the 1,000th person to sign-up. so, get over there and get it done.

pray for us…it’s about to get really real.

Hey all! I am still alive. Been extremely busy trying to get to UTAH. [that still doesn't look quite right].

What have I been up to?

*Working for Crosspoint and this Amazing Dude.
*Visiting at home in Ohio with friends, family and our CHURCH.
*Did a wedding for our Programming/Arts Director Patrick and Leah [Reep] Sprague
*Trying to raise funds for MISSION WEST. Will you be in for the 22 cities without 1 church? [not a typo]
*Selling our house. YES! PRAISE GOD! done.
*Finding a house in Utah. YES! PRAISE GOD! done.
*Spending time with my amazing WIFE and KIDS. What a gift!
*Hosting a STICKS ROUND TABLE. What a blessing that was! Thanks Dave and Crosspoint!
*Doing all the things necessary to prepare to move.
*Working to help get our Launch Team West…Patrick and Leah have been on the ground for 5 days now in SLC! [midvale, UT]
*And so much more…

I hope to get back on the blog train in the next few weeks or months when we get settled. Thanks for your prayers and support!

Speaking of support…anyone want to begin talking about staff opportunities at the new church we will be planting in Utah?

We will be hiring the following positions one of these dayzzz:
1. Director of Spiritual Development/Assimilation
2. Director of Children’s Ministries
3. Director of Operations/Executive Pastor

Do we have the funds right now? Nope.
Do we plan to have funds? Yep.
Will you have to raise support? Yep.
Will we help? Yep.
Are you ready to go to a mission field? _______?
Have others done this? Yep.
Are they crazy? Sure.
Is God wild? Absolutely.

If this is you…let’s talk. Who knows where it will lead. We currently have 2 major partners supporting the plant, and a parent church on the ground in SLC. We also have 3 staff people on board already…

We plan to launch in the fall of 2010…so there is plenty of time to gather support and prepare. If this thing has tweaked your spirit…let’s chat.

Send your resume and propaganda/etc. to: chazzdaddy17@gmail.com