One of my dreams since college has been to pastor one church for life. I'm just a big believer in longevity. I had a father-in-law who planted and pastored one church for 30+ years. I saw what God can do when you let your roots grow deep.
So I've always wanted to plant myself in one place and pour my life into it. Obviously, for me, that place is Washington, DC. We moved onto Capitol Hill ten years ago. We're raising our kids in this city. And we've become totally integrated into the community.
All of that to say this: we're in it for the longhaul.
And I feel like we're starting to bear some fruit from planting deep roots.
This weekend an NCCer shared a Scripture with me that I'm claiming as a promise.
Isaiah 54:2 says, "Enlarge your house; build an addition; spread out your home! For you will soon be bursting at the seams."
We've never set attendance goals at NCC because we're focused on planting and watering. God is the one who gives the increase. But I'm believing that God is going to bring us into a season where we will reach exponentially more people. I have a growing hunger to see more people come to faith in Christ. And I feel like we've got our discipleship mechanisms in place.
For what it's worth, one of my life dreams is to experience Acts 2:41 once in my life. I'm not sure how or when it would happen, but I want to see 3000 people get baptized on the same day in the same place! That's one of my BHAGs.
So I've always wanted to plant myself in one place and pour my life into it. Obviously, for me, that place is Washington, DC. We moved onto Capitol Hill ten years ago. We're raising our kids in this city. And we've become totally integrated into the community.
All of that to say this: we're in it for the longhaul.
And I feel like we're starting to bear some fruit from planting deep roots.
This weekend an NCCer shared a Scripture with me that I'm claiming as a promise.
Isaiah 54:2 says, "Enlarge your house; build an addition; spread out your home! For you will soon be bursting at the seams."
We've never set attendance goals at NCC because we're focused on planting and watering. God is the one who gives the increase. But I'm believing that God is going to bring us into a season where we will reach exponentially more people. I have a growing hunger to see more people come to faith in Christ. And I feel like we've got our discipleship mechanisms in place.
For what it's worth, one of my life dreams is to experience Acts 2:41 once in my life. I'm not sure how or when it would happen, but I want to see 3000 people get baptized on the same day in the same place! That's one of my BHAGs.
4 Comments:
Boy, that's going to make that whole "hiring you to come and be one of our campus pastors" kind of awkward...
Pastor Mark, I can really see Isaiah 54:2 coming to life at NCC. It's an amazing thing.
I just shared that scripture with my Pastor...that is a very encouraging word! We are the ones that put limits on God! He is infinite and eternal! My brother called me yesterday and told me to check out this site and your church site. He goes to UMD, he is coming to check ya'll out. Your blogs are very encouraging, keep it up man. god bless!
-jimmy akers
PM: I have been praying for an Acts 2:41 moment for our church ever since I heard you mention it several years ago. I am with you on this BHAG. It's more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Gets God out of our little boxes for sure. Rock on.
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