Meet Tony

Missional is a way of being that leads to a way of acting. - Ed Stetzer

What I enjoy about working with young leaders is not only their vision of a transformed world, but also their gumption to move toward that vision in ways that often challenge and stretch me. In 2010, while visiting the Twin Cities, Daleen and I began hearing about a small band of young, idealistic men, who called themselves Ekklesia.

Although most were born and bred in the suburbs of St. Paul, this group of 20-somethings felt moved by God to relocate to a decaying neighborhood called Dayton’s Bluff just outside of downtown. Even though their new apartment was located on one of the most notorious corners in the city, known for its crime and violence, these young men began to incarnate into their new neighborhood. They quickly realized that true incarnation isn’t flashy, but rather it’s quiet, subtle, constant and powerful. Incarnation looks like the Gospel lived out in everyday life.

For two years, these young men lived a life of discipleship, simplicity and shared possessions. Moving beyond their initial fear, they began to live an alternative, Jesus-centered life, seeking to be a constant presence as advocates of the urban poor. The poured deeply into each other, and to those who lived around them. Before long, others from the neighborhood (and beyond) began to join them. The group finally disbanded (on good terms, mind you) when several of the guys left to finish their university/post-graduate studies.

In 2010, as we considered moving back to the States, it was stories like these that sparked our interest and gave us hope. Having lived in intentional community for 10 years, we were amazed that a group of 20-somethings could navigate the challenges of deep community life in a high-risk/high-need neighborhood for such an extended period of time. And it was the opportunity to work alongside such missional communities that was an integral part of our decision to move to the Twin Cities.

Tony

Once we moved to St. Paul, we began meeting people, who were involved in Ekklesia. During our conversations, we kept hearing about Tony, who was a key figure in starting and maintaining Ekklesia. In April of this year, I finally met Tony face to face, and it didn’t take long for us to realize that we had a similar dream – a city transformed by missional bands of Christ-followers spreading through the neighborhoods and networks of St. Paul. As we continued to meet, it became clear that God was moving him to not only partner with us, but to join our staff team so that we could pursue this dream together.

Tony finished his seminary degree in Community Ministry Leadership in June, and just last month he officially joined our CRM team here in St. Paul. In addition to starting Ekklesia, he is on the leadership team of another church plant called The Gallery, where he continues to lead worship on occasion. And, although he has a heart for urban areas, Tony loves fishing, bow hunting and just about anything else that happens in the great outdoors. He describes himself as a Daydreamer, Fence-burner, Wall-mover, Cross-bearer, and Revolutionary.

Over the past 15 years, Daleen and I have counted it a privilege to walk alongside young leaders, helping them grow into the men and women God has created them to be. Therefore, it’s with great anticipation that we welcome Tony to our team as he pursues his dream to re-launch this tight, Christ-centered, formational community in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood.