walking alongside

“You are the only older, wiser people, who have stuck it out as long as you have with me. Everyone else, who has expressed the desire to walk alongside and mentor me in my vision for church planting, has abandoned me along the way.”

These words were spoken to Daleen and me at a recent staff gathering by our teammate, Tony. Although these were encouraging words for us to hear at one level, they were bittersweet because they carry a deep level of pain for Tony. As a matter of fact, it’s due to similar stories that we’ve heard over the past ten years that our commitment to younger leaders has grown. 

As you may remember, a few years ago, Tony gathered several friends and moved into one of the “roughest” neighborhoods in St. Paul. For two years, this group of young men pursued an intentional life of discipleship together, and a life of mission in their neighborhood. Not only were they a light in a dark neighborhood, but they were also a new lens for many of their friends to see their city with fresh eyes. And, after a hiatus to finish seminary, Tony is once again re-forming this intentional community, known as Ekklesia, and moving back into the neighborhood.

Although young leaders like Tony are full of passion and vision, they often lack the resources or encouragement to see their vision become a reality. These leaders are trying to reach their generation with the Good News of Jesus, and, therefore, think outside the box of familiar forms of church. They are experimenting with forms of church that have meaning in the world in which they live where authenticity, social justice, and downward mobility are important values. They pursue the ways of Jesus in everyday life that run counter to our prevailing American culture, and often times, counter to our prevailing church culture.

Our teammates, Tony and Tiffany.

Unfortunately, young leaders are often left to their own devices. The support of pastors, churches and denominations that began with enthusiasm can often wane and slowly disappear as the church plant begins to blossom and take shape. The passion and vision that was once so exciting, can now feel threatening. The church plant that was once highly anticipated (and celebrated) is now left to find its own way.

Daleen and I long to see healthy, vibrant churches being led by healthy, vibrant people. That’s why we walk alongside these young men and women as they break new ground and plant churches. And, not only will we continue to work with the leaders of future generations, but Tony will do the same. We are working hard to cultivate a group of young men and women, who will not only be practitioners and leaders in their own neighborhoods, but will have the vision to share what they are learning by walking alongside and encouraging other young leaders. We invite you to join us in prayer and partnership as we move forward.

Please pray for:

• ·        Tony and his new wife, Tiffany, who were married on September 21^st, and will be moving into Dayton’s Bluff in early October. Pray for them, and the leadership team of Ekklesia, as they re-launch into Dayton’s Bluff this month. Pray for Daleen and me as we walk this road with them. 

• ·         Young leaders full of passion and vision to join our team here in the Twin Cities. We are praying for at least two more people to join our CRM team, Launch, in the upcoming year. We would love to eventually have a whole network of young church planters learning from one another and expanding God’s kingdom throughout the neighborhoods of the Twin Cities and beyond.