Cargo Vans and Gath-Hepher

Have you ever rented a car before? I have and the the process is usually pretty smooth. But this monday as I was heading out of town for a three day fund raising tour of Southern Illinois, the rental process didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. Heather had spent hours researching the best prices for my trip. We booked an economy car and were ready to go. But Monday morning when I got to Enterprise, things changed for the worse. 

First, there was only one worker at the desk as the one or two others that usually work in the office were out picking up people or cars...becaus as we all know...they are the company that picks you up. I waited in line for my turn to give them my confirmation number and for them to in turn give me my 40 miles to the gallon clown car that would be cheapest on gas. However, I quickly found out that 7 cars had not been returned so I was pretty much up a creek. To top things off, an executive from Anheuser-Busch was in front of me and you better believe they were going to give him the next car that came available. But since I had no other choice, had been dropped off by a friend and needed to get on the road, I agreed to take a cargo van. 

Now let's discuss the cargo van for a second. At first I thought, "No big deal." During my 4 years in youth ministry I had driven a 15 passenger van probably 200 times, so I was used to the size. But what I quickly found was that with the lack of seats as well as any sort of interior lininng to the van, not only was the thing a beast to drive, but I couldn't even hear to talk on the phone while driving. Luckily, I was able to drive the cargo-beast-van to Mt. Vernon and trade it out for a mini-van. I had never really understood why they were called that...mini-vans... until monday, and I was a believer. 

But besides being made fun of by high school students for driving a man van, the whole thing ended up being a blessing. When I turned it in this morning, the bill ended up being half of what I had expected. For my trouble they had taken the rate down to half of what my reservation was for. I was on a trip to raise money for the new church, so spending less money was a bonus. This is just one example of God's faithfulness. At first it seems like I was just trying to be a good Christian to the frazzled youth lady behind the desk who was trying to pawn off cargo vans on anyone who would take...but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. I'm no prosperity preaching, name-it-claim-it, guy...but it sure does seem like God blessed the efforts to bring him glory on Monday. 

My trip to Southern Illinois was a blast. I was able to see family including my beautiful neice, Hallie Kate and my sweet baby nephew, Nolan.  I was also able to sit down with several individuals as well as pastors representing churches to talk about parterships for funding August Gate. Everyone was very gracious and I am so grateful for the time that other's devoted to hearing my heart. I was unable to meet with everyone I had wanted to due to scheduling conflicts and busy life. 

Last night I was able to speak to over 100 folks at Little Chapel Church in Harrisburg, IL. The crew there is always so gracious in letting me step into the pulpit. Barry Steed, LCC's stuff of a worship/evangelism/youth pastor thought it would be fun to let me play bass as well. It was a great time. I spoke from the book of Jonah and 2 Kings. My goal was to let them know that they were the Gath-Hepher for my Jonah. As God has called me to my Nineveh to preach the Gospel, Southern Illinois and specifically LCC have been my Gath-Hepher...where I am from and where I was taught to love Jesus, listen for His call on my life and then follow it with wreckless abandon once I hear it. The people of LCC were again very generous and I pray that there will be even more lasting partnerships with many that were there, heard the vision, and took some of our promotional information. 

I had planned on coming back today, but I missed my wife so incredibly much that I hopped back in the rental-man-van and headed home late last night. Plus!...I heard that this week our baby has developed ears and can hear us when we sing and speak to him/her. I couldn't wait to get home and talk to my baby! 

I am so thankful for all the people that took time out to sit down with me. I'm thankful for those who gave to August Gate...some of whom hadn't even heard the vision straight from my mouth yet. If you are reading this and would like to know more and play a part in helping to fund this church plant during its first year, please contact me at noah@augustgate.com . To Christ be the glory!

February/March Newsletter Content

Recent Family News...

We are sure the word has spread like wildfire across Southern Illinois and South Florida, but this will serve as our announcement to theworld...WE’RE PREGNANT!!!

Just yesterday we had our second ultrasound and saw our little son or daughter. The doctor says that the baby and Mom are both doing amazing and that we are on track to welcome him or her into the world sometime around the end of September or the beginning of October. We can’t even begin to describe the joy that we feel over this whole situation. We want to thank all of you who prayed over this situation for the past several months. The greatest thing we have learned through this process is the goodness of God. He is the giver of all good gifts and the creator and sustainer of life. Back in the fall I wrote one of the Biblical names of God on my white board in the office. Jehovah Jireh, The Lord will provide! I have looked at it almost every day and prayed, trusting in that promise. As I sit and write today, I am glancing over at that name on the whiteboard and rejoicing in the unfailing love of Yahweh!

Please keep praying for Heather and the baby over the next several months. We won’t know if the baby is a boy or girl until sometime in May and we look forward to announcing that whenever the time is right.

In Other News...

Heather has started a new part-time job to help save for the coming of the baby. She is the office administrator for Child Evangelism Fellowship, a Christian organization that starts “Good News Clubs” in elementary schools.

Noah just finished two more classes, is starting two more this week and will be only 11 classes away from finishing the Master of Divinity degree at Liberty.

Noah had an assessment meeting with the church planting board for the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association. It went very well and we are excited to be partnering with a network of churches that loves St. Louis and loves the Gospel.

Noah got his first look at maternity pants when we went shopping a couple weeks ago. The elastic waistband had him questioning, “I wonder if they make those for men?”

Fund Raising...

With a baby on the way and August just around the corner, I have an urgency to begin raising funds for August Gate. We are trusting God for everything we need and are reminded of His faithfulness as we were able to raise money to do a church planting internship this year. We understand that He provides the means for every call. But I also understand this recent quote I heard at a church planting meeting I was at, “There is only one problem for God when it comes to finances. While He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He has chosen to keep it in Christians’ bank accounts.” I was just made aware again this morning through an article on theresurgence.com that as the lead pastor I have to be the lead fundraiser. God has placed this vision and call in my heart and on my life and because of that, I am called to the task. Now let’s be honest. This is a huge task! Not only do I need to raise enough money for a personal salary to provide for my family but I also have to raise enough for start-up costs, rent for a meeting facility and sound equipment. 

March is the beginning point for this fund raising. Next week I am renting a car and driving to Southern Illinois to sit down with as many people as I can in four days and share the vision of August Gate hoping to raise funds. But more than that, I believe it needs to be what Bill Dillon calls “People Raising.” I don’t just want to talk people into opening up their wallets and check books to hand over a few dollars to another “good cause.” For August Gate to be what God has called it to be, we need people to believe in me, believe in the vision, and believe in the mission.

I have been and will continue to set up face to face meetings for those in Southern Illinois and phone meetings for those in other places. If you would like to hear more of the vision and find out how you can be involved or if your church or someone you know would like to begin giving to missional works, please let me know as soon as possible.

August Gate Update...

Vision Meetings

Over the past couple months we have been having monthly meeting to share the vision of August Gate with friends and those who might be interested in being involved in a St. Louis church plant. Between the first two meetings we have met with over 35 people. Our next vision meeting is Saturday, March 21st in Soulard. I know it is short notice, but if you would be interested in attending this meeting or a future vision meeting, please get in touch with me. These meetings are a great opportunity for people to hear the vision, meet the people, and experience a little bit of the feel of August Gate. These meetings are a jumping off into what we are calling our Launch Team.

Launch Team

As people hear the vision, meet the people and experience the feel of August Gate and after we have the opportunity to get to know them, their stories, and desire to be a part of what is going on, we give people personal invitations to be a part of the August Gate launch team. This team is a group of people who have bought in to reaching the lost of St. Louis with the Gospel and have committed to seeing this church launched in August of 2009. The launch team is currently 15 people with three married couples and nine singles ranging from 18 to 31 years old. We are hoping to add to that number after this Saturday’s vision meeting.

We have begun having weekly launch team meetings at our house on Sunday nights. We gather for teaching, worship, and fellowship. Over the next few months I hope to see this group develop into a cohesive unit with a united purpose, vision, and mission. We will be meeting at our house until we outgrow it, which is quickly approaching, as well as meeting down in Soulard to eat in restaurants and pubs, getting to know the workers and owners.

I am currently teaching through the book of Jonah and you can listen to or download the weekly teaching online by either going to sermon.net/augustgate or searching for August Gate on iTunes.

Website

Josh has been working diligently on our new website and we hope to have it up by the end of March. This website will be a place to read about our mission, vision and values, stay

updated with what’s going on, listen to weekly podcasts, views pictures and send interested people to.