It’s been weeks since Allyssa and I have been at Central Avenue Church. We spent two weeks over Christmas on vacation with my family. Then a weekend in Columbus working on the church plant. Then a weekend in the Canton area officiating a wedding. And then another weekend back in Columbus working on the church plant. Whew! I’m tired just writing about it.
But I have to say, the church plant is going really well. God is sending amazing people to help launch. They are talented and compassionate. Central, this new church is in good hands. It’s rather exciting.
I don’t know if it was the travel or the type of work we’ve been doing (or a little of both), but on my way back to Athens this week, I felt like a missionary. Sounds strange, but let me explain.
I always wanted to be a missionary. Since I was a kid. Instead of being a missionary, God called me to a pastor. Its similar, but different enough. A pastor cares for an existing community in a culture similar to their own. A missionary is often cross-cultural, but more than that, a missionary often starts something new in a new place. (Technically, this is more of an apostle, but let’s not get into semantics…) As someone learning about a new community (even though it is rather similar to my own), and as a church planter, I feel more and more like a missionary. In a way, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. And as we headed back to Athens, I was thankful for all the work God has already accomplished in Columbus.
It’s hard having feet in both worlds, living in Athens and Columbus, but God is doing amazing things in both locations. And while we don’t look forward to the day we move completely out of Athens, we are excited to give ourselves fully to this new church and this new community.
For now, we’re going to Columbus when we can. And last week, we had our first launch team meeting. We ended up with over 30 people there and 20 of them committed to join our launch team! Our goal is to have about 50 by the summer, so we’ve got work to do. All and all, we’re right on target.
God is always faithful. We’re just trying to be faithful too.
I’m excited to see who else God is going to send to join us on this crazy adventure. And if you’re in Columbus, my prayer is that God might send you.
Here are some photos from the launch team meeting. Our next one will be February 19th at 1PM at St. Luke’s Church on 5th St, in Columbus. If you know someone who might be interested, be sure to invite them.
Joe Graves 