I know it looks like a long story; and all the Web Experts say to keep content short and to the point or NO ONE WILL EVER READ THIS. Maybe what experts are referring to are those things that have no value, meaning or significance? My take on this story – is that this is a Life Story. Everyone has a life story- the question is are we ever given the opportunity to share this life story with others. You yourself have had many life experiences; some great and some not so great. Times of joy and laughter, and also those times of sadness and grief. The truth is that everyone has a story- and The City’s Church is going to be a place that God will use to bring people from all walks of life to share their many life stories with others. At The City’s Church God will begin to pen stories of New Beginnings, Fresh Starts, Restored Marriages, Life Change, Miracles and more. Through these real life stories people who don’t know Him will begin too!
The next few paragraphs contain Our Story… a story that we hope you will be part of!!!
+ Here is Our Story
It all started in 1999 when I was at Valor Christian College in Columbus, Ohio. It was there that God began to place upon my heart a desire to see a generation experience God like never before. While attending Bible College God began putting cities on my heart. Cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Honolulu and even cities as far as Toronto and Manila the Philippines. He began giving me a vision to plant multiple churches in multiple cities reaching multiple communities affecting a world. He placed on my heart a passion to see an authentic move of God upon this generation that in turn we would see a people radically follow Jesus that a World may know Him.
+ Our First Church Plant
In 2002 the first vibrant, city shaking, generational impacting church I saw came to pass. Although I lacked in many areas (specifically experience), I knew that somehow my zeal after God could make up the difference. Upon graduating fresh from VCC with a degree in hand- in only a month’s time with no resources and a handful of people we started our 1st church plant in the city of Las Vegas. To this day I must confess and am surely convinced that it only had to be God why we made it! After a few years of experiencing God’s grace upon our church it was then I began to feel that it was time for transition.
+ The Move to Ohio
This was a transition that would lead me to be part of the World Harvest Church executive staff. What an honor to be able to serve in that capacity! With a passion and a heart for church planting, my family and I moved to Columbus, Ohio from Las Vegas to serve on staff at World Harvest Church under the leadership of my pastor, Pastor Rod Parsley. During my tenure at World Harvest Church I was able to share my heart; the blue print for church planting and church starts and much more. I was also able to begin the plans of a multi-site campus and help lead the World Harvest Ministerial Alliance. While being on staff an important meeting took place that would eventually lead to the launch of The City’s Church. The meeting was with me and Pastor Parsley. I shared with him the vision of The City’s Church and about the 30 people waiting for something new to happen in Las Vegas. After that conversation there was no turning back. In fact I told Pastor Parsley, “I’ll be back in 6 months if it doesn’t make it”. Pastor Rod Parsleys’ reply was; “You won’t be back. You will be fine.”
+ So the journey began… The Second Church Plant
This church plant would be our second church! We arrived back in Las Vegas in August of 2008. We started right away and began meeting with the 30 people who were eager to see God move in their city. We began to gather and believe with expectancy that God would do something beyond the ordinary. From the beginning; the heart of The City’s Church was that God would provide a place where people from all walks of life would experience Him like never before. Over the next 16 months the preparations would begin to launch The City’s Church to the community and the world. During that time the vision become clearer, people were being added and the location where to start was being established. After much prayer a date was set to launch this new church; a date that would forever change the lives of so many people. It was on January 10, 2010 The City’s Church was finally open to the public and we had our inaugural service. There were 217 people in attendance. We started in a 90 seat building that we quickly outgrew and we were required to take a necessary step of faith to move into a 300 seat warehouse only 4 months later.
+ Transition once again
Now, 2 years after our initial launch, we find ourselves in transition once again. We are currently preparing to plant our 3rd & 4th churches on the island of Oahu in Honolulu & Kapolei, Hawaii. The fact of the matter is, it is the most difficult, rewarding, challenging and fulfilling thing that anyone can ever seek to do. However, it was always God who was seeking us out- to simply say yes to His call. We have absolutely enjoyed the journey that God has taken Jackie and me over the last 10 years. We believe that Hawaii is our home; it’s not only going to be place where we will raise our kids and grow old together; but the place where I know that God will do something amazing. A story is unfolding and a movement is beginning. It is from the Hawaiian islands that a world will know of Him.
We have been praying for this church plant for over 7 years and know now that this is the time for us to leave everything behind and pursue Him with all that we have. We know that this won’t be an easy road- but one that God has led us to go down. In July 2012 we are packing everything up and moving to Oahu to start something that only God himself can orchestrate. Like most amazing things in life, we know that the journey is better when shared with others. We want to invite you to partner with us as we see a generation begin to know Him! Be a part of something greater than yourself- watch as the world changes one person at a time and the powerful truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented to our generation! This is what we were born to do, to be the living sermons of Jesus. It’s what YOU were born to do- to change the world that it may be radically transformed forever.
+ Will You Join Us?
We are asking you- our friends and soon to be friends; to support us by praying, believing, giving financially and even moving with us (yes! You read right! MOVE TO HAWAII)! Right now we are putting our team together and we are looking for anyone and anybody who has a desire to be part of the Hawaii Launch Team.
-If you are radical about Jesus, passionate about this generation and want to see a move of God began in Hawaii that will affect the World – COME!!!
-If you are imperfect, don’t have it all together and trying to figure out what this is all about – COME!!!
-If you’re tired, broken, lost and in need of something that is life giving – COME!!!
-If you need something more than religion and want to experience relationship – COME!!!
-If you are in search of experiencing God like you have never in your life – COME!!!
-If you are experienced or not experienced, living for Jesus or not living for Jesus (WE CAN FIX THAT) – COME!!!
If you want to help in anyway; email, text, face book, tweet or call me and I would love to share more with you.
From the heart of the cities of Honolulu & Kapolei we will touch families, friends, communities and the world. It’s time to “Let the World Know about Jesus”!
LOVING GOD | LOVING PEOPLE | FOR A CITY | THAT A WORLD MAY KNOW HIM