The First Trimester

Starting a new venture seemed a little crazy to my family and friends in uncertain economic times. Even one friend said to me "You've got to be crazy or you have really heard from God". Hopefully both was my response.

After traveling the world in 2008 I sensed God was leading me and my wife Kathy on a new venture which has now become LifeQuest. Along with a few other brave souls we launched out in December of 2008. We are now in our first trimester of a new birth of what we are calling a church planting movement.

Since I have never been pregnant for me to speak of birthing anything is probably an insult to most women who have. So I will not even at the risk of being somewhat knowledgeable even dare to whisper anything that would catch the ire of women across the globe who have endured 9 months of childbirth.

I recall every time my wife told me she was with child. I honestly felt as if I was thrown into the den of despair. My mind wandered to the how to's of life. How would we pay for this child? Working two jobs to make ends meet and then coming home to a wife who was so sick with morning sickness that it turned in to 3 months worth of all day sickness. I thought we must be crazy to do this 3 times in 6 years. But the byproduct of this struggle for us was what now has become 4 amazing children. Two grandchildren by the way my daughters Mary and Leah have between them 1 amazing new baby Baylee and our new grand daughter Emmy who is due in 2 months.

So here we are in the first trimester of LifeQuest. It has taken me back to those early days when Kathy was with child. Every emotion known to man from despair to excitement to fear to hope from anticipation to the what ifs. To the how are we going to do this? How are we going to pay for this? Some have ask why now?
Why at 50? Church planting is for young guys! You know people with energy! People who have been given alot of money and backing. So Mike are you crazy?

In this first trimester of Life Quest I have seen more life than maybe any of my other 30 years in church life combined. God's provision has overwhelmed us. The Spirit has empowered us. God has challenged me that this is a new day for the church. It is only those who are willing to risk that will see his power. Vision opens the door to the future. With all the zaniness of seeing God birth something new. I hope like never before. I see Christ as this wild missional messiah as Alan Hirsch puts it. Please follow along with us as we enter enter into Trimester number 2 real shortly. This ride is only for those who are willing to take risk.
Peace,
MG