Before we married in 2004, Melody and I had dedicated our lives to church planting in the West. Although we had been praying at that time about planting in Boulder, CO, God chose to direct us to plant in another college town. In 2006, we moved to Lexington, KY to plant Providence Community Church. During our time in Lexington, God has not only raised up a caring community of God-exalting disciplemakers, but He has also strengthened our vision of and passion for the only eternal institution on this earth, the church.
Through different circumstances and events, God began to work in our hearts to show both Melody and I that He was preparing us to move from Lexington. Because of our love for the Providence church body and the great things that were going on in Lexington, it was difficult to believe that we were ready to go. Once we accepted that God would be moving us from Lexington, God began to renew afresh the burden for church-planting in the West. Within just a few short weeks, it became evident that God was leading us to Denver, Colorado. So, with the cooperation and support of the elders at Providence, I submitted to the church body my resignation and call to future church planting in Denver on September 20, 2009.
Our call to Denver was not surprising, being that is where I was born and raised. The West, specifically the Denver area, has always had a special place in my heart. God was making evident through his people the need of a new church community in South Denver. A few high school friends and relatives had been asking me to help them find a church in South Denver. Surprisingly, the search was harder than imagined. It was through this work of grace that God began to show us the need, and so we submitted to the call.
In October 2009, I traveled to Denver on a survey trip. During this trip, I met with area pastors, church planting strategists, and potential core group members. God’s call and direction were verified more than ever through these meetings and discussions. With each step of the way, God continues to verify His calling on our life and continues to open doors for each step.
For every major city you will find the claim that it is under-churched, but in Denver there is a ratio of one church for every 22,000 people. Our passion is to see God raise up a new community of disciples to further the glory of God. May we be used to bring the message of grace to this city in need of Jesus.
