WE ARE MOVING TO PORTLAND, OREGON TO PLANT A CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!
Phew, I had to get that out! Now, we can move on...
There is an account of an interaction that Jesus had with a man (Luke 18:18-24) that grieves me, mostly because his answer to Jesus is one that is repeated by so many even today. Jesus was doing his thing, going to those in need of Him, healing, forgiving, teaching, and so on, when a rich young ruler approached him and wanted what Jesus had to offer, assurance of eternal life in heaven. Jesus told this man, who had vast worldly possessions and earthly authority, to give up all that he had to those in need, and follow Him. Sadly, that man walked away from Jesus and his costly offer. God the Son gave an invitation to a man who of worldly standards had everything, to give it all up and follow Him and gain a reward that would never pass away or be lost, and the man just couldn't do it. Surrender isn't easy.
What is so troubling about this story to me is that this invitation has been given to all of us. Maybe you've heard a preacher share the Gospel message in a worship service or had a grandmother read the Bible to you, or maybe you've read it for yourself. Regardless of how you've heard this message, the accountability for a response rests on you. Jesus has invited you to abandon your former self and find new life in Him as your Savior and King. To follow Jesus, however, there is surrender involved. Hanging onto our earthly treasures means we are missing out on the best that God has for us.
One thing we know is that God is at work all around us, everywhere. God has given our team an invitation to join Him in the work He is already doing in Portland, Oregon. Through His Word, He has specifically given us the instructions to leave behind family, comfort, friends, homes and much more to gain everything He has to give us (Luke 18: 29-30). No doubt the gain is far more than the loss, but being human means to mourn as we celebrate our life of great surrender. It is a tension that every follower of Jesus encounters.
Our team, two families that became great friends through serving together at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had no idea when we met over two years ago that God would knit our hearts together and give us a shared vision and desire to serve Him as church planters in Portland. Now, our families are thrilled to be on this journey together and in partnership with the North American Mission Board and the Northwestern Baptist Convention. We are excited, too, about who else God is preparing to join our launch team in the months to come.
We are in the preparation phase of this journey, selling our homes, raising prayer and financial support, and sharing the vision and plan with as many people and churches as we can before we move across this country to plant our lives in the urban core of Portland. Currently, the plan is for the Martins to move in January and the Dockerys to join them as soon as their adopted son comes home from India and the Lord allows.
Something that the Rich Young Ruler missed out on, was the great joy that comes from surrendering everything to follow Jesus. No amount of riches or power could ever compare to the surpassing joy of following Christ. We are honored to have been given this opportunity to follow Christ and pray that we will be faithful in surrendering.
Would you pray with and for us on our journey to planting a church in Portland?
Would you pray for many to come to Christ through this work?
Would you lift up our efforts, our families, and this future church?
The need is so great; the Lord himself said in Luke 10:2 that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Would you pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers?
Would you prayerfully consider your role in planting this church?
If you would like to get our updates, please leave your email address in the box to the left of this post. If you would like to know more information of how you can partner with us, send us an email at plantinginportland@gmail.com.
You can view our detailed plan for planting a church in Portland HERE
Written by Chandra Martin
