Praying To Stay In The Gospel

For the past several weeks I've had the chance to attend a local church here in Macon and hear the Gospel preached through the book of Colossians. It has been very refreshing as well as good for my soul. Colossians is beautiful as it points to the work of Christ and reminds us how the gospel is sufficient to save us.

As the church wrapped its time in Colossians this weekend I couldn't help but meditate on Paul's last piece of instruction to the church in chapter 4:2-4.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4 ESV

Continue Steadfastly in Prayer

Paul has dealt with enough church people to know that no matter how many times he teaches the greatness of this Gospel people will always slip back into finding their salvation in other things besides Christ (good deeds, giving, rule keeping...). So he encourages us to be persistent in the place of prayer. Why?

Be watchful in it with thanksgiving

Because many times we take for granted what all the Gospel has done for us. When we do that, we actually don't believe it to be as powerful as it really is. When that happens we look to other things to maintain our salvation or standing before God. Paul encourages us to continue in prayer, watching what our hearts lean on for assurance of salvation (God's grace or our works?).

When we see the Gospel for how good and great it is we will always be thankful, our hearts will be overwhelmed with the goodness of God. Pray that you don't lose sight of the anchor of your soul.

Keeping it simple

Paul wraps up his encouragement by saying while you're keeping this great Gospel before you, pray that we will have opportunities to preach this Gospel.

What stood out to me the most here was the part where he says "..that i may make it[the gospel] clear, which is how i ought to speak". How many times have you heard people making salvation complicated? Shouldn't it be very simple? We make it difficult for ourselves to find grace, I can only imagine how hard we make it for other people to find grace. Paul himself says that making the gospel clear to understand is how we ought to speak to people about it.

Staying in the Gospel

When i think about praying, I think about praying for a seamless day, for marriages to not crumble, or for restoration of friendships. I don't often think about praying to stay in the Gospel, to remember that my righteousness is in Christ and him alone. I look at those problems though and realize that they are problems that mostly stem from the fact we don't know the Gospel or have trusted in other things that are insufficient to save us. Maybe if I prayed for myself to remember the Gospel and prayed for those around me to hear and be reminded of the Gospel these problems could be resolved.

The Fight

This goes to show you that the greatest fight we have is to remain in the gospel, or to remember the Gospel. Every day our hearts deceive us into thinking other things gain us favor and blessing before God. We strive to attain perfection in our life, at times agonizing over our imperfection, when simply God calls us to rest in Christ's perfection and trust in the work he has done in us. Only when we rest in that can HE work in us.

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Children and The Church: A year without children's ministry

So for the last year or so we have lived as the church with a small group of people. While we do hope for our community to grow and flourish, for now we live our lives as a family that loves each other. We have no worship team, no greeters, no ushers and the biggest thing NO CHILDREN'S MINISTRY! 

Yes you heard that right, no children's ministry. While I am not against children's ministry, I have definitely learned many things from not having children's ministry. There have been many meetings where I have taught and had children crying loudly, fall asleep, run wildly, not pay attention, get sick, whatever could happen has happened. I even had a child poop on me as a meeting was about to start in my home. 

I have come to find that while I have tried and prayed to be an influence in the lives of the children in our church, I have come to find they have influenced me more. So here are my thoughts. 

I take myself too seriously...

"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away."    (Matthew 19:13-15 ESV) 

I can only imagine what the disciples were saying during this interaction. My impression was they thought Jesus was doing something too serious for these children. They probably thought they needed to be doing something separate, like children's church.  Again I have no problems with children's ministry, but many times I find that our dealings with children in the church is us trying to make them act like adults when actually the gospel calls us to be more like children. My children, not literally mine, teach me to have more fun!

I have become more patient...

In the beginning of my church planting journey, I was convinced that good and correct teaching would save this city and mature our church. While I do believe there is a place for strong teaching, it should never be at the cost of being unloving towards our younger members, our children.

"Stop, hush, be still, we are talking about a loving, and patient God. You're getting on my last nerve."

Talk about living the word (sarcasm intended)!

I look at these children and cant help seeing myself before I was saved, and even myself now. I see from God's perspective, I see how an eternal God is trying to communicate the truth about himself to me, a mere babe. I get bored, distracted, and poop on things (figuratively of course.). And during it all He abounds in love, grace, mercy, and patience. The best thing we can do is live the word in front of our children. We should strive to be patient with them, teach them graciously, and love them dearly!

I see the real need for discipleship...

Our church planting journey started on the premise that we were not coming to start a service but rather to make disciples. Many times we want the church to disciple our kids for us, but honestly that job falls on parents. As leaders in the church we should be equipping people to make disciples. Not just equip people to reach their neighbors, coworkers and the barista at the coffee shop, but also our children. I look at these kids and realize that one day it will be my job to help reveal Christ to my own little child, to pray for them in hopes that they will grow up to put their faith in Christ and in turn make disciples too. I pray that as a church we would press on parents more that they are called to disciple their children and not to rely on staff and programs. They should look to those things to aid them not replace them.

Are we at a disadvantage?

I don't see ourselves at a disadvantage for not having a children's program. I firmly believe that our children have a unique place in our churches to help disciple and strengthen us. While we have not had a children's ministry, my hope is that we have ministered to children. I pray we focus more on equipping parents to disciple and lead their children. They have just as much to teach us, if not more, as we have to teach them. 

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Simple Church

Many of you know that over a year ago my wife and I moved to Macon, Georgia to plant a new church. We gathered a group of people around us that wanted to help see this come to pass and it has become somewhat of an experiment to explore faith in a new way. 

What most people know about church centers around a single Sunday worship service and possibly a mid week service or bible study. Now let me be the first to say that there is nothing wrong with practicing your faith this way, but we were eager for something more.

When we came to Macon our vision hinged on this text from Matthew 28

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

It was our conviction to create environments where people's lives intersected in order to have true discipleship and community. We believed that we could not create a church to make disciples but rather if we made disciples we would get the church.

So you're probably asking, What does that look like? Well we meet in homes every week, share a meal together, share our lives with each other and someone teaches from the scriptures allowing for others to share, add to or ask questions. But it doesn't end there for us. We care for each other, walk through good times and difficult times. 

For us church is not an event we attend but rather the way we live our lives. Our hope is to help create more families of believers that live life in the same manner so that we can become not a church but rather a church of churches and a family of families(this phrase is borrowed, i can not take credit for it, but perfectly describes what we hope for).

Why do this though?

Ever since the early days of my salvation I have always had a desire for the church to be much simpler and at the same time deeper. I personally believe that in the next several years you will see movements such as this taking place across our country, not because this is the right way to practice our faith but rather changes in our society will force us to adapt and change. 

Where churches have been large or even small organizations with its own unique branding, I believe will shift to focus on being a cohesive family where the focus is caring for others and equipping and encouraging people to reach others. I believe that true apostolic ministry will arise where leaders will help lead and develop networks of churches within a city. 

What does that mean for today?

I'm not sure, that's why they call it an adventure. In the words of my father-in-law Vaughn Clark "Its a brave new world!"

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And When They Had Prayed.....

I have a friend who is committed to working out and eating right. He lets nothing get in the way of the time he has set aside to work out. When I was driving home the other day and saw him walking to the gym, I thought to myself, "Wow, If i could just be as dedicated to prayer as he is to working out." I thought to myself though, What drives him to do it? It was then I remembered that the answer came straight out of his mouth recently. He said it was because of the results!

Prayer is the same way, I know that when I pray, I see results and it pushes me to pray more, why? Because God's faithfulness to answer my prayers increases my faith and stirs my zeal.

"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31 ESV 

We could walk through the book of Acts and see endless correlations between the prayers of the Church and God moving in power. The key to the place being shaken, people being filled with the Spirit, and speaking with boldness came "When they had prayed". 

My friend's results in the gym did not come from half-hearted efforts, but rather a die hard commitment to doing something. When we, as the church, commit to truly praying we too can see Kingdom results. We will see marriages healed, sick made well, souls saved, disciples made, and churches established. 

If I worked out i might have abs, If I worked out i might be healthier......

Now ask this question

If we had prayed..... you fill in that blank.....

This is not to condemn but to challenge ourselves. If you are not okay with the status quo than I would challenge you to pray, because it is when we pray things happen. 

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In Him Was Life!

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. "John 1:4-5 ESV

Since the end of last year, as a church, we have been walking through the book of John. It has been refreshing to simply look at John's gospel and look at the life of Jesus. I have always been a fan of John 1, but since the first of this year the above text from John 1:4-5 has haunted me wherever i go.

See people were drawn to Jesus. People crowded the streets to see him, they pushed through crowds to touch him, they stormed into dinner parties to anoint him.  They wanted to know this man who was full of mercy, forgiveness, patience, and love.

When I drive around my city I constantly hear this scripture ringing in my ears and it pushes me to pray. My prayer for this year is "Lord i don't want to be a people with the right answers, but a people of your presence.". Because I find everything I need in His presence. 

I Want His Presence 

For so long I think we have been satisfied with having the right answers, but have we contended for his presence? Don't get me wrong I believe the the Lord is always with me because of his grace, I believe that I have his spirit living inside me, but I want to contend for the intimacy with the Lord that causes people to feel him when I am near.  

That itself makes you rethink your church planting strategy. It puts into focus your priorities when trying to reach a city. What use are strategies if we do not have his presence! Lets talk about investing. While we can invest in different tools and marketing materials, nothing beats time invested in prayer and worship. 

"But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6 ESV)

When I tell people that we have come to plant a church, I see the response in their eyes, "Oh another one....". I do not want to come before these people empty handed.

Darkness will not be pushed back with great messages, music or even the right answers. It will only be pushed back by light, and that light is the life that is found in Jesus!

In Christ is life, and that life is the light of the world!

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Feb 2016- Saved By Grace, But Called To Work!

Hey guys, I know it has been a couple of months since I have updated you guys to what is going on here in Macon. Please forgive me, I'm hoping to make a habit or communicating with you more often. So stay in touch to see what will be happening this year. 

I'm saved by GRACE, but called to WORK

We've now been here serving Macon for over a year now. In many ways, I'll confess, we have under estimated the amount of WORK that is put into planting a church. Now I'm a preacher who is fully convinced of the grace of God and that I'm saved by grace and not by works, but anyone who has gone out to establish a ministry knows that there is WORK to be done to tell people about that GRACE. It involves money to support those working and laboring, it takes time to pour into and train other laborers, it takes building relationships in the community as a means of support and networking, and most of all it takes hours and hours of PRAYER!

Its not what you know, but how you've grown

I would be lying to you if I said there were not times of discouragement and times of weakness in this journey. I'm convinced that church planting hinges on the personal development of the planters. I say planters because it can't be done by just one person but rather a team of people, but that is for another time. In those times of discouragement we have found opportunities to grow, adapt and move forward. If we had not grown, we would have died. 

So what are the highlights of 2016:

We have discipled. We were able to spend enormous amounts of time pouring into the team the Lord has given us, the future of what we do here doesn't not hinge on what I can do but what WE can do. And as my pastor, Chad Waller, says "together we are stronger". If i came to this city and built a large meeting and no one ever learned how to minister and declare God's goodness than I would fail to do what I have been commissioned to do. That is to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph 4:12). 

We have learned. You can't learn unless you make mistakes. It is said that Thomas Edison failed at the light bulb around 1000 times. Not many people talk about his failures, but rather his success at creating the light bulb. When we first started this journey I was afraid to fail, but have since embraced failing so that I can learn. Jesus himself said that he opposes the proud but gives grace to humble. 

We have networked. I have had the privilege this last year of standing before a handful of different churches and communicating  my heart and vision not only for Macon, but for Central Georgia. I have had the opportunity to meet church planters who have moved to Central Georgia in the hopes of seeing God move in this region.  I'm convinced that we need the WHOLE BODY to effectively reach this city. When every part of the body is doing what it is called to do than it grows (Eph 4:15-16).

If you have read this far I'm honored, I would ask that you would do one thing for us though. Pray! 

Pray for Laborers. Pray for us to continue to find the right people who will join us in reaching this city.

Pray for Wisdom. Pray that the Spirit will lead us and guide as as we look to effectively reach and disciple people.  

Pray for Divine Encounters. Pray that the Lord would position us all in places to be able to minister to people who are in need. 

Until next time I pray you are all blessed and abounding in the work of the Lord. 

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August 2015 - A Year's Journey

This month is the year mark from when we started our church planting journey. This month last year we announced to all our friends and family that we were moving to Macon, Georgia to plant a church. We packed up our entire life and moved to Macon only seeking to obey what we felt God calling us to do. It would be too long of a post to tell you all that has happened but It is a journey that is still beginning. 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 ESV) 

I look back and it doesn't feel like it has been a year but it has. I'm here to say that the last year has been more about us than Macon, Georgia. The last year has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination. Every trial and difficulty has forced me to examine what I believe and my faith in what God is able to do. He has been faithful to complete and perfect the deposit he has put within us. 

Brave people have embarked on this journey with us. I am so thankful for all the people that surround us and can't wait to see what he continues to do through each of us and in us.

There have been many times I thought there was nothing happening on the surface. I learned that many times we totally discount what Holy Spirit is doing behind the scenes because we put so much stock in what we are doing, or that we need to be doing something in order for lives to be changed. I learned on many occasions that I really was not needed to change people's lives but rather I have the privilege to be involved in this great story of redemption.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

The way I feel now compared to last year is fragile. That is the only word that comes to mind at the moment. That in and of myself I am weak, but in Christ I am made strong. I was always this way but now I know it. I understand now as the above scripture says that "the surpassing power belongs to God and not us." I don't know if many people will admit it, especially us young people, but we think alot of what we think WE can do. Not really understanding that what is really great is the Holy Spirit within.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38)

As we move forward we are contending for the city of Macon. As of 2013 the population of Macon was 89,981. The population of Bibb county was 154,721. We believe there is a great harvest in Macon, Georgia and that great and glorious days await this city. 

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Weapons of Warfare

We all fight different things in life and we spend a lot of energy doing it. For you it might be a person who opposes you, an impossible situation, or a lingering feeling (depression, emptiness, fear...). Everyday we try to pull together enough strength to fight the battle that day. But by the end of the day we probably feel beaten up, destroyed and near death (hopefully only figuratively).

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Consider the verses in Ephesians, have you ever thought that you may be fighting your battles in the wrong place? Try fighting your battle in a new arena.

Ephesians says you are not fighting those people or circumstances but powers in heavenly places, spiritual forces of evil. Those comic powers shroud themselves in our circumstances, family/friends, and even pit our emotions against us. So whatever you see in the natural is only the result of the activity in the spiritual.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV

The place of prayer is sometimes a very underutilized place of battle. From the place of prayer we have access to power to destroy spiritual strongholds in our lives, families, workplaces, and cities.

My encouragement is do not be on the defensive today, but in prayer be on the offensive. See your battles for what they really are, spiritual forces that seek to oppose you, slow you down, distract you. You my friend, in Christ, are a child of God, you are seated in a place of victory with him. You have authority in Christ to speak life and destroy darkness!

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

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Who's Lacking?

I recently heard a pastor say, "Whatever you don't like about your church is what you probably don't like about yourself." He implied that where-ever you feel your church is lacking is probably where you are lacking.

Lately, I have spent several hours reading everything I can about church planting to see how to be successful here in Macon. The more I read though the more I feel Holy Spirit bring my attention back to ME! The more I search to inquire about our church's development and growth the more the Lord questions me about my development and growth. The more he inquires about my prayer, my worship, and my relationship with him.

My pastor and mentor, Chad Waller, often says that you cannot lead where you have not been. In our leadership development at VC2, before we talk about leading other people, we discuss how to lead ourselves. Before you can lead people to drink from the fountain of grace, you must discipline yourself to drink from the fountain of grace.

As a leader, the key to the success of your ministry or organization depends on your personal development. The time you spend in the word, prayer and worship is fundamental to the development of your ministry. The missing dynamic that you want in your organization must first be found in you, the leader.

Just take a second and jot down what you feel is lacking in your ministry, business, or even family. Then honestly ask yourself if you are an example of those things in you church, business and family. If you're not, then you have found what was truly lacking all along.....LEADERSHIP!

So take that list of what is lacking and simply put your name at the top of that list and make it your goal to be a model of those things. Ask Holy Spirit to work those things in you so you can lead others in those areas!

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Sowing into the Nations

Several years ago I had the immense pleasure of serving churches in the Philippines for close to five months. I was able to go with my dear friend Pastor Keith Lindsey and serve as a missions intern and learn about cross cultural ministry.

The time I spent there radically changed my life, I made friends there that I will never forget and met many godly men and women who serve and sacrifice in ways I deeply admire.

I have for several years tried to return to the Philippines but have not been able to. My friend, Pastor Keith Lindsey, Director of Global Purpose Missions, is returning to the Philippines in the next couple of days. He is returning to encourage church leaders and minister at a local youth conference that reaches out to young people all across the Philippines.

I've learned in this life that we all have a part to play in missions and it boils down to this;

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

We can send or we can go!

Would you consider sowing into the nation of the Philippines?

Give online through Gofundme.

OR

You can also mail donations to:
Global Purpose Missions
PO Box 442
Tennille, Ga 31089

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Church planting changes lives, even your own!

We are in our eighth month as a church plant. Tons of emotions could describe the journey so far. I could talk about the exciting encounters with various individuals around Macon. I could talk about the heartbreaking stories of why this world is in need of redemption and freedom. I could share stories of frustration and disappointment. There is one thing I can confidently say though, that church planting has radically changed my view of ministry and life; that church planting has changed me!

My pastor, Chad Waller, always told me that things would look differently when I got in the "driver's seat", and oh was he right! When you get put in a position to see life from many vantage points, you see how differently you would make decisions. Life suddenly become less black and white but becomes more about compassion, love, and grace. Does God's truth remain true you ask? Yes! That's whats beautiful about it all, that while life becomes increasingly gray and uncertain we are able to share with people the unchanging truth of Christ and his gospel.

There are so many situations that I get faced with and the only thing i know to say is "Christ Is Able"! I haven't scratched the surface of the complexity of life's troubles but i am becoming increasingly aware that people need a real savior with real power! They don't need pretty messages, they need power!

I have become increasingly comfortable not knowing what the "right" answer is. I have resolved myself to having the same attitude the Apostle Paul had in Corinthians:

"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:3

Pray for us here in Macon. We believe that the Gospel will yield a great harvest here, we just need the boldness to preach it. We need the compassion to reach out. We need to be able to see beyond ourselves.

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January - Foundations

Hey guys its a New Year. It means new memories, new friends, new journeys among so many other things. 

We have put the final nail in our move to Macon. My job has transferred me to a branch in Macon and the move is real now. It has been great being around my team more and meeting tons of new people. Everyday proves to be an adventure! If I were to tell you all the things that were happening I wouldn't have enough space or time! 

What is encouraging though is that we have a team of people who clearly understand what our goals and aims are and we have set a plan of action in place to be successful this year. Jesus spent so much time with his disciples with the intention of leaving the ministry in their hands. He knew that after he left that the 12 would be left to continue what He started. 

Not that I am planning on leaving, but we have determined to spend this next year with our team, and anyone else the Lord brings us, so that we can ensure we are building on a firm foundation. 

Laying this foundation is vitally important in the life and success of our church. Read the following passage the Lord has given us as we begin to set the stage for what God wants to do through VC2-Macon.

"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ” Luke 6:46-48 ESV

And this we will do my friends. We are going to dig deep into God's word, in prayer, in giving in order to ensure we are building on a firm foundation. And that foundation is none other than Jesus!

Pray for us as we begin to lay a foundation that is deep. We all know that before any structure goes up it must have a deep foundation. We are looking to dig a deep foundation because we are looking to have a big impact. We aren't only praying for ourselves but for every Church that is preaching Jesus. We pray for their success and value their future friendship. 

If you are interesting in hearing more about this church plant or other church plants in middle Georgia email us at pharlan@vc2online.com. 

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December update - Stay Focused!

Hey, I know we are about halfway through December but I still wanted to let you guys know what is going on here in Macon. 

We started our church planting journey in September and have not looked back since then. We have been meeting with a small group of people weekly. Though we have small and simple meetings, we focus on the one thing that matters most; Jesus and how to make him known! I'm proud to say that we have the opportunity to work with the most humble and most giving people. We are very eager to see what the future holds. 

For the last couple of months I have been commuting between our home town and Macon for work but come January my job will be transferring me to Macon so that I can work in the same city I'm called to reach! I'll admit that this dynamic has made it hard because I was not able to engage my city the way I feel I need to. But we made this move not knowing how God would get me a job in Macon. We came to Macon with only a word from the Lord and knowing He is faithful. So I'm glad to tell you all that He is faithful and His grace is sufficient for every situation!

We have had the privilege of meeting some great people in Macon. We have met some amazing pastors who lead amazing churches. We believe we are going to have the opportunity to work alongside great ministries that are doing big things for the Jesus here in Macon, Ga. We often wonder,"God, why do you need us here in Macon if you have great people like this?". Then I remind myself of the 60,000 to 90,000 people who are not involved in a local church here in Bibb County. More than likely that means they don't know Jesus! Don't be fooled friends, America is a major mission ground that needs to be worked. 

We are finally settling in to our new home and our new surroundings. But there is a dangerous temptation to slide into when "new" surrounds you. That is to forget why you are there in the first place. Daily I wake up to remind myself why I am waking up in Macon, Georgia. That is to make Jesus known! I encourage myself with this passage from Philippians;

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)

Church even though we have been called into God's family, have been called to enjoy His blessings, we have also been called into His mission. We have been called as ambassadors for Christ to make His appeal known to mankind to be reconciled to God. 

If you are attending a local church and have not found a way to serve and be on mission with your local church than you are missing out on a great adventure. I challenge you to make time to help your church succeed in the city it has been placed. 

If you are not involved in a local church and you live in the Middle Georgia area we would love to talk to you!

And if you live in the Macon area we NEED TO TALK TO YOU!

Contact us at pharlan@vc2online.com.

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Meet Mike and Jamie Aldridge

I want to introduce you to Mike and Jamie Aldridge. These are two dynamic people who have just moved from California to plant a church in Macon, Georgia.  These two people are truly disciples of Jesus and because of that have become friends of ours. 

I can say that after spending time with them, their love for Jesus is contagious and leaves you wanting to know and worship the Lord.

For those of you who are apart of VC2 (Victory Central Church), our heart and vision has always been to plant life giving churches in Central Georgia. We would be foolish though to think that as a church we can take Central Georgia ourselves, which is why we fully believe that God is sending church planters and ministers to Central Georgia to accomplish the will of God in our region. 

I'm asking if you would join me in praying for this couple as they venture out to be obedient to the Lord and seek to establish His kingdom in Macon.

If you have ever thought of joining or supporting a church plant in the Macon area you can connect with Pastor Mike Aldridge on Facebook.

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November Update - Leaning on Promise!

We are settling into month two of our time in Macon. This last month we as a family have encountered many trying situations both emotionally, financially and socially. In the midst of such circumstances though one thing has become apparent. 

We have an enemy, but there is a Savior. 

www.21st-century-christianity.com

The worst thing you can do is go into a battle not prepared or worst not knowing there is a battle. Our battle so far as been an attack on the mind to undermine the plans and promises of God. The enemy likes to use the age old trick he used in the beginning "Did God really say?". 

I look at the vastness of this place the Lord has called us to and feel so ineffective, inadequate, so unprepared, but I hear the Holy Spirit urging me to lean upon promise and not strength. If I lean upon my own strength, that limits the realm of my influence, but when I lean upon promise my possibilities are unlimited. Jesus promised that He would build his church and that He would give us power through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us."

Jesus has plans for Macon and Middle Georgia that are far bigger than I can imagine or accomplish. Which is why my most powerful tools now are not strategies and tactics but rather scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit. As I write this I am reminded of Paul's words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 "This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare..".

Words of advice I would give any aspiring missionary/church planter, either domestic or abroad, do not naively step out being unaware of the tactics of your enemy. You have one and he wages war against your soul. But meet him on the offensive because he is a defeated foe! 

As a church we believe that the battle is always won in prayer. Ephesians tells us that we battle not against flesh and blood but spirits in the heavenly places. So everyday do battle in the place of prayer by declaring what Jesus has promised us.

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October Update

Well we have done it. We have moved to Macon. With the help of great team members we have been able to finish bringing all of our things from Tennille to Macon. So we thank everyone who made this move possible!

We are still adjusting to our new life. My wife, Sophia, was horrified at what our little apartment looked like when we began moving in because we went from 1500 square feet to 700 square feet. I promised my wife that we would make sense of it and that in time it would all come together. As i have been unpacking though i have realized that not everything is working the way i want it to. Unpacking everything right now is just not possible because we don't have the space. We are already tripping over each other. So several things will be put back in boxes until we get a bigger place.

We sit in Macon, Georgia with a dream in our hearts. Not just for Macon but for all of Middle Georgia. Our dream is to see people come to know Jesus and be changed by his grace. I meet with our team every week full of vision for the future, but realizing that it is not time for most of it. If i were to unpack everything that was in my heart it would make things confusing and hard to navigate. Just like my little apartment we are only unpacking things when we find the right spot for it. So in time we will do the same for the things the Lord has put in our hearts. So I sit with many things still packed away in my spirit waiting for their appropriate time. 

I look at what we are doing and i don't know what it is going to look like. I don't know how God is going to do it. But what I do know is that Jesus is faithful and he said he would build his Church. I just resolve myself to be a faithful servant over his house. 

If you are in the Macon area or looking to move to the Macon area and would like to know more about how you can get involved in seeing Jesus build his church you can email us at pharlan@vc2online.com or visit us online at macon.vc2online.com.  As we always say at VC2 (Victory Central Church) "Together we are stronger".

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All Moved Out

Hey guys. We just wanted to let everyone know what is going on. 

In case you didn't know

My wife and I moved out of our house in Tennille, Georgia to pursue a new life in Macon, Georgia to take on the task of planting a church. We will be doing this along side our local church VC2. This work will also bear the name of VC2 and embody the same vision and values as our main church because we believe that God has a plan for Central Georgia and where better than the Heart of Georgia. 

Inbetween

We have been staying at Sophia's parent's house this month as we transition our life to Macon. We plan on living in Macon hopefully in the next week or so. I'll continue working at my current job in Sandersville until the Lord opens a door to transition the rest of my life there as well. The Lord has been extremely faithful so far and I don't expect him to fail me anytime soon!

The 60,000

We have also began meeting with a great group of people who's heart is also to see Jesus do something great in Central Georgia. We are believing to work with this group of people to see the gospel go forth to reach the 60,000 people who do not attend a church on Sunday morning in Bibb County.

I believe this statistic is actually worse but we use it to remind ourselves that we are not after those who are faithfully involved in a local church but that we are after those who do not know Jesus and those who love Jesus but are not presently in a local church.

We are for the local church and believe that it is the only institution that Jesus said he would build to get HIS mission accomplished. 

We need Your....

Prayer.....We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we launch out to do what the Lord has put in our hearts. We need boldness to do all the things He has put before us. We also need the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives because i can't preach good enough to get people saved. 

Encouragement.....We thank everyone who has been a help in this whole process. We thank everyone for their kind words and prayers of encouragement as we have stepped out into this unknown territory.

And as always if you would like to know more or want to know how you can get involved you can email us at pharlan@vc2online.com or visit us online at macon.vc2online.com.

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VC2 - Macon

The other night was pivotal for us as a family because we announced to our church family, VC2, that we are moving to Macon, Georgia to plant a church. After spending almost ten years with my home church and almost three years there with my wife, we have fully bought into the vision and values of our VC2 family and want to endeavor to extend the reaches of our church to Macon. So we will be planting VC2 - Macon.

I know that many people have questions about the "Who, What, Where and When" of everything and we want to assure everyone that those answers will roll out in time. For now we are asking for people's blessings and prayers. We announced this to our church last night and know that word will spread. So there are a couple of things we want to make sure stays clear.

This is the result of CHURCH VISION not CHURCH DIVISION: At VC2 We are a REGIONAL church of diversity preaching the life giving message of Jesus Christ with Central Georgia and the World. We totally expect people to leave and go do Gospel Work!

This is a VC2 Church/Campus: The vision of VC2 has always been to plant churches across Central Georgia and this we will do as long as the Lord allows.

Statistics show that almost 60,000 ppl do not attend a Church in Bibb County: We want people to stay in their churches, we just want to reach the 60,000 that don't know Jesus.

When do services start? : Alot of ground work has to be done before services start. Which is why it is imperative we get on the ground as soon as we can. What is more important is that we begin to make disciples.

We are packing up this weekend and moving to Dublin to stay with family through September and are planning to move to Macon in October. We will continue to have periodic updates from this blog and our facebook pages. If you have any questions or are curious how you can be involved you can email us at pharlan@vc2online.com or visit us online at macon.vc2online.com. 

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