We have experienced so much beauty through this journey of church planting in St. Louis. From the beginning when it was all just a dream, through the ways God is showing up now in the daily grind of relationship and community. And although we see and remember this, we would be lying if we said it was easy. It feels like we have been in a season with more loses than wins, and we are definitely growing our collection of rejection stories – some funny, some not so funny. There are so many idols we are coming up against as we encourage others to say yes to Jesus’ way of life: busyness, self-dependence, isolation, anxiety, distraction, self-advancement, and on and on. Not to mention I personally have been dealing with the beginning stages of an autoimmune disease that lately has been regularly effecting my daily life and therefore my family. The symptoms of which started the month we moved to St. Louis to start this church plant.
I realized this past week that the way I love God can be so transactional. I expect him to love me unconditionally, but I only give him my love in return if he gives me what I want, whether it be answered prayers, clarity, or even feelings of his nearness. As I’ve been sitting with this realization, I have been meditating on Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Through our challenges, we are trying to choose joy in hope, patience in affliction, and to remain faithful in prayer, trusting on God to use this to mature our faith in him.
In July we have been doing a lot of practical work to complete our nonprofit status. This has taken a lot of time, and we are thankful for all of our friends in ministry who have been able to help us with this detailed work. We are continuing to meet with our Missional Community on Monday nights, as well as mentoring our 5 fellowship bands. Our discernment team is also prayerfully brainstorming how to build relationship with more people local to St. Louis and draw them into our ministry in an organic way. This has been the hardest part of our ministry so far, as very few people we encounter appear to have little if any friends or natural connection points.
As we walk through this season we have been so grateful for the people who have walked alongside us to support and encourage us. We would love for you to continue to surround us in your prayers to stay strong and encouraged in the Lord. He is faithful!
Kylie and Anthony are church planting with Inspire fellowship bands and house fellowships in St Louis, MO, USA, You can read more of their stories on the Inspire blog here, and/or support them here.
