"I think about it every day bro!"

February 28th, 2006 was the day God confirmed in my heart the stirring He had begun. "I am about to do a brand new thing. I've already begun, do you not see it (italics added)?" Needless to say going to work that day I had a million thoughts going through my head. I HAD TO TELL SOMEONE, but who do I tell? Pastor Dan? I wasn't that brave (Dan's great, I just didn't want to perform CPR that day). The staff? Too risky, I hadn't told Dan yet. I had always told my wife "I'll NEVER plant a church, but if I did I'd want Grant Clark to go with me." I've dubbed him "The General" (Ulysses S. Grant). Grant is a walking network. He loves talking with people, can easily share his faith or talk about the church. Grant had grown into one of my closest friends at HPCC and someone I could always talk to about anything whether in the church, my family, or just personal struggles. Guess who walked into the church that morning to visit? BOB STOOPS! Ok, not Bob but The General. I couldn't NOT tell anyone anymore so I pulled Grant aside and asked him "Have you ever thought about planting a church?" Without skippin' a beat and looking me square in the eyes he said "I think about it everyday bro!" My heart literally about came out of my chest. I began telling Grant what God was doing in my heart and asked him to consider coming with us. Little did I know (much longer story Grant will have to tell) that 2 years earlier God had began speaking to Grant about church planting but felt God just saying "Wait"! What an amazing, creative, sovereign God we serve! Grant and his wife Terri agreed to come on staff as our Community Connections Pastor. Grant will be in charge of connecting our church to the community (outreach) and our community to the church (small groups). Interesting combo I know, I'll post about that someday. I think it's a really cool role we are creating. Terri is going to be our office manager as well. God is assembling a great team here at Element and his handiwork is evident in putting it together.