Leaders.

Leaders.  Outside of life change & salvation, this is probably what we have asked you to pray for the most over the past few years.  As we came to Tacoma to plant The Pathway we prayed that God would allow us to reach the lost and unchurched.  When he began to answer those prayers we realized that we were lacking in mature believers and committed leaders to help develop these new believers into disciple makers.  We put out a call to pray for leaders, we pushed to raise up leaders from within and we even challenged all of you to consider moving to Tacoma to help us plant The Pathway.  Well, today's blog is a reflection on how God has answered those prayers through his generous provision.

Chase & Kyler Phillips.  Well, technically Kyler is still waiting to claim her new last name but these two awesome people will be getting married this summer and then moving their lives to Tacoma.  Kyler served with The Pathway last summer as an intern and Chase came on a mission trip with Trinity Baptist in Ada.  The two were still just dating at the time and their call to Tacoma was not an easy one.  They wrestled with God on the details of their calling, their marriage and their move but at the end of the day they said "yes" to God's call on their lives.  they will be getting married at the end of July and moving to Tacoma immediately following their honeymoon.  Chase is looking for a job, Kyler will be serving as The Pathway's Ministry Assistant and the two are ready to live intentionally as we continue to plant The Pathway.  We are thanking God for Chase & Kyler.

VanStay.  Many of you know about Stacie Hooks & Jenna Jones.  These two ladies sold all their possessions upon graduating college, purchased a van and began traveling around the country, following the direction of the Holy Spirit, and using their gift of intentional living to partner with churches in various cities to further the gospel.  They always prayed that at some point God would show VanGo when it was time to stay.  To our delight, God has called them to plant their lives in Tacoma.  Stacie is currently overseeing our Intentional Communities and our summer interns.  She is also looking for a job so please keep her in your prayers.  Jenna is going to stay on as our part-time Kids Ave Director and she is about to start a part-time job at a new grocery store in Tacoma.  Thank you God for bringing these two ladies who passionately love Jesus.

Josh & Donna Christian.  We have a sister church in Tacoma called Discovery Community Church and their pastor, Jon Fredricks, is one of the most generous and giving leaders I've ever met.  He is the first person who welcomed us to Tacoma and has been open-handed with his time, resources and people ever since.  Many of you know that we were without a worship leader for months and months.  Jon referred me to Donna, a worship leader in his church, and now she has come on as a fully committed member of our staff and leadership team.  Her husband Josh finished out his commitments as a leader at Discovery and has now jumped into The Pathway as well.  God is so good and we are thankful for Josh and Donna.

High Pointe.  High Pointe is a church just southeast of us that planted a little over 10 years ago.  They have seen God do amazing things and are impacting the Puget Sound area for Christ in a tremendous way.  A while back I approached their pastor and Missions Director about partnering with us by sending a few couples to serve with us.  We were asking a lot of them because we were asking for their best, for their leaders, for their mission-minded couples and families.  It was amazing to see their willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom.  They have currently approached 5 couples about coming to serve with The Pathway and me and Kelli are meeting with two of those couples this weekend!  Not sure what will come of this but please be praying for these couples as they discern God's will for the next year or two of their lives.

The Pathway.  God is also raising up leaders from within.  We have many who have stepped up to lead in Kids Ave.  We have several who have stepped out of their comfort zones to lead Intentional Communities and so many are stepping up and taking ownership of the mission in other ways.  God is providing new couples and new families who we know will be able to step up in these same ways in the future.  

I think the Leadership Challenge is never over.  But we just want to praise Jesus for how he has answered our prayers and provided for our needs.  To God be the glory for the leaders he has developed, brought in and for the growth he is bringing to the Kingdom and The Pathway.