As many of you know, the Reeds are moving to Flagstaff, AZ. For those unfamiliar with the lay of the land out west, Flag is about 120 miles north of Phoenix and sits at the base of some mountains at about 7000 ft. elevation. Northern Arizona Univ. is in Flag, and has about 18,000 students, with the total population around 65,000 or so.
I am on staff at Christ's Church of Flagstaff, which was planted 26 years ago by Jim Dorman, who had been on staff at CCV. Jim is still here and is the Senior Pastor. I'm taking over the role of Executive Pastor from the current XP, who is retiring. My first day on staff was September 16, and I've been getting to know my new co-workers, the church, and where a few key places are in Flagstaff (thank Jesus Wal-Mart and Buffalo Wild Wings are in the same complex).
I'm staying in Flagstaff most of the week with an incredible gentleman from the CC0F- Jay Garrison. He and his family are examples of a Godly family and christian hospitality. Kristi and the kids are back in Phoenix, working, going to school, cheer leading, and playing flag football. I usually go home Sunday after church and return Tuesday morning.
Now you're all updated.
So why Flagstaff? Why leave a church of 17,000 weekly attendance for one of 850? Why leave Phoenix for a small town? Why sell your house when its value is a fraction of its cost? Why be separated from your family? If you aren't asking those questions, then you can go back to Facebook and your Farmville. Someone asked me again yesterday, so I thought maybe I'd give it a shot. And if you are asking those questions don't beat yourself up, I ask them myself at some point each day. But then I remember this:
There are thousands of lost people in every city- they are all in desperate need of Jesus, not just for eternity but for today and tomorrow. At the absolute core of my being, I believe that Jesus makes your life better, and I am called to further his cause. I believe he wants to re-energize a Church which has an incredible history and credibility to turn a city "right-side-up".
Matthew 9: 37-38 says the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, well the way I look at it, there are even fewer workers who are going to come to one of the most liberal anti-christian cities in the country, so why not the Reeds? We humbly accept the call, and are excited about all the others in this church and community who are already fighting the good fight, whom we get to work and live alongside.
Are we taking a risk? Are we stepping out in faith? Not compared to my friends who live in places I can't even mention because their lives are in danger for the sake of Christ. My heroes are the ones that risk it all. We have risked a bit that's for sure. My prayer is that God would grant us the courage to risk more and more each day and that he would change the hearts of Flagstaff so everyone would know the Creator of the incredible landscape that surrounds them.
How can you risk a little more for Christ today?
How is he calling you to move out of the comfort zone?
I am on staff at Christ's Church of Flagstaff, which was planted 26 years ago by Jim Dorman, who had been on staff at CCV. Jim is still here and is the Senior Pastor. I'm taking over the role of Executive Pastor from the current XP, who is retiring. My first day on staff was September 16, and I've been getting to know my new co-workers, the church, and where a few key places are in Flagstaff (thank Jesus Wal-Mart and Buffalo Wild Wings are in the same complex).
I'm staying in Flagstaff most of the week with an incredible gentleman from the CC0F- Jay Garrison. He and his family are examples of a Godly family and christian hospitality. Kristi and the kids are back in Phoenix, working, going to school, cheer leading, and playing flag football. I usually go home Sunday after church and return Tuesday morning.
Now you're all updated.
So why Flagstaff? Why leave a church of 17,000 weekly attendance for one of 850? Why leave Phoenix for a small town? Why sell your house when its value is a fraction of its cost? Why be separated from your family? If you aren't asking those questions, then you can go back to Facebook and your Farmville. Someone asked me again yesterday, so I thought maybe I'd give it a shot. And if you are asking those questions don't beat yourself up, I ask them myself at some point each day. But then I remember this:
There are thousands of lost people in every city- they are all in desperate need of Jesus, not just for eternity but for today and tomorrow. At the absolute core of my being, I believe that Jesus makes your life better, and I am called to further his cause. I believe he wants to re-energize a Church which has an incredible history and credibility to turn a city "right-side-up".
Matthew 9: 37-38 says the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, well the way I look at it, there are even fewer workers who are going to come to one of the most liberal anti-christian cities in the country, so why not the Reeds? We humbly accept the call, and are excited about all the others in this church and community who are already fighting the good fight, whom we get to work and live alongside.
Are we taking a risk? Are we stepping out in faith? Not compared to my friends who live in places I can't even mention because their lives are in danger for the sake of Christ. My heroes are the ones that risk it all. We have risked a bit that's for sure. My prayer is that God would grant us the courage to risk more and more each day and that he would change the hearts of Flagstaff so everyone would know the Creator of the incredible landscape that surrounds them.
How can you risk a little more for Christ today?
How is he calling you to move out of the comfort zone?
4 comments:
Thanks for the update! It's really exciting what you are doing in Flag. You're an incredible leader - I know you will make a huge difference!
Glad to hear a little of what you're doing up there. That's awesome you decided to move up there. Perhaps I'm a little biased but God uses your family to bless any city you're in. I pray He will lead you on a grand adventure!
Well said Chris. Glad I have gotten to know ya.
the computer changed my name from john reed to anonymous lol
Post a Comment