What we learned about Church Planting Today

It's not easy.
There isn't much space available inside the city.
The people's perspective of church is only from the TV because there was no Christian influence when the city started.
The property isn't cheap.
It takes a lot of prayer and trust in God to get the resources and support needed.
There are likely more Starbucks customers in Seattle than churchgoers. This is a problem needing fixing, but care must be taken when going about this. We can't just beat people over the head with the Gospel. We also need to avoid the opposite extreme, which is running for the hills and leaving the confused masses to sort out truth on their own.
You can't just build a church and expect people to come. Here you need to go out into the community and start relationships with your neighbors, local business and restaurant owners, and even homeless man who has a regular spot. Only after you make these relationships can you expect the to be open to an invitation to church.

Some photos

Keith explaining the vision of Epic Life Church











Checking out the city





























Dinner in the back yard at the Carpenter's House.

Tuesday Day 2

So, I woke up to a glorious blue sky, but chilly, here in Seattle. The students are pretty excited to learn about the city and the processes to go through in planting a church. Today the pastor, Keith, will take us on a journey through the city and help us get familiar with the city and the vision of Epic Life Church. While spending a few minutes with him yesterday it is apparent that God is working in the lives of the leaders here as they seek out relationships with folks in the community.

Like you saw in the previous post I will have students posting as well so you can get their perspective and their humor. Be sure to comment so we know you are reading and following us through our Urban Journey.

Pastor Darin

We have arrived :)

hello eager readers :) we have arrived in Seattle! after an agonizing seventeen hour plane ride, which was actually only three hours. lovely Mr. Keith picked us up at the airport and drove us back to his humble abode, which we are currently typing at. At this very moment, we are having a heartwarming bonding experience around the piano. We`have some prayer requests for y'all. Please pray for our safety as we trek across the city of Seattle. We have already been blessed by the hospitality of our host homes. Salmon burgers are amazingly delicious! Quotes of the day will be posted. So far we have :

"I might be talking quietly but it sounds loud in my head." Andrea

"It's like a magical fairyland!" Joey

"You dial 111 for the cops?" Joey

"How far are we away from here?" Tara

"Oh it's adding." Sofia

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Urban Journey Crew

Our group as we left the Church

WE MADE IT

We made it and we are eating bacon cheesburgers in Keith Carpenter's back yard. More to come after we eat.

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go....

Today is the day we leave. Please pray for us as we depart on our Urban Journey to Seattle, WA to help the Epic Life Church do ministry in and among the people of that great city.

Pray for us as a team that we would gel together.

Pray for us as a team that we would learn about each other and about ourselves.

Pray for us to each go deeper with our relationship with God as we act as his hands and his feet.

Thanks for your support, your time and your resources.

See you in a week and a day.

Darin

Packing List

Don’t forget to Pack
• Photo ID
• Sleeping bag
• Air mattress
• Towel
• Toiletries
• Rain gear
• Cool weather gear
• Warm weather gear
• Walking shoes
• Modest swimwear
• Bible/Journal/Dev. Book

Don’t Pack
• Laptops
• DVD players, etc.

Music players are allowed for
the plane ride only.
LOADED WITH
CHRISTIAN TUNES!

Almost ready

Just a few days left until we leave for our trip to Seattle, WA for a church planting mission trip. Our team of 13 is ready to do whatever we can to aid the community and help the epic life church reach out to the community.

Be praying for us as we leave.

GETTING READY TO GO

This will be a place for any of our parents and other students to get updates and photos of us while we are on our trip to Seattle, Washington for our urban journey trip to help the epiclife church get started.