October 2023 Update

Family,

It's been awhile since my last update, but I promise it has not been without good reason. I hope this post will give you a concise update on the last few months. In wanting to honor your time reading this, please know that I won’t be able to get to every nook and cranny of detail, but of course, I remain ready to take any calls or questions you might have. I am so grateful for your support of my family and of New City Fellowship, and it is apparent to me that your support will be needed as we brave the next season of soft launching and post-launch ministry. If I could title this update and assign it a theme, I’d call it “Mountains and Valleys”, as you will soon read, it has certainly been a period of high highs and low lows. But I can tell you confidently that the presence of God was and is ever nearer to me and to us as a church this fall. 

August 

August began with a massive discouragement as the local church we were partnering with and developing a launch plan with suddenly and aggressively ended all partnership planning due to some things internally on their end. This news came just one week before our celebratory worship night, where we planned to announce our partnership with all who attended. That church allowed us to carry on with the plans for the worship night, and it was a massive success in that eight people from our group took the initiative to join our Leadership Cohort and plan the event. We had in attendance at the event 84 people, including leadership from the Orlando Church Planting Network and folks from our supporting churches. August ended with an unexpected four-day stay at the hospital for me. The result was heart damage, kidney damage, muscle deterioration, and dehydration. I’m currently on a health plan and seeing a primary doctor regularly for care and continued treatment. I’ve lost 20 pounds since then. I am on a strict dietary plan, and I am trying to manage my stress. 

September

September was marked by a two-and-a-half week off mandated by my doctor and planting coaches. This time was a sweet time because we only took one week off from gathering with New City, and I could serve CrossPointe with pulpit supply and study. But it was also a challenging time with the need for a building still fresh on our hearts and minds. We were given some great news in the middle of the month that CrossPointe’s pastoral resident would be joining New City in hopes of continuing his residency here. And The Gathering on Friday nights grew by eight people. 

October

October, we began membership conversations with our people that will continue into mid-November. As of writing this update, New City Fellowship has 14 covenant members! What a tremendous work of God to take this group from de-churched and unchurched to church planters. They are committed to the vision of being a people, transformed by the Gospel, joyfully anticipating the renewal of all things—a people committed to planting a gospel-centered, city-serving church. Adriana and I, also celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. I began a 4-week series of pulpit supplies for a fellow Acts29 church in Clearwater as they continue their search for a new lead pastor. Please keep Bldg28 Church in your prayers that navigate that candidacy. We also have a few new faces joining us on Friday nights too. 

This wraps up the ministry update for the last few months. I wanna leave you with this testimony from someone who’s been in our group since nearly the beginning— 

“Meeting with New City Fellowship, even as a community group, has been a huge blessing for both me and my wife! We’ve experienced deep friendships from the start of us going and already developed as a family. We’ve experienced an open room where we can be as vulnerable as we can and feel seen, heard and cared for. You walk in and immediately feel open arms and know you can be yourself! 

This group was the first group of people I’ve felt comfortable sharing some extremely personal information that’s currently happening in my family. I knew that I could be as transparent as possible and receive the empathy that was received that night. I’ve given my trust to this group and I know they trust me as an individual as well. Though still a small group, it feels like the true body of Christ.”