A Journey to Mars

Greetings. If I was talking to you face to face... in person... right now... I would give you a hug. I would really like to do that.

This update may be long as I have several things I would like to share with you that I feel are important in regards to the investment you are making to Sarah and I by financially supporting us.

First, a short snippet. This past couple weeks has been a very hard yet very rewarding couple weeks. About two weeks ago I became very overwhelmed with all that had to be done in ministry, as well as with finances. Instead of resting in the power of Jesus to assure things ran smoothly and we were provided for, I put it upon myself to work hard and get things done. After putting Him off for almost a week God brought me to a point of absolute brokenness. I had no confidence in my calling and had never had a greater awareness of how wretched I was. I was intensely worried about what people thought of me I slept horrible at night. Finally during a prayer time at our community group, after hearing about all the sin and despicable corruption in the lives of those there and those who we work and live with, I broke down. I started sobbing in front of the whole group because I couldn't stand it any more. I had been trying to carry all these pains and responsibilities on my own back and finally my knees buckled... the final ounce being the slight shove of the Holy Spirit to send me over. The next morning I spent time in prayer repenting for neglecting God, my apathy towards His scripture, my pride, and failing to go to Him to trade my burden for His.

I feel I have since recovered although I have now a tender area of my heart, as a wound that has just healed, that is sensitive to His prodding. I am thankful for this and have already learned several things. First, I absolutely cannot do this ministry without spending time in scripture first thing every morning. Secondly, I am completely undisciplined and have a lot to work on within that. Lastly, I care far too much what people think of me. This has been so far this year the hardest personal trial for me. I would ask that your prayers for me would be for humility and discipline.

Moving on, I would like to finally lay out for you the plan of action I have for what I would Like to see tangibly as the return on both yours and my own investment in serving Mars Hill Church for 2008. My hope is that it will give you a better idea of what your prayers and finances are going towards and what it will return.

I will say first that I have learned more in these last three months than in all that previous ministry experience has taught me. It has been an absolutely crazy ride in learning what it is to completely trust and serve Jesus. Know that you have made this possible as through your prayers and financial support we have yet to miss a bill payment, rent, or meal... although sometimes these payments are made hours, if not minutes, before they are due. It seems Jesus likes to not let us get comfortable. Also know that 10% of what you gift to Sarah and I is then tithed to the Mars Hill Church general fund.

Here we go:

I have identified 4 major areas of my life that I want to see growth in this year as I intern at MHC. I have then created action plans in which to measure growth within these areas. These action plans are on my calender and are a priority.

1. Ministry. Acts 2:42-47, Mathew 25:31-46 Obviously as this year is centered around serving Jesus and His mission in Seattle through MHC, ministry is my main focus. I desire to see growth in my ability to disciple others, teach, study scripture, lead and follow God's will. Now that we have officially launched the campus, I have been charged with directing and managing the facility. Aptly, my title is 'facility manager.' Through this responsibility it is my duty to create a ministry, in which there is a theological foundation and initiative, that creates an environment at the MHC downtown campus in which people can encounter and be equipped by God. This means creating teams to serve on Sundays as well as for mid-week operations such as cleaning and other general facility logistics. It is my responsibility to cultivate and disciple the people who serve with me so as they may in turn be equipped to fulfill their own calling within the body of Christ. Ways for me to measure growth in my ministry are as the following: Bi-weekly meetings with campus pastor Tim Gaydos to receive coaching in all areas of my life. Daily devotions and journaling in which Sarah keeps me accountable to. I schedule weekly times to get together with those who serve with me to create friendships of accountability and discipleship. I am currently on track to be a deacon at MHC and will hopefully finish the process by June. The process includes reading lots of books and writing lots of essays. As well as showing capability in everyday actions.

2. Education. Ephesians 4:12-13, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9-14 This year I desire to continue in my education so as to pursue knowledge of God and of this world so that I may bring the two together among those around me on order to see Him glorified. Over the last month I have been seeking God's direction for me in education and it seems that the next move (it seems obvious but it really wasn't) is to finish my bachelors degree. What this looks like and how to pay for it I don't exactly know. Not that it will stop me... Thursday I am going to an information meeting at the U. of Washington. I have on my calendar deadlines in which to know the answers I seek concerning where and how to pursue education. In my private pursuit of knowledge I have committed to read at least one gospel centered/theology book a month. I have scheduled daily devotional time every day.

3. Faith. Galations 3:2-5 I desire to have a supernatural certainty in uncertain situations. I know without a doubt that God has called us to Seattle and to minister at MHC, but that doesn't mean it isn't scary. I desire to trust Jesus more through this year, and to see Him respond to my knocking. Action plans to measure growth in faith include talking to a stranger about Jesus at least once a week, spend time in prayer every morning, memorize scripture everyday, take a retreat day once a month to seek God's continued will and direction for Sarah and I in solitude, prayer and meditation, and finally, I have committed to taking a sabbath every week as I am inclined to do otherwise. I must trust that God will see done what needs to be done.

4. Marriage and Romance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-9, Ephesians 5:25-32 My vision here is to constantly grow as a husband as I grow in Christ. To love my wife as Christ loves the church. I have committed to spending at least four evenings a week with Sarah, one of which is an official date night, praying together every night, modeling leadership by seeking God every morning in scripture and prayer and making God's Word the authority and center of our family.

All of these things surrounding the main points of focus have been put on my calendar and will be held accountable to me by Tim as we meet every other week. You also may check in with me to see how I am doing and where I am experiencing growth within ministry, education, faith and marriage. I also am keeping in the back of mind other areas of personal development such as cultivating my artistic gifts, becoming disciplined, and rigidly stewarding our wealth. These things I have not put on my calendar so as not to overwhelm myself but still will play a part in our growth this year.

I hope this allows you to see better what we are going through and what God is doing with us as we continue to serve Jesus in Seattle. I truly believe this year will be the foundation on which the rest of our ministry will be built upon, and in that this year is paramount.

I cant thank you enough for your support, we miss you all and remember you in our prayers.

Grace and Peace to you.
Joel and Sarah