Life Was Easier

I’ll have to admit, my job was easier six years ago. Six years ago we had one campus and one location. I was responsible for a wonderful, though much smaller staff. I was preaching sermons, leading staff meetings, discipling, and doing a little bit of counseling. But there was less pressure, fewer places and staff to worry about. It was easier for me to get away when I needed to.

But then again, six years ago we didn’t baptize 139 people in one weekend, or have over 3,400 people join us for worship services.

I wouldn’t trade ministry today for an easier ministry six years ago.

And we’re about to complicate my life even further!

Why? Because we have genuine concern for the souls of our neighbors and our neighboring communities. It’s why we chose to make things harder six years ago by adding a second location, and then a third two years after that, now a fourth.

Because we really are concerned for our neighboring communities.

It’s why our elders, almost 10 years ago, came up with a plan to reach new neighborhoods. We’re driven to keep expanding because it’s not about what’s easier or harder, or what my preferences might be. It’s about broken hearts for broken people.

It’s why we are launching a location on the north shore. We are burdened for people who are doing their best to mask their pain with materialism. Christians and churches tend to avoid engaging with affluent people, as though they have it all together. But when you peek behind the curtain you see the same problems that the rest of the world has, only compounded by their ability to throw more money at those problems, making things worse.

So many families divided by infidelity, saturated with addictions, and riddled with discord. While being careful to look good on the outside, they are miserable messes on the inside, with a desperate need for the Gospel.

As our hearts break for the lost in Des Plaines, Prospect Heights, and Portage Park, our hearts also break for the lost on the north shore. 243,000 people live within 5 miles of our proposed location and there is a dearth of outreach-oriented, Bible-teaching churches in that area.

So we are going BEYOND again. Join us in this mission!