On June 3rd-4th I had the privilege of participating in Ignite: launching a gospel centered movement in the Bay Area”. The conference was a partnership between NorCal Network for Church Planting, the Gospel Coalation and Acts29. By these three organizations working together, they were able to pull speakers like Mark Driscoll, D.A. Carson, Matt Chandler, Jeff Vandersteldt and Scott Thomas. Both Alice and I were blessed by the two days for a number of reasons.
1. From conception to birth. As a board member of the NorCal network, I was there at the beginning when the idea for this event was conceived. I know the hard work put in by various people to coordinate such a large venture. It was a 1.5 year process. To see the end result of a conference birthed on June 3rd was a joy.
2. Numbers aren’t everything, but they are something. We had 900 in attendance. This was the largest bootcamp that Acts29 has ever seen and a wonderful turnout for like-minded churches and church planters. On the first day, I was in the foyer talking to just about anybody and everybody. When I heard the music begin to play inside the auditorium, I thought I would walk right in and find a seat. Wrong. The floor level was full and I was stuck up in the balcony that is never used at the church that hosted the event. The seats were dusty and I stumbled over what I believe was a decomposing usher from the 1970′s. But, I did get a great picture from the cheap seats.
3. Go West Hills Community Church! As a church planter, elder and pastor I am in the midst of numerous meetings, thus seeing, hearing and following what we believe God is doing in the Bay Area. I believe that we are part of something big. A movement of the Holy Spirit in bringing into existence churches that are centered on the gospel, community and mission is in full swing. How wonderful it was for so many of our people to see, hear and feel the same things in a weekend. My hope is that it fuels our worship, courage and faith to continue the course God has laid before us.
4. We are on the tip of the spear. As West Hills is the largest church in the Northern California region of Acts 29 in the Bay Area, we are becoming a hubb for church planters who are interested in doing this in the Bay Area. Further, as an actual church plant from West Hills, my congregation is right on the front lines of the endeavor. We are on the tip of this spear that God is thrusting into the heart of San Jose. I am so thankful, humble and invigorated. It will be fascinating to see where this road leads in the next 5-10 years.
