Yesterday, after eleven years as a member of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD, I terminated my membership. In fact, I stood up with a group of people who were all leaving.
We were sent out as part of the church-planting team for the latest Sovereign Grace Ministries church: Redeemer Arlington.
Nope, there's no scandal here, but I was hoping to catch your attention! Why? Because the start of a new church is a momentous occasion in the Kingdom of God! I am excited to be part of a new venture. Eric Simmons is the senior pastor of this new church--some of you know him through his leadership of the New Attitude/NEXT conferences or the regional One meetings at Covenant Life Church.
Redeemer Arlington will serve the Arlington, VA, and downtown DC regions. The church-planting team will meet for two months to establish the core functions of the church and then we expect to open our doors to public meetings sometime in March or thereabouts. The church's website will be up soon.
Arlington is an urban area that is home to both some of the most upscale and successful young professionals in the area, as well as a wide swath of internationals who come from dozens of nations. If you think of it, please pray for provision for our team as most of us will soon be moving from a less-expensive suburb to a more expensive urban core. It doesn't make sense in human terms to make this move, but we have learned to measure success in different terms!
Thanks for making my stomach drop!!... "leaving" churches always gives me a sick feeling. So I am VERY glad you are being sent out to help with a new church plant! God bless you! :)
Posted by: Naomi Elle | December 07, 2009 at 10:12 AM
From a reader in DC ~ is it near a Metro stop?! My husband and I are looking for a church... Thank you! :)
Posted by: Luci | December 07, 2009 at 11:25 AM
You could already be an answer to prayer. My brother is one of the upscale people who live in Arlington. He is 57 years old and has rejected the Gospel message for a long time. (My sister, age 55, just got saved a few months ago after years and years of prayer, so I am hopeful for my brother as well.) I have been praying for Godly influences to break into his world. I will certainly pray. My husband and I are church planters as well and know the types of things you face. May God bless you with a great harvest of souls!
Posted by: happyvalleygirl | December 07, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Oh wow! What an encouraging time!
I just got a job in the Fairfax area & am hoping to live in Arlington with some friends. I've been praying about going to the church plant when I move up in January and have been in contact with Eric Simmons a bit about that. I'm a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Apex, NC.
My living situation might determine which church I'd be a part of b/c of traffic and everything, but I do hope to meet you in the next few weeks!
Posted by: Lynne Walton | December 07, 2009 at 10:26 PM
My family is going to be part of church planting as well! My dad will be the senior pastor and we start full time planting January first. It's scary, but so exciting to see the Kingdom being grown in the least churched area in Minnesota!
Posted by: Olivia | December 07, 2009 at 11:35 PM
That is exciting! I hope you post the website when it's up and running. One of my international students will be moving down there in February.
Posted by: Joy in RI | December 08, 2009 at 09:50 AM
PRAISE BE TO OUR LORD.
I want to hear more testimonies like this.
I want to hear less church-plants-due-to-splits.
Posted by: twitter.com/josephlouthan | December 09, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I am a very new believer who currently lives overseas. My family and I will likely be returning to the DC area within the year for a 6-12 month stay before returning overseas. I have been praying for God to provide a church in which my children and I can learn and grow and serve. May I invite myself to your church?
Posted by: Sandra | December 09, 2009 at 12:04 AM
I am so thankful for "Sovereign Grace" plants. It's so nice to be able to look up one of their churches to attend when I am traveling. :)
Posted by: Brook (Matt5verse6) | December 09, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Thanks, everyone, for your interest and support! Yes, I believe we will be meeting along the Metro somewhere in Arlington. When we get a permanent facility, I will post our meeting space. When we begin public meetings, you are all welcome! More information to follow.
Posted by: Carolyn McCulley | December 09, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Wow exciting stuff. May God be with you constantly in your endeavors.
Posted by: Becky | December 10, 2009 at 08:41 PM