Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Frank Bennett
My grandfather, Robert Hale, was a church planter. He even built a church building with his bare hands. I prayed a sinner's prayer in that same church building. My PaPaw was instrumental in discipling John Osteen and helping him plant Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, the largest church in America. So when the call came for me to plant a church and transition to become a pastor, I couldn't help but think of PaPaw and the call God placed on his life. He is with the Lord now, but I feel close to him, close to the same calling to reach people with the Gospel. The methods are different now, but the message is forever the same.
A couple of years ago, I evaluated where I stood in ministry. I began to ask God where could I be to make the most impact for His kingdom. I was very happy with what I was doing. I love leading worship and working with the team we have in place at Cartersville First Baptist. It's my sweet spot. I am comfortable. But is being comfortable God's will?
Over the past several years, God had been allowing me to develop skills outside of worship. I began to enjoy building leadership and watching it unfold in the lives of others. I enjoyed communicating the Gospel in creative ways. I was developing a passion for the kingdom of God and His entire Church. After much prayer and searching, God made it clear to me that I was to surrender the music stand for the pulpit. (Although, I like communicating the Gospel with a music stand.)
Suzanne and I began praying and seeking the Lord about where we should serve. During that time, the Holy Spirit communicated to us that we should plant a new church. Wow. This new calling needed some other people to pray and give us advice. So I shared this vision with my pastor, Randall Williams, and David Franklin, the minister for the Bartow Baptist Association. Both of these men agreed to pray with us and seek God's will and direction.
During this time of prayer, the calling did not diminish. It kept growing and being confirmed in God's word and through circumstances. We formed an advisory team of five pastors for the purpose of praying and sharing wisdom. This team of men has walked with me, and will continue until the church officially launches. We felt led to pray specifically about three areas to plant a new church. Those areas included: Magnolia/Tomball, TX (north of Houston), Covington, LA (north of New Orleans) and right here in Bartow County, GA.
Our family committed to go through the study, Experiencing God. We were reminded to watch where God was working and join Him. So, we waited and watched to see His hand at work. He showed us where He was working and where we were to join Him. His clarity about the calling and timing was incredible. God's favor was upon us. He was walking right to us. We felt like we were living one of those stories found in Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God study.
God made it clear that it was time to walk through this new door of church planting. And we get to do this in our own backyard. The circumstances surrounding God's voice was amazing to watch. I can't wait to share them with you.
(Come back for "God Loves Baseball")
A couple of years ago, I evaluated where I stood in ministry. I began to ask God where could I be to make the most impact for His kingdom. I was very happy with what I was doing. I love leading worship and working with the team we have in place at Cartersville First Baptist. It's my sweet spot. I am comfortable. But is being comfortable God's will?
Over the past several years, God had been allowing me to develop skills outside of worship. I began to enjoy building leadership and watching it unfold in the lives of others. I enjoyed communicating the Gospel in creative ways. I was developing a passion for the kingdom of God and His entire Church. After much prayer and searching, God made it clear to me that I was to surrender the music stand for the pulpit. (Although, I like communicating the Gospel with a music stand.)
Suzanne and I began praying and seeking the Lord about where we should serve. During that time, the Holy Spirit communicated to us that we should plant a new church. Wow. This new calling needed some other people to pray and give us advice. So I shared this vision with my pastor, Randall Williams, and David Franklin, the minister for the Bartow Baptist Association. Both of these men agreed to pray with us and seek God's will and direction.
During this time of prayer, the calling did not diminish. It kept growing and being confirmed in God's word and through circumstances. We formed an advisory team of five pastors for the purpose of praying and sharing wisdom. This team of men has walked with me, and will continue until the church officially launches. We felt led to pray specifically about three areas to plant a new church. Those areas included: Magnolia/Tomball, TX (north of Houston), Covington, LA (north of New Orleans) and right here in Bartow County, GA.
Our family committed to go through the study, Experiencing God. We were reminded to watch where God was working and join Him. So, we waited and watched to see His hand at work. He showed us where He was working and where we were to join Him. His clarity about the calling and timing was incredible. God's favor was upon us. He was walking right to us. We felt like we were living one of those stories found in Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God study.
God made it clear that it was time to walk through this new door of church planting. And we get to do this in our own backyard. The circumstances surrounding God's voice was amazing to watch. I can't wait to share them with you.
(Come back for "God Loves Baseball")
