The Next Step

After a year marked by prayer, strategic planning, and a necessary season of discernment, my wife and I, alongside our dedicated team, finally moved forward with what had once been only a dream: the launch of a new church community, The Gathering Place North Shore (GPNS).

It’s a bit challenging to really put into words the significance of this past year.  What began as a quiet stirring in our hearts grew into a clear call we couldn't ignore, so we shared it with the team.  The initial question, "What if we start a new church,” quickly turned into a journey of tested faith.

The journey to this moment was neither instant nor free of challenges; it was often characterized by deep uncertainty.  Yes, there were times when alignment felt effortless, when the providence of God opened doors and confirmation arrived in unmistakable ways.  But there were seasons when the counsel of doubt tested our resolve, quietly at first, then more acutely.  So we asked the hard questions: Are the resources sufficient for this undertaking?  Do we have enough time in our busy, demanding days to care for people and to nurture this?  Will the church sustain herself?  We wanted to be sure we counted the cost of what we were praying for.

Those questions—the “what ifs”—could have stalled our progress.  And honestly, at some points, they nearly did.  Even so, during this necessary scrutiny, a core truth anchored us: this was not a human undertaking alone; this stirring in our hearts was not something we placed there.  This was something God was doing.  God had been working in the city of Lynn and the surrounding neighborhoods way before we even began to dream.  He was already touching the hearts of people we would connect with to help us.  And if He was the one leading this charge, our primary duty was not to have every certainty, every question answered, but to exercise faithful obedience in taking The Next Step.

Prayer became the foundation of every endeavor.  Not only routine devotional prayer, but desperate, honest, faith-filled conversations with Him, often together with the team. There were mornings when those prayers were full of confidence and clarity, and nights when all that remained were questions and silence.  But even in the silence, God was actively present.  Even when the full scope of the vision was not visible, He was already at work behind the scenes.

Planning necessarily followed prayer, but even our most robust strategies had to remain flexible. We mapped out structures, timelines, Excel sheets, and spiritual goals, only to realize that God often shifts the path at the precise, perfect moment. What we anticipated unfolding one way often manifested in a completely different way, and always with results way superior to our original expectations.  Because to Him be all the Glory!

Throughout this sacred process, a change occurred within the leadership and the emerging community.  We began to understand that this journey was more than launching a physical church; we were being refined in the process.  Our faith was stretched.  Our patience was disciplined.  Our dependence upon the Lord deepened greatly.  We learned what it meant to rely on Him not just in the significant, visible milestones but also in the small, hidden acts of ministry.

And then, after a year of preparation and dedication, the day arrived - Launch Day!  You can view the recap of that day here.

It was a moment imprinted in our collective memory.  What once existed only in our prayers and private meetings became reality.  People entered through the doors.  Worship filled the sanctuary.  Extra chairs needed to be put out.  Fellowship was shared afterward while eating whoopie pies and pumpkin cake (Thanks, Sister Hope).  There was a palpable energy, a sense of that holy expectation, and the tangible recognition that God was accomplishing something special.

Was the initial service executed without incident?  Yeah right!  In any major spiritual endeavor, minor logistical imperfections happen.  But these details faded into insignificance.  The reality was that the Holy Spirit filled that space with His presence and the people He brought together for His purpose. That day was defined by divine faithfulness—a faithful Next Step

Since that time, we have already witnessed the fruit of this ministry.  Lives are being impacted.  People are discovering genuine community.  Hope is being restored in ways that constantly reaffirm why we first responded to the call.  People are asking to be baptized and wanting to join small groups.  There is immense power in watching God move in real time, observing prayers answered not abstractly, but through tangible, life-altering actions. We are living in answered prayers.

Faith is not predicated on having every detail pre-determined.  It is, though, in taking The Next Step of obedience, even when the full mission and vision are unseen. It is, though, in choosing spiritual calling over personal convenience, and trust over the temptation of fear.

Looking back, it is humbling to see how far we have come.  What began as a simple question, "What if we start a new church," has been shaped into a living, breathing community.  What once felt uncertain now stands as a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Lord knows we have ways to go.  But along the way, we've learned some things.  If you find yourself in a season of waiting, questioning, or wrestling with your own mission, do not lose heart.  The preparation process may feel long and grueling, and the questions may seem overwhelming.  But God is actively working, even when you cannot perceive it.  Every prayer, every step of faith, every moment of obedience—all of it holds eternal significance.

In time, you will look back and recognize how every piece was brought together.  You will realize that what felt uncertain was actually intentional.  That what felt delayed was, in reality, preparation.  And that what felt impossible was simply awaiting the perfect timing of the Lord.

A year on, a church was launched, and a community is forming.  We believe that the best of this ministry still lies ahead.  Because this story is a chronicle of what God is continuing to do.  And we eagerly anticipate witnessing The Next Step.