best day yet!

Today was the best day yet in the life of Freedom Valley Church in Tulsa! Ok, we do have a short history, but that doesn't make me any less excited by what God did today. Just some highlights . . .

• plenty of guests with us at church
• many people who were guests last week were back this week
• four people decided to start a relationship with Christ and many more responded to other ideas in the message today
• our team rocked it out today - another week and we're beginning to own areas of ministry!
• lots of kids and teens in church

Last week, our grand opening week, we had 102 people at church. It is pretty normal for that number to drop by 30-40% the second week, but God really drew people in today. We had 84 people there today! I'm very encouraged by that.

Just feeling really blessed and I want to recognize that God is working something very cool here.

You know when you're home

I'm sitting home following HS football scores on twitter and on TV and thinking to myself, "Why do I care so much?" I mean, yeah I went to Union High School . . . through 10th grade. But I moved to PA then. My personal football career was mostly at Littlestown High School in PA. We even won a district championship my Junior year. So, why did I stop following the L-town Bolts the minute I graduated? The same reason I'm following the Union Redskins like I was some all-state football star back in the day . . . because I'm home. My home is Tulsa, Oklahoma. My home was never in PA. I always felt out of place and had a deep down desire to be back here. I'm so thankful that God asked me to come back to Tulsa to start Freedom Valley Church. I'll follow Him wherever He leads me, but I hope He lets me stay here for a good long time.

my boys are turning 7

Seven years ago tonight, Sara and I were excited and nervous as we anticipated the scheduled C-section that would let us meet our twin boys, Colin and Liam Fitch. They were born two months early and spent another month in the hospital before we could bring them home.

Seven years later, they are the healthiest, strongest and most normal little 1st graders I've ever known. I love my guys so much and I'm reminded tonight that they are two little twin miracles from God. Happy Birthday Colin and Liam!

I feel like a real pastor now

For the last 18 months, it's been all about "when our church launches". Well, on Sunday it launched. I feel so excited about being able to go back and do it again on Sunday. I can feel God doing something great here in Tulsa,OK. I'm so honored to pastor Freedom Valley Church. I finally feel like a real pastor now . . . not just a guy who will pastor a church someday. It feels good.

taken for granted

Yesterday my wife and kids left on a road-trip that will cover over 3 weeks and 4,000 miles. To say I miss them already would be accurate, but does not encompass all I feel. Since I had some extra time to myself , I kept ice packs on the pinched nerve in my back and watched "The Book of Eli".

As I went to bed in my strangely quiet and empty house last night, I became aware that I take my family for granted too often. As I wrestled with the sharp pain in my back, I became aware that I take my health for granted too often. As I reflected on the movie I watched, I became keenly aware that I take God's Word for granted too often.

Lord, please forgive me and help me to change on all three counts.

our team is better than your team

I just want to say publicly (to all 12 people who read this) haha, that the team working to start Freedom Valley Church is second to none. As I was walking my neighborhood praying this morning, I could not get away from the recurring thought of how so many people have given up so much and are working so hard to build the foundation of a healthy church. It's amazing how much goes into starting a new church and I can honestly say that I have not done it all . . . not event he majority. This team is building something that is becoming a very special work of God. I just want to say to them and to God, thank you.

growth and progress

Over the last couple years as I've immersed myself in church-planting training, I've often heard people say, "God wants you to plant a church for how it's going to change you (the planter) as much as for how its going to change the people in your city". I was always able to nod my head in agreement with the concept while not quite knowing what that meant in real terms.

I'm starting to know what that means. I'm a different person than I was a year ago. I pray more. I read my bible more. I'm kinder to my wife and kids. My wife and I go out on dates. I care about people who don't go to church - for more than just pumping up the numbers at church. I really care about people . . . even if they don't ever come to our church. I'm still miles away from the man I would like to be and light years away from who I probably could be.

But growth and progress are good. And I feel very humble and thankful today as I think about how patient God is with me and who He is slowly shaping me into.