I'm writing this for my good friends, Seth and Maria Waters and their 3 beautiful kids, Ella, Levi and Ian. They didn't ask me to but I did ask their permission.
Ya see, 4 months ago they left comfortable Durango to pursue a God-dream. A huge, major, awesome, challenging God-sized dream. Although it's only been 4 months, the dream started several years ago when God moved in their hearts to start a church. They prayed over a map of the US for over a year until God led them to the Bay area in California. Once they took that step of faith God began revealing His plan for their church.
This family doesn't just go and do things, they are planners, readers, learners, researchers, wisdom-seekers. I watched them go through the process as they were preparing for this dream. God opened door after door as He led them on this journey. He prepared them with resources, finances and hearts that were broken and excited to minister to people in San Francisco - an incredibly challenging area for Christian ministry - yet home to millions who desperately want hope and love. Seth and Maria knew that it was their calling to find them, meet them, love them, and be Jesus to them. It's definitely not a job for the faint of heart. I can't tell you how many times I said to myself "It's amazing what they are doing. I'm not sure I could do that. God would have to absolutely grab hold of my heart and move me." And that's exactly what He did for them.
I could tell in talking with them over the last year, that God was changing them, challenging them and equipping them. They believe, wholeheartedly, that God has called them to this city. Since they've been there they've seen miracles happen. Real life, modern miracles. People being healed from sickness and pain. They've seen lives changed and people come along side them and share in their dream of ministering to the Bay area. Along the way God has revealed more and more of Himself and His plans. They have not doubted His plan for them there.
They launched their church in an unconventional way. They did 4 preview services throughout the summer. Meaning, they did a service, waited 3 weeks and ministered and built ministry teams before doing another service. They were successful in building a core group of people to help them run services. They walked all over the Bay area and knocked on thousands of doors and put thousands of flyers on windshields. They met people, prayed for them, and just got to know their city.
Throughout this process they have always had accountability and wise people to lean on, to pray with, to get advice from. People who have held them accountable spiritually and financially. Honestly, these people have done this the right way. Humbly, prayerfully, and full-throttle. If you know Seth, you know that He can't do it part way. It's all or nothing.
I wanted to share all of that so you could know the kind of people they are. They are genuine, hard-working people who love Jesus and are willing to follow Him no matter what. They are facing the most challenging place in their ministry by far to date, this very day. For some reason {ok lets face it, the enemy is NOT happy with their progress} they are facing financial struggles. And I don't mean struggles like we can't buy the new TV we want this month, I'm talking struggles like if we don't get money we don't get a paycheck this month and we don't pay rent, utilities, food etc...Did I mention they have a 3-yr old daughter and 17 mo old twin boys? Did I also mention that they have been good stewards of the finances and resources that have been given to them to launch this church? Did I mention that Maria has put it over a dozen applications to find a job to help support them and hasn't heard back from a single one? Did I mention that San Fran is not a cheap place to live?
They have never in their lives come across such an unclear crossroad. They know they are where God called them to be, they know they have done what He's asked of them, they have no desire to leave the Bay area, HOWEVER, they are on the verge of losing everything they have worked so hard for. They are in a do or die situation. If the money does not come in, they will have to close the doors of their brand new church and that devestates them. It grieves my heart as well. These people have walked through some serious stuff in the 4 months they've been there, they don't want it to end.
Please join with me in praying for some serious financial breakthrough! Only my God can do something so big and so huge and so amazing to continue this ministry. And I will believe that He will do it. And believe me, the only One who can do something about this is my God. It's a God-sized problem. As much as we are all faithful in things we do and as much as we'd like to not rely on finances it still takes money to do things. It takes money to get a building to meet in, to have sound and microphones, to have things for the Children's ministry, to support the 2 staff members who are working around the clock to reach the city...
So, thank you for reading my post about the Waters. I know it was long but they are so worth it. They are good people who need prayer for their future in a major way. MAJOR way. I will keep you updated.
Ya see, 4 months ago they left comfortable Durango to pursue a God-dream. A huge, major, awesome, challenging God-sized dream. Although it's only been 4 months, the dream started several years ago when God moved in their hearts to start a church. They prayed over a map of the US for over a year until God led them to the Bay area in California. Once they took that step of faith God began revealing His plan for their church.
This family doesn't just go and do things, they are planners, readers, learners, researchers, wisdom-seekers. I watched them go through the process as they were preparing for this dream. God opened door after door as He led them on this journey. He prepared them with resources, finances and hearts that were broken and excited to minister to people in San Francisco - an incredibly challenging area for Christian ministry - yet home to millions who desperately want hope and love. Seth and Maria knew that it was their calling to find them, meet them, love them, and be Jesus to them. It's definitely not a job for the faint of heart. I can't tell you how many times I said to myself "It's amazing what they are doing. I'm not sure I could do that. God would have to absolutely grab hold of my heart and move me." And that's exactly what He did for them.
I could tell in talking with them over the last year, that God was changing them, challenging them and equipping them. They believe, wholeheartedly, that God has called them to this city. Since they've been there they've seen miracles happen. Real life, modern miracles. People being healed from sickness and pain. They've seen lives changed and people come along side them and share in their dream of ministering to the Bay area. Along the way God has revealed more and more of Himself and His plans. They have not doubted His plan for them there.
They launched their church in an unconventional way. They did 4 preview services throughout the summer. Meaning, they did a service, waited 3 weeks and ministered and built ministry teams before doing another service. They were successful in building a core group of people to help them run services. They walked all over the Bay area and knocked on thousands of doors and put thousands of flyers on windshields. They met people, prayed for them, and just got to know their city.
Throughout this process they have always had accountability and wise people to lean on, to pray with, to get advice from. People who have held them accountable spiritually and financially. Honestly, these people have done this the right way. Humbly, prayerfully, and full-throttle. If you know Seth, you know that He can't do it part way. It's all or nothing.
I wanted to share all of that so you could know the kind of people they are. They are genuine, hard-working people who love Jesus and are willing to follow Him no matter what. They are facing the most challenging place in their ministry by far to date, this very day. For some reason {ok lets face it, the enemy is NOT happy with their progress} they are facing financial struggles. And I don't mean struggles like we can't buy the new TV we want this month, I'm talking struggles like if we don't get money we don't get a paycheck this month and we don't pay rent, utilities, food etc...Did I mention they have a 3-yr old daughter and 17 mo old twin boys? Did I also mention that they have been good stewards of the finances and resources that have been given to them to launch this church? Did I mention that Maria has put it over a dozen applications to find a job to help support them and hasn't heard back from a single one? Did I mention that San Fran is not a cheap place to live?
They have never in their lives come across such an unclear crossroad. They know they are where God called them to be, they know they have done what He's asked of them, they have no desire to leave the Bay area, HOWEVER, they are on the verge of losing everything they have worked so hard for. They are in a do or die situation. If the money does not come in, they will have to close the doors of their brand new church and that devestates them. It grieves my heart as well. These people have walked through some serious stuff in the 4 months they've been there, they don't want it to end.
Please join with me in praying for some serious financial breakthrough! Only my God can do something so big and so huge and so amazing to continue this ministry. And I will believe that He will do it. And believe me, the only One who can do something about this is my God. It's a God-sized problem. As much as we are all faithful in things we do and as much as we'd like to not rely on finances it still takes money to do things. It takes money to get a building to meet in, to have sound and microphones, to have things for the Children's ministry, to support the 2 staff members who are working around the clock to reach the city...
So, thank you for reading my post about the Waters. I know it was long but they are so worth it. They are good people who need prayer for their future in a major way. MAJOR way. I will keep you updated.
