As I’ve stated before, God has been birthing this thing in me for some time now. During my pastorate in Pennsylvania, I spent large amounts of time working with planters and new churches. Many of those around me would toss out the idea of church planting, but I always responded along these lines…”nah, I’m a turnaround guy. I like to fix broken things.”

My final traditional pastorate was one of the most grueling tasks I have ever tried to undertake. Even though we were beginning to see the fruit of new families and people crossing the line of faith, we were always hindered by our infrastructure. To simply maintain our campus facilities and staff (with no ministry expenditure) was nearly $40,000 per month. Towards the end of my tenure, the church had exhausted its reserves and we were having to make difficult choices for our future.

It was during this time that a pastor I have been working with over in India sent me a simple request. Could we assist him with the rental of his church facility $50 per month. When I saw that request I was devastated. I was going to have to tell him that I could not help him with this kingdom request, because I had to come up with a solution to pay $40,000 in utility bills, salaries and expenses! The Lord impressed upon me this question: “Do you really want to stand before Me someday and tell Me that you didn’t further My kingdom, because you were maintaining an institution?” That question hit deep and lingering desire I had for business as usual had just been shattered.