Planting a New Seed

Today is the final service at my home church in Boise. I fondly remember the years growing up, and all the  teachers who invested in me: Steve and Becky Overlin, Nick and Lindale Adams, Dave and Eileen Benton, Paxton Tupper, Nadine Mack, Joel Rice and so many more. I remember falling asleep on my parents laps during the sermon and getting woken up by one of the elders in the church week after week. I know I probably shouldn't tell a story about falling asleep in church, but I experienced the love of Christ when Steve Altman took the time to wake me up and talk to me for a few minutes after church.

The church is doing something incredible in my mind. They care so much about the mission Christ has set upon them to reach the world, they are closing their doors. At first glance this may seem like giving up, but it is quite the opposite, they are sacrificing their own pride, name, rituals and traditions and are giving their building and other resources to help plant a new church. The church and its leaders have the insight to see how they have been ineffective in reaching a growing community. They want to see a church in Southwest Boise who is effectively reaching those who don't know the love of Christ.

In my mind they are planting a seed for the Kingdom. Jesus often used farming illustrations when he spoke, and one commonality in all farming illustrations is the care it takes for a seed to grow. Someone must take the effort to plant the seed in fertile soil and tend to that seed. Without the seed being planted the Kingdom would not grow. Today my church is planting a seed that will grow, it will start small, but with the proper care it will grow to effect the world.

Thank you to the people and leaders at Desert's Edge Christian Church for being people who are selflessly looking to better the world and their community and I look forward to seeing the fruit of this seed in Contact Christian Church led by Daro Thol.