Houston, we have liftoff...

The last few seconds ticked off of the countdown clock and the space shuttle lifted from the launch pad...on our video screens yesterday, as the first Sunday service of Church @ the Springs began. It was an incredible experience from start to finish: from the text messages and emails I received from friends all over the country who were up early praying for us; to the surprise appearances of friends and other church leaders who showed up at our service; to the heroic service of our launch team; to the experience of thanking God and dedicating our church to Him and His purposes.

It may have been a stretch to compare our small beginning to the launch of the space shuttle. There was a lot less fanfare (at least on earth). We were excited to have over 100 in attendance on our first day. There was no media coverage. The truth is, most people in our community don't even know we exist (yet). But there are two ways I think it's worthy of the space shuttle comparison. The first is the boldness and pioneering spirit of our launch team. It still amazes me that this little band of Christ-followers has jumped into this thing the way they have, given sacrificially of themselves and their resources, and valued each other. The second is the reality that, like the shuttle, most of the energy is expended just to get off the ground. At some point in the future of the Springs, we'll break free from the gravitational pull of smallness, lack of resources, lack of exposure in the community, lack of this and that. People who come along in the future will not be in touch with the enormous effort put forth by the launch team and other partners in this ministry, just like people don't remember the giant fuel tanks and booster rockets that fall off of the shuttle just moments after launch. It's not a glamorous job, but you don't fly without them. I thank God these days that I find myself surrounded by booster rocket people.