Category Archives: Midtown

The End Of + The Beginning Of

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Boxes line what little floorspace that’s left throughout my house. Boxes on top of boxes. Each box is labeled with its contents and its future destination. “Kitchen: Plates, Glasses, Entertaining.  Bedroom: Clothes: T-shirts, Socks, Underwear.” After over 5 years of residing at what has become known as ThePlex, I’ve decided to make a move.

While some would expect the next paragraph of this post to be about me relocating to Boston, that time hasn’t quite come… yet. My original plan was to move to Boston by July 2011. I’ve found that God has a way of changing our plans and ordering our steps, typically with the outcome being anything far greater than we could have asked for, planned or imagined. Several months ago I began praying that God would make it clear what was next for me. For the longest time I’ve felt a deep calling to Boston. After my visit in April 2010 that calling was confirmed and I’m certain that one day I will live in and minister to the city of Boston. Yet, even with that calling confirmed and Boston being my long term destination, there have been several key factors in my decision to remain in Columbia (a bit) longer:

  • Vision: In August 2010 I accepted a position as a Collections Representative for Vision Property Management. Within 3 months of being on staff I was promoted to Collections Division Manager. During my time of praying I was approached by another member of our Senior Management Team and was asked to help start a Bible Study for our staff. The first week of the Bible Study we had 12 employees show up including our CEO. I’ve had multiple coworkers open up to me about issues they’re walking through: divorce, abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and dealing with dysfunctional families.  All that to say I know that, for now, with the favor I’ve been shown by my employer and the work God is doing in my coworkers, I am certain God wants me to remain at VPM (for now).
  • Neighbors: For the longest time I’ve had a deep desire to live in a real neighborhood. Sure, I currently live in a neighborhood, but if you’ve ever been to my place you know that the intersection of Main and Fairfield doesn’t lend itself to allowing one to run, bike or even have a change at connecting with other families in the neighborhood. The fact is, I really don’t live in a neighborhood; it’s more so an intersection. Once God gave me clarity on remaining in Columbia, I knew the next step was to relocate. After much searching, I’ve found an amazing new home in the Rosewood community. Complete with runners, dog walkers and children playing in the street, this is the type of neighborhood I’ve been desiring for a long time. My new house is also exactly one mile from my gym, Anytime Fitness, and my favorite grocery store, Earth Fare. This past Monday I had the opportunity to meet most of the neighbors and I’m looking forward to hosting my first cookout of the summer!
  • Roommate: With the new house comes the addition of a roommate. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had a roommate. My previous roommate of 4 years, Rich Zuch, was a rare find and proved to be irreplaceable… well, almost. I’ve been nervous about having another roommate, but after much prayer I asked Josh Cox to consider moving in and commit to spend the next year loving and serving the Rosewood community with me. Thankfully Josh has agreed to move in! Josh has been an amazing friend and brother. I have a huge amount of respect for him and his walk with God and can’t wait to see what the Lord does through him and I being roommates.  Josh has always wanted a dog too, so I think secretly he’s more excited about living with Killian than with me!
  • Midtown: Midtown has asked me to help co-lead Mission Hubs, an effort to encourage our church members to become missionaries within their neighborhoods, connecting, loving and serving their neighbors while pushing them toward the Gospel. I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead while also being in a new neighborhood where I can put what I teach into practice.

Soon the boxes will start making their crosstown journey. 1945 days of living in the same place will soon come to a close. I’m thankful for the memories that resulted from my time at ThePlex and look forward to what’s to come in my new home!

Blogging Via Bullet-Points

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I hate blogging via bullet-points, but sometimes I feel it’s necessary, especially when I am trying to play catchup. Here we go.

  • Wells Fargo: The good news:  I am still employed. The bad news: I am miserable and am desperately seeking a new job. I have missed my sales goals two months in a row and have to attend a mandatory training class next week. Pray that I can meet (or even exceed) my sales goals for June. Wells Fargo has started merging the two companies and job cuts are looming. After 3 years with Wachovia, I finally feel like God is releasing me and telling me it’s fine to begin the job search. I’ve been working on my resume and would appreciate your prayers as I begin searching for what God for me next.
  • Columbia: That being said about Wells Fargo, I still very much feel called to Columbia. As of now, I am limiting my job search to opportunities within the Columbia metro. Some might call that foolishness. I call it knowing where you’re called to be trusting God’s provision and placement.
  • Vacation/Jesus Culture: Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Jesus Culture Conference in Atlanta. A huge thank you to my friend Josh Davis who made it possible for me to go as well as to his family for being an amazing host for the week. Having someone else cook every meal for me was blessing. Sleeping late was healthy. The worship with Kim Walker and Chris Quilala was awesome. Vulnerability and encouragement from a good friend was priceless.
  • Midtown: I get to do ministry with the most amazing people. God continues to blow my mind with how He’s blessing our family at Midtown. Simply put, Midtown and the ministry that is taking place though the people there is the key reason I feel called to stay in this city. Huge things are brewing… Pray for my ministry role at Midtown and that God would stretch me and use me as He pleases.
  • Killian: Killian (my Yellow Lab) has learned how to swim! It took me throwing her into the river a few times for her to get the hang of it, but now she’s a river dog. It’s hard to believe that Killian will be 3 next month!  I’ll post some new pictures of her soon!
  • NC: I’ll be in North Carolina visiting my family this Thursday and Friday. Pray for safety and quality time with the family. It’s been over a year since I’ve been to my hometown of High Point. (And boy, I am craving some good NC BBQ!)

So there you have it. A bullet-point update of the past three months or so. Comment and let me know what’s new with you.

CONNECT(ed)?

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Tonight I got to do what I love: Listen to people’s stories, help them figure out where they’re at, then help them take steps to get deeper connected. Part of my responsibility in heading up Relational Ministry at Midtown is leading a monthly session we call CONNECT. At CONNECT we brew some of the finest coffee around (actually, it’s Starbucks) and try to create a comfortable, conversation conducive environment (complete with a bright green lamp and fake grass.)  I’m blessed to have a group of  Missionary Members that commit one Sunday night a month to sharing with guests how they got connected at Midtown then make recommendations on steps to take to become connected to our church, and hopefully in turn more connected to Him. (Being “connected” and having a ton of relationships doesn’t do crap unless you’re growing deeper in your relationship with God.)

Here are some of the ways I recommend to get more CONNECTed to any church:

  • Take the Membership Class: It’s a great way to learn about the foundational beliefs of the church, how it got started, and where the leadership of the church envisions God taking the direction of the church. It’s also your chance to learn more about the ministries of the church and to meet some other people that are new to the church. (At Midtown we offer Membership Classes every few months, normally once per quarter.)
  • Volunteer on Sundays: Most churches have a ton of volunteer opportunities that need to be filled. It’s a great way to serve but also a good chance to meet new people and build relationships. Serving on Sundays is also great if you don’t have a ton of time during the week.
  • Community Missions: An amazing by-product of serving others is that you become friends with the people you are serving with. Most churches have service projects, weekly ministry opportunities, or community outreach events.
  • Join a Small Group: I know for me, I got CONNECTed at Midtown once I started hanging out with a small group of people on a regular basis. Soon after joining Midtown I also joined a Life Group (that’s Midtown’s term for a Small Group.) Not only do we meet weekly for dinner and a time of studying scripture together, we also do life together. My Life Group is who I call when I am facing something fierce or when I am sick with the flu. No matter what’s going on, I know I can turn to these guys to help me face life and to push me in my walk with God.

No matter what church you’re at, it’s important to live in community. If you’re at Midtown and are seeking ways to get better CONNECTed, feel free to contact me.

I Would Rather Be In Prison

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As the cars passed by at the intersection of Gervais and Lincoln, I sat inside Starbucks, sipping on a Pumpkin Spice Latte and gazing out the window. Tonight I sat watching as college students and adults walked to local bars, restaurants and clubs, many without a worry insight. The Weatherman said the evening low would be 34 degrees. Growing up, when the temperature got that cold, we made sure the dogs slept inside where it was warm. Soon the bone chilling cold would set in, the lights that once lit up the Vista District in shades of red, yellow and blue would dim, and most would return to their homes, out of the cold.

Tonight was Coffee Night with Midtown. It’s the night when new attenders at our church fill our local Starbucks to hopefully start the process of connecting to our church family. Some weeks, attendance at Coffee Night is high. I often consider those nights a success and that it was worth the measly hour of my week to be there. Tonight however, no one showed. There were no new faces. No volunteers. Just some homeless guy who, Sunday night, had exchanged glances with me at The Gathering.

If you know me well, you know I’ll quickly admit that I don’t have a heart for the homeless in our city. Sure, I’ll support ministries and causes that act to do away with the overwhelming problem, but my support is only with my checkbook. There is Homeless for the Homeless, but that’s only one weekend out of the year, leaving me free to enjoy my remaining 51 weekends guilt free. Tonight all that changed.

My friend Toni is passionate about serving the homeless. I’ve never understood where she gets her passion. She’s never been homeless. She’s your typical middle class, white college student. Yet, for some reason she is always talking about the homeless, always eager to serve them. I’ve prayed that my heart would become more like hers. She loves them. She calls them her “homeless friends.” Until tonight, I have simply called them “homeless.”

Tonight I got to hear the story of Adam. (That’s not his real name. I’ve changed it to protect his identity.) At first, Adam didn’t want to tell me his story. He said “On the streets we don’t do that. We keep to ourselves. My struggle in mine… I don’t want to burdon you with my fears, my pain and my problems.”

After some prodding and a Venti cup coffee, Adam finally started to open up. Adam was recently released from prision after serving 17 years. What he did to get himself in there isn’t important. Adam has no home. No place to stay warm. He doesn’t have the luxury of going to Which Wich and getting whatever sandwich he is craving that evening. He’s fearful of the police. He’s alone. He’s been hurt. His mother was murdered years ago. He has no idea how to function in society after being behind bars for 17 years. Adam said, “A lot changes in 17 years. I have no idea where to begin. Some days I would rather go back to prison than be homeless. It’s easier there.”

Oh, and did I mention that Adam has AIDS?

All I could do is sit and listen. I wondered what Adam dreamed about when he was a child. Did he want to be President? A teacher? Maybe a doctor? I can assure you of this: He never dreamed of being homeless, begging for food, infected with AIDS, and wondering were he could go to get out of the cold.

Tonight, deep in my heart, I felt God starting to break the coldness I have allowed to build up in my heart toward the homeless in this town. Homeless for the Homeless isn’t just an event, its a chance to help change the story for Adam and the other 1,700 homeless men, women and children in Columbia. I’ll be there, hopefully with my homeless friend Adam.