“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20).
I believe this verse to be true because I’ve experienced God’s abundance several times in my life. And here we are again, experiencing it in the life of our church. Let me share it this way…
Children are curious people. They ask lots of questions. They snoop around trying to figure out where things are. Their instinct is to discover something new. We are just like that. The Scriptures refer to those who are born again followers of Jesus as “children of God.” We are called to have a child-like faith, one of asking questions and seeking discovery, as we follow the Lord.
Sometimes our questions sound like this… “Why are you doing this? What are you doing? What’s going to happen next?” Maybe you have your own questions formulating in your mind right now, but let me remind us of something…
GOD IS WRITING HIS STORY!
As I reflect on the story God is composing through Restoration Church, I remember personally sensing the Lord say things like…
Consider and pray about church planting.
Visit Iowa.
There’s a need here.
Trust me.
My responses were...
What are you doing Lord?
Why Lord?
Whis is it, Lord?
I don’t know if I can?!?
Throughout this journey, the Lord has reminded us of this…HE IS IN CONTROL, and he is writing our story.
Restoration Church began meeting one time per month in Sept. 2018 at 3rd Place.
January through April 2019, we met two times per month.
Preview services were held in May, June, and July at ADM High School.
We publicly launched on September 8, 2019.
On March 15, 2020…everything changed (COVID-19).
Our responses were...
What are we going to do?
Where will we go?
What are you doing Lord?
Why Lord?
The Lord Said... TRUST ME
On July 5, 2020 we began holding services at Harmony Hall
What we thought would be short term solution became the next 18 months…the Lord knew. After 18 months at Harmony Hall, we knew a change had to happen. So on January 9, 2022, we gathered at Adel Elementary for the first time.
The Lord knew… the people He would bring to Restoration Church.
The Lord knew… all the growth He would accomplish, individually & corporately.
The Lord knew… we wouldn’t be at Adel Elementary forever.
The Lord knew… we would grow weary.
The Lord knew… we would grow inpatient.
Yet, the Lord is faithful to mold us, shape us, and humble us. On Nov. 13, we shared with our Covenant Members about future opportunities for meeting locations. What we thought was a closed door became a likely possibility. Our Leadership believes that the Lord has begun a Kingdom relationship that will give us the opportunity to continue forward in the mission that He has called us to. The Lord is continuing to write His story and I’m so grateful that we get to be a part of it!!!
So…where are we going?
On January 8, 2023, Restoration Church will gather for the first time at 29147 Prospect Circle. It is a location we believe the Lord has blessed us with to use as a Ministry Center for our city. The building is a tool we will use for God’s glory to train and send out people, while also meeting needs within our community. Lord willing, it will become our home.
A permanent location is not the end goal. We haven’t crossed the finish line. We’re just turning the page to the next chapter of the story that God is writing. For God’s glory, may we see lives restored through the gospel of Jesus Christ!