I am going to repeat some of the verbage that my new friend, Jim Akins, Executive Director of Church Planting at Westridge Church in Dallas, Georgia, has penned, simply because his words cannot be improved upon defining the way I feel as I start this venture of blogging. “I have avoided this. I have dreaded this. I have come to the realization that if you want to talk to the world you gotta jump on board.” Today is our grand opening to the blogosphere! I will post mainly on life, what God seems to be saying, and as an update to the interested people that desire to be a part of our new church plant.
We are in the development stages of a new church plant in NW Georgia, specifically in Ringgold, GA/Chattanooga, TN as our first launch. As time moves on, we will launch in Cleveland, TN, Ellijay, GA, and Dawsonville, GA. We feel like it is time to go back to Georgia and spend the rest of our lives building God’s work. We plan on moving to Georgia in June, from our home in Florida, soon after our kids get out of school. We are working hard everyday laying the groundwork, raising the funding, and consulting with some of the greatest minds in church planting.
I love the risk, the renegade trust, and the hope that stepping out of your comfort zone brings to us as Christians. I wish I could say that being a Christian means that life is an easy journey because it is not. We all have been in the wilderness, preparation fields, and many times up on the mountaintops. Through it all, I have learned that joy is there all the time if you know Christ personally; happiness is a choice we make when we wake up, regardless of what comes our way. It’s a battle of the mind. Ike Reighard has a great message entitled, “What happens when the bottom falls out?” He knows! I know! If you don’t know, you will know. We’ve all got to answer that question at some point in our lives. You are not defined as a person by the “bottom” but you are defined by “who” you are deep down on the inside! We are “made in the image of Christ,” therefore, we have everything we need to react and respond to anything in the right way.
As for this blog world I agree with what Ed Young has said, “This is one of those things that I’m excited about, yet also a little unsure.”
Best of luck Shane! You will do great in North Georgia. You are in our prayers.
Larry, Tuesday, Landon and Madeline Grace Wilson
Shane,
I am excited for you and your family as you begin Origin Church! Your belief in your future success is second only to the hand of God’s blessing being on this new venture.
The biggest difference between victory and defeat is a committed heart. An uncommitted heart will look for an escape, but the committed heart looks for solutions.
Go and be an answer to the prayers of many in NW Georgia!
Welcome to the blogging world! I’m excited about the opportunity to keep up with what is going on with you guys. Let me know how we can help.
Shane,
Love ya man!
Blessings,
George
i am praying for you and kim. i know the passion that you have as a renegade. you have always been a man of great faith. i am praying for you and the new church start. you are so right. who you are is not wrapped up in what you do, bu what you are when it is all said and done. John Maxwell, ” do those who know you best respect you most. A farmer in my church told me when there are uncertainties , keep plowing forward.
i love you
Chris Prithcett
Hey Pastor Shane,
Great website. I love the devotionals!! I will be doing a devotion at school on the 9th of April! Anyway great to hear you will be closer to us!!! talk to you later
Look forward to see a mighty move of God and doors opening for you and your family in the new church plant . Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Hey Daddy,
Cool website.
Love,
Abigail
You and your family have been a blessing and will be a blessing. Great site and great hearts!
Shane,
Love the site. God is doing great things in our midst. Isn’t it exciting!!!
Know that I continue to pray for you all. Keep on digging!!!
Hello Shane from your parents!
We are so grateful that God is using you and Kim in such a marvelous way!
We thank God everyday for the two of you and what blessings you have brought to your parents. We will continue to pray for God’s direction in your lives.
We love you and thank God for you,
Mom and Dad
Greetings from Dalton 😀
We are so excited and eager to be a part of the AMAZING things God is about to do in the North Georgia area through Origin Church 😀
HURRY HOME SO WE CAN GET STARED 😉
We LOVE all of you!
Daryl and Starlit