After much prayer, fasting, and hours of conversation with mentors and church leaders in the city – my wife and I have decided to begin the challenging but exciting process of starting a new church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Why Memphis?
The short answer is that we love it. For seven years, Ashley & I lived just outside of Memphis, and a lot of the earliest memories of our life together were formed there: Ashley said yes to me as I knelt at the Memphis Botanic Garden. We listened to a lot of jazz & shared romantic dinners at Cielo (now Mollie Fontaine). And whether it was hanging out at Overton Park or movies at Studio on the Square, we found ourselves drawn back to Memphis over the years, specifically an area called Midtown.
Memphis is connected in some surprising ways to St. Louis, our home for the last five years of our lives. The economies of both cities have been shaped through time by their dependence on the Mississippi River, and understanding each includes understanding the racial and socioeconomic lines that divide both cities. Memphis is also the home of the Redbirds, the minor league affiliate of the Cardinals, which means we still get to root for the Cards!
It makes sense, after five years away, that we would come to Memphis to plant.
Midtown Memphis
Our sights are set on Midtown Memphis – known for its diversity, the best restaurants in the city, its music and arts scene, and a growing theater district.
Midtown is home to many of Memphis’ creative class. The urban progressives who call Midtown their home love their city (a popular bumper sticker claims “Midtown is Memphis”) and disdain the “suburbanization of Memphis.” Thus, one key to reaching the Memphis Metro area is reaching Midtown and letting all of the implications of the gospel for the public square take root and grow there. The pathway is open for churches that proclaim Christ and love their city to be planted in this area.
What You Can Do
The number one obvious answer is prayer. Absolutely, more than you or I understand, we need many, many people to pray for us.
From my experience, church planters endure much spiritual warfare – so please pray for us. Pray for our family, for our marriage, pray for Memphis and specifically Midtown. Pray that key relationships will be made that will open up doors for the gospel. Pray.
And, without a doubt, we need money. Given our country’s current economic climate, it might appear foolish to head out and plant a church at this time. I know, however, that our God has accomplished much more with much less. With Him, all things are possible.
If you’re a leader of a church-planting church, and you are in step with the gospel-centered missional emphasis you’ve seen through Rethink Mission, strongly consider putting this new work in your 2010 budget. We need many financial partners to give monthly toward this work.
The Glorious Ruin
Let me say this as well: you, too, should consider moving to Memphis. No city reminds me more of Francis Schaeffer’s term for humanity: “The Glorious Ruin.” As you look at the city’s people, its architecture, the rich cultural and musical history – Memphis is a glory indeed. At the same time, many would acknowledge with one glance at the schools, past (and current) race relations, and the conditions of many living in the city center that something in Memphis is profoundly broken.
Do you have hopes of living for something greater than yourself? Are you a dreamer, a builder, a risk-taker? Pray. Pray about moving to Memphis, getting a job, starting a business, or raising money and being an integral part of this new work.
If you are interested in joining our launch team in 2010 or are interested in becoming a financial partner, email me to request a vision packet.
Watch this site for more details in the month to come.
1. Pray for us.
2. Partner with us financially.
3. Consider joining us.
For the gospel. For the city.
-JMac
Tags: church planting, Memphis
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Praying for you guys. My wife and I are praying for God to put a city and community on our heart as we seek to plant a church as soon as He opens the door.
Very exciting news, Jonathan! We’ll be definitely keeping you and your family in prayer.
Very cool, man! Excited for you and praying.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by JonMcIntosh: We Are Planting a Church in Memphis. “After much prayer, fasting, and hours of conversation…” http://bit.ly/7Q9JXv...
and here i was all hoping you’d move to Denver.
Praying for this.
Hey bro,
It has been a while. I am stoked to hear what God is doing. I would love to chat by phone. We are on a similar path. Please call me when you get a chance (919.917.3291). Love to chat. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Blessings,
Will Plitt
Exciting! Please let me know how I can help you connect.
Lots-o-Links 11.30.09…
Article on Tim Keller/Redeemer in New York Magazine Jim Belcher: written interview about Deep Church at The Gospel Coalition Mark Driscoll: Organizing a Silence & Solitude Day series is complete (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Jared Wilson: Sweat Equity Salvation……
God bless you as you charge forward on this call!
Friends – thanks so very much for the prayers. We need it.
Will – lets talk this week.
Jamey – I would love to get with you and glean from your wisdom about the city.
I am so excited about the call that has been placed on your heart! Shoot, it makes me almost want to move to Memphis…. almost
Praying for guys!
Nicole
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Jonathan, call me. Sam at Hope. 662-610-9110.
Hey Jonathan-
I was thinking that might be the outcome of your trip. There is something about the mountains of Missouri that cause us to hear the call to church planting. The Ozarks is where Amy and I got our orders to plant again.
I’ll be praying for you and your family as you’re moving forward.
Very exciting! Will be praying for you guys!
jonathan – call me when you get some time.
Congratulations bro. This is exciting stuff. I’m really pumped for you. As soon as we have more than monopoly money it’s yours.
Friends – thanks so much for the encouragement. I feel the love.
Pray for me as I enter in the fund raising stage. This has not been an easy process given the current economic climate.
Thanks for the prayers and support.
Jonathan…thanks for letting others view your proposal. Its well put together & its super helpful for guys like me who may be called to plant in the future.
Let me know when you start meeting. I just moved here and am looking to join a community that is authenic and real and loves Jesus:)
Blessings,
Cynthia
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