We can’t. God can.

We are coming up to a very pivotal time in the life of Living Hope. We've discussed this nebulous concept of "launching" for some time now, but we have yet to see it come about. That's going to change in the next few months. I'll be filling everyone in on the details this Sunday.

For now, here's what you need to know: we can't. I don't want to sound cheesy by any means, much less cliche, but we simply can't do it. There are a hundred things that need to be done and need to be ready to make for a good launch according to all the experts. Don't get me wrong, I don't disparage the wisdom of those who have done this many times over. I want us to be as successful as we can be and need to be in the realm of pragmatics and methods so that we can be as efficient as possible in terms of being eternally successful by reaching the lost with the glorious hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That being said:

We can't grow our church beyond 50. But God can.

We can't find a building to hold more people adequately. But God can.

We can't find a person who loves children and wants to pour themselves out for them by leading our children's ministry and nursery. But God can.

We can't find a person who has the heart and experience to do this youth group thing in such a way that it is close enough to what both students and parents expect yet different enough from that to be impacting upon a student's life. But God can.

We can't find a worship leader who is not only greatly gifted, but greatly rooted in Scripture and transformed by grace—and is available. But God can.

We can't afford to pay for my salary, support staff, or any bills and/or ministry expenses above what we currently have and operate with. But God can.

We don't have enough men to lead their families in such a way that changes an entire city and shapes its culture. But God does.

We don't have the wisdom to make this thing last more than a few short, fiery months before it fizzles out into nothing more than a faded memory. But God does.

We don't have the power to change people's minds from the "elementary principles of this world" that are inherent in the religious presumptions that our city and its people have at their core. But God does.

We can't make the gospel beautiful to those who are blind. But God can.

Time and time again, without fail, we are lacking. But God isn't.

More often than not I am faithless. But God isn't.

I am weak. God isn't.

And with all of these things in mind, we simply can't. But God can. And he has promised He will.

It's time for us to pray like it, to work like it, and to trust like it is in fact the case. Would you join me? Our city needs hope. We can't put it in their hearts and we can't make them see it. But God can. Therefore we go.