Current Status of Epic

So for this post, I'd like to just give an update as to where Epic Church is at right now in our launch.

We have been continuing to grow our launch team, we now have I think 33 adults and a few less children. Our desire is that we will continue to grow with people who desire to be used to reach the people of Mishawaka.

We have decided against going with a full-out launch on October 11th. Instead, we will do a 2-Stage launch. On October 11th, we will begin our "Stage 1" services, where we will begin services on a Sunday night at a local church (location still to be found). During Stage 1, we will really try to grow our launch team and grow our finances so that once we officially launch, we can do it correctly and have the funds to have some great ministries. In March, we'll begin the Stage 2 launch, which is where we will announce it publicly and invite as many members of the community as we can to come. For this, we will be located in the Meadow's Edge Elementary School in South Mishawaka.

I would love for you to continue to be in prayer for our launch team. This process is very rewarding for all of us, knowing that people's lives will be changed dramatically by what we're doing now. It is also very taxing, though. Satan sees what we are doing and is using all he has to attack our team. A lot of our launch team has expressed that they are going through a lot of stress, doubt, depression, anger, sadness, and other emotions that they don't normally experience. Satan is trying to drag us down spiritually, so that we have nothing left to give when the time comes to launch. Thankfully, God has given us the vision and knowledge to recognize these thoughts and doubt for what they are, simply Satan planting doubts in our head because he knows what we are doing is... good. He knows that his reign in Mishawaka will be compromised by what we're doing, and is doing all he can to stop us. This is where we need prayer, just that we continue to recognize Satan's attacks and that we have the power to fight them and resist them!

As far as some prayer requests go, there are many, but a few main ones to be praying for are:

1.) Epic is in desperate need for a building to hold our services on October 11th. It is only a few weeks away, and a lot needs to be done in order for us to find a place. Just pray that God will open doors for us to explore and that we will find the place that He wants us to be in.

2.) Spiritual battles. Pray that our team will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will continue to be energized to make this church plant something that is completely radical and life changing. Pray that our hearts will be broken for the people of Mishawaka, and that our #1 focus will not be on petty squabbles, but on serving and loving the people of our community!

3.) Launch Team. Pray that as time goes on, more and more people will hear the call the join us in this church plant. As I said earlier, we have around 33 adults at this time, but are in need of more. Our children's ministry especially needs more people to step in and help. Our children's director, Erica Egolf, has an amazing heart and passion for God, but we only have 2 or 3 people that are also assigned to help in that aspect of ministry at the moment. We would love to have more people step in to passionately serve in this area!

4.) Jeremy and Ann LeVan. They are the pastor and his wife. Pray that God will continue to give them the vision and continue to instill in them a heart for this church and our community.

5.) Josh (me). I am nearing the end of my support raising, but I still have a bit to go. Pray that God will continue to provide for me this year financially. Pray that I will always keep my heart open to what God has in store for me. Pray that my heart will continue to be broken for the community. I just want to serve and be used for the kingdom in whatever way needed, and I pray that I can help restore this fallen world.

If you could keep us all in your prayers, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about Epic or anything, post something in the comment box or contact me somehow, and I will respond as quickly as I can.

Thanks,
Josh