Jumping

One time a group of friends of mine coerced me into going deep into the woods in the middle of the night to walk along the railroad tracks to a train bridge that hovered about 60+ feet over Lake Allatoona. As the train came rumbling down the tracks we each (probably about 8 of us) stood on the ledge of the bridge. One of my friends said not to jump until his cue. But I was closest to the rumbling train which inched closer and closer as the seconds passed. As the "tornadic" sound of the roaring train began drawing nigh the train engineer began repetitively sounding the intensely loud horn. Hovered above Lake Allatoona on a hot summer night with train lights brightly glaring into my eyes I had a choice to make. Was I going to concede with the voice of the one telling me to wait for his cue before jumping, the one farthest away from the humming train? Was I going to take my chance staying on the ledge where the train could probably cause me severe injury? Or, was I going to leap off of the ledge at a time I knew was most critical? As the bridge began to shake and vibrate with the force of the train...I made a conscience decision to jump without the cue. I plunged feet first into the uncertainty of the dark water of the lake below. It was undoubtedly one of the most intense rushes of energy I've ever experienced.

This story reminds me of following God in faith....even with all kinds of voices trying to control you, even with intense pressure coming at you full force, even though what is before you is filled with uncertainty....if it's your destiny, your God-given call, you just have to JUMP.

MyDAY Friday

1. Another day at the Grind, working and praying.
2. It's been a busy week that has involved lots of driving.
3. Went to the "Holy Land" and hung out with the pastor of this church this week...very cool.
4. I am confident that we are going to win the competition.
5. LOST...that is a good name for this show.
6. I think it would be cool if we voted for the president the way people voted for people on American Idol...
7. The candidates give their best speech, then America votes, then have a result show the following night....and yes Ryan Seacrest would host it.

Archive

I wrote this a ways back...was reminded of it at a Church Planter round table today...this is definitely where we are living right now....

The Realm Of Impossibility

Recently I have been challenged in my personal time with God, and by other leaders to live inside the realm of impossibilities. That is, live inside the realm of the Ephesians 3:20. The realm of the impossibility is where God shows up and demonstrates His glory, and that is where I want to be. The challenge of living inside the realm impossibility is that it requires living life on the edge. It means living life with uncertainty. It means living a risk taking life of adventure. It means living life outside the realm of comfort...but it in this realm where God is experienced in a way that He can't be experienced elsewhere.With that in mind I have turned my prayer life into a prayer life of asking God for the impossible. I am praying for things that I have no possible way of accomplishing on my own. I am asking God to do things that will go undone unless He acts in a supernatural way.

You know, Noah probably looked pretty ridiculous when he was building a gigantic boat. Moses probably looked pretty ridiculous holding a stick in the water before it parted the Red Sea. And David probably looked pretty ridiculous walking up to a man twice his height with only a sling shot and a few stones. But when it is all said done God demonstrates His power and His splendor in the most unlikely, ridiculous, and unpromising situations.God shows up in the realm of the impossible....that is why I am praying for the impossible...I desire for God to show up!! I don't merely want to see what I can do....I want to see what God can do!!

Home

Arrived back home from NC and can truly say there is no place like
home. I had the awesome privilege of playing guitar for a few minutes
with my son, giving him his bath then putting him to bed. I miss that
little dude so much when I'm gone even if it is only for one day.
After that I walked my little girl to sleep in my arms. I love my
babies and I love my wife...way more than I love church planting. Glad
to be home.

Sundayness

1. Recovering from something fluish...not very fun.
2. Visited Pine Ridge Church this morning and got a good glimpse at how they do what they do.
3. My wife visited Revolution by herself this morning and had a great experience...except for the fact that Gary called us idiots for sucking him in to the D-fat Competition...but it just gives me all the more confidence that we are going to win...
4. Looking forward to meeting with Tadd and the other PRC staff that join us in the morning...Shea and I got lots of questions.
5. We sat in Starbucks for hours today fleshing out ideas for Reveal Church...I'm so pumped!
6. I do not like being away from my wife and babies...

D-Fat: Heating Up

Well...here is the deal...at the inspiration of Shawn Lovejoy's "Healthy Leader" message at this years cp conference and JR's D-Fat concept (and title of a book I think he wants to author someday) we decided to do a "Biggest Loser" church planter edition, respectively entitled, D-Fat. To find out the complete details check here. JR and Todd started out classy by offering to buy me a large piece of cake...Gary is talking smack over on his blog. But Shea and I are just going take care business and take all the other church planters money! So...to all involved go ahead and make your checks payable to Mark Ayers and Shea Ferguson, cause thats what your going to be doing anyway and you may as well plan ahead.

***UPDATE*** you can keep track of the D-Fat Competition here.

Cool People

I met and reconnected with some extemely cool people this week at the cp conference...some that live close....others not so much.

Jason Salamun: the only guy I have ever known in South Dakota. I was excited to hear what God is doing with him and his vision to reach the city with the mission of Project Church.

Lloyd Owens: right here in the ATL...I am pumped about his vision for the city.

Russ Butcher: this dude I met at Catalyst and reconnected with. He is from a cool church in Kennesaw, but planted a church and now is rocking it out over near the Covington, GA area...I'm sorry we only got to chat a little bit.

Scott McInnis: I just really like this dude. He and his wife are in a town south of the ATL called Senoia where they launched WellSpring Church...I was excited to catch up with him after I met him this summer pre-launch.

Bobby Tyler: this guy is planting in Las Vegas....he is beginning a cool work there. Can't wait to see how it goes.

Tadd Grandstaff: I'm going to hang out with him this weekend and learn all I can...it was great to meet him this week.

These are just a few I got to converse with briefly...hope to connect with some other guys at Unleash next month...if you are going let me know and let's chat.

Connecting

I feel that it is vitaly important for me to make as many connections as possible in the city of Flowery Branch and in Hall County. With that in mind I am attempting to be very dilligent in making these connections with churches, city officials, and businesses. We want to be on as many "radars" as possible. Today I have really worked to do this. My prayer is that these connections will be fruitful. I love the city and county that God has called me to, therefore, I want to be a significant part of it. Suggestions on doing this more effectively are much welcomed and will be much appreciated.

CP Conference 08

1. Much props to the cp boys Shawn and David for putting together one UNBELIEVABLE conference.
2. I am pumped up and charged up to go and rescue people from hell in the city (Flowery Branch, GA) and county (Hall County) that God has CALLED me to.
3. God used Bil Cornelius to rock my world and light me up!
4. Pastor Furtick....WOW!! I am praying a "Sun to stand still" prayer for Hall County!
5. Shawn Lovejoy brought a message about the Healthy Leader that was AMAZING....his transparency and vulnerability in communicating is something we need more of particularly from church planters and pastors...thank you Shawn I have been challenged and God has used it to move me to action.
6. Mark Batterson did a phenomenal job... but I was disappointed he didn't bring a lion to chase...or a goose...
7. Always love some Gary...who, despite his admirable confidence, will NOT win!
. All in all if you're a church planter and you missed this conference....I hope you had good reason...otherwise you're just stupid.

Sundayness

1. Had a great meeting with the pastor of the largest church in the Flowery Branch area...Jeff Crook is the pastor, Blackshear Place is the church....great pastor, great church!
2. Had some lunch at Texas Roadhouse in Gainesville, GA where Noah almost pulled the fire alarm.
3. The storms were a little crazy, really rainy, really windy, but nothing bad at our house.
4. Can't wait for the CP conference tomorrow....can't wait to meet some church planters!
5. My kids are awesome!
6. For some reason, both of my kids are instantly calmed in the car by the melodic sounds of Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony.
7. I was licensed for ministry at my home church tonight, by my mentor and my pastor....Dr. Johnny Hunt
8. I had to wear a suit tonight...I'm hoping it will be an extremely long time before I ever do this again...
9. Five Guys is unbelievable!
10. Go DAWGS! (it just needs to be said every once in a while)

Friday 7

1. I am out here somewhere in what feels like the middle of nowhere spending time with family on the lake for a couple of days.
2. There's always a free wireless hotspot somewhere...even in nowhere.
3. Thanks to Josh for giving me heads up about the God of This City song....it has truly rocked my world this week....I believe this 100% about Flowery Branch, GA and Hall County!!
4. Had some good meetings this week...I am excited about potential possibilities.
5. Have another meeting this weekend that is of great importance, I'm very excited about it.
6. The coffee shop I'm in right now is called Curiosity Cove...sounds like it sells a lot more than just coffee, but it's just coffee and books...at least 102 diet books...
7. Hiring staff is one of our top priorities right now...not being able to pay any staff makes that a challenge....but JR had something GREAT to say about this here.

PUMPED

I am pumped about the the churchplanter.com conference, EVOLVE..it is next week and I can't wait. I was out of town last year and I really wanted to go. This year I am there....can't wait!!

Prep Time

People ask me quite a bit what are we doing right now in the process of planting Reveal Church. My answer is prep time. We are preparing everyday, getting ready for God to move in Flowery Branch, GA. The prep time is absolutely crucial to the task. We have an enormous vision for Reveal, but that vision cannot come to fruition without the diligent work that has to be done during this prep time. It involves a lot of meetings, planning, brainstorming, strategizing, learing, etc. All this is necessary if we are going to see the fleshing out of our vision in Flowery Branch, GA. And this is something we are commited to seeing accomplished. As a church planter, you never get this prep time again and that is why it is crucial to make the most of it.

Busy

This has been a busy week...but it's been very fun. We have some important meetings this week, some more than others. We have one tonight, not sure exactly how it's going to go but I get to present the vision of Reveal Church so I'm pumped about that! I'm in Flowery Branch today....love this place...we are determined to take it captive for the glory of God!

Sunday To Me

• The excitement of having 2 babies never ends....a lot of late nights and early mornings...that was definitely the case this morning.
• I went to REVOLUTION and it was AWESOME....one word Gary....WOW!
• Ran into the guys from this church....they told me they were knockin' em out this morning...and according to Brian that's pretty "hard" to do :-)...these guys are cool
• I did a lot of reflecting and praying today...big things for REVEAL...
• We have been working on a lot of things this weekend, some things that probably should have been done a month ago...I am just a freak about making them just right
• I am looking forward to a good week....ready to keep rollin'...we got lots to do during this preparation time for launching REVEAL

Friday 7

1. Lots of things were accomplished this week, and for that I am glad.
2. I celebrated my 29th Birthday this week, can't believe I'm pushing 30...
3. This dude is AWESOME...and I am pumped to be on this journey with him.
4. We are praying about some exciting things, yet at the same time a little bit terrifying.
5. I am excited about meeting a bunch of pastors and church planters from the Hall County area next week.
6. I love church planting and church planters!
7. Looking forward to this a whole lot....and this...if you're a church planter do not miss these...it's worth the money and you will regret it if you don't go...I promise.

Insight

Today I was able to get some insight from some guys who are really doing it in the church planting world. I always appreciate getting outsider’s thoughts on what God is leading us to do in Flowery Branch, GA. It's pretty easy to accept people’s insight when you are in the beginning of this process, because you are still trying to figure a lot of things out. It probably becomes more difficult when you think you know it all later. I never want to be at a place where I am not willing to let others peek in and give us feedback.

Celebrate Good Times

Today marks a very important day in the lifespan of R. Mark Ayers....yep...it's my BIRTHDAY! I always enjoy my birthdays, and I know I will enjoy this one. The unfortunate thing about my birthday this year is that today marks the one year countdown to another age bracket. Next year I will be entering into my 30's. This is my last official year as a man in my 20's! I guess I need to make it count!!

Pondering...

We are considering different options as we begin the process of securing a meeting place for The Reveal. Apparently, the school systems in both our county and our city frown upon long term leases in their facilities. We're definitely not giving up, but we are being realistic and considering other possibilities. We have some time but we want to be dilligent. I got some great advice from other planters today that significantly helps as we journey through this process. I'm always grateful for planters who are willing to take time and offer their insight and wisdom. We definitely need each other in this journey...I certainly need them for sure.

Remedy

I was reading about David Crowder Band's new album Remedy in Collide Magazine. The article talks about the title track "Remedy" and says that the band is trying to communicate the fact that the church is not only charged to share the remedy, but also to be the remedy in our world. This resonates strongly with the vision and mission of The Reveal. Our desire as a church is to reveal Jesus BOTH in word and in deed. We will constantly be finding ways to penetrate our community and culture with the message of Jesus by being a large part of the solution to the community's needs. The Church of Jesus should be leading the way when it comes to solving the world's greatest challenges. Sadly, we are often more concerned with tackling issues of insignificance and criticizing the lost for doing things that...well...lost people do. It's time we wake up, take charge, and start BEING the remedy....then we might have better success in SHARING the remedy.

Fixed

I read an article in the local paper today that reminded me of some of the shamefulness of my past. In the midst of being reminded of the shamefulness of my past I was reminded of how Jesus came to fix my broken life. Even though I made a mess of my life, Jesus became broken for me in order to fix me. The reason we are starting The REVEAL is take this transforming message that Jesus offers healing to the hundreds and even thousands of people who are broken in the Flowery Branch and Gainesville areas. We will uncompromisingly proclaim with passion and compassion the hope that is Jesus!

Friday 7

1. God's up to something in Flowery Branch, GA and it's way bigger than me.
2. Vision and passion is greater than experience and knowledge, but that does not mean you don't go after the latter 2 it just means that you pursue them all the more.
3. LOST was unbelievable and living up to its reputation it left me confused...once again.
4. Having a baby girl has me learning a lot of new things.
5. Seeing my wife with 2 babies has once again confirmed how incredible she is.
6. Resilience as a church planter is a necessity...coupled with a clear call and a lot of prayer.
7. My birthday is in a few days...if anyone is looking for gift ideas see this post :-)