letter to a friend...

In March it will be Epic Church's one year anniversary from our public launch. I recently sent an e-mail to my friend Mike reflecting on where God has brought us in this last year. Mike Moran is the Pastor of Kettlebrook Church in West Bend, Wisconsin. I really respect him and Mike and his church was the first church to "buy in" and partner in the dream of Epic. As I reflect on God's faithfulness over this last year, I simply stand humbled at how He has built His church beyond our imagination...To Him, truly goes all the Glory! Below is a portion of the e-mail that I sent to my friend Mike.

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Hi Mike,

You and Kettlebrook were on my heart this morning and I felt impressed to give you an update in regards to Epic in order to encourage you all and to allow you to celebrate with what God is doing.

As you last heard, we had made our Epic challenge of $53,000 in October of 2010 which made it so we were no longer in need of outside financial assistance. Since that time, Epic agreed to help partner with a church plant in an urban area in Michigan in addition to the church planters that we are supporting in Asia.

In November Epic was told about an incredible facility that had come available in the heart of our community. It’s an 18,000 square foot building that has a gymnasium that was built on in 2007. Additionally, it came with 10 acres of land. It’s located right next to an elementary school in the heart of several new subdivisions. What’s more, Epic was offered the deal of a lifetime – simply take over the mortgage of the property (for about $1,000 more per month than what we were paying for the rent of the school for 4 hours a week). After much prayer our entire congregation unanimously agreed that this was God’s provision and next step for Epic but not without first considering how this building would allow us to better live out our Vision and Values.

Shortly after acquiring the building I had an individual come to me and ask me to go to lunch. We went to lunch and he shared that he and his wife are absolutely thrilled with the vision and values of Epic along with direction that the church was heading. He then proceeded to tell me that he and his wife would like to donate $100,000 towards this new building for whatever the leadership deemed necessary for start up. He also asked that they be kept anonymous and that he and his wife do not want any type of “say” or influence on how the money should be spent...He went on to say that they are not the type that will leave a church if they don’t like how it was being spent... they just want to be a blessing. So, Epic is in the midst of doing some renovating so that we can have our grand opening in our new building on April 17th...it feels like we’re doing a launch all over again and it’s pretty exciting!

Additionally, we’re excited to mention that the nearby public school to the new property has already contacted Epic and asked if they could begin holding some sports practices in our gymnasium. We’re so thrilled that before this building has the opportunity to serve us on Sundays for our worship gatherings, that it’s already serving our community...and we have so many more ideas and plans on how we can serve our community with this new tool that God has blessed us with.

Finally, and a piece that I’m most excited about. Epic is going to be planting another church in Goshen, Indiana (about 20 minutes away from Epic). Epic is going to be the mother church and will be planting this church without any other assistance. We are looking to introduce our planter to our congregation and bring him onto our staff in the next week. He has already gathered his team and it looks like we will be able to get them holding their own worship services within the next several months. Naturally we would love for your continued prayers for Epic and this exciting new church plant.

In March, Epic will officially be 1 year old (from our public launch to our community). There have been several who have been reconciled to God and many more who are living far from God but have begun attending Epic and are taking their next steps with God.

I share all of this with you, because I was reminded once again this morning about the step of Faith that you and the people of Kettlebrook took in partnering with Epic. As I recall, you all were the first church to “buy in” as partners and soon several others jumped in and followed the lead of your testimony and faith step. Thanks for being the first to believe in what God could do, we are so grateful for your belief and we trust that you are encouraged by the fruit that has sprung forth for the Kingdom of God! To Him be all the glory.

Anyway just want to say that I’m so grateful for you and our brothers and sisters at Kettlebrook!

-Jeremy