Let me set up a scene for you: Last September (just about a year ago) I was on staff at this church, just outside Savannah, Georgia.  Having had a passion for church planting since I was 18 (when my parents planted the above church), I had felt for a while that God was transitioning that passion into a calling.  So I started to take every opportunity I had to read about church planting, meet with current church planters, and to explore opportunities in that area.

So back to last September — I showed up to a denominational information meeting in Macon, GA and sat next to a lovely young couple who weren’t exactly sure why they were at said meeting.  It was not the most exciting material I’ve ever been taught, but during the day I was able to spend a little time talking with this guy and his wife.  In our conversation he mentioned that he was very gifted in the area of administration.  I told him that was a gift set that is often missing in church planter types.

The following weekend, this fellow and I started attending the West Ridge Church School of Church Planting in Dallas, GA.  In fact, I stayed at their apartment the night before the first meeting.  During the time that we were both attending WRC’s monthly classes, I move to Pittsburgh, clarify God’s calling to start a church here, and begin working on Iron City Church.  This other guy continues to wrestle with what his next steps will be.  One day, during lunch at class (after much prayer on my part), I slyly mention that if I had any sense I’d get this guy to come on board to help me with administration (not one of my strong suits).  He responds that “he hasn’t been asked.”  To which I say, “Now I’m asking.”

Long story short, here we are, less than a year after first meeting and Jeff and Leslie Mousa have moved up from Georgia to serve with us on staff at ICC.  They’re passionate for God, passionate about the vision for ICC, immensely talented, and – good for me and Amber – they’re really good friends.  Please join me in thanking God for sending Jeff and Leslie to be a part of this movement called Iron City Church!