The Miami Pursuit

Tropical Storm Fay

Blogger:  Matt

Many people from other parts of the United States and the world are following this blog and have expressed concern for us over Tropical Storm Fay. This was my first encounter with any named storm.  We don't name tornadoes or blizzards in Indiana, but maybe we should because it's the polite thing to do.

Besides a steady diet of rain and wind (a little bit of flooding in parts), Fay didn't effect us too much.  Thank you for all the calls and emails we continue to receive but we are all doing just fine. 

One thing I have learned, don't watch the local news. Meteorologists are excited as kids on Christmas morning when a storm with a name is anywhere close by.  They love the hype and getting their mugs on TV more than getting factual information to the public. 

Actually, Fay has been a godsend to the area of South Florida.  Lake Okeechobee, our main source for water, has been seriously low for over a year and Fay is projected to refill it to a much better level. 

Skype-ing Brazil

Blogger: Matt

Monday was an absolute blast for me. I had the opportunity to talk via Skype with my friends Zeca and Gabia who live in Brazil. What was even better was getting to "meet" two of their three delightful daughters, Talita and Larissa (I still have yet to have the privilege of meeting Melissa). Brent Foulke also joined us on the call.

As I've said before, Zeca and his family are passionate about starting new churches that are good news to the city and helping people find their way back to God. They've been doing that together in Brazil for years. But it appears God is leading them to a new location.

After meeting them in May, while they were in the States, we felt an instant bond with them. We shared the same values and vision. There are thousands of Brazilians who have relocated to South Florida, which is already one of the most unchurched regions in U.S. There is a great need for leaders, like Zeca, who are willing to take a risk and do whatever it takes to start more and more Jesus-loving, Jesus-centered churches in SoFlo.

Here's the news: The Pursuit, Zeca and his family are "pursuing" the possibility of them joining our team. Zeca, would officially become a Campus Pastor at the Pembroke Pines / Miramar campus for a period of time but then he would start another campus of The Pursuit in another area of South Florida (where there is a high Brazilian demographic). Our hope is we can begin working together in early 2009. There are obviously several hurdles we have to climb before this becomes a reality. Support raising and the visa process are the two biggest.

We would appreciate keeping this entire process in your prayers.

Merry Christmas, Miami!

Blogger: Matt

Even in a city where it hasn't snowed in 30 years, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation, a fancy word for God becoming man and living among us. God's great and perfect gift to His creation was Jesus, His Son. Three decades later, after Jesus accomplished the rescue mission he was sent for, he placed the Gospel in the hands of his followers along with the mission to take it to the ends of the earth. Just as Jesus was the physical presence of God, now the Church is the physical presence of Jesus.

The city of Miami is the second most unchurched city in the United States. Millions of people from all across the globe who call the Miami area home do not know of God's precious gift to all of us.

That's why we are here and why we need your help.

The Pursuit Christian Church is being planted in the Miami area to help point people to Jesus Christ. Our official launch date is January 27, 2008. That is about a month and a half away.

This Christmas season we are asking churches, small groups, families, and individuals to give generously to help The Pursuit Christian Church become a reality.

There are many tangible items we still need such as:
- Bibles for new guests
- Cribs for the children's area
- Sound equipment for the worship service
- Translation headsets for guests who do not speak English
- Communion and offering trays

You can even purchase items from our Children's Ministry Target registry.

Financial contributions are also needed. You can even make an online donation.

All contributions are 100% tax deductible.

Please take a moment and go to The Miami Pursuit website, watch the Merry Christmas, Miami video, download the Wish List and pray about what God maybe putting in your heart to give to the people of Miami, Fl.

Thanks for helping Miami have a Merry Christmas!

Jesus Community Center

Blogger: Matt

This past Sunday, my parents joined the Diaz's, Janie and me at the Jesus Community Center in Miami for their worship gathering. Led by John Bliffen, this group of about 75 Christ followers were an encouragement to our staff. They welcomed us warmly and celebrated what God was doing through The Pursuit Christian Church. I can see us partnering together in several ways in the near future.

Church Planting & Prom Dates

Blogger: Matt

Scared of rejection? If so, I do not recommend church planting.

I've been told "no" so many times over the past two weeks I am beginning to feel like our dog, Jeter. Actually, it brings back my high school days when I was on the prowl for a prom date. The worst feeling in the world is when you are a 16 year-old guy without a prom date and the day of prom is looming closer. A close second, is being three months out from launch Sunday and still no venue.

Our search for a venue has been a challenge to say the least. I've called schools, golf resorts, auditoriums, theaters, reception halls, colleges, playhouses, and community centers. The typical answer is, "I am sorry, we have a strict policy stating we do not rent to churches." Not sure when the bride of Christ became a bunch of lepers. The Pursuit staff is determined though. Every "no" is seen as another sign to the fact, Miami needs more Christ followers to BE the Church. It motivates us.

God has a "yes" out there. Keep praying.

A Little Taste of Home

Blogger: Matt

On Sunday, Janie and I drove to Miami Shores Christian Church for their worship experience. We have been wanting to go for several weeks but we were even more motivated because our friend Jose Maldonado, from Christian Financial Resources, was there giving a presentation.

Janie and I have been to several different churches in the past few months, but none welcomed us like Miami Shores. These people were authentically glad we were there. The whole church was a greeting team!

After a few songs, Martin Drummond (pastor) noticed we were there and made his way to officially introduce himself to us. We have talked a few times via email but it was good to finally meet him. Very nice guy. At the end of the service he introduced Janie and me and told the church what we were doing and asked if I would close in prayer.

Afterwards the church continued in their hospitality by welcoming us to the area and wished us well. On the way to lunch, Janie and I both agreed Miami Shores felt like the churches we grew up in.

We joined Jose for lunch at a Pollo Tropical and had a good time catching up. He shared with us that he, his wife and kids would be coming for launch Sunday (January 27, 2008) to help where there was a need. Very cool.

Prayer Need - Venue Update

Blogger: Matt

When I started this blog back in February, I wanted this blog to do two things:

1. I felt it was important for those who partnered with the Miami Pursuit to be able to know how to pray for us and what our needs are.

2. I also wanted this site to be a window into the process of church planting for those who might go through it at a later time. If they can learn from any of our successes (and especially our failures) it's a win.

Our staff had a bit of a shock this week and we are calling for you to pray.

I got a call late on Thursday that came from out of left-field. The theater where we thought our weekend worship services were going to be fell through. I honestly didn't see that coming. The local theater wasn't the problem and neither was National Cinemedia (the company that owns Regal, AMC and a few other chains). They were both great to work with. The problem was the company that leases out the retail spaces in that plaza. I won't mention the name of the company.

The reasons they wouldn't allow Regal to give us the space were 1) lack of sufficent parking and 2) they wouldn't allow non-profit or "religious" gatherings in any store fronts in the plaza. I will also choose to be silent right now what I think of their reasoning.

Let me get personal for a moment. After that phone call, I had a few moments where I felt Satan kicked me in the gut. Then I got excited. Why? This is just another reason why South Florida is exactly where God wants us to be. Miami is a place that needs Jesus and people aren't going to throw open the doors and welcome us to the neighborhood. This is going to be a fight . . . not a physical fight (I am boxing now in case it comes to that - haha) but a spiritual battle.

Our team needs your prayers. We are going out this week in full force and looking at other available spaces and we fully believe God has a better place for us. It may cost more. It may look different than how we envisioned it. It may stretch us.

But, as Brent Foulke (church planting guru) told me on the phone, "Matt, these are the most exciting moments in church planting." I got chills when he said that.

Climb in the ring with us ...Pray Pray Pray.

The Players are Almost in Position

Blogger: Matt

Alex and Erin are finally arriving this weekend and Bob and Linda Smith just put an offer down a condo. The staff of The Pursuit Christian Church is forming and I love what I see.

As the Lead Pastor, I know the game plan, I know the positions our team needs for the best chance to succeed but I also know there's a lot of trust that comes into play. I can't do everything. I would be stupid to try. I am not good at everything. Strike that. I am not good at most things. I've hired people to fill roles I have no business trying to fill. It's my job to keep pointing to the game plan, effectively communicate it to the team and let them do what they do best.

This struck home like lightning today when I was watching SportsCenter. I am not a soccer fan by any stretch of the imagination but when the World Cup comes around (men or women) I pay a bit of attention. The U.S. women's team was ranked #1 in the world and won 51 straight before this morning's face-off with Brazil. The U.S. coach, Greg Ryan, dropped a bomb shell on the team practically right before the game. He chose to start 36 year old, Briana Scurry, as goalkeeper instead of Hope Solo (which has got to be the coolest name for any goalkeeper ever ... male or female). Solo had not allowed a goal in 300 minutes! The U.S. looked deflated the entire match and was upset 0-4. By making this move, Coach Ryan stole the very team chemistry and momentum they had worked so hard to build.

I know I am going to make mistakes as a leader but empowering and trusting The Pursuit's staff and letting them win (and sometimes lose), I pray, will not be one of them.

The Smoot Hotel

The moving truck won't be here until Sunday so we are staying at Paul & Ali's until then. We left our cat, Peezer at the house and introduced Jeter to the Smoot's dogs, Mick & Jake. They are having a blast together.

We Have Arrived!

Around 7:00 in the evening last night Janie and I pulled in to our new house. Almost 20 hours in an SUV with a dog and a cat and everyone is alive and happy.

Here are a couple of pictures from the road.