I spent the week at EXPONENTIAL '08 The National New Church Conference in Orlando, FL (www.exponentialconference.org/). It certainly got my juices flowing about starting new churches and reinvigorated my vision to create a consortium of churches that work together to start new churches in South Jersey and into Philadelphia. There was, however, one nagging truth that hounded me all week; it was never really clearly laid out by any speaker, but I really felt that for this to happen I need to pray more. I was convicted that I don't nearly pray enough for the larger issues affecting God's kingdom in South Jersey or transforming this local region.

It is so easy to get consumed by my own life issues or those affecting my local church. I want to keep my eyes (and heart) looking forward into the future, to pave the way with prayer. I shouldn't be surprised as 16 years ago it was prayer that birthed Hope Chapel amidst resistance. Whether or not others join me, I will be praying for new churches to sprout up in our region, churches that will be used of God to transform both hearts and communities.