by David Docusen | March 11, 2010 | Uncategorized
I had a great meeting today with Pastor Larry Brey from Elevation Church. They are doing amazing things in the Charlotte community as thousands of people have met Jesus through their ministry.
I have so enjoyed meeting so many pastors in our community. We are all a part of God’s plan to show his love to this community in a real, genuine and applicable way. Same goal. Different methods. And we are all in this together.
Thank God for Elevation Church – and so many other churches – that have come before us and laid the foundation of God’s tangible love in this community. We honor them for what they have done and look forward to joining arms with them in the weeks, months and years to come.
by David Docusen | March 11, 2010 | Uncategorized
Dara and I felt God’s call to North Carolina over two years ago. We visited this area with every intent of planting a church. That was our plan. And I’m so glad God’s purposes were accomplished instead.
We met Pastor Mike Field through a mutual friend. We found out that he was planting Hope Church in North Charlotte. The more we talked with Pastor Mike, the more Dara and I were convinced that we were supposed to place our dream on hold of leading a church plant. God was calling us to support Pastor Mike and his dream to plant Hope Church.
I am so grateful for the time that we spent at Hope Church. It gave us a greater understanding of the commitment necessary to start a healthy church. We were able to learn so many lessons from so many great men and women that we met through our ministry at Hope. This experienced seasoned us. Humbled us. Taught us how to depend on God and not our own learned devices. Dara and I grew in our marriage and as parents. We learned vital lessons as pastors and church planters. Turns out, some lessons can only be learned through patience and waiting on God’s timing.
In my mind, I thought we were supposed to lead a church plant two years ago. But God knew that it wasn’t our time. We needed more seasoning. More experience. More painful lessons. More faith-building victories.
What dream do you have in your heart? What great thing has God created you to lead, create, join or explore? Pursue your dreams with all of your heart, but leave the timetable to God.
**Proverbs 16:9 – In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Let God determine your steps. We thought our timetable was two years earlier. Turns out, two years later was just in time.
by David Docusen | March 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
John Gum (Associate Pastor at Center City Church) and I spent time today working on our budget for Center City Church. This is such a vital piece to the puzzle for us. And it’s an area that we are praying for God’s wisdom and direction as we aim to steward well the money God brings our way.
I am so grateful that God has placed great people around us. John has a great business mind and really enjoys crunching numbers. This is not an area of strength in my life, so it’s vital to have John as a part of our team.
Starting a church is a team effort. I love our team.
by David Docusen | March 7, 2010 | Uncategorized
This has definitely gone down as “one of those weeks.” Every person in the Docusen family got sick this week. We have traced it all back to Chuck E. Cheese. It seems that our three year old, Jack, picked up something from Mary’s birthday party there last week. He got a stomach bug and it effectively passed to all six of us.
Lesson? Don’t suck your thumb. Jack does this. Maybe this will motivate him to break that habit. Let’s hope.
We’re all back to full swing and looking forward to another great morning at Center City Church tomorrow. Thank God for a healthy family again!
by David Docusen | March 3, 2010 | Uncategorized
Dara and I have spent the past three days caring for three of our four kids while they have been sick. Two of three days have been all nighters for mommy and daddy. All of this while we are in the days and weeks leading up to the opening of Center City Church on April 4th.
Life doesn’t seem to take note of the busy seasons. Kids still get sick. House still has to be cleaned. Appointments still have to be kept.
This has been a very challenging week. And that’s ok. It’s all a part of the deal. Dara and I are in this together. The kids are our privilege to be able to raise. Center City Church is a huge honor to lead.
Husband, Daddy and Pastor are all roles that I embrace with a grateful heart. Even when the combination is exhausting.
