My friends Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens are moving from Atlanta to start a church in Chicago called Soul City Church.

They’re risking it all to chase the dream God has placed in their hearts. Just being around them right now makes my heart start beating fast.

Many of you know this weekend is our Faith, Hope and Love offering at Cross Point. We’re trying to raise 2.25 million dollars to plant a new campus in Bellevue, start two Hope centers, and launch a 5th campus we’ll plant in late 2010. I would by lying if I told you I haven’t had a few (or 113) moments of anxiety over the past few months. It seems like the closer we get to this weekend the more I have to remind myself that God is in control.

I had a conversation with Jeanne a couple days ago which was an absolute God send. She said through the process of planting this church God has clearly told her 3 things.

1) When you’re tempted to fear, lean into faith.

2) When you want to control, you must let go.

3) When comfort lures you, choose sacrifice.

Oh. My. Those statements couldn’t have had a greater impact on me if God himself had whispered them in my ear.

I just keep repeating these three things over and over and over again.

And I think I just might be finally getting it.

I would really appreciate your prayers for this weekend as it’s a historic opportunity for a whole bunch of spiritual risk tasking. It’s going to be fun to watch so many people enter into the journey of trusting God in a new way!