Toronto, Eh?

I'm sitting at LAX, waiting for my flight (so what's new?!). But this trip promises to be something different, something special. I'm heading to Toronto, back to Churchill Meadows Christian Church with a different purpose. I'm going to participate in a 3-day intensive on church planting. It's called "The Art of the Start" and features Phil Claycomb from Nexxus Ministries. He's something of an expert in this area of church planting and he'll be working with 12 of us in fashioning the nuts and bolts of what it means to launch a new work. All this excites me on a couple of levels. First, this is my "summer" trip this year. Because I'm involved in our new church launch (projected for September), I thought it best to be around this summer to get things ready. I have a team of great leaders who will assume responsibility of the teams we're sending, so this is my go-time. Second, I'll get to re-connect with the family at Churchill Meadows and Impact Canada (led by Jim and Claudia Tune), with whom we partner as a church. I'm blessed beyond measure with these people, so getting to check in with them is always a special treat. And finally, I can't wait to work on principles and plans for our new church project. There's much to learn and do, and I'm anxious to continue to weave together our plan for what we see as a unique opportunity to extend the borders of God's Kingdom in our own backyard. Lots to do, lots to see, lots to learn. it doesn't get much better. Thanks in advance for those of you praying for me on this learning experience. I'll check in here and let you know how it's going. And I have no doubt it will go well.