Imagine that there aren’t enough beds for everyone in the city. Imagine that over time, to please everyone, rules have been made and systems set up where now no one is pleased or held accountable and where justice can’t be served. Imagine a city where evil appears to be winning, yet God is in the midst of conversations , the neighborhoods, the school halls, the ministry buildings, the church walls. Imagine a city where many people leave because it’s easier elsewhere. Because they can’t afford this place. Because fear is loud. Because the school system fails the family.

Yet as of fall 2019, Christians are staying put, standing up,

leaning in,

holding hands,

interceding,

taking action,

paying attention,

making introductions,

taking responsiblity,

saying yes to job offers and high rents and small spaces!

And when done in the Name of Jesus, she comes back to her faith, he smiles again, someone speaks to her in her heart language, he steps inside a home, she gets a hot meal, they get all their school supplies, he gets a blanket, she reconnects with her children.

Why do we still live in San Francisco?

Because we still have purpose here with the people we are called to love.

Because what Satan means for evil, God means for good. But people need to live here and tell their neighbors this. If Satan intends for teens to do drugs to mess their minds up, God intends for their minds to create, dream, imagine and change the world. If Satan intends for engineers and entrepreneurs to grow companies in order to profit themselves, God intends to breathe a much bigger purpose into people in San Francisco to make His Name great. If Satan intends for the homeless to stay homeless and the addicts to stay addicted, I believe God intends for His Church to love, take care, serve and extend grace and truth to those who live in this city with us. We don’t do this from afar. We do this up close. That’s why we still live in San Francisco! Think about where you live. You have the God-given opportunity of doing life up close with others because you live there.

God calls us into it together. “What if we choose to live in close proximity to one another so that our collective vision can come to life?” Jon Tyson, pastor of Church of the City New York, asked in his book, Sacred Roots: Why the Church Still Matters.

God has positioned hundreds of us in San Francisco to show people Jesus’ love. But we came to the city as a group of 14 misfits. Not rebellious by any stretch of the imagination! But miss fitting in. We moved in to stand out. To give to our city and her people a hope and a future and a love that is unlimited and eternal, and unlike anything the city’s riches and sights can offer. 14 of us became several hundred of us meeting weekly at the W Hotel downtown in typical start-up tear-down church-plant fashion. We moved a few blocks up Howard Street and experienced tremendous growth. Then God unlocked a basement space in a high-rise on Market Street where we’ve been since 2014. Now, we believe God is positioning Epic Church to have a permanent HOME in San Francisco that will last for generations to come.

We’ve seen companies start here and go global. And similar to a start-up, Epic Church began nearly 10 years ago and is in its third rented space. But we sense God calling us to give this city a church HOME. A way of saying, we’re not leaving. We’re here to stay. For you, for your children, and for those who will come long after we’re gone. Jesus loves our city and so do we. We are going to give ourselves to something that will outlast us - and we are the ones that get to participate in what God is calling us to do and tell the stories of His miracles, His signs and wonders.

We’ve seen God do wonders in this city. This will take a miracle. It’s been our story since day one. Why stop now?

Personally, I feel on mission here. It’s hard, but it’s right. This purpose has deepened and become more real with every passing season. Because I’ve seen God here. I’ve seen Him at work. He’s using us. He’s working in us.

We’re still in San Francisco because it’s where God has told us to be. And I don’t want to be anywhere else. Ben and I are locked in on this assignment for our lives and are giving our lives to the people of our city. We had to face this reality after God revealed it to us and before we approached our church family. Holding hands, we are committed to our marriage and our children, but made re-commitments to our church and our city for the long haul. We were the first ones to make a financial commitment to HOME and are honored to step out in faith and lead our church community to follow us as we follow the God of the city! Pray with us. Pray for wisdom. Pray for unity and for our church and city. Rejoice with us also. God is up to great things here!

Something to ponder. Why are you still where you live? If God hasn’t called you to leave, stay and give all you’ve got! Look for Him at work around you. Find a local church that you can be a part of. Meet your neighbors. Put those unique gifts to use! It’s what we’ve been doing day in and day out for over 3,000 days. And He’s always working. Let’s pay attention and get involved. This is what makes the best stories and what our HOME in heaven will be filled with - changed lives!

Why do you still live where you live?

Exclusive for subscribers: I’ve asked this question among some friends: Kristin Schell, founder of The Turquoise Table movement, Laura Lyn Donahue, poet and writer, Toni Nieuwhof and others who join us in the weekly newsletter!