Have you ever sensed God doing something really great, cheering for it from the sidelines, only to realize He’s actually putting you in the game? That describes my personal journey over the last few months.
Over thirty years ago, God called me to give my life to the Gospel ministry. Most of that time has been pastoring local churches; and for the last 9 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Senior Pastor of Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Now the Lord is calling me to step away from my current role to become the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson, a coalition of Gospel-loving churches who work together for the good of everyone in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Green Hill Church is an incredible faith family! The people of Green Hill have loved my family and me so well. And they have taught me a lot about loving people who haven’t quite made it to church yet. A few years ago, we began to rethink what church success really looks like.
New Questions
Our mission of making disciples of Jesus who live for His kingdom never wavered, but we began asking some new questions.
For example, instead of just asking, “How’s our church doing?” we began asking, “How’s our city doing?” Are there fewer lost people, broken people, hungry people, addicted people, despairing people in our city now than there were three or five or ten years ago? What can we do, what does God want to do to move the needle in our city, or in our case, our county over the next decade to bring transforming help and wholeness?
We stopped and lingered over the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah’s words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon when he told them to plant their lives in the city, pursue the peace of the city, and pray for the city. We took note of how Jesus both shared and showed the Gospel to the most vulnerable around him. And we watched how the apostle Paul and other early believers engaged every sphere of influence in the cities to which they were called.
I then watched our church respond with a heart for our city demonstrated in racial reconciliation efforts, first-responder support, school partnerships, ministry to homeless men, and in many other ways that brought Jesus and His Good News closer to people who lived in the most vulnerable pockets of our community. It was amazing to watch, but it was also formative in my life.
New Partnerships
Sensing God’s favor, we connected with leaders from every sphere of influence in our community in genuine friendship to discover how churches could better serve our city and our county. Those leaders rallied around us and encouraged us. Then we reached out to local pastors and churches, and they too responded with enthusiasm to work together for the good of every person in Wilson County.
Now over 40 churches and dozens of nonprofits, business leaders, and government entities see one another as partners in this good work. But to take our next step to join God’s activity, He’s called me to give myself to lead this effort as we encourage and resource churches, and build and expand collaborative networks throughout Wilson County and beyond.
I’ve never known anything other than serving the local church, so it’s my expectation that will continue as Everyone’s Wilson comes beside pastors and churches to inspire, equip, and unleash believers to give lasting hope to people in every corner of our community.
This kind of move does not happen without the support of a lot of people. First, Green Hill Church will continue to be a home church for my family and me, but it will send me out as an ambassador or missionary to our community. Also, our Everyone’s Wilson Lead Team has walked with me through this process. And then to set ourselves up for the best success possible, Operation Andrew Group in Nashville, Tennessee will partner with us as our umbrella organization serving as our “incubator” as we take steps to become an established nonprofit in the months ahead.
This is a big move for our family and me, but we could not be more excited. And we are absolutely confident that the God who leads us is the God who is with us and the God who goes before us.
What Can You Do?
I’m glad you asked.
First, while we are starting a nonprofit, that is not our highest aim. We are believing God to ignite a movement that transforms our community and communities like ours across the country. So my first request is for you to partner with us in prayer.
Second, I’m asking for your partnership as we join Jesus’ kingdom work. Kingdom partnership does not require perfectly uniform beliefs or even precisely aligned motives, but it does mean we care about the same things and commit to work together to see those things accomplished in our community. So I’m asking you to champion Everyone’s Wilson in your church, your place of business, and in your areas of responsibilities because I believe we can do great things together.
One great way to partner is to subscribe to this newsletter (if you haven’t already) and to share it with others.
Finally, your financial support is a game changer. To accomplish the dream God has put on our heart will require significant funding. We’re praying for $1,000,000 in gifts and commitments over the next three years. So we’re trusting God for generous and regular donors that include individuals, churches, corporations, and eventually foundations.
All contributions are tax-deductible, and you can give in two ways. First, you can make out a check to Everyone’s Wilson and send it to:
Everyone’s Wilson
c/o Operation Andrew Group
PO Box 128213
Nashville, TN 37212
Or you can give online here.
Thank You!
As I close, I want to thank you for your friendship and for joining me on this journey as we learn what it means to follow Jesus together, to love like He loves, and to live for His kingdom. May it be here in our community as it is in heaven!
Photo credit: Bethany Miller Photography She’s the best!
Praise God ,Daryl This journey your on, got my attention fast.. I stared in the mirror one fine Sunday morning. Regretting not having much to lay at Jesus feet upon my arrival into Heaven. Long Long Long story made short .. Laymanlessons.org soaked into my life . Come join me one Saturday morning 8 :15 to 11:30 I get to look into the eyes and hearts of the most amazing men and woman hungry for the Lord's supper and love from My Jesus. I get to take the church to them... Please Please come join me. bring several buddies too ( Brandon and Kim Spurlock are me nephew and niece.. Lets talk 615 354 3000 Lillian Weist