In 2012, the Lord put business in Karyne’s and my heart. I was about to complete my Master of Theological Studies and begin a career path as a pastor. But the Lord started putting business on our hearts! I was so confused. How could the Lord call me to ministry and call me to start a business? It didn’t make sense.
But as we sought the Lord, as we sought council, and as we wrestled with these ideas, one thing stood out to us – “to be a church outside the church walls”. I was leading Overflow and what we had was so good. We had relationships, we had family, and most importantly, we had the presence of God. It was so good that I wanted to share it with the world! Youth groups all around us were struggling and coming to a youth group was out of the question for so many. The conviction that God put on our hearts was “to be a church outside the church walls”. Hence, a Kingdom focused business.
Recently, I had the privilege of going to a franchisee conference where I would meet different business owners and managers from across Canada. We spent time doing business things on a business agenda. It was exactly what was to be expected. Yet, in God’s amazing way, He allowed me to be a church outside the church walls.
In being given the chance to speak to others in the conference and given the opportunity to share the greatest challenge I faced in 2024 to the entire group. I shared with 100+ people that for the very first time in my life, I had a panic attack. It was amazing to see how quickly people started coming to me and sharing their own challenges with anxiety and how it has taken a toll on their lives. I shared the harsh reality of a body that was breaking down, but I shared the hope and glory of having faith and people to support and stand with me (that’s you Lifespring!).
I was reminded of what Paul wrote:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
– 2 Corinthians 12:9
I wasn’t planning on sharing so openly at this business conference. But just like inside the church walls – with God’s conviction to be transparent and share our struggles so that we can hold each other up as a Kingdom Family – God’s conviction to be the same at a business conference and be a church outside the church walls was and still is His plan over our business lives.
What we have at Lifespring is so good. We have relationships, we have family, and most importantly, we have the presence of God. People all over the world are struggling and going to church is simply out of the question for so many. As the Lifespring family, we need to be a church outside the church walls. We need to be a life devoted to the King and a life focused on the Kingdom of God.
Father God, I pray for the Lifespring Family to be all that you have called her to be. I pray that each person would be so sensitive to the voice and nudge of God that every place their feet step is an opportunity for the Kingdom of God to come to earth. I pray that we would be a light in the darkness and a church outside the church walls. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.