As many of you know, in 2003-04 Kimberly and I were making plans to plant a church out of Heritage in Ann Arbor, MI. Three family units were planning to move with us from SC, but in God's providence that plan never materialized. All three of those families eventually moved to the Midwest (Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois), and we are still here in the South.
My interest in all things Ann Arbor was piqued this morning by an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled "Ann Arbor and Warren: A Tale of Two Economies." It is no secret that the Michigan economy has been battered due to the downfall of two of the Big Three automotive companies. This article, however, shows that all is not lost in the state. "Michigan's economic future rests on making the state look more like Ann Arbor," the writer asserts, "and less like Warren, 50 miles to the northeast, where factory buildings and warehouses built on the riches of the Big Three auto makers bear signs saying they are 'priced to sell.'"
What intrigued me about the article is not just the Ann Arbor side of this equation. I grew up in Troy, a northwest Detroit suburb, but my home church and its accompanying Christian high school were in Warren. Those who are from the area originally and those who still call southeast Michigan home may find this piece to be of interest.
Note: Every once in a while, I am asked whether Ann Arbor is a possible destination for us. The answer is, I don't know. I haven't given the city much serious consideration since I went on pastoral staff at Heritage. Sure, sending me to Ann Arbor would be like throwing Br'er Rabbit into the briar patch. ("Oh, please, do anything! Just don't send me there!") But the reality is, Ann Arbor is a gospel-poor town. I praise God for the churches that are faithfully preaching the gospel there, but the needs are great. Whether God would send me there, I do not know. But I long for God to raise up strong, college-town, gospel-preaching, Christ-exalting churches (like this one up the road in East Lansing near Michigan State University). If he should choose to use me to that end, I would be thrilled. Whether this is in our future or not, however, I pray that he would raise up many others for this work in his kingdom.
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5 comments:
Matt,I feel very connected to this post. I grew up in Troy, I have a sister that goes to a church near Ann Arbor, I just visited University Reformed Church over Christmas break in order to reccomend that church to a friend that goes to MSU, and I just met and talked with Kevin Deyoung at a recent conference in Baltimore. I would love for you to begin a similiar ministry in Ann Arbor. There is a great need and you would be a great theologian/pastor to do the job. I hope you get that opportunity.
Luke,
Thanks for your kind words. If God should open that door, I'd be glad to enter it. Feel free to pray to that end. Who knows what our great Sovereign will do!
Hope all is well with you!
Blessings,
Matthew
Matthew
Wow. I had to respond to this because I am so thankful for the role of the church in my kids' lives as they have attended university. When young people are faced with an onslaught of daily secular world view, the local church with a Biblical world view can be such a strong refuge.
I, for one, would be distressed personally (because I am undeniably a selfish person and because you mean so much to our family) to have you leave our area. Greenville is a nice easy place to live....Even the public schools have many Christian teachers.
But on the other hand, as one who has been blessed by another's ministry to my kids while they were in college, I would commit to praying for you. My kids have grown so much in their faith while at secular schools, and I thank God for those who ministered the Word to them.
Not only is the ministry to students so important, but I am more convinced than ever that someone has to be able to reach the professors at the universities. That would be exponential evangelism, in my opinion.
Just some thoughts...
Mary V.
As always, Mary, excellent, thoughtful comments. Thanks for sharing.
I have no clue where God will ultimately lead us. We certainly have no desire to leave our family at Heritage, but we are well aware that we are merely his servants and will follow as he leads.
We love your family! You have shown us much of our Savior.
Blessings,
Matthew
Matt,
I happened upon your blog today. I'm a prospective church planter in Ann Arbor serving as the Church Planting Resident at Grace Ann Arbor (http://www.graceannarbor.org). Lord willing, we'll plant a church in A2 sometime in 2011. I've been blogging about things at http://intersected.org.
If you feel God again calling you to Ann Arbor to plant, please give me a holler. I'd love to help however I can
Chris
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