Shownotes
Episode 016 Church Planting with April Whedbee

Background
The Whedbees have been in Tampa for 5 years

How they got there:
Church plant as the primary focus and call
Influential friends
Through prayer, God began to change April’s heart
Acts 13 Churches plant churches
6-8 months after visiting Tampa, they were there!
Covenant Life Church
Lived in the 600 sq ft guest house of members of the new church they came to be a part of (Christ Covenant)

Ruth 1:16…where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge
God began to give clarity and peace
Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 
They spent 16 months in the church they became a part of while raising support for The Heights
Core team developing
The Heights Church - 9/11/16 first service at YMCA

Find a local church that has a heart for church planting and a heart for the city/area
Core team ~23 team (1/2 from Covenant Life and 1/2 from Alethia) that came together
Regular meetings on Sunday nights (early 2016)
Then mission statement, core values (summer 2016) “The Heights Church exists to make disciples who love the city, love Jesus, and love the nations”
Southern Baptist church- church planting network “Treasuring Christ Together” from (Bethlehem, Minnesota)

Setup of the church plant
Brandon and Drew (the only staff pastors/elders)
Brandon-music and some preaching
Drew-mostly preaching and city groups (small groups)
There is another lay pastor/elder as well (he has a full time job but serves as elder)
Meeting space has evolved from YMCA workout room to being given a church that is free and clear (no debt)
Tampa Bay Baptist Association - big on church revitalization
Soujern Church in Kentucky (research and surveys for the community)
Outreach- events for the community, involvement in schools, big brother/sister, tutoring, teacher appreciation
Friendships draw families to church - love the child and the family will love you too
Barriers/challenges - Spanish speaking community in the location they are in (reaching immediate area they are in). 
Recent conversions, watching God save people and use them, and transform lives

It was a challenge to move. April personally struggled with social anxiety (not her typical M.O.). Starting over in her early 30s was difficult
April opened her Bible and He led her to Mark 5:25-34: Woman with the issue of blood…when she touched the hem of his garment, Jesus calls her daughter. That was RADICAL language, signifying very close family. He calls US daughter. He knows us. 

Galations 4 we know God, but even moreso we are known by God (the creator of the universe!) That is a massive deal. He is all we need
There are trials and victories, even answering the call but they have brought them closer to the Lord.
Lamenting - in the Psalms, crying out to God through health issues.
Psalm 46 Rest, Be still, Cease striving, rest in Me, depend on Me

To those considering being led to plant a church - find a church/support system/sending church.
Have godly people praying for you and affirming things in you. 
Seek God’s will and consume the daily diet of God’s Word.
John 17: Jesus’ high priestly prayer. Specifically, verse 17, Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is the truth
Qualities they possessed- spiritual gifts, humility, and flexibility, 
Timothy and Titus - leadership qualities in the church and the role of a pastor
Safeguards, meetings, pouring into each other to prepare leaders
Praying for rest and healing, guidance with city groups
John Piper “…the pace to finish the race”
April’s primary mission field is her home and raising her 2 young boys