Firestarters

Trace Thurlby, KC

Have you ever wondered why some churches impact the world when others don’t? What gives a church energy, purpose, and vision? At GO, we believe it’s simple: the presence of God Himself. Yet, the reality is that God most often chooses to work through people.

Inside effective churches, one will find “firestarters.” Firestarters don’t just serve. They encourage others to serve as well. Their passion is infectious. Certainly Pastors can be firestarters, but any Pastor worth his salt will tell you they can’t do it by themselves. They need lay people to step up in leadership, step out in faith, and become a tool for transformation.

Pastor Jim West at Colonial serves with several firestarters like Kevin Tews, Chuck Wolfe, Doug Freeman, and many more. Doug is leading a Global Orphan Project team in Haiti this weekend. It’s no surprise that Colonial is impacting the world for Jesus, in Malawi, Guatemala, Haiti, and right here in KC. I know. It was Doug who first invited me to Haiti in 2006.

I had no interest. I had two small kids, no language or medical skills, and had never even considered going on any missions trip, much less to Haiti. If I had known Doug better, I would have said, “no” straight away. Instead, not wanting to snuff out a new friendship, I told Doug, “I’d pray about it.”

God used that small window of obedience to change my life. I’m grateful. Grateful for firestarters, like Doug Freeman; grateful for the team He is leading this weekend. Grateful for everyone Jesus is calling to care for His kids. Grateful for you.