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This church plant didn't start with strategy. It started with a holy undoing.

For years, I served in ministry, preaching, leading, and doing everything I thought a faithful pastor should do. But looking back, much of it was fueled by fear of man. I lived for approval, a platform, and affirmation. I wore the title "pastor," but I performed for people deep down, not walking in reverent fear of God.

Then, four years ago, while reading the Word early one morning, God broke in not with a vision or a voice, but with clarity. Through the Scriptures, the Spirit of God exposed my pride, self-reliance, and empty striving. And in His mercy, He didn't crush me; He rescued me. He ripped me out of the fear of man and placed something far more terrifying and beautiful in me: the fear of the Lord.

From that moment on, I've been ruined for anything else. I can't unsee what He's shown me. I can't preach for applause. I can't serve for appearance. I can't keep pretending. I want Christ, only Christ, and others to know Him through the Word that woke me up.

As I began to see the church more clearly in Scripture, I also began to see my calling more clearly. I had helped a friend plant a church over 15 years ago, and I truly believed I'd never do it again. But this time, it wasn't about a dream or plan but obedience. God wasn't asking me to build something impressive. He was calling me to plant something faithful.

That calling has been repeatedly confirmed through Scripture, prayer, and people I never expected. One of those was Kenny, a guy from my high school days. Years ago, he told me, "If you ever start a church, I'll be there." I didn't take it seriously at the time. But six months ago, Kenny reached out of nowhere and said, "I'm in." He's been walking with us ever since. Others have come too. People who didn't know what God was stirring, but who felt compelled to respond when they heard.

So here we are. We are not yet meeting weekly. We are still registering the name. We are filing for 501 (c) (3) status. We are building systems. We are walking through the NAMB process. We are praying for a building on the Eastside of Cincinnati. We are preparing for meetups this fall and a launch in 2026.

But the foundation has already been laid in my heart. In repentance. In holy fear. In awe of a God who saves, sends, and sustains.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." —Proverbs 9:10
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." —Psalm 127:1

We're not planting a church for performance. We're planting because God did something in us, and now we must proclaim Him.

If He's stirring your heart, too… come. Pray. Give. Walk with us. The gospel is worth it.