To be the city of God for the city of Griffin.

That's what came from many weeks of prayer on my way home from work going the "long way" just to sit in an abandoned parking lot and ask God what He was doing in my heart.  It took a few weeks...some tears...some coffee from Safehouse, but these were the 9 clear words from God.  

Matthew 5:14 : You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Jeremiah 29:7 : But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

In 30 seconds God brought these two verses to mind and in a split second molded them into one clear vision...

'The city of God for the city of Griffin'".

10 seconds later...

A city for the city.

There have been a few moments that a few words brought so much clarity.

"I believe."
"I do."
"Its a girl."

And on that Tuesday, God used a few words to fill my entire heart.  I wrote it down.  We prayed over it.  We thought about it.  I said it out loud a hundred times while driving by myself in my truck.  Prayed over it some more.   

This was it.  This is it.  This is what God is calling our family to.  We want to be a church that is actually for the city.  That we would stop at nothing see the message of Jesus change the hearts and lives of the people of Griffin.  So because God is for us we are for the city.

for the single mom. 
for the small business owner. 
for the city manager.
for the homeless man.
for the 5th grade student.
for the pastor that does things completely different than we do.
for the addict.
for the one who won't step foot into a church.
for the people of the city.
for the city.
A city for the city.

We have held on to and protected it for the last twelve months and have grown quite fond of it.  But now it is time to invite others in... 

Here is what we are asking of you.  Write it down. Pray over it.  Think about it.  Drive through Griffin.  Say it out loud in your car a few times.  See what God does in your heart.  Our prayer for you is that He would fill your heart in the way He has filled ours.  It may not be with the same words, but if it is maybe we are on to something.  

Maybe He is calling you to be a part of CITY CHURCH...the city of God for the city of Griffin.