08/24/2016
We are praising God for His leading in Danny and Kristen Brooks' lives as they walk by faith to partner with us in church planting in the Salt Lake valley. This last Sunday, Danny announced to his congregation, Heritage Bible Church, that beginning in 2017, they will begin raising support to move their family to Utah with a goal of relocating in June.
Danny posted the following update yesterday.
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"This past Sunday we shared with our Heritage Bible Church family that we’re relocating to Salt Lake City next summer. The Spirit, the scriptures, the counsel & encouragement of family and friends, and circumstances aligning at this time have been the means of God’s shepherding us into this decision. It’s been a slow and steady process of decision, but how thankful we are for God’s care in our lives.
Sent out by Heritage Bible Church, in partnership with Gospel Grace Church of SLC and by the grace of God we hope to do church planting in the Valley. I’ll be remaining in the current position as pastor of HBC through December 31 and then shifting into church planter status and mode January 1. We’ll be preparing for ministry in SLC, raising support, and giving our kids the opportunity to finish the school year here before we move west in June. And all of this as the Lord wills.
Kristen and our children are 100% for this. I’m grateful for a wife & best friend who happily partners with me in a huge change like this. I’m grateful for the way our children have eagerly embraced God’s will even though it means change and challenge for them too.
I’m grateful for the elders and deacons who have prayed with us, shared their wisdom, pushed back with legitimate questions & concerns, encouraged, and supported us. And the pastoral team & staff I work with are remarkable! These men and ladies are already shouldering an enormous load; these plans have made the load significantly heavier.
One of several passages God has made alive in our hearts is Romans 8:29: "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." Did you know that at this very moment less than 3% of the population of the greater Salt Lake area claims to know and follow Christ? That does not seem to be many. We believe there are more brothers to be won for the Son than 3%. How thankful we are for those who have faithfully labored in the Valley for decades! They are part of the reason the Valley seems ripe for the gospel. But we believe that the Father’s promise has more fulfillment to be realized. Is it not reasonable to think that He has foreknown and predestined more than 3%? Is it not reasonable to think that significantly larger numbers than 3% of people made in His image and for His glory should know Him and love Him and worship Him? And if the gospel is the power of God unto the salvation of all who believe, will not gospel preaching be the means of salvation for the many in SLC? And is it not reasonable to believe that it is God the Father’s plan to employ ordinary people like us to preach that gospel in SLC? Has God ever had another plan? (Look up Romans 10:13-15.) Such Scripture and such thoughts are what compel us to go. So on the basis of the promises of God the Father to God the Son pray with us that by the power of God the Holy Spirit many brothers will come to be conformed to the image of the true and only Son.
So much more could be written, but thanks for sharing our joy and wonder in this work of our Shepherd-King. Grace to you!" - Danny Brooks