Berkeley-2-Austin Gracepoint Church
July 11, 2008
The seed of our Austin church plant is in Texas soil. Yesterday, around 6am, hundreds of us from Waypoint Community Church & Gracepoint Fellowship Church in Berkeley (now, I have to specify since there is a Gracepoint in Austin!), gathered at the baggage claim area of Oakland airport. It was a sight to see. Only a dozen people were traveling, but a few hundred showed up to send them off with song, prayers, and love. We waited until they cleared through the security lines and waved our final goodbyes until we could see them no more…
I was standing next to Pastor Ed Kang as Pastor Manny Kim and the team turned the corner and entered the terminal. In my mind, I was thinking, “Manny must be feeling a load of burdens on his shoulders like never before!” At the same time, I was also envious of how he will be able to experience the thrill of clinging to God like never before… I still remember the time when my family moved up to Davis 10 years ago — all the excitement, fears, anticipation, and all of the above. The last words I gave Manny at the airport were, “…the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9b). That’s what I experienced over the past 10 years of heading a church plant and that’s what I’m confident of for him.
Here is a picture of the initial members (plus some who were fortunate enough to tag along for a few days to help them settle down and enjoy some good Texas fattened calf!). 
Gracepoint Fellowship Church Berkeley to Austin
Entry Filed under: Gracepoint Fellowship Church, Leadership Lessons, Ministry Lessons. Tags: Gracepoint Church Plant.
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1. joongwlee | July 11, 2008 at 12:55 pm
P.S. My son just told me what Nico’s last words to him were. It was spoken in the car ride down to Gracepoint church on Wednesday late night. Nico turned to Taylor and said, “Pee pee. Pee pee.” Taylor promptly relayed these simple, yet profound last words to the driver, lest they be left in his minivan as they were passing by Berkeley…
2. Susanna | July 15, 2008 at 2:24 pm
This reminds me of the excitement when we moved up from Berkeley to plant the church here in Davis. I’m confident Gracepoint Austin will enjoy God’s blessings as they enjoy the close fellowship among team members while it’s still small. We’re praying for you!
3. akim | July 19, 2008 at 8:26 pm
It doesn’t get easier, but it is the right thing to do for the kingdom of God…As hard as it was, I was personally tremendously blessed and uplifted in faith. We love you, Gracepoint Austin!
4. joongwlee | July 22, 2008 at 11:32 pm
We Skype’d with Gracepoint Austin church plant team last week with the kids. The kids were so excited that they were screaming 90% of the time. It was a bit hard to hear and see, but it might have been their computer camera and mic. (John, did you get those on sale?)
5. longhorn fan | August 28, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Austin is Awsome! davis team just got back. kept saying how people were friendly and southern hospitality is great!
6. awesome austin | September 3, 2008 at 1:11 pm
we miss you john and kelly! it’s great to hear you guys are doing well there and all the excitement at gracepoint fellowship austin church!