Why We Moved Into A Camper
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In April 2021, my wife and I moved our family of 6 into a travel trailer. We sold many of our belongings and stored what little we couldn't part with. We left Chicago, a city we love very much, and we became nomads.
The only way to sustain our mission is fundraising. So, if you think 6 people living in 300 square feet that goes 70mph is crazy, imagine asking people to sponsor it. Many people have incredibly backed us and made this dream a reality to our delight.
…if you think 6 people living in 300 square feet that goes 70mph is crazy, imagine asking people to sponsor it.
PROVIDING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GOOD NEWS
We're approaching our 1st anniversary of setting sail as mobile missionaries, and I am both surprised and not surprised by what we've found. The vision that drew us into this was that people everywhere are desperate for conversations about their spiritual questions, not canned answers.
The vision that drew us into this was that people everywhere are desperate for conversations about their spiritual questions, not canned answers.
I joined Lark to help bring community, connection, and encouragement to those who are exploring what God is really like through what Jesus really said and did. I believe people everywhere are frantically searching for a freedom they already have.
But, I wanted to make time and space for the extended version of people's stories. I wanted them to have time to process their unabridged questions about God. I wanted to be able to sit with them long enough to feel the things they felt so I could even begin to know what sort of encouragement they might need.
I wanted to make time and space for the extended version of people's stories.
THE LOST CAUSE OF GOOD NEWS
More people than ever before wonder if the way church is now is how it's always been and always ought to be. Sadly, many get direct answers in the affirmative. Others are quietly gaslighted and fade into the background of their church and eventually leave dismissed, neglected, or patronized.
More people than ever before wonder if the way church is now is how it's always been and always ought to be.
Nearly 80% of society is uninterested in attending a church gathering of any kind. More than 80% of Churchgoers cannot articulate what "the Great Commission" refers to.* I believe something different than what's allegedly always been done is imperative if people are going to learn to let Jesus' perspective of God overtake theirs.
I believe something different…is imperative if people are going to learn to let Jesus' perspective of God overtake theirs.
After 11 months on the road, it is safe to say the people we've encountered are feeling this strain. It's scarce to find a Christian who exhibits assurance like Jesus'. It is equally rare to find someone who is not a Christian who isn't also searching high and low for that same kind of satisfaction to no avail.
People everywhere are medicating themselves with deadly, synthetic spiritualities, and it's spreading anxiety instead of assurance like wildfire. Churches with pretty Instagram feeds or water-tight doctrinal statements are in the same boat. They're losing ground in the mission to make the love of God known in a world where people are dying in search of it.
People everywhere are medicating themselves with deadly, synthetic spiritualities, and it's spreading anxiety instead of assurance like wildfire
When we sit with people to draw out and honor their stories and encourage them with another look at what Jesus actually said and did, we observe their shoulders relax. We see the relief in their face when they realize they aren't alone in their disillusionment, doubts, questions, and vague hopes. The solidarity is powerful, even if they fight it with the insatiable need to self-justify and appear as a member of a winning team.
THE ADVANTAGE OF A MOBILE MISSIONARY FAMILY
I've been on phone and zoom calls with people from New England to Seattle, Miami to Phoenix, and everywhere between. We camped through St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville, Atlanta, Ft. Myers, Miami, Fayetteville, Conway, Kansas City, Dallas, Waco, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. I've also done Lark events in Charleston, Wilmington, San Diego, Los Angeles, Louisville, and St. Louis, with more on the books.
The conversation about reckoning with the actual words and witness of Jesus has been on everyone's mind. They realize words about Jesus are not the same as the words of Jesus. The "news" heard in churches is not nearly as good as the news for which Jesus was crucified and commemorated.
…words about Jesus are not the same as the words of Jesus.
We've had long conversations with friends, family, camper-neighbors, strangers, and people following Lark. We've met in homes, back yards, porches, pubs, coffee shops, playgrounds, and campgrounds. We've sat around fire pits, pizza boxes, football games, juice boxes, whisky bottles, dinner tables, and computer screens.
Travel trailer life has allowed us to set up our home in whatever town we're in. This avails us for local connection without the more typical cost of airfare, lodging, and family separation. Our kids get to see and explore the U.S., and when we visit people, we aren't a burden and don't need to be hosted.
Our kids get to see and explore the U.S., and when we visit people, we aren't a burden and don't need to be hosted.
We can stay somewhere for 1 night or several months. Granted, over 1 million Americans live in an RV full time now. The cost of campsites is creeping higher while campgrounds fill up faster. But so far, the benefits outweigh the inconveniences.
RE-ENCHANTING THE DISENCHANTED
The bottom line is people deserve conversations about the Good News with no strings attached. People rethinking their spirituality need open conversations exploring what Jesus really said instead of pat answers, pressure to fit in, or threats of being excluded.
People rethinking their spirituality need open conversations exploring what Jesus really said instead of pat answers…
Everywhere we go, we encourage people with the unthinkably Good News that they are already included in the "all things" that Jesus reconciled by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:19-20). Reframing spirituality, faith, and church around this truth is the most beautiful journey I've ever been on.
Nothing else compels someone to trust in the very good God revealed in Jesus Christ. Nothing else leads to real freedom, satisfaction, or assurance.
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This blog explores what Jesus said and did. Everyone’s questions deserve conversation, not answers. You are invited to press in with us. Hit the link above to reach out or access all our resources. We'd love to hear from you.
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