Everyone should have one. Some do, some don’t, and many wish for one. It’s that friend that travels life with you. You know, the one who was there in the “good old days” and just happens to still be there now, years later.

Meet mine. His name is Chad.

Chad was that friend since childhood that most people experienced, but now regret that they really never stayed in contact with. He’s that friend that made me get bunk-beds in my room, while he got a set of twin beds in his. Depending on the night of the week, dictated who’s house we were staying at. Middle school, High school, Church, college, vacations, summers, sports teams, all shared together.

While in college I would drag Chad to Orlando to visit with me. He had the jeep, so it was way cooler for two guys to drive to Florida in a vehicle where the top could be down, instead of a small silver Toyota Celica On one occasion while in Orlando we were set to go out on a group date. Chad needed a girl so I introduced him to Michelle Fox. In the next 24 hours my best friend told me that she was the one! I laughed, cause we were supposed to be single, living the college life, hanging in Orlando. Chad wasn’t joking, he married her. A few years later God called Chad & Michelle to serve at a Fellowship Orlando Church, where he is currently the Student Ministries Pastor and Program Director.

My family and I would visit frequently with Chad and Michelle in Orlando. It was on a visit 3 years ago that God began to burn a certain area of Orlando into my heart, the area we now find ourselves starting Genesis Church in. When we began this process, Chad was the first I called to talk about the area with. He was that friend that gave the type of support that most people looking to start a church need, when they don’t actually live in the city where they will be moving. Chad immediately told me his house, car, and anything he owned was available for whatever I needed.

But oh how I wonder how he thinks back on that statement

Early in my days on staff at West Ridge Church, Brian Bloye gave a message called “Stuff Management”. In that series he said something like this; “…one day God is going to ask you what you did with the stuff He gave you. How did you use your home, your car, your stuff to help people, and show them Jesus? Would there be people in eternity one day cause you were the first person who made them feel welcomed in your home, with no fear of breaking something or getting it dirty?… cause it’s just stuff, His stuff, and He wants you to use it.”

Our friends Chad & Michelle are a living example of this. Genesis Church would not be where it is at this point if it was not for them. Early on in the process they opened their home for personal trips, group trips, loaning us vehicles, and helping guide people around the city. In June they allowed my family to move into their home with them so that we could begin the process, even though our house had not sold. They have connected us with people, helped us get equipment, shared resources, allowed team members to stay in extra rooms while trying to move down, and so much more.

Living in their house with my kids can be a challenge, but they have lovingly excepted all that comes with us:) My kids only know them as family and I get to hang out with a life long friend. Kind of makes it fun right now. Yet even when God sells our home (which we pray happens real soon), and the Church starts, we still get to travel through life together. Both doing what God has called us to do to reach people in the city of Orlando. Couldn’t be more excited!

For all who have been praying for us and following us, know that forever the foundation, success, and story of Genesis Church will be told remembering a couple who gave up their stuff. A couple who gave up their own things to play a part in something bigger. That people who find Jesus through Genesis Church will be changed because a couple early on helped in the ways most needed for Genesis to exist.

I wish everyone had friends like this in their life. That there were more people in the world willing to look at their stuff and how they can display Jesus by using it.

This Christmas we are thankful for the gift of people. People who give up themselves for something bigger. People who are willing to sacrifice to make life possible. People, who are way more important in life than things or stuff, because God uses people to carry out his work.

This Christmas who’s your Harper? What people are a true gift to you this holiday season?

Chad & Michelle thanks & Merry Christmas!

p.s. If you have been following us and Genesis Church take a moment to thank the Harper’s for playing such a vital role in our story —- HERE or HERE