My wife, Becky, and I have been discerning the Spirit's "call" to Boston. The Bible details this in the life and ministry of the Apostle-Church Planter Paul. Acts 13:2 shows this "call" in the life of Barnabas and Paul as the Holy Spirit says "...I have called them." They were then separated as a distinction from laymen and hands were laid on them as an indication of the Spirit and influence they carried with the "call." The weight of the task that comes with the "call" is eternal and must have sat heavy on these men of God. Clearly Paul's writings indicate this burden (Eph 3:1).
Over the past four years, the Lord has been showing us His calling in our lives for church planting. This has become increasingly clear as He has been burdening us for the lost in Boston (Mal 1:1; Hab 1:1), instilling in us a desire for the task (Psalm 37:4), equipping us (Eph 4:12), and confirming this call through fruit (John 15:16) and godly counsel (Prov 15:22).
The burden is strong and we often feel like Paul when he entered Athens as, "his spirit was being provoked within him" (Acts 17:16). I cannot imagine how any person who fully comprehends the task of biblical church planting would be willing to engage in this kind of work without a unique "call" of God on their life. Though we are completely ecstatic about this opportunity, we often find ourselves overwhelmed at the work that God is calling us to. I can imagine Paul's emotions as he went from city to city engaging the lost and suffering persecution. The only way Paul, or an inadequate guy like myself (whose experiences cannot even compare), could possibly be encouraged to continue on is by knowing that the Lord has called us to this work and He will see us through. We cling to the truth of 1 John 4;4, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."
-Josh Wyatt, Lead Pastor/Planter
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