Mission Austin - To reach every man, woman, and child

July 6, 2008 - The House
Friends and Family,Ps 34:10, "...Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Hb 10:35 "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."We have been hanging on to God like a starving dog on a chicken wing. Like a fat kid on a lolly pop. Like... you know what I mean. So here's the latest, we have a contract on the house. It will be inspected and appraised this week. The last contract fell apart after the inspection. We need prayers for that. We also need the house to appraise for what we are selling it for. If these two scenarios workout OK then we will be home free.We are packing up the house and will be loading trucks on the 17th. If anybody wants to help us load on that day we will accept your help. We are traveling to Big D on the 18th and will be unpacking on Saturday the 19th. If anyone wants to help unpack on the Dallas side we will be glad to accept your help.Things have been a little tight as we have awaited God's guidance for the future. And I have to say that God, as expected, has been faithful to take care of the Wortham family. As we come to the end of this chapter in TN, Cassi and I have been overwhelmed with everyone's support. Your words, prayers, and help have meant more than you will ever know. This latest time period of unknown has been a new area of growth for me in my relationship with God. Thanks to all of you that have helped us.After we get back to Dallas, Cassi and I will travel to Houston for the assessment on the 29th and then to Austin to see if I will plant with Hill Country Bible Church. We could use your prayers in several areas:1. The house will close without difficulties2. We need to Pack and travel back to Texas in a short period of time3. The assessment in Houston will go well and the door will be opened in AustinThanks again for all the help. Financially we are now able to rent trucks and purchase gas to get home. How did we know that when we asked for help to get to Houston it would take us first to Dallas. Ben Dion and Joshua Imlay will be accompanying us back to Texas and we are so grateful for their help.You are the best friends and family we could ever hope for,Todd and Cassi
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June 21, 2008
OK,That was fun. I got up at 4:30am to write round two on the letter I just sent you and my computer lost it in cyberspace somewhere. Let's see if I can remember what I just wrote. This may be hard with my ADD, ADHD, and dementia all rolled up into one.After spending more time in prayer and reflection with cassi, we feel that we need to elaborate a little more on the detail to what God is calling our family to do. I have been asked why I just don't find a church in need of a pastor and plug in. Well... I could do that. However, Cassi and I feel overwhelmed with the calling to be missionaries to America by starting a new church.The traditional American approach of doing church is not reaching the Masses. I am not saying that the churches we grew up in are wrong. I am just saying that the world doesn't listen the same way it used to. I see the need to reach out to people with a hand of love, the Word of Truth, and an ear to listen, not simply wave our self-righteous finger in peoples faces. No, not everyone does that but the unchurched hear us as a right wing political party and not with the Love of Jesus who cares about the hearts of everyone and offers the hope of second chances.I have been offered several pastoral roles in differing churches but can not shake myself free from the calling to plant a church. Cassi and I are praying multiple times a day for God's picture to be clear to us. God shines just enough light to take the next step and that's all. We are trying to be as diligent and responsible as possible with out going ahead of God and demanding our won way. God has given us the opportunity to go to Houston to take a very extensive assessment to find out our Merritt on starting a church. Cassi and I feel we have been asked to take this next step. Please pray for us. I mean it. Please pray for us.We would love to hear from you if you have more questions or just want to talk. You can contact us by snail mail:Todd and Cassi Wortham121 Pebble CreekFranklin, TN 37064or phone, (615) 794-5444.You can also read more details and letters at: missioni3.blogspot.com. Please know that we are not just winging it or trying to act in foolishness, we are holding on to God like Jacob, asking him to bless our steps and vision. We so appreciate your love and prayers.Much Love in the Lord,Todd and Cassi
Posted by His Servant at 8:11 PM 0 comments

Cracked Doors- June 19, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,In Matthew 8 the Lord commanded the disciples to get in the boat and cross over to the other side. (Now, I know we have heard this a million times but when you are sitting where I sit you hold on to these nuggets of truth.) As you know the storm arose and the disciples freaked out and lost faith. They cried out to the Lord and he rescued them from their fear. He already told them that they were going over to the other side. When God calmed the storm they were there with their mouths hanging open. After all the time they had spent with the Son of God they were still amazed by who he was.The best part of the story is in between the command and the miracle. A teacher of the law told Jesus he would follow him anywhere. Jesus cuts through the chit-chat by saying that foxes and birds have a home but it if you follow me you may not have a place to lay your head. Two key points for me, 1. This ain't going to be easy but 2. Hold on tight because the Lord said we are going over to the other side.So... I have held off writing as to wait for God's direction on my next steps. I want to inform you on the current status of Todd Wortham and Family. I have been gone from New River since the end of April. We are showing our house a ton and may have an offer coming in by tonight, Lord willing. We have spent the last 8 days in Texas traveling 2,400 miles in an Accord with 3 children (We picked up our niece along the way). We went from Dallas to Austin and back to Dallas before arriving back in TN on Tuesday.Austin is a door that has cracked open with the possibility of planting a church. I could look up a church in need of a pastor on line to obtain a job, but feel that the Lord is leading me to plant a church. I have been talking with their leadership about the opportunities with their church. They have just promised 3 openings to some guys who will start in the Fall. I have come in to this process kind of late. They want to extend a 12 month church planting internship to me but they need for me to go through an assessment in Houston. There is an organization there that determines the aptitude and fortitude of church planters.I feel God is asking me to continue to walk through this door. The cost to take this assessment will be around $1500 and that includes traveling expenses. I am confirmed in my heart that this is the next door I am to walk through on this journey.Cassi and I are looking to the Lord for daily provision. Since we have been away from the church for over a month we are practicing the Dave Ramsey method of stretching a buck. All is well as we continue in prayer and Scripture.I would ask that you might pray about supporting our trip to Houston. We need your heart felt prayers and funding as you feel led. We so appreciate you and are comforted knowing that you are on this journey with us. May God bless and keep you.All my Love,ToddNo virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG.Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1505 - Release Date: 6/16/2008 7:20 AM
Posted by His Servant at 8:09 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 23, 2008

May 19,2008 -Trusting the Lord
My Family,One of my life verses, Prov. 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."Do we believe that? I do! Even when the picture is not completely clear? I do! Even when the funds are running low? I do? Even when your family is looking to you as the leader to make the right decisions for them? I do! Is it easy? No!I am on my knees with my heart held to the sky asking our glorious Lord to paint a picture with my life. I am longing to hear the complete answer to the exact location with the exact team that will fulfill the dreams that God has laid upon my heart. Will he answer? You bet he will. Today?... Maybe. Might be tomorrow or the next day. Am I willing to wait upon the Lord? I am. Is it easy? No!But, I will wait because my God is faithful and If I give him the chance he will blow my mind. This whole venture is not my idea, it's God's. He has just told me to GO! I will obey even when it doesn't make sense. I will go because my God doesn't make mistakes and he is up to something BIG.As this story unfolds, there are many people who are going to be a part of it at different times. I have 4 young men in their 20s who are loyal and want to move from Nashville to serve Dallas at this new church God is creating. I have 3 pastors in the DFW area who are wanting to be a part of this team as well. God is doing something.Cassi and I are well. Jackson and Bethany are the best kids in the world. We are trying to live each day for the Lord. We have a couple of prayer requests. 1. Location and spiritual covering for this new church 2. House will sell 3. Provision through this transition. Please commit to pray for us.We love you all so much. God is Good!!Todd
Posted by His Servant at 10:20 PM 0 comments

May 10, 2008 -Life Is Good
I pray you and the family are well. We are here in Tennessee. God is good. He is my strength and shield. Life is joyful with a surrendered heart unto God. He is up to something huge and Satan wants to cause confusion and discouragement. Eph 6 - We don't fight against flesh and blood... I was reading Daniel yesterday and that guy is one big stud. Two words always comes to mind... Integrity and faithful. He fasted for 21 days from choice foods waiting on the answer of God. Finally Gabriel came because he was in a battle with a demon. The attack is on. Satan is waging war. I can feel it. However, My Daddy can beat up his daddy. I take refuge and joy in the Lord. For the joy of the Lord is my strength.All is good here. No matter what, God is good. I am fasting unto to God knowing the answers lie with him. Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. I am great and only getting better. Buckle up baby, this going to be big, Lord willing.I read this out of a book on Stonewall Jackson,"The only true happiness of life is knowing that you are living undaunted for Christ." Amen.Love you and your family,Todd
Posted by His Servant at 10:18 PM 0 comments

May 6, 2008 -Seeking the Face of God
Family,I have always felt the heart of Isaiah in 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" and I said, "Here am I. Send me!"I desperately want to follow God and the next step of this challenge. Situation... The picture has become a little clouded again. In one weeks time it looks like the perspective buyers have walked out of the contract, our Accord was demolished by a charging deer on the highway, and I got a ticket going 40 in a 30 on the street that turns into our subdivision.Our 2 week severance package is over on the 15th and "opportunities to overcome" are mounting. A friend that I respect and that is in ministry feels that we are called to stay in TN and preach the word of God. Many signs seem to lead us to Dallas. And other calls are coming in for me to help minister with friends that are leading other churches. Dilemma.I would like to ask you to please pray for God's direct and quiet voice to speak to me clearly. I have been known to be in need of remedial classes for understanding basics. I am desperately seeking the will of God in this circumstance. If the picture is clear and I don't see it, I am willing to have my eyes opened wider. I do not wish to step to the right or the left. I want to follow the heart and will of God.6:9 "He said, "Go and tell this people:..." I want to go and tell the people. I long to tell the people. Please pray for Cassi and I. We just need to hear God clearly and have him guide our path through the many obstacles.Yes, that deer shot about 8 feet in the air and 20 yards in front of us by our bumper like he was exploded from a canon. Jackson was quite thrilled. Sick kid... pray for him too.Much Love in the Lord,Todd
Posted by His Servant at 10:17 PM 0 comments

April 28, 2008 -God's Confirmation
Friends and Family (Hangers on),Wow, is all I can say. God is doing amazing things. I just got back from Orlando on Thursday and I have realized that all the things that God has placed in my heart for ministry and leading a church others are doing. God has given me confirmation after confirmation that it is time to start a church. I don't have to change my method or view point. I just have to get busy on the work he has already begun with so many other church planters in America.I am working on writing out the Vision and Structure to make it more clear but I can tell you that I know exactly what God has called me to do. 1. Inspire the Christians that are asleep to a live and dynamic walk with their savior 2. Love the community and the world with the message of hope and truth in Jesus 3. Teach the word of God and Disciple those to go out and change their world the way God has gifted them.So, where am I going. I believe that God is calling me back to Dallas. I have been praying and fasting and the slot machine keeps coming up DFW. I put my house on the market in this dead economy on Tuesday and Friday we had an offer. That is unheard of in this market. And... They are giving us our asking price. Crazy!Got two phone calls today that are significant. All I know to say is that Dallas, the land I love, is beckoning. There is work to be done and my heart is aflame for reaching and inspiring the Dallas area. Please continue to pray. Pray for open doors, continued clarity, and support.I need you on my team. I want you to walk this through with me. I believe we will look back in a couple of years and be overwhelmed with all God has done. If you have time read this passage in Exodus 7:14-16. It is time for the people to be let go so they can worship their God.All my love in the Lord,Todd Wortham