Trailhead Church | Edwardsville, IL

• Steve Mizel
• Jan 12, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I never saw myself planting a church. After I became a believer as a freshman in college, I went into education. I worked as a classroom teacher and principal for 17 years. During those final years, I started attending a new church in St. Louis called The Journey. After a lot of prayer and discussion, I quit my job and started working for The Journey as their family pastor. I did this for almost three years, when the elders approached me to see if I would leave my position to step into a failed church plant in the St. Louis Metro East (Edwardsville, IL) and lead into becoming a video venue campus for The Journey. I immediately said no - but after a lot of prayer and wrestling with God, I saw that I needed to submit to what he was clearly telling me to do. I led 25 members of that former church to relaunch as The Journey: Metro East in October 2008. That group has grown into around 150 adults and God has made it clear to me and the othe r elders of The Journey that we should become our own autonomous church. So, my call to plant a church was really just a process in which I learned to submit and obey step by step till I saw where he was taking me.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage?

We built our core by building relationships. I met with a ton of people - I was always looking for more people to meet with and share the vision of what was going on. Some of those people I drove away and some invited to stay. I joined the Chamber of Commerce to meet business leaders and find out who really cared for the community. I led teams to walk SIUE and hand out invitations / free coffee fliers. I started a guy's Bible study on the SIUE campus and got to know all the ministry leaders so I could get on their group's preaching rotation. I didn't want to become a "college" church - but the energy the college students bring is good for the whole group.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

The biggest challenge I faced was taking a group that had just been through a church plant failure and re-envisioning them to plant a new church. The former church was less than a year old and was struggling when it officially failed. When I stepped in, it was like a grenade had gone off in the bunker. The people were hurt and disillusioned about the idea of church planting. They had also developed a strong and potentially unhealthy internal bond as those who had suffered together. I went after both of these by affirming the value of community (and giving plenty of opportunities to process together) and by moving them out on mission. We did real old school stuff - like just walking the campus at SIUE and striking up conversations with strangers. It was uncomfortable and hard - but also good to shake them back into seeing God's vision for the gospel in this community.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I learned about Acts 29 through the Journey. In fact, when Lauren and I were brand new to the Journey, Darrin invited Lauren and I to attend an Acts 29 bootcamp in Edwardsville (we hadn't heard about either at the time). Ironically, here we are planting an Acts 29 church in the same community five years later. The biggest benefit I have seen to the network is the support of likeminded brothers. I am passionate - and have been stoked in my passion by other guys who are dying daily to live on mission.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant? 

Don't do it if it isn't an act of obedience. Make sure God's call is that clear.

How do you pastor your family?

I pastor my family by trying to love them well. I have never been the "structured" guy - we don't do family devos and such. But I have always preached the gospel to my kids. When they were little, I prayed and sang with them. When they got older, I prayed with and for them. I gave them a safe place to process hard questions and made it clear that my love for them was unconditional. I have tried to be real with my growth and my hardships.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Good to Great

Church Profile: Trailhead Church
Launch Date: January 9, 2011
Location: Edwardsville, IL

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

We are walking in Christ as a community on mission.

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism?

I believe community is best built by taking a group of diverse people and rallying them around a common mission. In fact, I would say you can't have true community without mission. Ironically, the best form of evangelism is community on mission - people are drawn to join other people who love each other and are willing to sacrifice for each other.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

My life is a testimony to grace. I was a messed up, angst-filled 17 year old college freshman when God called me out and started pouring blessing on my life. He gave me an incredible, godly wife. He has given me three kids who love him and are sincere in their faith. Recently, the biggest thing he has done is force me to deal with some of that painful childhood stuff that was messing up my ability to move forward in my identity as God's man.  This has all come together to equip me to have the tremendous honor of leading in God's church. Over the last two years our church has seen an outpouring of grace. People have been healed and re-envisioned to the power of the gospel. We have seen people who thought they knew God because of religion set free to the real gospel. We have seen people afraid to go to church find a home in our community - and a message of hope in the gospel.

How can we pray for you?

I have been leading a video venue for the last two years - I have been the pinch-hit preacher. I now need to do it weekly. Pray for me as I adjust. Also for a wide open door for the gospel in our community.