The power of a clear and compelling vision
Last Sunday, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the church we planted in Myrtle Beach. Seeing how it's grown reminded me and convinced me of the power of a clear and compelling vision.
I've always loved George Barna's definition of vision:
"Vision is a clear mental picture of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants, based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstances."
Twenty-seven years ago, God gave Cindy, me, and an incredible team a vision to plant a church in the Myrtle Beach area.
Back then, I remember sitting across from person after person, sketching that vision on a napkin. Iwould pull out a napkin and sketch the Grand Strand area, explaining how we were going to plant churches all across our city.
I'd map out the Carolina Forest community and describe how those 30,000 acres of pine trees would one day be cleared, making room for a city with a population of 60,000 people, and how God wanted to use us to impact the lives of those future residents.
I'd draw the 25 acres of property we owned and explain how the entire community would come to our campus to participate in the Carolina Forest Community Center sports leagues for kids.
These leagues wouldn't just be about athletics—they would be faith-based, designed to impact the faith and character of children in our community.
I'd also sketch out the local schools, sharing how we would build relationships with the staff and students, serving them and leaving a lasting faith impact on the lives of everyone connected to those schools.
This was the vision—big, bold, and entirely God's.
This weekend, Cindy and I had the privilege of returning to Carolina Forest Community Church as they celebrated 27 years of ministry. As I walked the property, I was flooded with emotion, seeing firsthand how the vision we once sketched on a napkin has continued to flourish long after I left.
What began as a dream is now a vibrant reality. (Check out my Instagram stories from yesterday).
The 25 acres are now home to four baseball fields, two basketball gymnasiums, a football stadium, and a practice field, where thousands of kids play sports and hear the gospel each year.
I spoke with countless people who had come to faith through the church's ministry. And I embraced so many of the people with us in those early years—those who paid the price laid the groundwork, and made the vision happen. I even got a moment to share with the church how proud of them I was.
Here are three key insights about vision I am reflecting on from this weekend.
Be Patient. Some aspects of the vision God gives you will happen slower than you expect. In fact, the vision God gave you may be carried out by someone else, and that's okay. His timing is perfect, and there's wisdom in waiting.
Be Grateful. My heart overflowed with gratitude for those who took up the mantle and faithfully carried the vision forward–even when it was carried differently. I saw the joy in the faces of people as they eagerly shared how God had used them to advance this vision. It was a powerful reminder that it's never about one person; it's about the community God builds around His mission.
Be Bold. Seeing what was once just a sketch on a napkin now fully realized in vibrant reality stirred my heart to keep dreaming even bigger. Never stop dreaming big—God's work isn't finished yet. There's always more He wants to accomplish, and He takes joy in using His people to fulfill His mission.
The vision God gives you might feel too big to handle, but that's the point. It's not your job to control the outcome—it's your job to be obedient and bold enough to pursue it. Because when God's in it, the vision is always bigger than you.
