One word that will describe this new Indianapolis church will be PASSION. With so much death, depression, mortgages, broken hearts, broken families, and broken relationships, loneliness, pride, and injustice…people are crying out for something or someone to make a difference. To bring hope and light to a dark and desolate place. The Bible teaches that those who know Jesus Christ are called to be the difference. The world is full of sleeping giants just waiting to be awakened to beauty of life with their Creator.
Originally I am from Southern California, Glendora to be exact. I met my wonderful husband in 2006. We married 10 months later on March 5, 2007. We had been attending and serving at Pomona First Baptist Church. We loved it there and couldn’t think of a better place to be. We were trying to plant our roots there, but God had another plan for our family. In February, Josh had attended a church conference and felt called by God to move to Indiana and start a new church on the north side of Indianapolis. So in August we moved here!
Josh has been ministering in Pomona, California at Pomona First Baptist Church (PFB) for the past 7 years. He is the founding pastor of The Rising, a movement of hundreds of young adults and the next gen at PFB. In February of 2010, Josh was clearly called to plant a new church back in the state of Indiana. In response, Josh and his wife Lisa are excited to move their family to the north Indianapolis area to start a new vibrant church in the heart of the population growth in the state.
Josh is a graduate of DePauw University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller as well. However, degrees don’t make someone a pastor, God’s calling does. God drastically changed Josh’s life and he’s overwhelming passionate to share the faith, hope, and love he’s experienced in Jesus Christ with others.
“We’re super excited about this new experience with God and are looking forward to all the new relationships it will create!” – Josh and Lisa
Our hope is to see this spiritual awakening happen to a city and state that we love.
Here’s the plan:
2010 – Phase 1 – September-December
- Leadership Training
- Begin the first missional home church
- Major fundraising
- Develop core group and launch team
- Team begins relational outreach
- Official incorporation of the church and 501(c)3 finalized
2011 – Phase II – January-February
- Establish five house churches
- Leadership Training
2011 – Phase III – March-May
- Launch Team Vision Banquets
- Determine site and launch date for the worship service
- Begin plans for worship service launch
- Build a team of 125 people for the launch team by the end of May
2011 – Phase IV – June-August
- Final preparations for the worship service
- Team captains solidified
- Final training of launch team
- Preview services
- House churches expanded to 10
2011 – Phase V – September
- Official Launch of the worship service
- Expansion of house churches
Please continue to keep each phase in prayer. If you are interested in joining the launch team of the church or would like to be added to the prayer list, please fill out the form below. Thanks for your support and be excited for what’s to come!
We are living our story and Counting Our Blessings...
When I Count My Blessings... 
Posted by Tony on December 19, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Hi Lisa:
I saw your post on Phil Wickham’s Facebook page. My heart goes out to you. I’m praying for your whole family and especially Jaxton.
On your blog, I also see that your husband, Josh, seems to be called by God to do great things for Him. I’m sure you are also a part of that call and plan. I’ve noticed lately that people who have a special calling from God tend to suffer greatly also. Maybe it’s the enemy’s opposition. Maybe it’s God allowing suffering in the lives of the called-out ones to mold them and make them into something He can use. It’s probably both… Look at Daniel, Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, David…JESUS. They all suffered when they served God.
The same thing has happened to me. I’ve been saved since I was about 8 – I’m 46 now. Two years ago, my wife started an affair with some guy and it wrecked my marriage. I’m still going through a very painful divorce. I would have shot myself if I wasn’t a follower of Jesus Christ. But in the midst of this pain, God called me to do street evangelism, open-air preaching and maybe even music ministry on the streets (playing Phil Wickham music!). People seem to surrender to Christ almost every week when I go out evangelizing. All of this seemed like something that was inconceivable to me before the implosion of my life two years ago. Yet, God led me down this path in a way I could not imagine. He let me see His hand in all of this every step of the way. He let me see miracles so often that I HAD to trust Him.
So, my message to you is, HANG IN THERE. God is in control. He loves you and your whole family. He will never let you go. I don’t know what He is doing but I know He has good in mind.
(I live in So. Cal. too)
Take care and God Bless,
Tony
Posted by June L on January 4, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Hello and God Bless you in your call. I was recently sharing a miracle with my sister-in-law and she sent me this link.
I wanted to make one comment to encourage you. Many Christians think that the Lord is behind some of the harm in our lives when we are about the Father’s business. I want to say simply that God does not put suffering in our lives to mold our character….He hates when the enemy of our soul attacks us. God is Good! It’s the Devil who is Bad and launches schemes against us to try to thwart the plans of God. No sickness is of God. No disease is of God. No persecution is of God. God is Good! The Devil is Bad! God will turn what the enemy means for evil to good….God will hear us when we contend against those attacks…He longs to have us join in with His plan and not just accept what the enemy of life’s circumstances throws our way. We are to enforce His victory….to receive what He already paid for….don’t ever accept what the enemy tries to discourage you with. I’m proclaiming life and health over your family! I recently was a part of seeing God do a miracle in a baby invitro…who was to be born without a stomach (verified by 2 tests), which would be his demise soon after birth. The doctors gave no hope and suggested an abortion. The people of God around this couple rose up to wage battle against that plan to destroy a life and a documented miracle took place and that baby is alive today, born prefectly. The tests (facts) that showed the problem were remarkable and unrefutable. The tests that proved a miracle (God’s truth overrides medical facts) were outstanding! That little baby is such a gift! The attack was thwarted and God’s purpose prevailed! We are His hands extended to bring heaven to earth. As it is in Heaven, let it be here! Why wait until we arrive in Heaven to enjoy the benefits! Jesus’ promise to us was that we “would do greater things than these”…that we are joint heirs (the inheritance is ours to spend now!!). Let’s do what we are called to do and believe God for miracles, signs and wonders in the earth. That’s my prayer for you and your ministry…to see God’s hand move when you speak over or sometimes contend for each situation…ultimately believing and simply receiving because you are Papa God’s kids! He loves His kids!
Posted by Christie Corwin on February 24, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hi Lisa and Josh –
I am from Indianapolis as well, where I was actually born and raised! We recently learned our unborn son has a rare congenital heart defect called truncus arteriosus, which will require many open heartvoperations throughout his lifetime. The first of which will occur within the first month of his life. I have really found strength in God and my faith has been renewed and strengthened in ways I never dreamed possible. I have this dream of reaching out and helping others who may be in a similar situation as well.
I would love to be a part of the launch team as well as add our sweet Lukas to your prayer list. Please feel free to contact me, as I really love the mission for your new church. What a beautiful, majestic calling and i would love to be part of something so beautiful indeed!
Posted by Kristen Stevens Hickman on March 1, 2011 at 11:32 am
Saw your blog through Marie Dannettelle’s facebook page. We went to high school together, but never hung out. Don’t know if you even know who I am, but I am touched by your story. We used to live in Ft. Wayne, IN but are now in IL. Our God is good and you and your husband are a great testimony to Him. Not only through the church you are starting, but through your strength and faith in all you are going through with Jaxton. I will add you and your precious family to my prayers and look forward to seeing God’s work through you. May our Lord and Savior comfort you and wrap His loving arms around you.
Posted by Leigh Ann Cadick on March 11, 2011 at 8:57 am
Thank you for your transparency and sharing hope and love to lonely souls!
Posted by chris kuhl on May 14, 2011 at 12:54 pm
one day iwill return to indy. iwill find mercy road i will serve the father there.
Posted by Trudy Hogg on June 15, 2011 at 1:21 am
I have closely followed Lisa’s blog in the past year. Today I learned that Josh will be at PFB next Sunday and I’m thrilled about that. I do desire to be informed of your ministry with Mercy Road Church. God bless you. Trudy Hogg