It’s been a year since Ray Harris and his faithful companion, a golden retriever named Sandy, were walking the path behind his home at 10:00 p.m. in the evening. Harris wasn’t just walking the dog, though. He was having a heart-to-heart conversation with God, a conversation that would change the next year of his life, a conversation that would unite leaders from across the United States, a conversation that would lead toThe Pointe.    

     That night in November 2004, Harris began to sense that God was calling Him to start a new kind of church in Fort Wayne, a church with a relaxed, comfortable environment for people who might feel uncomfortable in a traditional church building, a church that’s real, relevant, and relational, a church focused on leading people to Christ.

     Harris, a pastor with 21 years experience, had relocated from California in August of 1999 with his wife, Lisa, and their two boys, Scott and Brad, and accepted a position with a large non-denominational church in Fort Wayne where he served as a youth pastor." Starting a new church was not something that I had ever had any intention of doing nor did I ever want to be a Lead Pastor, but it seems God had other plans," explains Harris.

     After a series of highly coincidental events that Harris knows were answers to prayer, he began to think about the possibility of starting a church. Harris explains that within 48 hours of his heart-to-heart with God, a friend, Kathy Gilpin, confirmed what Harris had sensed God calling him to do when she said the words, "you should start a church." Forty-five minutes later, another friend, Carly Blackburn, said the exact same thing.  Then, Paul Armstrong, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy stationed in Virginia and an acquaintance of Harris’ from seminary, wrote at the end of an email that he thought Harris should start a church. "My mentor would call these events 'spiritual coincidences' -- it was definitely a call from God," quipped Harris.

"The coincidences continued. You can imagine his utter surprise when Lisa, who didn’t yet know about Ray’s vision, said in the midst of washing dishes, "let’s start a church." Ray immediately sat down with Lisa and reiterated the entire set of events, and Lisa began to get excited.

Next Thing You Know…
     Ray and Lisa were in the preliminary planning stages of starting a brand-new church.

     Every roadblock that appeared – and there were several, Harris took to the Lord in prayer, and God kept providing clear direction, including the unlikely merging of other leaders, from California to Virginia and here in Fort Wayne. Leaders all with one common purpose and one common goal – to start a church that would help people find and follow Jesus.

     Harris joined forces with pastors (Ken and Paul) who moved to Fort Wayne solely to begin The Pointe and another pastor (Rick) who has pastored in the area for 15 years. "I didn’t know any of these people well and I was starting a church with them," explains Harris. "Yet even though I had never worked with them, there was tremendous security and peace in knowing God put this all into play. Some might think it crazy how our team came together. But it dawned on me that in the past, I have hired men who didn't work out. But this time God did the hiring and the results have been spectacular.
 
    God has blessed Harris’ obedience. The Pointe continues to grow and is fulfilling its purpose of helping people find and follow Jesus, and it all started because Harris was faithful to God’s call.

    

Share Your Story! Want to Share Your Story? Here at The Pointe we are all a part of God's Family, and we want to get to know each and every one of you. An easy way to do this is by devoting an entire web page to focusing on the amazing ways God has worked in the lives of His people.   We want to hear your story of God's glory!  If you'd be willing to share your story of salvation or spiritual life change for Next Thing You Know, email Shelley at ShelleyG@ThePointeChurch.Net.