One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Luke 5:1-11. The disciples had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. And then Jesus came along and said, “Put out into the deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.” After a night of failure, they did what Jesus told them, and they had so much
success, they could hardly pull the catch into the boat! The disciples were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken.
I suppose I love that passage because I, too, have been surprised by God, and on more than one occasion. Creating Imagine Church a few years ago was one of the times when a group of us felt God’s call to put out into the deep water and cast our nets. As we did so, we have been continually surprised and amazed at the results.
I’m convinced that the reason Imagine Church has experienced such a bountiful catch is because you and I, individually, have chosen to move out into the deep waters of spiritual faith. What seems to set our church apart is the difference God is making in the lives of so many individuals. We’re beginning to comprehend so much more of the breadth and length and height and depth 
of the love of Christ, which clearly surpasses our knowledge. We’re coming to experience first-hand just how effusive, how extravagant God wants to be with his grace, here and now.
I am so energized these days by the servant’s heart exhibited by scores of men and women, young people, boys and girls who make our ministries possible. They use their gifts, energy, and time to serve Christ’s mission. These are the people who are replicating the DNA of the kingdom of God.
Together, the lay leadership, church staff, volunteer servants and families of Imagine Church have ventured out into the deep waters of Christ’s mission. We’re learning that salvation is not our personal possession, but our gift to share.
