The primary goal established by this vision is the planting of 50 new churches within a 15 year period.  These churches are to be planted throughout the entire state of Utah.  The further result of planting these churches is to establish a brand new district, the Utah District of the Church of the Nazarene.

We have a huge challenge in front of us.  The work is great, but our God is greater.  There are over 2.8 million people living in the state of Utah.  This is a dry and thirsty land and now is the time to begin sharing the living water of Jesus Christ.

Will you please pray for us and the work here in Utah?  Maybe the Lord would call you to consider moving here and working with us to build His Kingdom.  Because we are willing, and our God is great, we will Build God’s Kingdom Together!   ›

Several issues ago I mentioned that I had some big news to share.  Recently a friend asked me about that news.  She was concerned that maybe she missed when I shared that news.  I assured her that she had not missed it, but I was still waiting on the Lord to reveal to me the right time to share.  Now is that time.

About a year ago Judy and I were first approached about considering pastoring in Utah.  My initial reaction was skepticism, but I was willing to pray about it.  Along with prayer, I began to research Utah, including the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Utah.

My research showed that at that time (and still today) there are only three Nazarene churches in the entire state of Utah.  There were up to six churches at one time.  There were less than three hundred attending a Church of the Nazarene on a typical Sunday.

This information was beginning to affect my ability to listen in my prayer times.  My prayers were becoming filled with reasoning to the Lord about why I was not a good candidate for such a huge challenge.  I still think that I gave Him some good reasons.

Despite my preconceptions, the Lord began to work on my heart.  He began to replace my skepticism with hope.  Where I was seeing problems God began to give me vision.  God was clearly leading me to accept this call to work for Him in Utah.  But that was really just the beginning.

From the first day we arrived here in Utah, God continued to speak to my heart.  In speaking to me, He has been expanding and refining the vision He wants me to share and pursue here in Utah.  God was clearly sharing with me that He has a great love for the people of the great state of Utah.

While the vision is still developing, I want to share with you what He has shown me so far.  There is little detail at this point, but the parameters or general direction, is quite clear.

And Then There Were Fifty

by Pastor Dave Bassett

by Pastor Dave Bassett

May 2008

Special points of interest:

· And Then There Were Fifty
  by Pastor Dave Bassett

· Unchurchable
  by Pastor Mike McVey

· Directions
by Judy Bassett