I just returned from a church planting vision trip to San Francisco. We were there with quite a few other churches that are also looking to partner to help plant Epic Church. I must admit, while I’m always excited about being involved in kingdom work, I didn’t exactly have the most positive view of San Francisco. My perspective of San Francisco (before ever going to the city) was negative. But by actually traveling to the there my perspective immediately began to change. God opened my eyes and heart to a city in desperate need of Him and the Gospel. The reason why sin is rampant in my city, the city of San Francisco, and any other city in the world is because the Gospel is not. I was amazed how God changed my heart for the city. I now possess a God given love for this city that I pray only grows.
We flew in late Sunday evening and got off to an early start with breakfast at Mel’s Drive-in. Next we headed out to take a walking tour of the target area for the church which is the Mission Bay / South Beach area. Mission Bay has been called the front porch of the San Francisco. It is quickly becoming home to the nation’s cutting edge in electronics, web, green movement, and medicine. It is where many young professionals from all across the globe flock to make their mark on the world. Currently, 100,000 people are in the target area. When development of the Mission Bay area is complete the number is expected to grow to 300,000.
After lunch on Monday at Tres Agaves, a mexican restuarant in Mission Bay) we headed out to see Golden Gate Seminary. This was my first time ever stepping foot on the campus there and it really is an incredible place. It’s exciting to know that Southern Baptists have a school in San Francisco that is training and shaping men and women for kingdom work in an area that so desperately needs the gospel. The property that the seminary sits on was being held as an option for the United Nations. After the U.N. decided on New York, the Southern Baptist Convention was able to aquire the property. It is considered by many to be the premier property in all of San Francisco.
After touring the campus of Golden Gate Seminary we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner. The streets are dotted there with food stands with fresh seafood just pulled in from the Pacific. After dinner we grabbed a cab to AT&T Park to watch the Giants play the Dodgers. The cab ride without doubt was one of the most memorable events of the trip. Lance Giffin and Micah Fries know exactly what I’m talking about 
. The people at the game were much more entertaining than the game itself. As many of you are aware the Giants and the Dodgers have a bitter rivalry and when you throw alcohol into that mix crazy things begin to happen. We saw countless people thown out of the game. One thing is for sure – people are people no matter where you go.
We were back to touring the target area on Tuesday morning after a quick trip to Panera for breakfast and Philz Coffee. If you are traveling to San Franciso Philz Coffee is a must. After our caffeine fix we met some other ministry leaders from the area for a tour of the business and cultural part of the church plant target area.
After a wonderful lunch at Delancey Street Restaurant we divided up and prayerwalked the Mission Bay area. It was an awesome experience seeing almost 30+ people walking the streets and praying for the lost and the future of Epic Church. We concluded the evening with dinner at McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restuarant. Dinner was great but what was even better was hearing Ben Pilgren (the starting/lead pastor of Epic Church) and John Marshall (pastor of the mother church - 2nd Baptist Church Springfield, Missouri) share their hearts and vision for Epic and San Francisco. I left the dinner challenged and gripped by the great need of the gospel in San Francisco and committed to partnering with Epic Church to push back the darkness in San Francisco for the glory of God.
Wednesday morning came early and we quickly packed up, checked out of the hotel, and headed to breakfast in South Beach at the South Beach Cafe. Breakfast was good but bittersweet because it was where we said goodbye to many of the new friends that were made on this trip. All of our paths may not cross again but we all surely left part of our hearts in San Francisco.
As I wrap up my report of the trip let me give you some interesting facts about San Francisco:
- 12th largest city in the U.S. with just over 800,000 people
- 2nd most densely populated city in the U.S. with 16,000 people per square mile
- Boasts the nation’s highest median household income
- Almost 40% of the population was born outside the U.S.
- Expected to become the 3rd largest city in the U.S. by 2025
- Out of the 800,000+ people less than four percent are churched.
The most staggering fact we discovered is that there hasn’t been a successful Southern Baptist church plant in San Francisco in over 30 years. That’s about to change. I count myself blessed to know people like Ben & Shauna Pilgren, Tim & Kristin Milner, Brad & Mary Keel, and Lindsey & Ben Lee. These four couples make up the leadership team for Epic Church. I’m challenged by their faith to uproot from all they know and hold dear to move to a city that has almost no gospel presence.
Join me in praying for Epic Church and it’s leaders. Here’s how you can pray specifically for them:
- People – Pray that God would open the hearts of the 800,000+ people in the city to the gospel.
- Epic Church – For unity, discernment, continued preparation and staff spouses and families. Pray that they would shine in San Francisco and serve the city with the heart of Jesus.
- Facility – Pray that they find a place to meet within their budget and in their target area – a place easy for locals to locate.
- Families and individuals who are relocating to serve Epic. Pray for job opportunities, schools for their children and places to live.
- Favor – Pray that God would give us favor with people that they meet, with the city, businesses, their target area, University of California San Francisco Mission Bay staff, and apartment landlords.
- Influence – Pray that they would influence a city for the Kingdom that has so much impact on culture and the world.
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