Mission Houston Newsletter

A Vision Community

From Our Chairman of the Board, Jim Herrington

Dec, 2008

Todd and Denise McCombs are long-time followers of Jesus and deeply involved in Faithwalking. Denise has a seminary degree and both she and Todd have had significant leadership positions in congregations and ministries over their adult lifetime. Todd has completed all of the Faithwalking curriculum and is in an ongoing coaching relationship with one of the Faithwalking coaches. Denise is currently completing the Faithwalking seminar series. Recently, we caught up with the McCombs. They live in Missouri City and are working together on a vision community that is serving the poorest of the poor in Fort Bend County.

A vision community is a small group of people who are on mission together, living transparent lives of love for each other and service to the world. The primary measure of success for Faithwalking is the establishment of functioning vision communities that are intentionally advancing the Kingdom of God in the home, neighborhood, and workplace. What follows is our interview with Todd and Denise about their Faithwalking experience.

MH: Where is your vision community working?

Todd: The 5th Street Community in Stafford, Texas. This is an Hispanic area with virtually everyone living below the poverty level and at least 50% of the residents are here illegally.

Denise: My vision community for 22 years has been raising my three children and next year my youngest will be going to college. I had begun to pray with many tears about what God has next for me. He is beginning to unfold that. Todd is forming a vision community on 5th street- a poor Hispanic community in southwest Houston - and I am coming along side of him in this. Beyond that I hope to use my home in some capacity too.

MH: Todd you first participated in Faithwalking in January 2008 and you've just gotten your vision community up and running? Why has it taken a year to get going?

Todd: My vision community is not what I thought it would be when I made my commitment at the Faithwalking retreat. It turned out to be something completely different. Creating a vision community and understanding what that looks like and waiting for God to raise up people through enrollment conversations took some time.

MH: Faithwalking begins its training by making a call to "radical obedience that leads to a missional life." How has that impacted your family and/or your work?

Denise: During the Faithwalking retreat I saw that despite my sincere desire to obey Jesus there were certain places that I kept getting stuck in. Most of the time obedience was too painful so I would make excuses or run from the truth. I told Him that I know better how to work with these sins by protecting myself or controlling others. In the safe, non-judgmental environment that Faithwalking creates, I finally acknowledged that I have willfully disobeyed. I am learning that I can honestly look fear and anxiety in the face and not feel condemnation for that but put it on the table, confess, repent experience healing and really overcome the longstanding areas of habitual disobedience in my life.

Todd: It has impacted me primarily in my family life and more particularly with my wife. I had to admit during Faithwalking how resigned and cynical I was in my marriage and I had to admit that I treated most people in my life with more kindness and grace than I did my wife. To admit that and radically obey the Lord in this area was difficult. I had to face a life time of habits that were deeply engrained. However, it has been miraculous how the Lord has worked in me and our marriage in a short period of time.

Radical obedience to me in my business meant that I quit acting like I was stewarding God's resources by giving God a portion off the top and then treating the rest of the money like it was mine. Radical obedience meant that I had to act out what I knew the scriptures taught, that God owned it all and I had to offer it all up to Him for use in His Kingdom.

MH: What would you say to someone to encourage them to consider the Faithwalking journey?

Todd: I tell people that if you want to see the scriptures, our culture and God through a different pair of lenses than you've ever seen before and if you are tired of being resigned and cynical about organized religion and the church and you want to see God really transform your life in a way He never has before, then Faithwalking is something you don't want to live without.

Denise: Initially I chose Faithwalking because I had seen how it impacted Todd in such positive ways. In the process however I realized I have been hungry for something more. I feel like it has been a breath of fresh air in my life - and by that I don't mean that it has been easy. It has been one of the most challenging things I've ever done. By engaging the challenge, I have been made alive in some areas. In my wonderful Faithwalking group we have talked a lot about the fact that we never go on to really impact our world because we have not been able to really receive the healing and restoration that He has promised, ( the areas we get stuck). I'm tired of being stuck and Faithwalking is helping me - it can help you - find the kind of impactful life that God intends for his children to have.

MH: For more information go to Faithwalking or contact Todd at tmccombs@ttmdevelopment.com

Jim Herrington
Chairman of the Board