A Day in the Life of a Church Planter Wife

The following post was written by Jennifer Antonucci about her struggles as she and her husband prepare to plant a church in Las Vegas.

I have no doubt that God wants us to move to Las Vegas. I’m more sure of it than just about anything. Just because I know it, doesn’t mean that I’m happy about it all the time. I was recently with my parents. The conversation came up that we probably won’t be able to come home for Christmas anymore. My mom and I started crying and proceeded to spend the next hour sitting in a chair together bawling.

God is so sweet to me. Ever since the moment that I knew He called us to Vegas, He’s been whispering to me. Even as I was crying in my bed, when I first realized that we were moving, He spoke to me. Nothing loud or earth shattering—just whispers. He used songs, Bible verses, Bible studies, friends’ words, etc. to give me peace. He knows this is a huge step for me. He knows I need Him to constantly reassure me.

This morning I was doing my Bible study and read these verses: “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31).

The truth is that I’m terrified of this church plant. Everyone who lives in Las Vegas that my husband has talked to has pretty much implied that he’s crazy and that we shouldn’t expect more than 50 people…EVER!…Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.

I’m also afraid of what lies ahead of us. I mean, who really wants to raise their kids in Las Vegas? The school system sucks compared to Virginia’s. This is Satan’s playground, for crying out loud!  We’re entering his turf…The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you.

I have so many questions. My heart is broken. I’m really struggling with depression right now…the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went.

As I read these verses this morning, I was changed. I was filled with hope and encouragement. I’m like a hunting dog, looking for God. I’m on the prowl for encouragement and for His sweet words to comfort me.

How about you? When you are facing a daunting situation, where do you look? How do you deal with the dark days of depression and fear? Do you keep your eyes and ears open for God?

I’ve got to admit that sometimes my eyes are shut and my ears are closed. And on those days, it’s darker. My prayer for me and for you, as church planting wives, is that we stay alert to God and allow Him to carry us as a father carries his son…all the way we go.