The Northrock dream was born in October of 2006. Alicia & I had driven through the far north-central part of San Antonio and I felt God quicken something in my soul . . . and somehow, I instantly knew that planting a new church in this amazing city was the horizon that I had to chase. Alicia & I began to pray for our vision to become even clearer and for confirmation concerning this new journey. In November, Michael, my nephew and friend, came to visit us in Austin. Here is the story in his words.
Late in the Fall of 2006, I found myself in Austin, TX making this assertion to Jonathan, "I'm going to visit Baltimore; Leslie & I have got to find a place to work for God." Jonathan simply said, "Let me show you something I've been praying about." Then he took me into his office and said, "Look at this." There in front of us was empirical data that clearly showed the amazing growth along the North Corridor of 281 and the idea of launching a church in this amazing TX city was presented. My wife was consulted, jobs were postponed and on a gorgeous November morning, I had my first good look at the TX Hill Country. As we headed southwest toward San Antonio, the scenery was breathtaking.
The excitement in the car was so palpable I could hardly drink my grande cup of Verona. Then we arrived to what would eventually become our new home just north of loop 1604, along 281 in the north Stone Oak region. Construction sounds were everywhere.We drove through seemingly never-ending expanses of neighborhoods! Literally tens of thousands of people within just a few square miles and more moving in every day; all going about their business, but needing somewhere that they could go to connect with their Creator. Then, as has so often occurred since, compassion for these people far from God began to move us.
After a time spent driving, dreaming, and searching, we found our way into the Chuy's at 1604 & 281. The enchiladas were amazing as always. We dreamed, and conceptualized as we ate a late lunch outside on the deck on this beautiful Fall afternoon.
Monday night, I called Leslie to share the dream. We instantly felt at peace with this possibility. Little did we know the 18 month journey we would take to get to San Antonio. A journey that had long previously been mapped out by God. We just had to take some steps to get there.
Michael Moore, Connections Pastor
Now we are all finally on site. God has blessed me with an amazing team. Our dreams are BIG. So big that God will have to be involved for us to even come close! But, if He can make the sun stand still for Joshua, surely He can bring us thousands of people who are far from Him and need to connect with His love and grace.
And so it has begun. Northrock's Grand Opening was on Jan. 18, 2009. The rest of the story still waits to be written.
Jonathan Moore, Lead Pastor
