Third Generation of LifeHouse Church “Abide” Prepares to Launch
By Sharon Mager
DOVER, De. — Abide Church, planted by LifeHouse Church Smyrna, De., and granddaughter plant of Lifehouse Church MOT, Townsend, De., will launch on Sunday, September 8, at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort with Sunday School at 9 a.m. followed by the worship service at 10 a.m. The team of twelve families (with lots of children!) is excited!
Pastor Mike and Sheri Wright with their children, (l-r) Leland, Isla and Piper. (Photo courtesy of Abide Church)
They’ve been meeting since April for Bible study and outreach, prayerfully engaging their new community. They’ve been prayer walking, providing food to individuals experiencing homelessness, serving teachers, and giving back-to-school welcome packs for families at a local elementary school. They’ve served veterans, partnered with a local YMCA to assist seniors, participated in community festivals, and continue to engage their neighbors in multiple ways.
Church Planter Mike Wright had served as an associate pastor alongside Pastor Drue Matthews at LifeHouse Smyrna for eight years. Matthews and Wright both knew that when the time came for Smyrna to plant a church, Wright would pastor the new start. Wright said it‘s never a great time to send people out, and nothing will ever be in just the right order. “It has to be God’s timing.” When they felt God’s call, they stepped out.
Preparing for the launch and seeking a place to meet, Wright says after looking at 30 different meeting locations, Bally’s turned out to be the best. “We’ve got a conference room that is, surprisingly, not only the nicest but the cheapest place we found,” he said.
LifeHouse Smyrna had an official sending service on August 5. Wright told a little about the journey and shared a message. At the end, Matthews called forward all of the families who have been transitioning out of Smyrna to serve in Dover. The church laid hands on them and prayed for God’s blessings.
Abide Church will launch at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort. (Photo courtesy of Abide Church)
Reflecting on the planting journey, Wright, who was saved at LifeHouse MOT, told how God called his wife, Sheri, with their children, Piper 9; Isla 6, and Leland 3, to be part of the team that started Lifehouse Church, Smyrna. “We met every Sunday for nine months and had about 20-40 people. We launched at Smyrna Elementary and saw God slowly build His church week after week, year after year, and it’s been a great joy to serve Him as one of the pastors.” Looking ahead, he said, “It’s exciting and challenging to see what God will do as we begin a new work.”
A “Gospel Goodbye”
At the sending service, Wright candidly shared his fears as a planter: “Will anyone come? Will we have enough money? When is the right time to launch? Where does God want us? Will anyone open up to us? Will my kids make new friends? Will my family feel safe? What if my family doesn’t want to go? Am I good enough to lead? What if I fail?” Wright told the congregation, “Some of you are struggling with your own fears. Fears are not from God, but they creep in when we take our eyes off God and concentrate on our circumstances,” he said.
Wright shared about David running for his life from Saul, using Psalm 34, where David wrote in verses 3-4, “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Wright said, “This is my prayer for God to open our eyes to see as God sees — to walk in faith and not by sight. He prayed, “Help us taste and see that you are good.”
Abide Church members serve food to individuals experiencing homelessness. (Photo courtesy of Abide Church)
After calling the Abide team forward, Matthews said, “This is a magnify the Lord moment — a reminder that it’s not about us, it’s about Him. God’s kingdom is so much bigger than Abide Church and LifeHouse Church.
“It’s a joy to send,’ Matthews said, also acknowledging, “It’s a bittersweet time for us as we send out. I heard one pastor call it a ‘gospel goodbye.’ But Isn’t it worthy to say goodbye for the advance of the gospel?”
Matthews prayed, “With open hands and open hearts, we send…We want to see your name known, lifted high, and see more men, women and children magnify your name.”
A Pregnant Church Plant
Mark Lashey, lead pastor of LifeHouse Church, MOT, said he and the rest of the church are thrilled at what the Lord is doing with the Wright family and their core team
Mike Wright was saved and baptized at LightHouse MOT by Mark Lashey (left) and Rob Leight.
as they launch Abide Church in Dover. “It was evident to us that the Lord was raising Mike up for an opportunity like this many years ago, even from the launch/beginning of LifeHouse Church in Smyrna back in 2016. We considered that a “Pregnant Church Plant” when they began and prayed, from the start, that the Lord would eventually send Mike and Sheri out to plant a church!
Lashey said LifeHouse Church MOT saw two more churches launched: Redeemer Church in Westbrook, Maine, led by Pastor Joel Miller and Gulf City Church in Destin, Florida, led by Danny Ford. “It is gut-wrenching to say goodbye to family but glorious to see the Gospel advancing and new churches birthed for the glory of God,” he said.
Both Lifehouse MOT and LifeHouse Smyrna took offerings to help resource the new plant.
Are you interested in church planting or supporting a church plan? Email Jamie Caldwell.