I remember waking up that Sunday morning, head pounding from the previous night of partying, but knowing I had to go. As I got ready I kept wondering to myself, "What will this be like?" I had never done this before, but knew it was something God wanted me to do. What was I doing? I was going to church for the first time as an adult. I grew up in the Roman Catholic church so that is all I knew, but even that had been five years past. A month earlier I had given my life to Jesus, but had no idea what any of that really meant. I was still battling a former life while trying to understand this new one. I only knew of the church that the people who shared the gospel with me were attending. I remember pulling into the parking lot full of nerves and unknowns. I walked into the sanctuary already a little late, and probably smelling like a hungover college kid, because that was what I was. That church was Desert Springs Church (DSC), and now nine years later I am getting ready to leave this church, the only church I've known.

I am leaving to plant another church, Redemption Church. On February 19, 2012 Redemption Church will hold it's first Sunday morning service; however, the training and preparing for this church plant really started before the foundations of the world in the mind of God. It also started in some ways when I walked into DSC nine years ago. It was here at DSC that I learned what being a disciple of Christ meant, where I grew, was challenged, and learned about sin, grace, and repentance. It was here that I met my wife Lauren, where we celebrated the arrival of all three of our kids, Jordyn, Bradyen, and Cody. It was here where most of my closest friends in Christ are found. I sat under Godly teaching that pushed me to study God's Word more, treasure Jesus as my all, and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was here that I was saved, equipped, and now sent.

In August of 2010 Ryan Kelly announced that I would be sent out of DSC to plant a church in Rio Rancho. Families were encouraged to pray about if this is where God would lead them. At that time the church had two families, ours and Bryan and Sherry Lopez. Combined we had four adults and six kids. A year and a half later we have almost 50 adults and over 30 kids that will be part of this adventure we call church planting. We had no idea where in Rio Rancho we would plant. God led us to a great location on the corner of Southern and 528, the busiest intersection in Rio Rancho. We are currently renovating the space and working with the city of Rio Rancho to get our space ready for our grand opening, coming in March. So on February 19th we will be holding our first service at the French Mortuary Chapel on Golf Course just south of Paradise at 10:00 AM.

Jesus has already shown us his power in this preparation time, as lives have been saved, and leaders have risen to the challenges. The small body of Redemption Church is united and excited about what God has for us in the days to come. We are planting to see disciples made for Jesus, to see light pierce darkness, and more churches planted. So while the preparation and sending phase may be coming to an end, the real work and adventure is just beginning.

-- Carlos Griego, Redemption Church Teaching Pastor