Meet this week's guest preacher...Pastor Tyler St. Clair

Every week in the month of November, we are pleased to be hosting a different Acts 29 Midwest Network pastor at The Journey.  These are men that we have had the opportunity to partner with in various ministry efforts over the years.  While we all share a common passion for seeing healthy churches planted and the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, each of these men bring with them a unique perspective and vision for growing God's kingdom in the context in which they have been called to minister.  We hope and pray that, not only will this month allow us to hear from gifted friends in the faith, but that it will also provide our church family with a greater ability to see how God is working in places beyond Marietta, Ohio.  So, without further ado, it is our pleasure to introduce this week's guest preacher...Pastor Tyler St. Clair from Cornerstone Church in Detroit, MI.

Here is a brief bio from Tyler's church website:

I was born, raised, and spent the majority of my life in Detroit, MI.  Since becoming a Christian at 19, I've felt compelled to serve my city.  I have served in a myriad of ministry capacities including, prison and homeless chaplaincy, youth pastor, mentor for at-risk children and youth, preacher, and Bible teacher.  From 2015-16, I served as a pastor/church planting resident at Restore Church in Central Detroit, MI.  On 10/16/16, we officially launched Cornerstone on Detroit’s West Side.  I married my best friend Elita in 2004 and we have five wonderful children; Elisabeth, Philip, Sarah, Tabitha and Abigail.

Besides his pastoral responsibilities at Cornerstone, Tyler is also a gifted writer and serves as a regular contributor for Acts 29 to The Gospel Coalition.  He also serves as part of the Church in Hard Places Initiative through Acts 29 to resource and equip current and prospective church planters to specifically and strategically plant churches in some of the most difficult contexts where the hope of the gospel is desperately needed, but where resources, volunteers, and a Christian presence have historically been lacking.

We provided Tyler with a brief "getting to know you" questionnaire.  Here it is:

Q:  What have you been preaching on at your church lately?  
A:  Our church has been in the Gospel of Mark most of 2019 and loving it.

Q:  What’s the latest good book you’ve read?
A:  “On The Block” by Doug Logan

Q:  What was your first favorite book of the Bible and why?
A:  Matthew, because it was the first book I read as a new Christian and helped me truly comprehend the person and work of Christ and the gospel.

Q:  If you had to recommend just two dead Christian authors to us who would they be?
A:  Lemuel Haynes and Charles Octavious Boothe

Q:  What’s one of the most disappointing realities of being a pastor?
A:  The unexpressed and unrealistic expectations of people has caused discouragement at times.

Q:  What’s one of the most encouraging realities of being a pastor?
A:  The most encouraging reality has been seeing new life in Christ and people grow in His grace.

Q:  What did your wife say when you told her you wanted to plant a church?
A:  She was confused and nervous at first, but she also felt the Lord’s leading and supported me tremendously.

Q:  Could you link the best sermon you’ve ever heard at a church conference?
A:  "Training Well" by Ajay Thomas from the Acts 29 2019 Global Gathering

Q:  What’s your favorite verse(s) in the book of Proverbs?
A:  "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

Q:  If someone who has never read the Bible asks you where to start what’s your answer?
A:  I’d say the Book of Mark.

Q:  How old were you when you preached your first sermon and how bad was it?
A:  Is was 19 and it was rough.  I was loud, with bad theology, and had no clear train of thought, but people were gracious and saw the Lord’s hand on my life.

Q:  What’s something you want us to know about your church?
A:  We are three years old and have many of the same problems as a toddler.  We have areas of immaturity and inconsistency, but the Lord has done amazing things in these three years.


Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM as we begin our month long series on Gratitude with a message entitled "Thank You Jesus for Your Life" by Pastor Tyler St. Clair.