An Announcement from Joshua Harris
Oct. 16 2008Recently I made an important announcement to our church. Next spring our congregation in Gaithersburg, Maryland, will be planting a brand new church in Arlington, Virginia.
The reason I’m sharing this news here is because the man who will be leading this new church is none other than Eric Simmons, the man who has led the New Attitude conference for the past three years.
Eric has led our church’s singles ministry for the past ten years. And in 2006, after I’d ended the New Attitude conference to focus on my new role as senior pastor of Covenant Life Church, Eric stepped up and led a team to restart the event. He and the New Attitude creative team have done a great job. If you’ve attended the conference in the past three years, you’ve benefited from Eric’s creativity, leadership, and servant’s heart.
But now God has called Eric to a different and very exciting new journey. The desire to start a new church in the Arlington/Washington DC area is something that has been growing in Eric’s heart for the past year. Arlington has a large population of single and highly unchurched young professionals who need to hear the gospel. And Eric has a passion to reach them.
In the coming months, Eric will be dedicating himself to building a church-planting team and attending to all the details of moving, finding a facility, and studying the community in Arlington. Obviously, this means he has to stop leading New Attitude.
But I’m happy to be able to say that New Attitude isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be stepping back in to take an active role in leading the conference, assisted by my dear friend and fellow pastor, Grant Layman.
Plans for next May are in full swing. Two incredible speakers (who will be making their first appearance at Na) have already agreed to come. We’ll be back in Baltimore where it all began. In the days to come, we’ll be filling you in on some exciting plans for next year. By God’s grace, I believe 2009—our ten-year anniversary—will be our best yet. We need your help to make it happen. Please pray, and please check back for more details and info on how you can help us promote the conference.
Finally, please pray for Eric and the new church in Arlington. We’ve always said that New Attitude is just a conference and it exists to serve what is truly important—local churches. Now Eric is proving that value by starting a new church himself. Let’s ask God to use it mightily for his glory.
And please leave a comment on this post to thank Eric and express your gratitude for the way he’s served us all these past three years.
-Josh
Comments
I was a bit concerned about what would happen to NA in light of Eric moving on, Thank God it’s not going anywhere.
As to the new church, I’m so glad it is coming! I attend school just across the street from Rosslyn Metro station and I can definitely agree that the population is young, godless workers (for the most part). You also have the homeless people who hang out at the Church on the corner to get coupons for McDonald’s. There is a very odd mixture of people in Rosslyn, some are the working professionals(20-about 45, for the most part), some are students, some are military (all branches), Some are homeless, some are wealthy. You have a mixture of almost all religions Christians, Muslims, Hindu, and Atheists. Rosslyn is a melting pot where the Christian presence is notable for its weariness. I am so excited that Gospel driven Christians are coming in force to Rosslyn. I really cannot wait to see what God does through the new church.
Josh!
I am SO excited to hear about Eric planting a new church! How amazing! I will be praying for Eric and his wife and their family as they venture out to Arlington Virginia! God Bless!
hmmm...who could the “two incredible speakers” be?
Eric,
That’s very cool to hear how God raised you up to take that role and responsibility! At the same time, thinking back to when you launched the “Transferred” series at ONE, I can see that this makes perfect sense. God has raised you up in incredible ways and it’s cool to catch a faint and glorious glimpse of how God has used you. Thank you for your heart to love Jesus, worship him, tell others about him, and encourage other brothers and sisters in the Lord to follow that same example. And thank you for trusting God and stepping out in faith to leave the church you love and serve so other folks who desperately need to hear the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ can hear that message. I’ll be praying for you, Lisa, and the rest o’ the crew as you make this faith-filled, God-glorifying transition.
Keep the faith bro!
BC
BC on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 6:32 pmEric,
Thanks so much for having a heart sensitive to God’s calling, and a willingness to heed that call. As a member of KCC in Richmond, I’m beyond excited to see all the things God has planned and orchestrated for Virginia, for the coming year/year and a half. The church plant you’re heading up is certainly a testament to the fact that God answers specific prayers from his people! [And add to that people going into Charlottesville and Fredericksburg...who is like our God?!]
Yay indeed!
ATW on Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 6:37 amWOW.. for those of us who’ve been members of ONE via the internet, its confirmation of what we’ve always known; that this is some dude who has a heart for God and who was always going places.. Just hope we can still keep getting it real from ONE....
JAX, Tyne & Wear, UK
great. i am praying 4 that new church
ngonidzashe kagonda on Sat Oct 18, 2008 at 5:20 amThat is awesome! I pray those leading this new church will teach the whole counsel of God’s will there. I am looking at moving to the Northeast area to plant churches. God bless.
Zack Blaisdell on Sat Oct 18, 2008 at 1:20 pmDear Eric,
Thank you so much for running the New Attitude conferences. I’ve never visted or be in person to a single one, but I’ve been listening to the speakers over the net all the way in a little country called New Zealand. Thanks for your ministry, thanks to God for what he’s been doing through your efforts.
In Christ
Katherine
Thank you Joshua for the news.
Eric,
I live in Mexico and in 2008 I flew all the way to Kentucky just to attend the Na conference. I am so grateful to God and to you for all your work and how Na changed my life. I pray that God will grant you the strength, the courage and the will to keep on establishing his kingdom. I know that everything you touch will be blessed. I saw how blessed Na was, and I believe God will bless you in your church as well.
In love and faith,
Esther
Praise God for His work!
I must say, as a Na attendee from wisconsin, I was holding my breath through this letter from Josh, wondering at the future of the conference! I am super-excited to hear about the church plant, as well as the continuation of na!
Thanks, guys for your faithfulness in His service in all things.
Eric,
Thanks so much for all ytime your work with Na. I went for the 1st time last year and it was really amazing!
Josh,
thanks for taking over again! I am hoping to go again next year and I am glad that it wasn’t ended!
Eric,
Yes...to add to the other grateful voices...thanks for serving us so well these past 3 Na conferences. We have all been inspired and challenged, not only to serve God whole heartedly, but excellently as well! It ‘s been such a joy to see God’s favor on the conference these past few years and may He continue to bless our times at Na for His glory!
May he also give you and the church planting team a new measure of faith and dependence as you step out in this new call to plant in Arlington. I’ll be praying!
Thanks again!
David G on Wed Oct 22, 2008 at 11:05 amCongrats and God bless you all. Everyone appriciates everything you all do. To Eric and your wife, your in my prayers. Josh, bless you for taking over! There are few things I look forward to these days and I’m glad to say New Atitude is the leading one. I hope, pray and rest assured that God will direct you both with your ministries. Keep up the good work Eric and Josh. And to all those behind the scenes helping with the new church and Na plans, good luck and God bless!
John M on Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 4:31 pmEric,
I am so glad to hear the wonderful ways God is using you, but I am sad to hear that you will not be at New Attitude! But truly, the Arlington/Washington D.C. area is a great place that will be so blessed by you and your church building team. I will keep you all in my prayers!
God Bless!
Jillian on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 11:18 pmI would really like to be part of the World Missions of this blessed church, actually I have read your book about the courtship and welcomed that way to live to honor JESUS, but the point is that GOD the world´s escenario is getting prepared already for the return of The God, Saviour and Lord of the universe. I dont want to loose the oportunity to share the gospel and the nations BE GLAD IN WKNOWING WHAT YESHUA WAS, IS, AND WILL BE!
Please write me or answer me (); GOD is calling me to USA even when I dont have VISA to travel, so this is waht I want you to know, I will need your help in this, brothers and sisters. I am in a Reformed church, we are 7 people in our missions ministery.THE RESPONSE FROM THE LORD TO SERVE HIM IN WORLD MISSIONS HAS BEEN SO CLEAR TO ME THESE MONTHS. To GOD be my life, all honor!! He gave his life, I want to give ALL what actually is His´ =)
BLESSINGS AT THE HAND OF WHOM CAN DO EVERYTHING
Chatita.-
hola joshua soy ana y soy de san luis potosi mexico. a mi en lo personal me agrada mucho tu libro de ke dije adios a las citas amorosas pues me a ayudado mucho pues estoy en la plena adolecencia y me ayudado a reflecionar sobre el tema. puedes aconsejarme por mi correo sosa_24@live,com,mx muchas grasias
ana on Sun Nov 9, 2008 at 7:24 pmWow, praise God that He is calling you to further His kingdom this way Eric! I hope that many people come to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified as a result of your obedience and service to Him 
. Stand fast in Jesus Christ and Him crucified Eric, I’d love to hear updates on NA or maybe SG website as to how the Lord is working there. Of Him and through Him and to Him are all things!!
Doug
Doug on Mon Nov 24, 2008 at 5:41 pmjoshuah me gustaria recibir un libro en ingles te tu libro le dije adios a las citas amorosas
daniela on Mon Dec 1, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Eric,
YellerDaisies on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 6:22 amI am so excited for you and Lisa! That is so cool. I have not only benefited from your care for the past 3 Na conferences, but I had the privilege of being apart of the CLC singles group for 10 months. Your passion for our Savior is so contagious. Your love for your wife and kids is inspiring and always made me smile. Your heart to serve and point your single friends to the gospel blessed my soul countless times. I’m aware in a very small way how much work goes into an event like this. God has met me in mighty ways every year (I’m a veteran, I’ve been to all of them!). Thank you for your hard work. I am so grateful! Thank you for your love and care. It is very evident every New Attitude. Yay! for church planting...have tons of fun!