The Whittakers, Soul City Church, And My Walk To The Zoo
We have a church.
Soul City Church.
It was instrumental in bringing a transformational mindset into my family and marriage. We would sit on Jarrett and Jeanne’s sofa for hours and weeks and months talking about how to live out this new way of thinking about church and the Gospel.
Last November I wrote this about our hearts for the city and living downtown and ministering 7 days a week.
The good news is that we are still doing that.
That bad news is that it won’t be in Chicago.
To keep it short…
The Whittakers are in a season of life that looks somewhat similar to a tornado.
Yes we are tornado chasers.
You know that and we know that.
But after this summer we took a good hard look at our family, marriage, kids, and life and decided that it would not be in the best interest of our ethos to move to Chicago right now. Financially, mentally, physically, and emotionally it would be inching us closer to an unhealthy place than we feel comfortable inching towards.
Notice I left Spiritually off that list.
That is because what I experienced in those months together with our Soul City Church family here in Atlanta grew me more spiritually than I have grown in years. Lots of years. This is where our decision sucks. We were being shepherded by 2 of the greatest pastors we have ever known.
Chicago has NO idea what they have just acquired in The Stevens Clan.
So this is where our spirits are heavy. To lose that spiritual community is tough.
So we are pulling in tight to get that back.
So where are we?
I’ve been all over this summer.
Our family based out of California from May until last week.
Just because I was touring so much.
Now we have come back to Atlanta and moved from the burbs to DOWNTOWN Atlanta.
Grant Park.
I Can walk to the zoo and to Turner Field. I had more neighbors welcome us in one day than in 2 years in East Cobb.
It’s just the way of these urban trekkers.
It. Is. Awesome.
So we shall bloom here for the time being.
Please keep Soul City Church in your prayers as God is OBVIOUSLY listening.
The amount of favor He is showing that community is AMAZING.
From their new worship gathering space to the people He is sending.
Keep praying so He can keep listening…
So Atlanta…The Whittakers are back. You will see me around Buckhead, Crossroads, West Ridge and the like…
And the fact that there is a bus stop right outside my house is music to my ears.
MARTA…It’s SMARTA
Thanks for praying for our journey!!!!!!!
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
i love the Whittakers life. mostly cause yall make my insanity feel just a little more normal.
praying for you guys as you transition back to the ATL.
We Are All Normal…
grant park is awesome. my sis and her fam lived there and loved it. what a great community. maybe we’ll see you guys at the zoo!
I LOVE this hood…
good to hear
you are good to hear
it is always inspiring to watch you guys be obedient to the direction the wind blows you. even if it isn’t comfortable or predictable. praying enormous blessing.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
when i was in atlanta for passion the marta always made me dizzy and motion sick.
Welcome back HOME.
We are still looking for you to make a special musical guest appearance at Watermarke Church in Canton.
Thanks so much for sharing! I just joined this community last week, and as I was reading back through previous posts, I realized I wasn’t sure where your family was now. Probably because it’s been so crazy. I’m glad to hear that you made a tough decision based on what’s best for you family. I wish more people would put that much thought into their decisions.
Brenda thanks so much and thanks for hanging out!!!
I am so glad you clarified things! When you said you were heading toward Atlanta, I got real confused! I was thinking it was “Chicago or Bust”! As I followed your next adventure across I-40, I wondered if something had changed. Just a little bit, huh? Wish we hadn’t moved from Amarillo! I would have made you lunch. The Cadillac Ranch looked the same! I was going to tell you to stop there, then I forgot! Won’t be around for the prayers tomorrow, but appreciate you, as always. The Whittakers rock. No matter where they call home!
Illinois will miss you!!
Our move from the burbs to the city was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Going on three years for us now, and I still marvel at the friendliness and diversity of people around me.
brent and i were just talking about your move to chicago and wondered what was up.
im just glad you all are home!
pray for you often and love seeing you all live life to the fullest!
You can never go wrong following the Spirit. Glad to know you made it home. Love to my grandkids and Heather. We pray for you all daily. God of Grace keep you in the center of His will.
Sorry to hear that you won’t be in Chicago, but it’s great to watch your journey and see how you are impacting lives with your music. I had the privilege of meeting the Stevens’ at The Orchard, and it is amazing with God is doing with them and Soul City. Continuing to pray for them and all that is happening there.
Off topic here, but wondering what you think of this article:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/27/almost.christian/index.html?hpt=C2
Rats. We almost had you closer! It is a very courageous thing to change course in a whirlwind. Good for you guys for staying true to what you knew had to be done. Although, you did know there is a Grant Park and zoo in Chicago, right? I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
praying for you all…. that you will have real rest….
Crazy. I pulled up your site tonight with the thought in mind of “are they still moving to Chicago?” and this is the post that greeted me.
It’s challenging to me to see you guys leaning into the uncomfortable moments of life and being authentic about the struggles you experience, and not just blogging about what you think people want to hear. I’m praying for peace for you and your family (I’d join the prayer meeting tomorrow night, but will be in class).
So, you are NOT moving to Chicago???
Lived in Grant Park until I got married about a year and a half ago. Great, great neighborhood. Dakota Blue’s brunch is one of the best kept secrets in Atlanta. Cheap, great food, no wait!
Welcome to the neighborhood. We may end up back there one day, too! We certainly wish you and your fam the best!
In fact, the photo serving as my avatar was taken in Grant Park. One of the many reasons I love the neighborhood.
Go where God wants you.
Always the best choice…Sweet to see it in action.
Los, good to meet you the other day at Soccer and hear that you guys are staying in the ATL. Grant Park is a great place to live. We’re here’s in Decatur, and we love it. If you need any advice on downtown grub, let us know. ATL has a great food scene. See ya.
Glad you guys are back. Welcome home…even from all of us unwelcoming neighbors up here in East Cobb.
Yea. Snobs.
Ah, stereotypes.
Fairly new reader (since the Single Ladies video) and first time commenter here. I was reading this post and a few things sounded familiar: Soul City Church, Chicago, Jarret. Oh yeah! I heard Jarret Stevens preach at my church here in St. Louis earlier this summer and he was awesome…a message I needed to hear!
Good luck to you and your family as you follow God’s will for your lives!
If I walked to our zoo I’d die of heat stroke. #I’mAWimpAndIt’s15Miles
Excited for you guys!
Welcome back friend! So glad your family has decided to continue to call Atlanta home for the time being. I am in Grant Park a lot…my cousin Kristy & her husband Russ live there. I babysit their little one. Such a fun little community!
Wow! So we are all Georgians together. awesome!
I was wondering when y’all would finally land in the windy city…
Don’t be afraid to bring the fam down to the beach at St. Simons. Fred Mckinnon & Russ Hutto are here as well… Could make for one heck of a co-writing weekend
love you whittakers! i’m kinda glad you’re still in ATL. maybe you’ll still be there when we finally make it out to NC. then you’ll only be about six hours away…we’ll visit for sure!! xoxo to all of you!
You weren’t the ones who clubbed the rattlesnake to death on your porch, were you??
Remember Matt Hinton? He lives in Grant Park with his family I think.
Are you sure you’re not on the run from the police, Los?
Yay!!! I’m so glad you’re back in THE city!! Hahah!! Hope to see you around Buckhead Church often.