A new season

It's been a whirlwind of a week. I've been going from one meeting to the next communicating the information that I've attached below. While I wish that I could have had a cup of coffee with everyone, word has spread. Rather than hearing it from someone else, I thought you might want to be in the know.  To theGATHERING crew - we'll talk through some of these details on Sunday in Connection.

For six years, the Lord has been stirring in my heart a deep conviction for church planting and developing a culture of launching disciples. God has brought a few rather significant changes into the lives of the Lucarelli house. We have had the privilege of calling Fort Worth, Texas our home, making disciples of 18-35 year old singles at First Euless.  This season has been both challenging and rewarding. We cannot express how much love we have for the theGATHERING crew. But now, the Lord has made it clear to us that this chapter has come to a close. Sunday, July 21st will be my last day as the Singles Pastor & Young Married Adult Interim at First Euless.

The Lord has confirmed my call to be the Director of Training with Precept Ministries International in Chattanooga, Tennessee effective June 18th. Through the tool of inductive study and the ministry of Precept Jesus saved me, introduced me to my beautiful wife, and initiated me into disciple-making and pastoral ministry.  Throughout the past fifteen years I have worked in various roles with Precept--a camp counselor, intern, and platform speaker with Transform, as well as an author, and a field Trainer.  I will continue serving with some amazing trainers who are partnering with churches across the United States - establishing people in God's Word. Precept's Vision is for people who are established in God's Word to live as exemplary followers of Jesus Christ, studying the Bible inductively, viewing the world biblically, making disciples intentionally and serving the Church faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit. The ministry reaches nearly 185 countries and offers studies in 70 languages. I am extremely humbled by this opportunity.

What is Precept from Precept Ministries International on Vimeo.

We love Chattanooga -- its home for Becky, we dated and were married there and have a great network of biblical community and family there too. We will once again celebrate Fall and spend massive amounts of time outdoors.  In addition to working with Precept, our move will allow me  the opportunity of being a part of a church plant. Working with Precept in this role and jumping in with a church plant will align with my calling -- glorify God by making disciple-making disciples, establishing people in the Bible, building men, and planting gospel-centered churches.

There isn’t sufficient room here to detail God's divine providence.  He is the author of some amazing orchestration, mixing highs and lows and everything in-between - He is so faithful. Although it will be difficult to leave those whom we have grown to love in the community of faith at First Euless and theGATHERING, I pray that we have equipped others--through the lens of the gospel, to find their identity in Jesus, view all of life as worship, grow in grace in community and live on mission where they live, work, and play. First Euless has some amazing disciple-makers within the University and Young Singles.

God has used my time at Euless to mold and shape my calling and ministry effectiveness, for which I am grateful.  The Spirit has used shepherding the university and singles of First Euless to sanctify me. To those folks at First Euless and those in theGATHERING, thank you for the opportunity to disciple people with the Word. More than ever, I’m convinced that

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ

and

The gospel changes everything."

I also appreciate the opportunity afforded to me to initiate gospel-centered community groups as the source for shepherding and missional living within theGATHERING community over these past 3.5 years. Making disciples and equipping leaders among the Young Singles and, over the past eight months, the Young Marrieds has been a joy.

Love you guys!

Jesus is All,

Luca