We continue meeting the Houston Church Planting Network Residents. Today, Jacob Sweeney tells us a little bit about himself and what he envisions his church plant to be like in Houston. Over the months, I’ve been blessed with insights he has dished out during our Cohort Days and I have witnessed a sense of God’s calling on him. He doesn’t mention it on the interview, but he is a thoughtful preacher who handles the Bible text well. Check out his sermons on his website: www.jacobsweeney.org. The brother can preach! Meet Jacob.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself…

“I was born in Houston but grew up outside Detroit, the second of three kids, and the first in my family (on either side) to be called to vocational ministry. The Lord called me to ministry while on a summer retreat with my youth group in West Virginia. I was sixteen years old. After high school I attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. It was there that I met my wife, Whitney. We married after graduation and made our first home in Houston. Two months after our wedding I found myself unexpectedly out of a job. This would be the catalyst for us to leave family, friends, and a church we loved to move 1,000 miles to Louisville, KY. There we would spend three years at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I earned a Master of Divinity. While we were there, we always wanted to move back to Houston. Eventually we would be connected with a church in the Heights, which we joined a year ago after moving back to Houston.”

2. What is your family’s favorite local restaurant?

“We love Mexican food. If we could we would only eat it every day. Our favorite is La Hacienda. They have a location here in the Heights and one in Cypress.”

3. What books are you currently reading?

“Oh, man… too many. I tend to bounce around. Here are the last five books I have read:

– The Divine Conspiracy Dallas Willard

– The Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien

– Eat This Book Eugene Peterson

– Excellence in Preaching Simon Vibert

– Preaching to a Post-Everything World Zack Eswine”

4. Who is your favorite dead and alive theologian?

“Dead: Augustine. He was a brilliant theologian and powerful preacher.

Living: It’s a tie – Eugene Peterson and Eric Johnson. Dr. Johnson was my counseling professor at Southern Seminary. He is a brilliant theologian and as well as a balanced and compassionate counselor. His classes made me a better man.”

5. What do you do in your time of rest?

“I love to read, run, and play with Noah. Time with Whitney is my favorite (especially if I can get her to laugh!).”

6. Where would be your family’s dream vacation destination?

“Anywhere in Europe, especially Italy or Austria. Whitney has never been and I would love to take her through the UK and Western Europe one day.”

7. Tell me a little bit about your ministry experience…

“I have held a number of ministry positions since high school. The Lord has blessed me with opportunities to serve as an Associate Pastor, a Pastoral Assistant, small group leader, Chaplain, and, now, a church planter. I’ve served in Youth ministries, mentoring, and outreaches to male prostitutes. I also helped to start a worship ministry and a preaching mentoring program.”

8. Where in Houston do you desire to plant a church?

“Currently, we are looking to plant in the Timbergrove area of Houston. It is a neighborhood that has experienced tremendous change over the last few years, with an increasing population density, and a complete lack of churches.”

9. Why Houston? (when there are so many churches here)

“For me, it has always been Houston. As a kid growing up in SE Michigan I was always proud to tell people that I was from Houston. My heart has always been in this city. During our three years in Louisville, few days ever went by that I didn’t pray for the Lord to bring us back. Beyond that, it is experiencing tremendous growth as men, women, and children flock here by the thousands each week from all over the world. That makes it a strategic city. We have an opportunity to reach the world with the gospel through this one city.”

10. What is your vision for your particular church plant?

“We hope to see the kindness of God renew Timbergrove one person at a time through relational discipleship.”

11. How can we pray for you?

“Three things:

1. People – pray that the Lord builds our core team through committed, godly, servant-hearted men and women who believe in the vision.

2. Place – pray that the Lord continues to clarify the direction he seems to be leading us.

3. Provision – pray that the Lord moves many families to support our ministry financially.”

Folks, contact Jacob through any of the ways below with your prayers, encouragement, and any information you’d like to know about his church plant…

Email: jacob.sweeney@gmail.com

Website: jacobsweeney.org

Twitter: @jsweeney27

More Blog Posts on this Series:

• Introduction to The HCPN Residency Church Planters
• Meet Joseph Ingram
• Meet Taylor Ince