Welcome to Project Eπόπτης!
What is it?
The goal of Project Epoptes is to share the stories of those who have been in ministry so that those of us who are younger have access to this wealth of knowledge. I think stories carry so much power and knowledge because of the personal component. I could tell you that often times the hardest challenges come from your co-workers. Or I could tell you a story about a specific time that I encountered struggles with my team and how we overcame it. I think the latter provides much more information and is far more helpful than the former. It provides you with context, tools, and experience, and perhaps prevents you from burning those bridges yourself later. I don't think we'll ever be able to be fully prepared for a life in ministry. However, with a close relationship with God, and knowledge of what has happened to the generation before us, maybe we will spend less time making the same mistakes as those before us and more time following God and making disciples.
Why Eπόπτης?
You may be curious where the name Epoptes comes from for this project. After much consideration, and months without a name, I found the greek word Epoptes in 2 Peter.
"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16
This word just stood out to me, and this verse seemed so fitting. my goal is to go out and find these eyewitness accounts. I may not be able to go interview any eyewitnesses of Christ as Luke did. But I hope to collect stories of people who eyewitnesses of the power of Jesus out on the field. Both the incredible and the hard.
Pete Isenberg
Pete Isenberg shared his story from growing up in and out of the foster care system, to meeting Christ as a out of place city dweller in in the mountains of Virginia. He also shares the loneliness that often comes with being a lead pastor, and the frustration of seeing the enemy attack his coachees in his new role with PBT. Pete also shares a bit about burnout and both how he experienced it, and how he recovered from it.
Marsha Martin
Marsha Martin shares her story of being a kid and being rescued from drowning by her father and how that story replayed metaphorically throughout her life. From the Jungles of Africa with rebel tribes, to walking home through the jungle at night, Marsha remembered that story and remembered that she would always be kept safe.
