By Olivia Ginther, Salt Company Coordinator, Iowa City
Being a part of the Salt Network, the Salt Company in Iowa City is very familiar with church planting as an important aspect of a ministry. Two years ago, Veritas Church of Iowa City said goodbye to one of our pastors and many students who transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota to plant Salt City church. Drew Stevenson, who was a member of Veritas from its beginnings, took his family to Minnesota and established another church in the network. For the last two years, Veritas has loved getting to see and hear updates from Minneapolis families and college students coming to know the Lord.
The term “Gospel goodbyes” is being heard in the halls of Veritas Church and among Salt Company students again here in Iowa City. As Salt City has grown and become more established, it became clear that Minneapolis has a lot more potential for ministry. One way that the Salt Network has chosen to focus on Minnesota is by planting a Salt Company on the University of St. Thomas’ campus. Drake Epkes, Salt staff member in Iowa City, has been hired to move to MN and to be the Salt Company director. This move is unique for the Salt Network because St. Thomas Salt will be a branch from Salt City Church. With around 10,000 college students, this private university is primarily Catholic. We are so excited to see what God does with a Salt Company in this unique way!
Along with Drake, there are nine students from the University of Iowa transferring or getting jobs in the Minneapolis area. Students are hearing the great commission spoken by Jesus himself, and are giving up their comforts to follow him to new places. Several students are graduating in May and found jobs in the area and are eager to help lead connection groups and worship. A few students are transferring to finish out their degrees in Minnesota! The boldness of students in Iowa City is encouraging and humbling as we see how God has transformed their hearts before our eyes.
Along with the St. Thomas church plant, the Salt Network is planting a new church in Gainesville, Florida. This church is opening in August of 2019. At the Salt Company Conference in February, there was an information session about the church plant in Gainesville. One Iowa student named Sarah attended this breakout session and left feeling interested in potentially finishing out her internship in Florida. After attending that info session, she attended another break out regarding Racial Reconciliation and Diversity in the church. As an African American, she could relate to the discussion on a personal level and was really encouraged at the end to continue talking about racial reconciliation with her peers.
At the end of the conference, Sarah walked out with a clear, new idea. She had decided to move to Gainesville, finish out her degree, and help out with racial diversity and reconciliation in a city that is very diverse. She was unable to deny the stirring in her heart from God to go to Gainesville. She realized she could continue pursuing the job she is interested in and help out with racial reconciliation in a new city, trusting that God will provide. Over spring break, Sarah went to Florida with the spring break trip that served as a soft launch for the Salt Company and the church. She spent time on campus, handed out fliers, and talked with current UF students about the Gospel and the upcoming church. Sarah gave her life to Christ in college, has been a student leader here in Iowa City, and can see how God used the Salt Company to change her life radically. Now, she is excited to move across the country to help change the lives of others with the work of this new church.
