Our story begins during the NAMB and IMB Commissioning service Bethany and I were attending at the SBC Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. This is one of our favorite parts each year of the convention. It is a spirit filled time of prayer and sending out those who are called to share the gospel all around the world. As we prayed over these newly commissioned NAMB and IMB missionaries, my spirit was stirred to go myself and become a church planter. I talked with Bethany that night about the possibility of us become church planters, of stepping out on faith to the mission field. She was apprehensive as we had never talked about this before and asked me to pray that God lead both of us to this call, neither of us not wanting to act solely on emotion or sentiment.

It’s amazing to look back to see how God was continually bringing up this calling to us again and again through different people and situations. While talking with a close mentor/friend, church planting came into the conversation again. He began to share about a ministry network that planted churches in Maine and was looking for church planters. He mentioned his friend Roger Ferrell, who heads the church planting network Multiply Maine, and has been planting churches for over 20 years. He encouraged me to connect with him about church planting in Maine.

Now, like any one else born and raised in the South, two things came to mind: Maine is far north, and it is very cold there. I approached Bethany with the idea, and she verbally shared those two things with me. But I simply asked her if we could seriously begin to pray over this, seeking the Lord’s will for us as church planters, as it was continually being placed before us. We agreed to pray, and I began to seek that God would give us both the vision of becoming church planters In Maine.

In September, I was able to connect with Roger. He began to share his love and vision for Maine, and the work he and other planters were doing to reach people with the gospel there. I caught the vision immediately. I was sold. God created a desire within me for this place that I had never even seen. We fasted and prayed over the course of a week, praying about where to go. Maine was always the answer.

We were able to connect with Roger and his wife Caroline, and agreed to come and visit to see Maine ourselves. We flew up and stayed a week with the Ferrell’s. As we met locals and prayed while getting to know the area, God began to give us a love and vision for sharing the gospel with the people. Coming back, we took a few days to pray and to seek God’s will. I remember one of the first times we sat down again to talk, we both said the same thing, “I miss Maine.” Maine was our home, God had made it clear.

We are filled with joy for this next chapter and amazed at how God shaped our hearts for this new ministry.

The Mission

Maine is a beautiful place, dubbed on the Maine license plate as “Vacationland.” Thousands from surrounding New England states flock to Maine each summer to experience its beauty and culture. But Maine is a lost place. It has also become known as the least religious state in the United States, which says to us that it is a place in desperate need of the gospel. Only 3% of people in Maine identify themselves as evangelical Christians, which could almost classify it as an unreached people group.

The people of Maine, however, do community very well. They are hospitable, kind, and decent. Bethany and I experienced this first hand while talking with locals in Damariscotta. This natural sense of community is one difficulty in reaching them for the gospel, as they see no need for the church to be their community. Reaching the people of Maine requires concentrated prayer and building relationships. God is able to reach even the hardest places, and we pray even now for the people of Maine.

The Vision

Our vision is two fold. Our family has settled in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and we are partnering with Multiply Maine to begin as missionaries. We are under the Ferrell’s leadership, receiving intentional mentorship and coaching in church planting in Maine. As missionaries we will help coordinate with mission teams We are learning the culture and building relationships in Boothbay Harbor. Along with this, we are partnering with the Anchor Church in Boothbay Harbor. Roger and Caroline helped plant this church planted this church a little over two years ago with Daniel and Terri Bates. They have asked me to join the preaching team and help reach the people on our peninsula.

How Can You Partner With Us

Bethany and I are asking first for prayer partners. This is no throw away statement. As mentioned previously, Maine is a lost place, with people who do not necessarily see their need for a Savior. Specifically you can pray in these ways:

1. Pray that we build relationships with the lost, and for open hearts as we share with them the hope that is in Jesus Christ.
2. Pray for the culture change we will experience and for our daughters as they adapt.

Secondly, we would ask for you to partner with us in this mission through giving. Our goal is to raise $35,000, which will cover our basic needs such as housing, food, and fuel for a year. There are two ways which you can give:

1. A one time donation
2. A yearly commitment of a monthly donation

You can give through Paypal on www.multiplymaine.com if that is most convenient for you. Because Paypal takes 3% of your gift as a processing fee, we would prefer you give by check to:

Multiply Maine
416 River Road, Edgecomb ME 04556.

In each case, please memo gifts for The Curtis Family. Through your giving, you will be investing in the gospel witness in the lives of so many that now walk in darkness.

Third, come to Maine!! Each summer we invite church’s to send teams on mission trips to partner with Anchor in serving our community in Boothbay Harbor, and also other areas along the coast of Maine. You can visit http://www.multiplymaine.com to get information about how you can serve in Maine. Or email me at acallnorth@gmail.com to get more information.

This a great journey we are a part of in Maine and we would love for you to partner in it with us. We know the Lord is working out all of the details, and we simply seek to walk the path he has set before us. Bethany, Hadley, Gracie, Mallory, and I all thank you for every prayer of support, encouragement, and generosity you may bring to us.