Jonathan Martin - Prototype: What Happens When You Discover Youre More Like Jesus Than You Think?

While this is not a memoir per se, so much of my story and the beautiful story of the people of Renovatus is wrapped up in these pages. In an odd way, this sums up everything Ive learned about God, life, and the world in thirty-four years. As such, all the people who have most shaped my life have most shaped this book. But here are a few people I especially want to thank, many of whom youve met in the preceding pages.

My wife, Amanda: So many of these ideas have been forged over the course of thousands of hours of conversations with you. I wouldnt have a story to tell apart from you. Thank you for accommodating yourself to life with a mad scientist and being my live-in editor. People laugh when I say that you do the praying and I do the preaching, but Im afraid its more true than they could know. I get to be the front man, but the highest compliment I can give is that youre the person Id most want to be my pastor. I love you.

My executive pastor, Tracey Rouse (aka the girl on the trampoline): Every single time I hit a roadblock with this project, you not only found the way out, you did so with dazzling ease. You are smart in all the ways I am not and could never be. I could not have made it past chapter 3 without you, much less run a church. And I wouldnt want to try, you know?

My assistant, Elizabeth Donahue: You bring so much class to our team and to my life, and you and Dennis take care of me like Im your own. You are a gracious gift to us.

The remarkable staff of Renovatus Church: Blake, Sarah, Teddy (Rondo!) and Krystle, Jonathan, Mat, Chris, Jake, Chuck and Teresa, Aaron and Tracy, Broderick and Mona, and Victhis is your story as much as it is mine.

My amazing friends: To Nathan Rouse, who has shared more than a decade of Buechner and X-Files and U2 shows and highly inappropriate jokesyour own courageous vision for faith and the arts continues to inspire me. Clayton King, the big brother I never hadthank you for always having my back. Steven Furtick, my most generous friendyou have always, always believed in me and spoken life into me. Jim Driscoll, a true elder in my lifethank you for caring so well for my soul. Dr. Chris Green, my new old friend, for pushing me over the ledge to fully embrace the centrality of the Table.

Jan Long Harris, my editor Dave Lindstedt, and my new family at Tyndale: Thank you for taking a chance on an unknown. From the first time I met you guys, I was moved by your heart for ministry, the sense of community on your team, and your passion for this project. Its an honor to do this with you.

My agent, David Van Diest: Weve come a long way! Thanks for all your encouragement.

The Renovatus elders: Thank you for always lifting my arms when they are weary.

The entire community at Renovatus: I have the best gig in the world, and I am so honored that you call me your pastor. I hope these pages demonstrate all the ways Ive been your student.

Id also like to thank the people who have most directly shaped how I see the worldmy mentors and spiritual fathers and mothers: Margaret Gaines, Rickie Moore, Cheryl and Jackie Johns, John Christopher Thomas, Steven J. Land, and Stanley Hauerwas. Id also like to thank Dr. Corrine Goodwin for all the ways she has helped keep me sane during this seasona considerable feat.

My old friends whove stuck by me: Especially Reed Lackey, for his valuable insight on the early manuscript, and Dave Galloway, who was there for me even during the awkward years.

My beautiful family: Jess, Rita, and Zacharythanks especially for the bike! It turned out to be a good investment, right?

And finally, to my mom and dad, Ronald and Lynda Martin, to whom this book is dedicated: There is absolutely no way I could be at this place in my life without your love and prayers. Everything I most needed to know about God I know from being your son.