My friend Mark is sick. He is in a fight for his life and needs your prayers.

I first learned of Mark Beeson in 1992. He had started this small church in a movie theater nearby. Faith and I went to see what everyone was talking about. It was a new kind of church. A church designed for people who didn’t like church. I was intrigued.

Mark and I met soon after and forged a friendship. I was 25 years old. He was 39 years old. He was crazy enough to believe that a local church could be built that could have a far-reaching impact. I was crazy enough to believe him. And so, in 1994, Mark invited me to join the staff at Granger Community Church — “Come do this with me. Let’s build a church.”

The church was less than 250 in size—they definitely couldn’t afford me. Mark believed in me so much he figured out a way to raise the funds for my position for the first couple years, assuming if his gamble was right—the church would grow and be able to afford the additional dollars.

The next 20 years were a ride I will never forget. We were connected at the hip. Mark would consistently introduce me to others by saying, “We are two wings to the same plane. I lead the church. Tim runs the church.” But together we did both. It was magical. We built buildings, added staff, and pushed the envelope on what it meant to “do church.” Mark and I were in sync on the mission and vision of the church, and this little church in a cornfield in Indiana grew to more than 6,000 regularly attending. It’s what dreams are made of – making a big difference in the world while doing something you love, and doing it with people you love.

I don’t think there is a person alive who shaped who I am more than Mark Beeson. He helped untangle me from the legalism that had its grip on my heart. He believed in me and encouraged me to take my next step. When I started getting the itch to write, he was there cheering me on, giving me the space to write, telling the world they needed to read my books.

Mark modeled love for Sheila and their kids like I’d never seen before. He showed me it was possible to love your job and pour your effort into ministry without sacrificing your family. Mark never let church get in the way of his family. Mark also valued my family. He was one of the first in the hospital room when Megan, Hunter, and Taylor were born. He was the first to bless me with time and focus for vacations and events with the kids.

I learned from Mark how to be more relational; how to work with verbal processors; how to take my fun with me; how to always consider the opposite side of whatever I was arguing; how to value women; how to wake up every day believing this was the best day ever; how to have a wide tolerance for many beliefs; how to value and care for staff; how to build culture on a team; and so much more.

I moved to Texas in 2014 to pursue helping churches all around the country, yet Mark and I have exchanged text messages consistently. He has continued to encourage me, and I have continued to remind him of his impact in my life. This past April, we sat down for an extended breakfast. We talked and shared as though no time had passed. It was truly a gift.

So when my friend announced on September 24th that he was having health issues, and it was likely cancer, it stopped me in my tracks. This can’t be. He’s a fighter—he will beat this. Then last week when he announced he’d be stepping down as lead pastor of the church, it became very real. But in his typical fashion, he told the congregation:

Don’t be afraid. All the good God was doing, God is still doing. All the purposes God gave us are still God’s purposes. Our mission remains! Let’s keep helping people take their next steps toward Christ together.

This man has had an irreversible impact on my life, and thousands of others. Would you take a minute and pray for Mark and Sheila, Amber and Ryan, Aaron and Tracey, Angela and John, and all the grandkids?