About Isaac

Follower of Jesus, husband to Rhonda, father to Jada, Ella, and Lincoln, son of Joel and Becky, brother of Josh and Joel. I am fortunate enough to pastor Summit Church, a community of faith in Orlando, Florida, that we started six years ago. I would like this blog to be helpful for those who read it and, at some point, earn me a lucrative shoe contract.

Family I like to Read

Joel Hunter – Best week-to-week preacher in the country. Super smart. Best guy I know. Also, my Dad.

Mark Beeson – Insightful leader. Unselfish team builder. Willing to do anything to reach people for Christ. Also, my Uncle.

Joel and Lizzy-
Wildly funny couple. Brilliant ophthalmologist. Soon to open a Lasik and Cataract Center in Orlando. Also, my brother and sister-in-law.

Josh Hunter The most honest businessman I know, wonderful father, fine husband, excellent with a bow. Also, my older brother.

Amber Cox – Wonderful person. Godly woman. Encouragement machine. Also, my cousin.

Other People I like to Read

Ben Arment- Don’t know him. But seems like a really sharp guy.

Rob Duford – Friend of mine. Great pastor. Planting a church in Lake Mary, FL.

Tim Stevens – Sound strategic thinker. Loves Jesus and His family well. Serves his church with great integrity.

Groeschel and Gruenewald – Two of the smartest, most talented, passionate Christ-followers, in the world right now.

N.T. Wright – The foremost NT scholar in the world. Better yet, a sincere follower Jesus. And great leader in the Church.

45

June 28, 2010

My Niece Ava

Posted by Isaac Hunter

My niece has brain cancer. 72 hours ago, she was playing and laughing… Since then, she was taken to the hospital after having bad headaches, and they found a tangerine sized tumor on her brain. They scheduled surgery and removed most of the tumor. They determined it was malignant. That is what we know right now.

Many of you are aware of this already and have been praying for her. We are very grateful for your prayers and ask that you continue them for the duration.

In order of chronology, here is what is and is coming in the near future, should everything remain as is.

1. Ava must recover well from major surgery. The next 24 hours are critical in terms of recovery. Treatment (of any kind) for whatever remains of the cancer cannot begin until she is healthy enough to endure it.
2. The detailed pathology report will be rendered in the next 4 or 5 days. The grade and nature of the tumor should then be known… and the enemy to fight will be clearer.
3. They will then have to decide on a treatment plan.

Please pray:

1. That God would heal Ava quickly and completely.
2. That Josh, Lisa, Ava and Noah would have a palpable sense of peace and God’s presence and strength.
3. That Josh and Lisa would have wisdom about every decision they need to make in the next few days.

Someone asked at the hospital yesterday if all this “had shaken my faith?” In short, my answer was and is “No. “

Worlds fall apart. Anyone who isn’t aware of that hasn’t lived very long or paid much attention. I don’t understand this… but if my faith were contingent only on the breadth of my comprehension I would have little faith (if any) and none to speak of… Either the Jesus of our faith is bigger than our understanding, or He’s not Jesus.

However, not knowing everything doesn’t mean not knowing anything.

Here is what I know I believe: God loves Ava more than the rest of us could combined, God loves Josh and Lisa and Noah, God can heal her immediately, and He promises to heal her ultimately. I believe “our God is an ever present help in our times of trouble.” And, when hell itself seems to have burst open and been poured out… I still believe all of this.

Josh and Lisa have been nothing short of heroic every step of the way. I am amazed at their faithfulness and faith. I’m privileged to see what “every virtue at its sticking point” looks like up close—they are amazing. Ava is a fighter… but she does not fight alone.