Two Lives
I have a feeling that there will be two very different reactions to the contents of this post. Some will read that Amy and I are moving back to Austin to start a church and think, “Of course, I’ve always thought Zach would end up working at a church.” Others will read this and immediately say to themselves, “There must be two Zach Lamberts, because the one I knew was the last person I ever thought would be a pastor.” There is a very simple reason for these polar reactions: I’ve lived two different lives.
I lived one life up until the summer before my senior year of high school. This life was filled with attempts to find my identity in sports, girls, drugs, and friends. Then one night, on a Lake Travis pier, I met grace for the first time. In my previous life I had heard other people talk about grace, even seen grace, but never truly experienced it. I met grace because I met Jesus Christ. He showed me that all of the things I had filled my life with were empty without Him, including the girls I chased and the substances I abused. The emptiness even included “good” things like sports, friends, and church; all of these things meant nothing without Jesus.
Life-Changing Grace
My new life began that night. That doesn’t mean that night was the last time I ever did anything wrong, my daily life is riddled with failures. It does mean it was the last time I was ever considered guilty for the times I fail. The good news of the grace that Jesus offers is that his perfection takes the place of our imperfection; past, present, and future, everything we’ve ever done wrong or will ever do wrong is forgiven and taken away. This grace isn’t something that we can earn or achieve, it is a free gift that is offered to us only through Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.
Another amazing thing about this grace that Jesus offers is that it doesn’t just remove our guilt and shame, it enables us to live abundant and fruitful lives. The Holy Spirit comes to transform every person that says “yes” to Jesus. The Spirit brings freedom and empowers us to live a life that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Moving Home
Amy and I are moving back to Austin to start a church so that we can share the good news about the grace of Jesus with everyone we can. Restore Austin is a church that longs for people to experience new life through Jesus Christ and authentic relationships within our community.
At Restore Austin, we don’t think it’s enough to just talk about grace. Simply put, we want to embody and express grace to everyone we meet: we embody grace by welcoming and loving everyone, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done; we express grace by helping and supporting people who are in need.
Connect with Us
Every couple of weeks over the next few months, as we prepare to move back to Austin, I will be updating this blog. If you are interested in Restore Austin or want to keep up with our adventure, please enter your email address in the box at the very bottom of this page. I promise not to inundate you with emails or sell your address to advertising companies, I would just love to be able to share our journey with you. If you would like to get in contact with us, you can email me directly at zach@restoreaustin.org or click the tab that says “Connect.”
For the past four years, Amy and I have been praying and preparing for this church. We can’t wait to get back to Austin, the city we love most.
Zach
woo hoo! I am all in Brother! Send me all the emails you can!!
Thanks so much, Pete!
Please continue to include me in your distributions
Thanks, Lexi! We’ll keep you guys updated.
Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future! God bless you in your efforts!
Good word, Mark!
So proud of y’all and excited to follow this journey and hold you up in prayer!
We really appreciate it, Wendi!
SO excited to see Austin reached!
Thanks, Summer!
Hey Zach and Amy,
You may or may not remember me, but I for sure can tell you that I remember y’all. Zach you were my youth pastor at Clearfork from my sixth grade year into my seventh… I am now a senior in high school, and I can tell you, in quite a bit of detail, a few of your lessons, even after these few years. It was an incredible honor to have you both apart of our church, and more so our church family. Words can not describe how incredibly proud I am of both of y’all. Even being that young and not truly understanding God’s will, power, or even his love, you both were filled with it and showed it every time you walked in. I just wanted to take sometime and tell you that you both are incredibly gifted and talented, and I can’t wait to see how God continues to work in your life, and where he will lead you from here! With my love, Karina Moreno
Of course we remember you. Karina! Thank you for saying all of this, it means so much to us. We’ve always known that God has had big plans for you and your life, even as a seventh grader. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if we can ever do anything for you. Maybe you’ll end up in Austin someday; we’d love for you to be close by!
Zack,
I can relate to your reference to living two lives. We all have started
there, even those who were raised in a church environment. Thanks
for adding me to your blog distribution. Will keep you Amy and your
son in my prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Lyle
Thanks so much, Lyle!
I am so excited that you two are moving back close to home. I will definitely be visiting your church. Love you and so happy for you.
Thanks, Kathy! Love you guys too!
Praying for you and Amy. Cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. Blessings sweet boy!
Gay Lynn Joseph
We really appreciate it, Gay Lynn!
Reading this was like reading a page from my own journal (except for the whole church planting part.) Thanks for sharing, brother. Praying for you and Amy in this exciting next season! 🙂
Thanks so much, bro!
I am so proud of you Zach and so happy that the LORD has led you back home. I can’t wait to see what all He has in store for you guys and sweet Judah!! Love you!
Thanks, Jennifer! Looking forward to connecting again in Austin.
I am not surprised at all! I still remember the young man who asked me to pray for the kids in his huddle at FCA leadership camp. One of the reasons you can explain grace to others is because you have experienced it! Happy to pray for you and watch what the Lord does!
Thanks so much, Lana!
Zach and Amy, I’m so excited to hear how God is using you to further His kingdom. I will be praying for you both as your venture unfolds. And yes, I am in the count of those who knew you would preach the gospel from the first time we met! Can’t wait to hear more.
Thanks, Paula! We appreciate the prayers.
So awesome, Zach! Very happy for you and Amy!