Rising Stars: Meet Mo Obayomi of Murfreesboro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mo Obayomi.

Hi Mo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In the summer of 2009, I moved from New York City to Middle Tennessee for graduate school. Shortly after that, I married my wife – Nikki and four kids after, It has been home since then! As a family, we love middle Tennessee and excited to see the immense growth in the last decade, the wonderful people and the amazing potentials of this city.
The Local church has always been an integral part of my life. As an undergraduate student in New York City, I was able to discern the calling to serve the Local Church. In the fall of 2014, Nikki & I along with three other people stepped out to pursue the vision of planting H3 Church. Our journey has been out of deep passion for the Lord and people. While the Local church has never been perfect in expression, I have seen firsthand how people can thrive, blossom and bud when truly planted in a healthy Christian community. We stepped out dreaming of a church that would be truly Christ centered, devoted to raising disciples with a high value for Scriptures, prayers and the presence of the Lord. We have pursued what it would look like to have different nations and languages worship and serve the Lord together. It has been a journey of God’s grace and resilience.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While we are very grateful for the journey, we have had to navigate through mountain top and valley low experiences. Just like everyone who ever pioneered anything; it begins with great visions but most people quit because of great discouragement. We have had moments of great discouragement especially during the earlier years of the church that had the potential of chiseling courage and conviction about the vision. In moments like those, remembering God’s promises, being surrounded with the right voices and community have greatly helped. Indeed, tough times never last, you have to stay with it and keep swinging.
Also, I absolutely underestimated how racial differences have separated our world. Being a Pastor who was born in Nigeria, though I have now lived here more than anywhere else in my life, it is no small feat trying to unite different people of different background. However, I am convinced it is possible. When Jesus is truly made the common ground and not our natural preferences, it is truly achievable. We are beginning to see some fruits in this area but it has not come without a fierce contention for the vision and realignment of people back to what truly matters.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
H3 Church.
H3 stands for His Holy Hill . We are a local church based out of Murfreesboro. We have been here for over 10 years and we are committed to raising fully devoted followers of Jesus. It is our desire to create spaces where people can truly encounter the presence of the Lord- that those who are far away from the Lord will know the Lord and those who know Him would grow in deeper intimacy with Him. Whether Sunday morning or other gatherings, We love to create spaces for people to encounter the Lord through worship and prayers.
Through our home churches, people gather together in smaller groups to grow deeper as disciples of Jesus. One of our key values is community and we achieve this by truly doing life together in close proximity. We are passionate about serving our city. We love to partner with existing organizations in our city to be the hands and feet of Jesus. One of our annual highlights is our ‘back to school event” where we give out pre-packed backpacks to almost 500 kids in our region. We also love to equip and encourage the people in our congregation to thrive within the context where the Lord has planted them.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have greatly benefited from the works of the late Tim Keller, Leonard Ravenhill, Dave Clayton of Ethos Church/Onward church planting, Tope Koleoso of Jubilee Church London, Fady Al Hagal of the International Leadership Coalition Nashville, Jon Tyson of Church of the City NY and several others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.H3.church
• Instagram: @hisholyhill instagram.com/hisholyhill
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hisholyhill/
• Youtube: @hisholyhill