Loving Utah is U::
Loving Utah prays for, inspires, equips and partners with gospel-centered leaders who want to multiply their Kingdom impact.
Your prayers and financial support make a difference as we resource churches to reach the people of Utah.
Board of Directors
Ben Helton Lifestone Church Herriman UT
Caiti Spiess Mountain City Church Salt Lake City UT
Chris Bechtel Sego Church South Jordan UT
Dave Nelson K2 the Church Murray UT
Dave Elshaug Executive Director Loving Utah South Jordan UT
Jeff Borglin Serial Entrepreneur Lake Orion MI
Kurt Kost Retired Corporate Executive North Salt Lake UT
Logan Wolf Crosspoint Church Provo UT
Shane Finley Mountain View Fellowship Heber City UT
Victoria Henderson Neighborhood Church South Jordan UT
Loving Utah Network is a 501c3 and is supported financially by a network of churches and individuals who care deeply about reaching Utah with the gospel.
What We Believe
The Bible is our Guide: We look to the perfect Word of God to guide us, inspire us, and shine the light of truth upon the paths that we are traveling.
We are the Body of Christ: No individual or group has the corner on the perfect strategy, vision, or methodology. Each leader, organization and movement have strengths that they contribute to the greater body of Christ. We will work as a body and celebrate as each part does its own work as we advance the Kingdom together.
Our Source is the Father: We will call out to the Father, the Lord of the Harvest, Jehovah Jireh to provide leaders, financial resources, and protection. He is a good Father, and we have been adopted as sons and daughters. Our Father is always at work, and we are privileged to join him in the work he has prepared in advance for us to do so we can reap the harvest he has ripened for us.
We Are to Live out the Mission of Jesus: We follow the One True Jesus, Savior, King and Lord. We believe that the great commission (Matt 28:19-20) is the mission of Jesus’ followers. We will make more and better disciples. We trust our brothers and sister to follow Jesus and to join him in his mission to seek and save that which is lost.
We Follow the Spirit: We will hold loosely to our visions, methods, and ideas so that we can follow the winds of the Holy Spirit. He is always on the move, but it is up to us to discover where he is moving and join Him in his work.
Loving Utah Values
LOVING: “We lead with love.” We strive to live out the greatest commandments; to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” -- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
INVESTING: “We Invest in the Next Generation” We will create opportunities to recruit and train young people in the mission field of Utah. We will work diligently to incorporate these emerging leaders in key leadership teams and strategic thinking. We will hand the work of Loving Utah off to young leaders, believing that they will solve the issues for their generation and generations to come. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18
COLLABORATING: “We are Fiercely Dependent.” We are fully dependent on God for all things. We will depend on the collaboration of our ministry partners and willing local churches. We expect them to express and live out their unique contribution as they follow Jesus as well as contribute to the greater Kingdom. We will always welcome new gospel-centered leaders into our Kingdom community, believing that they have something to contribute. We will avoid suspicion, gossip, and division that keeps Kingdom work from being accomplished. We will forgive and seek reconciliation when needed. We are willing to learn from each other, work with each other, and pray for each other.
DREAMING: “We Dream Big Dreams for Kingdom Movements.” We will set the example of dreaming bigger dreams than we can accomplish on our own. We will write out a clear vision, share it with others, and work diligently to accomplish the vision. We will be generous with our time, talents, abilities, finances in a way that brings glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords. We will give our life away and lay down our lives for each other. We will serve one another with passion, love, and humility.
MULTIPLYING: “We Expect Kingdom Multiplication.” Jesus taught us to plant gospel seeds and he would multiply them. Jesus said that good fruit will grow on healthy trees. We will look for evidence that God is multiplying His Kingdom through his people, leaders, movements, and souls saved and we will be willing to partner with and join multiplying movements.
Strategic Partnerships
Elevation Project
Intentional Churches
Plant Utah
Utah Advance
Intermountain Church Planters Association
Dave Elshaug is the Executive Director of Loving Utah. He is married to Kari and they have three daughters: Katerina, Amelia and Eleanor. They have lived in Utah since 2006 and enjoy hiking, family game night, and loving and serving Jesus.
