Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Muench.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been the underdog my whole life. Growing up I always felt like I was invisible and never felt like I belonged…anywhere. So I spent a lot of my growing up years trying to prove my worth and find myself. Needless to say, most of that pursuit led me down some paths that were not very healthy or helpful. A lot of drugs, alcohol and chasing the temporary pleasures of this world. Although I grew up in a very “Christian” home… I never really saw the importance of church, faith or following Jesus. The hypocrisy of the church and those who attended only reinforced the deep need I had to be known and loved and the reality that church was not a safe place to struggle with habits, hurts, or hang-ups. They talked about a God who loved but I never really saw it or experienced in the church. It was just another place I felt like I would never be enough! As I attended college at St. Edward’s University to pursue my business degree, God began to reach out to me through a men’s bible study called Bible Study Fellowship. All of a sudden what used to be empty and dead became real and life-giving. As a result of that safe place to journey and ask questions I eventually gave my life to Jesus and began following him. It really was so different to find real people, who struggled with real issues and yet found real hope in God and his word.
The closer I got to graduating college I sensed God was calling me to do something different with my life other than business. But my need to prove myself and worth was too strong so I pushed aside those promptings and opened up an insurance and investment company when I graduated in 1995 in Round Rock. From day one I knew I was destined for success. I quickly became one of the top agents in my industry and was voted in Central Texas as the Rookie of the Year. Now I was somebody! I had a ton of money, could buy anything I needed or wanted, had a wife and a baby on the way and life was good. And yet there was still this nagging feeling that I was still not doing what I was created for. It was exciting, fun, and it felt great to be noticed and accomplished but I never felt fulfilled. So the night I received the highest award in my industry I went to bed knowing that I would need to lay it all down to the call of following Jesus into ministry. So I resigned that night to tell my wife that God was calling us to follow him into ministry. To give our lives away to loving others in the name of Jesus.
So in 1997 we sold our business, sold our house, moved to North Carolina and began serving in ministry as I finished my Masters of Divinity degree. Finally, I felt like I was right where I was supposed to be doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. But what I experienced growing up in the church was waiting for me it seemed in every place I would serve on staff over the next 18 years. We experienced a ton of church hurt. A lot of condemnation and criticism. And an overwhelming sense that I would never be what they wanted me to be. I would never be good enough!
I essentially gave up on the church. I wanted nothing to do with this “Americanized Christianity.” It looked nothing like the Jesus in the bible. I told myself if I was going to be martyred for Jesus I wanted to be martyred by lost people not church people! So me and my wife were going to go love and serve Muslims in the Middle East. But God wasn’t done with us here as it related to his “church.”
I believe as I look back now… what felt like a “set back’ in life and ministry was actually God setting me up to create a different kind of church. A place where no matter where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, or even where you might be in the moment… church should be a place to BELONG! If you matter to God then you should matter to Me. Yes !!! That is exactly what Jesus looks like in the New Testament. He met people where they were and simply called them to come and do life with him. And as people began following Jesus they found themselves wanting to BECOME like the one they were following. And then eventually we see people coming a place where they could BELIEVE that He was and is who he said he was. The Savior of mankind. The one who could change everything about their life. The one who loves without limits! So in 2014, we joined the Hill Country Association of Churches and started Redemption City Church. Our mission is simple… to give every man, woman and child a place to belong, a path to become and an opportunity to believe in the life changing reality of Jesus Christ! Life Starts Here! We believe everyone has a redemption story… its just waiting to be told!
So come as you are to Redemption City… but know this… as you begin to experience the love of Jesus and his people you will never be the same.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles; Def not a smooth road but a lot of God moments along the way, He has NEVER failed us! Every challenge has been an opportunity for God to show up. Its almost like as we were walking forward God was walking backward and meeting us every step of the way saying I GOT YOU!
Financial — went from making 17k month to 11k a year. We always had what we needed.
Being disappointed by people you selflessly pour your life into.
My wife was bedridden with all of our three boys… almost lost all three… and yet each one miraculously survived… While I worked two jobs, took 18 hours of seminary. Trying to not let our boys grow up feeling like they are in a glass house and being judge for making mistakes as a Pastor’s kid.
Covid and the church plant… still struggle to get back into a rhythm as a church and yet someone gave us 10 million dollars were of land for the church in prime area.
Suicide of a great friend and chute remember of RCC the 1st year.
My middle son diagnosed with a brain tumor…
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a pastor, a friend, a husband, father, or simply as a human… my purpose in life is to know and love people in such a way that they feel a little less alone. To remove their aloneness and in doing so helping them take a step closer to Jesus.
Removing aloneness happens in so many different areas of my life… I give my time away coaching and leading Business Leaders in RR… I coach and lead hundreds of couples through the State of Texas initiative called Twogether in Texas, Me and my wife host and lead relational workshops throughout the year helping people love and live better lives together!
What sets me apart from others is most people never assume I am a pastor… “You’re too real BIll” But I believe that is what made Jesus so attractive… he loved and lived in such a way that made people feel like they were known and not alone! I just want to see people the way Jesus sees them so I can love them the way Jesus wants to love them.
Specailize in relational and leadership coaching (biz and personal relationships)
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can come and help us love and care for real people by donating their time to serve our community with us at Redemption City. Come let us train you to remove peoples aloneness by investing relationally into their lives. Come and get trained in how to become a relational coach. Support us financially as we build a place at Redemption City where the community and church can live together 24/7 and where the market place and mission intersect.
Contact Info:
- Website: redemptioncity.church
- Instagram: redemptioncity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedemptionCity
