New post and New move

Well this is my first blog post. Let me know what you think of the profile and the background. As so many of you know the Ballard family (Allen, Jean, and Chrissie) will be moving to North Michigan this month. We are excited about our new assignment and our new opportunities for reaching souls for Christ. We have been looking at some great pictures that others have posted about the snow that came last winter. Wow, now that is some snow. I am so going to get a snow blower. LOL
As we are going to this new area we have been in prayer and I would ask that you join us in this opportunity also. I was born in Michigan and moved to Arkansas when I was 18. Furthermore, God has allowed my family and me to serve churches in Arkansas since 2001 and now God in His providence is allowing me to move back home and serve Him in Michigan at this new work. Our vision is one of a Connection, sbc; this is the proposed name for this wonderful new ministry.
· We have a passion to connect non-believers to God
· Connect believers with other believers
· In addition, to connect the church to its community
With this great sense of urgency and passion for ministry my family and I will be leaving in the middle of September to get on the field and to partner with the associational missionary and a group of local believers to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, Him Crucified, His Love, His Grace, and His Forgiveness. With a great mission comes a great need. The area in which we have been called is a pioneer mission’s area. We will be working through
· The Pines Association located in the Gaylord area
· The Michigan Baptist State Convention
· And the North American Mission Board
This is a predominantly Catholic community (the arch-diocese is located in this town). Moreover, with the vast amount of people that have not heard nor seen the gospel of Christ we feel that God is going to move in a mighty way. During a needs tour in July of 2009 God revealed a huge need for ministry to hurting families, salvation for the lost, and for Kingdom growth. I am prayerfully asking that you and your ministry consider coming along side of this wonderful ministry and huge opportunity for Kingdom growth. We have a very limited amount of resources to start this new work. We would like to offer you a couple of opportunities to become a partner church.
1. Firstly, we would ask you that you pray for us. We are going completely on faith.
2. Secondly, would be for monthly support of $500 to $1000 for three to five years.
3. Thirdly, a love offering of any amount this would be for start up money and funding for materials, supplies, and ministry expenses.
4. Another area would be a short term commitment of $1000 a month for 6 months this is for getting a place to rent and utilities.
5. As we grow we will also be needing ministry teams to come to Michigan and participate in Kingdom growth projects.
If you are interested in partnering in this in ANY way please let me know. I will post as we go. Thanks once again to all my friends that have been so supportive and encouraging. A few that I want to give a special thanks to is; Bro. Gary Wise my mentor, C.J. and Lisha Taylor, Herb and Terry Shipman, Dr. J.D. Stake, Jim and Gloria Hall, all of the friends that work with Jean at Regions, the pastors that have been my prayer and accountability partners, the staff at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Russell Fridell, and our prayer partners in this new ministry, and so many more, if I forgot to mention you by name please forgive us.
Let me know how we can ever improve this blog or what you want to talk about.

Love yall. Bro. Allen, Jean and Chrissie Ballard