New opportunities in North Michigan

Well last week was another wonderful time serving our Lord. This week as we have met some more young couples; and they keep asking questions about this new work I would ask that you pray for this age group and more specifically this genre. What we have seen as our focus group that God keeps putting into our path is the 20-30 single and married couples. These people are so hungry for the truth and authentic Christianity. Some have some church background; however, they are not in church at this time. So with that said, please pray for more ways to reach this people group. Furthermore, we are still in desperate need of people that play music. We do have one couple that is moving away due to receiving a new job in Kansas City, and he was a very key part of our church plant and he plays guitar as well. However, God has more people in mind for us; we just need to find them.

Now we have found a new area that has a lot of opportunities to share the Gospel and find people that need to hear the message of hope. Where you ask, I am so glad you did. It is on the ski slope, that’s right the ski slopes. I have now learned how to downhill ski and combining that with cross country skiing will provide more chances to engage our culture. We have been going to the ski slopes during different times of the week trying to find more people and seeking how to engage them. What we have found is, “if you are not a skier or has a family member that skis” they will not talk to you. I tried just going there and seeing who I could talk to and I got a few results not many though, however, when I was a skier the opportunities were endless. We have a resort that allows us to ski at a very reduced rate on Sunday afternoons, so if they are coming here to ski and relax and shred the slopes why can we not be there to share Jesus Christ. So please pray for this wonderful new field of opportunity.

Lastly, please pray for a person of peace. This is a person that is involved in the community and knows who and where people are both physically and spiritually. Next, please pray for more men in our churches, we really need more men. Our Barbarian men will be meeting again on Monday nights at 6:30pm, we would like to have 10-15 men that we can invest in.

Your church planting missionary in North Michigan

Winter 2010

Well 2010 is here, did you ever think that Y2K + 10yrs would be like this? Many ten years ago were not sure what the next day would hold. You know many today are not sure what tomorrow will hold, or do not know if tomorrow will even come. This is the Hope that we can share with them that this is not all there is. Eternity is real and it is forever. Let’s wrap up 2009. We are going through these first 4 months very nicely thanks for the prayers. We have snow on the ground every day since the first of December, and we have had some really cold mornings but the worst is yet to come.
Well it is here 2010. So what is ahead in 2010? We are meeting new people every day. We have encountered many who need to hear the message of the Gospel, the message of Hope, and the message of encouragement. Next, our core group is coming together slowly but surely. Lastly, we are looking forward to our “Official” launch of public worship services.
With that ahead of us this New Year is exciting. We are all making some new friends. You know this seems harder here in Michigan than it has been in past places for us. Many people once they trust you they are your friend. I want to ask, “What is friendship?” For some it is doing things together, for others it is helping someone out in a time of need, and yet for others it is the amount of time and the purpose for being together that makes a friendship. Finally, for some it is just about knowing about someone or just saying, “Yea I know them” there is no time spent together nor is there any meaning to the relationship. So how do we as ones that don’t know very many people make “friends”. Well I believe it is all about building a relationship, how do you do that, you spend quality time together, you have a purpose, and you have something in common together.
Many here have told us that the winter months are the hardest time to get to meet people and get to know others. Well if that is true we have met new people during these winter months and are building relationships with them. So during the months when the weather is nicer it should be much easier to meet and build relationships. Or so we are told. LOL. We are looking forward to daily encounters that God has for us, and for those to whom God is calling unto Himself that He will put in our paths this next year. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We are excited to be your church planter in Michigan.