Whenever summer comes around, I always hear the call of the road. Kate and I love a good road trip, getting out "into the wide open." After miles of empty road, more road side signs begin to appear, informing you that a new town is nearby. I feel like this is where we are at, with regard to the church plant.
We began our journey, and set out with the excitement of the openness before us. Moving to Lynden in the fall of 2008, we began to pray where God was leading us to move, live, and begin the ministry He called us to. We traveled around the various towns of Whatcom County and felt God nudging us to Bellingham, specifically to the south side.
In the summer of 2009, we moved from Lynden to Bellingham, and began getting to know our neighbors. Living at Bellingham Cohousing allowed us to almost instantaneously get to know our immediate neighbors. Working at the Firehouse Cafe allowed me to build friendships with many others who live on the south side. Volunteering at the local elementary school and Whatcom Volunteer Center, allowed us to bless others in the neighborhood.
The road signs began to increase. God allowed us to start two Bible studies, where He continues to bring previously isolated individuals into a community of prayer, study, encouragement and fun. God has blessed these groups with an authenticity and depth that is evidence of His love among us.
Now a year after moving to Bellingham, the unmistakable signs along the road make it apparent that God is bringing us even closer to something new. This past month has been an exciting one. Several of us gathered for the first time as a leadership community for the church plant. We ate, shared our stories, and prayed together. This group will be the group that navigates the first miles of the church. As a group we set the date for the church's first worship gathering, happening June 27th at 5:30pm. We hope to worship together every other week during the summer. We hope that this gathering will be a place for our friends and neighbors to experience the love of God in our community.
The road trip continues. God has blessed us with safety, encouragement, and provision thus far, moving us to the neighborhood He wants us to serve. We anxiously await what He will do among us, as He builds His Kingdom in Bellingham. Thanks for your prayers and support along the way, for God's glory.
Please pray with us for God to...
-continue to build His church, bring the isolated into community
-bless our leadership community with wisdom, unity, and fun
-give our family and our church family a good summer of connection and fun
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