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
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
may prayer letter
Encouraged and excited. These are the two words I'm finding myself use to describe the ministry this Spring. With the summer season knocking on our door, we are growing in our existing groups, while ramping up for new and exciting things.
Growth in Our Groups:
In our existing groups we are having to find more chairs for folks to sit in. It has been a great blessing to see how God is using these growing circles of chairs. Recently I wrote a note to someone in our Monday Bible study, telling them how much I appreciate them. They wrote back, saying, "If I am all you say I am, I assure you that it is due to the safe and tender container you have provided for all of us to be our best and most tender selves. The Christ in all of us just shines through every person there... Your group gives me the awareness of how tender-
hearted I (and probably most people) can be when we feel safe and loved. Thank you so much for that." I share this not to boast in myself, but to boast of what our God is doing among us, for His glory.
Exciting Opportunities:
Presently I am having many conversations with folks who we believe God may be calling to join our launch team for the new church. Presently we have four households represented on this group, as I continue conversations with others in the next couple weeks. Once this group is solidified, we'll begin praying for what God has for us, and begin planning. My hope is that this group will begin worshipping every other week, starting this summer. We are excited for what God will continue to do.
please pray with us for…
Our God is generous. Thank you for your support of God's
ministry here in Bellingham. Please pray for His generosity
to be poured out in these areas:
• Gathering a core team. I am still in the middle of asking various folks we know to commit to leadership in the church plant, and hope to have a starting team by Summer.
• Summer experiments. In addition to our existing small groups, this summer we may experiment with a rhythm of worshiping together every other week, and partying together and blessing the neighborhood on the off weeks.
• Strategic planning w/ Mosaic. We are creatively considering different partnership options with Mosaic church.
Growth in Our Groups:
In our existing groups we are having to find more chairs for folks to sit in. It has been a great blessing to see how God is using these growing circles of chairs. Recently I wrote a note to someone in our Monday Bible study, telling them how much I appreciate them. They wrote back, saying, "If I am all you say I am, I assure you that it is due to the safe and tender container you have provided for all of us to be our best and most tender selves. The Christ in all of us just shines through every person there... Your group gives me the awareness of how tender-
hearted I (and probably most people) can be when we feel safe and loved. Thank you so much for that." I share this not to boast in myself, but to boast of what our God is doing among us, for His glory.
Exciting Opportunities:
Presently I am having many conversations with folks who we believe God may be calling to join our launch team for the new church. Presently we have four households represented on this group, as I continue conversations with others in the next couple weeks. Once this group is solidified, we'll begin praying for what God has for us, and begin planning. My hope is that this group will begin worshipping every other week, starting this summer. We are excited for what God will continue to do.
please pray with us for…
Our God is generous. Thank you for your support of God's
ministry here in Bellingham. Please pray for His generosity
to be poured out in these areas:
• Gathering a core team. I am still in the middle of asking various folks we know to commit to leadership in the church plant, and hope to have a starting team by Summer.
• Summer experiments. In addition to our existing small groups, this summer we may experiment with a rhythm of worshiping together every other week, and partying together and blessing the neighborhood on the off weeks.
• Strategic planning w/ Mosaic. We are creatively considering different partnership options with Mosaic church.
Friday, March 26, 2010
3.10 prayer letter
Our God is generous. I've been reflecting on His gracious provision lately. I am so grateful that He has blessed us so richly, and that we are able to see Christ move in our midst. Here’s some "praises" that we are celebrating in our different rhythms we practice.
Hospitality:
We are praising God that our home has become a hub. Neighbors and friends are always dropping in to hang out. I attribute this directly to God allowing us to reveal His desire to meet folks where they're at, and pursue authenticity. We are praising God that my part time work at the coffee shop is bearing fruit. In the last little while God has allowed me to encourage various customers in heartache and stress.
Discipleship:
We are praising God that both our Bible studies are growing. God has grown them numerically, relationally, in depth of knowledge of Christ. We are praising God that He has opened doors for us to directly share the good news of Jesus with searching folks who we know. It's cool.
Blessing:
We are praising God that the different groups we serve are being integrated in serving the Happy Valley neighborhood. We are praising God that I am now on the board of the neighborhood association. It will open relational doors that would otherwise be closed. We are praising God that my relationships at the neighborhood elementary school are deepening. God has allowed several significant spiritual conversations with teachers to occur.
please pray with us for…
Our God is generous. Thank you for your support of God's
ministry here in Bellingham. Please pray for His generosity
to be poured out in these areas:
1. Gathering a core team. I am in the middle of asking various folks we know to commit to leadership in the church plant, and hope to have a starting team by Summer.
2. Summer experiments. In addition to our existing small groups, this summer we may experiment with a rhythm of worshipping together every other week, and partying together and blessing the neighborhood on the off weeks.
3. Strategic planning w/ Mosaic. We are creatively considering different partnership options with Mosaic church.
Hospitality:
We are praising God that our home has become a hub. Neighbors and friends are always dropping in to hang out. I attribute this directly to God allowing us to reveal His desire to meet folks where they're at, and pursue authenticity. We are praising God that my part time work at the coffee shop is bearing fruit. In the last little while God has allowed me to encourage various customers in heartache and stress.
Discipleship:
We are praising God that both our Bible studies are growing. God has grown them numerically, relationally, in depth of knowledge of Christ. We are praising God that He has opened doors for us to directly share the good news of Jesus with searching folks who we know. It's cool.
Blessing:
We are praising God that the different groups we serve are being integrated in serving the Happy Valley neighborhood. We are praising God that I am now on the board of the neighborhood association. It will open relational doors that would otherwise be closed. We are praising God that my relationships at the neighborhood elementary school are deepening. God has allowed several significant spiritual conversations with teachers to occur.
please pray with us for…
Our God is generous. Thank you for your support of God's
ministry here in Bellingham. Please pray for His generosity
to be poured out in these areas:
1. Gathering a core team. I am in the middle of asking various folks we know to commit to leadership in the church plant, and hope to have a starting team by Summer.
2. Summer experiments. In addition to our existing small groups, this summer we may experiment with a rhythm of worshipping together every other week, and partying together and blessing the neighborhood on the off weeks.
3. Strategic planning w/ Mosaic. We are creatively considering different partnership options with Mosaic church.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
feb. prayer letter
Naming Rhythms:
As God seems to be gathering more and more people around us, I have continued to think about the vision for the new church. I love the thought of living out simple rhythms together, rhythms that define who we are in Christ, and who He is making us to be. I keep returning to the idea of being social, spiritual, and service-minded, but am searching for identifiers that capture the heart of the church more fully. Lately, I’ve been resonating with the words “hospitality”, “discipleship”, and “blessing” to capture those rhythms that God has laid on our hearts.
Hospitality:
Living the rhythm of hospitality means creating space in our lives and schedules for relationships to deepen. This is why I continue to work part time at the Firehouse Café. Yesterday, I shared the vision of the church with an interested customer, reconnected with friends I hadn’t seen, and talked theology with a regular. This is why we hosted a “Super Party” (a Super Bowl party minus football) for those not into the game. This is why we invite new and old friends to share a meal or hang out. Hospitality is rhythm of getting to know folks so you can conversations rooted in trust.
Discipleship:
The rhythm of discipleship is a communal effort to grow in our identity as children of God (Jn 1:12). This is why we gather together at our home on Mondays and for the Friday “Man Lunch”; both groups focus on learning about Christ by reading through the Word. This is why I mentor some guys at “The Fort” (a house of WWU men, committed to becoming men after God’s heart). This is why we are gathering folks around us (especially from the Mosaic) to journey with us, as we move toward our own worship time. Discipleship is a central rhythm for a community to grow together and in Christ.
Blessing:
Blessing others is an important rhythm in physically living out our collective faith. This is why we participate in Mosaic’s “Beautify” Sundays, where we as a church community focus on tangibly serving our neighbors in need. This is why I volunteer with the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association and at Happy Valley Elementary School, and why Kate and I volunteer at with the CHORE program (through the Whatcom Volunteer Center), only asking “How can we help?” God uses the rhythm of blessing to shalom to His people, and again builds a foundation of trust when putting in a good word for Jesus.
please pray with us for…
-God would be glorified in Bellingham
-God would gather His launch team for His new church
-God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
-God to open doors for us to put in a good word for Jesus, in the relationships and activities we find ourselves in
As God seems to be gathering more and more people around us, I have continued to think about the vision for the new church. I love the thought of living out simple rhythms together, rhythms that define who we are in Christ, and who He is making us to be. I keep returning to the idea of being social, spiritual, and service-minded, but am searching for identifiers that capture the heart of the church more fully. Lately, I’ve been resonating with the words “hospitality”, “discipleship”, and “blessing” to capture those rhythms that God has laid on our hearts.
Hospitality:
Living the rhythm of hospitality means creating space in our lives and schedules for relationships to deepen. This is why I continue to work part time at the Firehouse Café. Yesterday, I shared the vision of the church with an interested customer, reconnected with friends I hadn’t seen, and talked theology with a regular. This is why we hosted a “Super Party” (a Super Bowl party minus football) for those not into the game. This is why we invite new and old friends to share a meal or hang out. Hospitality is rhythm of getting to know folks so you can conversations rooted in trust.
Discipleship:
The rhythm of discipleship is a communal effort to grow in our identity as children of God (Jn 1:12). This is why we gather together at our home on Mondays and for the Friday “Man Lunch”; both groups focus on learning about Christ by reading through the Word. This is why I mentor some guys at “The Fort” (a house of WWU men, committed to becoming men after God’s heart). This is why we are gathering folks around us (especially from the Mosaic) to journey with us, as we move toward our own worship time. Discipleship is a central rhythm for a community to grow together and in Christ.
Blessing:
Blessing others is an important rhythm in physically living out our collective faith. This is why we participate in Mosaic’s “Beautify” Sundays, where we as a church community focus on tangibly serving our neighbors in need. This is why I volunteer with the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association and at Happy Valley Elementary School, and why Kate and I volunteer at with the CHORE program (through the Whatcom Volunteer Center), only asking “How can we help?” God uses the rhythm of blessing to shalom to His people, and again builds a foundation of trust when putting in a good word for Jesus.
please pray with us for…
-God would be glorified in Bellingham
-God would gather His launch team for His new church
-God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
-God to open doors for us to put in a good word for Jesus, in the relationships and activities we find ourselves in
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
dec. prayer letter
The Reason for the Season:
As Christmas fast approaches, I am reminded of the incarnation of Christ, how He came to us, to bless us. Now He sends all of us out to bless others with His good news. My prayer for you is that He would grant you a gracious heart this season, to bless those around you with the gift of encouragement. We are doing our best to do just that as we continue to live out our three rhythms.
Intentionally Social:
This fall as I’ve been trying get to know more folks in town, I've begun regularly gathering with different guys at a local pub. Through this regular time together significant relationships are being formed. In the same manner, social times at cohousing (where we live) have spurred on great friendships and many probing spiritual conversations. My prayer is that during this festive season, God will open relational doors and conversations that point to Him and His advent.
Spiritual Focus:
In our Monday night Bible, we continue to grow numerically, and in our connection with one another. The group grows bigger while getting relationally tighter. The Friday men's lunch is now studying its second Biblical book. My hope is that this group will continue to be a place of encouragement and comradery. Our partnership with Mosaic church is taking a new step, as they launch their 2nd gathering in January. This will help them alleviate their space issues and provide a "greenhouse" for the church plant's leadership. In all these things we are praying for God’s kingdom to come a fresh in Happy Valley and Bellingham.
Blessing the Hood:
One of the pillars of Happy Valley is the elementary school. I've begun volunteering in their resource room. My hope is that I can bless them, and that God will open new doors for future service. We continue to help serve a young woman in the hood with Cancer. Her condition is not getting better; please pray for her. In the New Year I am hoping to gather neighbors to conduct a survey to determine the assets/gifts possessed by folks in the neighborhood. This will allow us all to help serve the community in tangible ways that they will also take ownership of.
please pray with us for…
• God would be glorified in Bellingham
• God would call folks to join us in simply participating
in the different groups we have started & hope to start
• God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
• God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
As Christmas fast approaches, I am reminded of the incarnation of Christ, how He came to us, to bless us. Now He sends all of us out to bless others with His good news. My prayer for you is that He would grant you a gracious heart this season, to bless those around you with the gift of encouragement. We are doing our best to do just that as we continue to live out our three rhythms.
Intentionally Social:
This fall as I’ve been trying get to know more folks in town, I've begun regularly gathering with different guys at a local pub. Through this regular time together significant relationships are being formed. In the same manner, social times at cohousing (where we live) have spurred on great friendships and many probing spiritual conversations. My prayer is that during this festive season, God will open relational doors and conversations that point to Him and His advent.
Spiritual Focus:
In our Monday night Bible, we continue to grow numerically, and in our connection with one another. The group grows bigger while getting relationally tighter. The Friday men's lunch is now studying its second Biblical book. My hope is that this group will continue to be a place of encouragement and comradery. Our partnership with Mosaic church is taking a new step, as they launch their 2nd gathering in January. This will help them alleviate their space issues and provide a "greenhouse" for the church plant's leadership. In all these things we are praying for God’s kingdom to come a fresh in Happy Valley and Bellingham.
Blessing the Hood:
One of the pillars of Happy Valley is the elementary school. I've begun volunteering in their resource room. My hope is that I can bless them, and that God will open new doors for future service. We continue to help serve a young woman in the hood with Cancer. Her condition is not getting better; please pray for her. In the New Year I am hoping to gather neighbors to conduct a survey to determine the assets/gifts possessed by folks in the neighborhood. This will allow us all to help serve the community in tangible ways that they will also take ownership of.
please pray with us for…
• God would be glorified in Bellingham
• God would call folks to join us in simply participating
in the different groups we have started & hope to start
• God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
• God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
Thursday, October 1, 2009
october prayer
Same Rhythms New Season:
I cannot believe that a year ago Kate, Montana, and I moved to WA to begin the work of discerning the call to start a new church. At the end of this first year, we can confidently say that this calling has been confirmed. We strongly believe that God has called us to the task of creating an authentic faith community in Bellingham, focused on living socially, growing spiritually in Christ, and serving our neighborhood.
Social…
Socially, I am encouraged by the relationships that have already deepened as a result of our activity in the neighborhood. The Tuesday running club I have been attending has resulted in several spiritual conversations. In the same way, we continue to have more and more conversations with our immediate neighbors at Cohousing. The newest addition to our “social rhythm” is my part-time employment at the Fire House Cafe in Fairhaven. It is one of the best neighborhood “hubs” on the south side of Bellingham, and I am excited to see who God puts before us as I begin networking in this great spot (I have already met more folks than I could have guessed). In all these settings, and others, we are praying that God would deepen the trust we’ve developed w/ folks, so we can put in a good word for Him as we go.
…Spiritual…
Our Monday Bible study continues to grow, with 10 people having been through “the doors,” 7 of which are regulars at this point. This week I have started 2 new men’s groups (meeting Wednesday evenings and Friday lunches). Kate and I also hope to start a couple monthly groups: one that will focus on serving our neighborhood in practical ways, and a Film & Food group). Our partnership w/ Mosaic in Bellingham continues, and we pray that God will lay it on folks’ hearts from there, and from all these groups, to join us in forming our launch team.
…Service.
We continue to serve our neighbor w/ Cancer, doing simple household tasks, as she continues her treatments. I am hoping this fall to partner directly w/ the neighborhood association in serving our neighbors through the group mentioned above. My prayer is that the new church would be known around the neighborhood as one that cares and serve, by putting it’s faith into action.
please pray with us for…
-God would be glorified in Bellingham
-God would call folks to join us in simply participating in the different groups we have started & hope to start
-God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
-God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
I cannot believe that a year ago Kate, Montana, and I moved to WA to begin the work of discerning the call to start a new church. At the end of this first year, we can confidently say that this calling has been confirmed. We strongly believe that God has called us to the task of creating an authentic faith community in Bellingham, focused on living socially, growing spiritually in Christ, and serving our neighborhood.
Social…
Socially, I am encouraged by the relationships that have already deepened as a result of our activity in the neighborhood. The Tuesday running club I have been attending has resulted in several spiritual conversations. In the same way, we continue to have more and more conversations with our immediate neighbors at Cohousing. The newest addition to our “social rhythm” is my part-time employment at the Fire House Cafe in Fairhaven. It is one of the best neighborhood “hubs” on the south side of Bellingham, and I am excited to see who God puts before us as I begin networking in this great spot (I have already met more folks than I could have guessed). In all these settings, and others, we are praying that God would deepen the trust we’ve developed w/ folks, so we can put in a good word for Him as we go.
…Spiritual…
Our Monday Bible study continues to grow, with 10 people having been through “the doors,” 7 of which are regulars at this point. This week I have started 2 new men’s groups (meeting Wednesday evenings and Friday lunches). Kate and I also hope to start a couple monthly groups: one that will focus on serving our neighborhood in practical ways, and a Film & Food group). Our partnership w/ Mosaic in Bellingham continues, and we pray that God will lay it on folks’ hearts from there, and from all these groups, to join us in forming our launch team.
…Service.
We continue to serve our neighbor w/ Cancer, doing simple household tasks, as she continues her treatments. I am hoping this fall to partner directly w/ the neighborhood association in serving our neighbors through the group mentioned above. My prayer is that the new church would be known around the neighborhood as one that cares and serve, by putting it’s faith into action.
please pray with us for…
-God would be glorified in Bellingham
-God would call folks to join us in simply participating in the different groups we have started & hope to start
-God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans, as well a few families who would commit, for a season, to be a part of our launch team
-God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
Monday, July 27, 2009
prayer letter - 8.09
Living the Rhythms in Summer:
It has been a warm summer so far! I’m surprised how hot I am as I write these words. I love seeing how all the gardens of veggies and flowers in my neighborhood have grown. As we continue to live out our life rhythms (living socially, living spiritually, living in service) in our neighborhood, it is encouraging to how relationships have begun to grow, as well. Thank you for your prayers and support for us and the ministry God has called us to do.
Social…
Because of the beautiful weather, people are outside. We’ve had spontaneous conversations as a result, many of which have been of a spiritual nature. I have been encouraged to meet new friends at coffee shops; one such friend accepted my invitation to come to our weekly Bible study. This caused me to pursue applying for a part time job at different coffee shops in the neighborhood, not for financial reasons but for the opportunity to easily meet lots of folks.
…Spiritual…
Our weekly Bible study is going great. Tonight will be our 5th time meeting together, with 5 regular attendees. Last week we had 7 folks come, and I only expect that we will continue to grow in number as we grow in our faith together. This summer I am trying to lay the relational foundations of the two new small groups. The first one I hope will meet once or so a month, for those from out of town or who cannot commit to more. It will have a focus on prayer and fellowship. The second group I am daydreaming about is a weekly men’s morning group. My prayer is that these groups will begin by the end of summer/beginning of Fall. If any or all of these are of interest to you let me know.
…Service.
Kate and I continue to volunteer, serving a young woman with Crohns and Cancer. Today, she is undergoing her latest round of chemotherapy. Also, I am exploring doing some “community organizing” work in the Fall. This work would allow me to bless my neighborhood, helping them with what they desire, while getting to know and building relationships with more neighbors.
please pray with us for…
• God would call folks to join us in simply participating
in the different groups we hope to start
• God would bless us w/with good relationships as we start and continue small groups
• God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans
• God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
It has been a warm summer so far! I’m surprised how hot I am as I write these words. I love seeing how all the gardens of veggies and flowers in my neighborhood have grown. As we continue to live out our life rhythms (living socially, living spiritually, living in service) in our neighborhood, it is encouraging to how relationships have begun to grow, as well. Thank you for your prayers and support for us and the ministry God has called us to do.
Social…
Because of the beautiful weather, people are outside. We’ve had spontaneous conversations as a result, many of which have been of a spiritual nature. I have been encouraged to meet new friends at coffee shops; one such friend accepted my invitation to come to our weekly Bible study. This caused me to pursue applying for a part time job at different coffee shops in the neighborhood, not for financial reasons but for the opportunity to easily meet lots of folks.
…Spiritual…
Our weekly Bible study is going great. Tonight will be our 5th time meeting together, with 5 regular attendees. Last week we had 7 folks come, and I only expect that we will continue to grow in number as we grow in our faith together. This summer I am trying to lay the relational foundations of the two new small groups. The first one I hope will meet once or so a month, for those from out of town or who cannot commit to more. It will have a focus on prayer and fellowship. The second group I am daydreaming about is a weekly men’s morning group. My prayer is that these groups will begin by the end of summer/beginning of Fall. If any or all of these are of interest to you let me know.
…Service.
Kate and I continue to volunteer, serving a young woman with Crohns and Cancer. Today, she is undergoing her latest round of chemotherapy. Also, I am exploring doing some “community organizing” work in the Fall. This work would allow me to bless my neighborhood, helping them with what they desire, while getting to know and building relationships with more neighbors.
please pray with us for…
• God would call folks to join us in simply participating
in the different groups we hope to start
• God would bless us w/with good relationships as we start and continue small groups
• God to raise up a strong ministry partner (“person of peace” Lk 10:1-7) to help us w/ weekly plans
• God to open doors, relationally, as we involve ourselves in activities in the neighborhood, allowing our lives to overlap w/ others
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