07/30/07 UPDATE
I received some feedback from our service on the 22nd last week. I'll let it speak for itself. It's why we do what we do!
"Yes, my son and I were both there on Sunday. It was very nice. You do a great job. We enjoyed the music too. My son and I just wanted to visit, as I am Catholic and baptized my son Catholic as well. I just didn't feel very comfortable attending Catholic Church anymore, so I just stopped going. That was about 5 years ago! Now that my son is almost 4, I want us both to get back into the religious community, and eventually get my 1 year old daughter involved. (My husband will be difficult to convince.) I started researching different Christian denominations and was just getting confused, didn't know where to even start and was getting discouraged. About a week later, a lady from Redeemer [Jacqueline] came to my door with a flier for the neighborhood picnic. I took it as a sign. :) Anyway, that's how we found you and we will visit again in August and see if Redeemer is right for us. Thank you for checking in with us! Have a great day!"
"I never really liked going to church because I always felt pressure from everyone to believe or act a certain way. I liked redeemer because I did not feel the pressure I used to feel going to the different churches I have been to throughout my days. You read from the bible and explain what the meaning of what you are reading is in a way we can all understand and that is something I like. No, pressure, just straight up reading from the bible. You can't go wrong with that."
Please pray for the countless people like this that we have met this summer. They are both unchurched and God is working in both of their lives. Pray that God will keep drawing them to Himself, open their eyes to the truth of the gospel, and give them faith to respond. This is God's work!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
07/23/07 UPDATE
The past week was ridiculously busy once again. We had two mission teams who hosted three block parties and passed out around 2,000 fliers. We also had our second service.
The block parties went really well. We had between 80 and 100 at each.
The service was also great. We had 49. For those keeping score (I am), we had 29 last month. Several of them were talking about coming back next month as well. In addition to these, we have added a ton of prospects who are very interested in the service and just couldn't be there yesterday. Hopefully, we'll see a lot more of those attend in the next couple of months, or at least when we reach weekly service Sept. 16th. It was all very encouraging as we discussed it.
Keep up the praying! God is hearing and answering.
The past week was ridiculously busy once again. We had two mission teams who hosted three block parties and passed out around 2,000 fliers. We also had our second service.
The block parties went really well. We had between 80 and 100 at each.
The service was also great. We had 49. For those keeping score (I am), we had 29 last month. Several of them were talking about coming back next month as well. In addition to these, we have added a ton of prospects who are very interested in the service and just couldn't be there yesterday. Hopefully, we'll see a lot more of those attend in the next couple of months, or at least when we reach weekly service Sept. 16th. It was all very encouraging as we discussed it.
Keep up the praying! God is hearing and answering.
Monday, July 16, 2007
7/16/07 UPDATE
Last week took "service" to a new level for a mission team visiting us. They were doing a Backyard Bible Club in one of the neighborhoods where we had done a block party. We were getting ready to leave and I saw a lady walking up who had been at the block party. She said, "I know this isn't what you guys came up here to do, but the recycling truck's back gate just fell open and it dumped the whole load in the street in front of my house. My sister and I are trying to help them clean it up and we would really appreciate your help." We all loaded up (probably 11 youth, 4 adults, and myself) and went around the corner. In my mind, I was thinking there was a little pile of stuff because they hadn't picked everything up yet. WRONG!!! We came around the corner and there was this gargantuan mound of garbage in the street. The wind was blowing and papers, cans, bottles, and other junk was going everywhere. The worst part was that the garbage truck pulled back around to help, so we had to smell it the whole time. Anyway, we got it all picked up and sent them on their way.
I flew to NYC for my coaching meeting and it went great. For one thing, they moved offices and are now about 4 blocks off Time's Square, so we actually got to see NYC. While I was there, it was my turn to present what we are doing as a church. One section requires us to present a budget and plan to raise finances. I said, "Well, this plan is basically garbage, because we haven't been able to raise any serious amounts of money (like I had articulated a need for in the plan - I had hoped to raise $20,000 to lead us up to launch on Sept. 16). However, God has been faithful to provide. So far, there hasn't been one thing that we needed to do that we were unable to do. He's always been right on time . . . and He has yet to be early."
That really has been the testimony so far.
God always seems to answer a big prayer request of mine during our coaching meetings and after this one, I got an email from a pastor who wants us to participate in their missions conference, which might open some partnership opportunities. I also heard from another church that I haven't even directly contacted that is going to help support us monthly. While a lot of people have received large amounts of support from churches, we have been primarily funded by individuals and smaller donations.
Another area of praise is that I received a call from one of the people I met at an earlier block party and we'll be going to lunch on Friday. Also, several of the "prospects" for the church seem to be moving steadily in the direction of joining up.
We have another big week this week, with 3 block parties and our second service. The mission team that is coming up will be smaller than expected, which will strain our plan, so pray that we'll be able to get everything done that is necessary. Also, pray for God to draw people to the service on Sunday. I've gotten a lot of positive leads from people, so pray that they will follow through and come.
PRAISES:
Another trip to NYC went well.
I had several productive contacts with people last week.
New opportunities for partnership are developing.
PRAYER:
3 block parties (and the publicity regarding them).
Our second service on July 22.
That the people we have contacted will remember the service and attend.
New propects to develop through the events this week.
Last week took "service" to a new level for a mission team visiting us. They were doing a Backyard Bible Club in one of the neighborhoods where we had done a block party. We were getting ready to leave and I saw a lady walking up who had been at the block party. She said, "I know this isn't what you guys came up here to do, but the recycling truck's back gate just fell open and it dumped the whole load in the street in front of my house. My sister and I are trying to help them clean it up and we would really appreciate your help." We all loaded up (probably 11 youth, 4 adults, and myself) and went around the corner. In my mind, I was thinking there was a little pile of stuff because they hadn't picked everything up yet. WRONG!!! We came around the corner and there was this gargantuan mound of garbage in the street. The wind was blowing and papers, cans, bottles, and other junk was going everywhere. The worst part was that the garbage truck pulled back around to help, so we had to smell it the whole time. Anyway, we got it all picked up and sent them on their way.
I flew to NYC for my coaching meeting and it went great. For one thing, they moved offices and are now about 4 blocks off Time's Square, so we actually got to see NYC. While I was there, it was my turn to present what we are doing as a church. One section requires us to present a budget and plan to raise finances. I said, "Well, this plan is basically garbage, because we haven't been able to raise any serious amounts of money (like I had articulated a need for in the plan - I had hoped to raise $20,000 to lead us up to launch on Sept. 16). However, God has been faithful to provide. So far, there hasn't been one thing that we needed to do that we were unable to do. He's always been right on time . . . and He has yet to be early."
That really has been the testimony so far.
God always seems to answer a big prayer request of mine during our coaching meetings and after this one, I got an email from a pastor who wants us to participate in their missions conference, which might open some partnership opportunities. I also heard from another church that I haven't even directly contacted that is going to help support us monthly. While a lot of people have received large amounts of support from churches, we have been primarily funded by individuals and smaller donations.
Another area of praise is that I received a call from one of the people I met at an earlier block party and we'll be going to lunch on Friday. Also, several of the "prospects" for the church seem to be moving steadily in the direction of joining up.
We have another big week this week, with 3 block parties and our second service. The mission team that is coming up will be smaller than expected, which will strain our plan, so pray that we'll be able to get everything done that is necessary. Also, pray for God to draw people to the service on Sunday. I've gotten a lot of positive leads from people, so pray that they will follow through and come.
PRAISES:
Another trip to NYC went well.
I had several productive contacts with people last week.
New opportunities for partnership are developing.
PRAYER:
3 block parties (and the publicity regarding them).
Our second service on July 22.
That the people we have contacted will remember the service and attend.
New propects to develop through the events this week.
Monday, July 09, 2007
07/09/07 UPDATE
Yet another cultural difference - people in Omaha go berserk over the 4th of July. Fireworks are outlawed within the city limits, which doesn't really stop anybody. They go out and buy the really big stuff - like the professional type stuff and do their own shows from their yards. I heard stories of people spending several thousand on their shows! Judging by the skyline, it's another case of one-upmanship. We have a neighbor who went out and bought a ton of them. Everybody on our street gathered around the circle and watched. We're on a hill and as you look down the street, you can see a long way. As far as we could see, there were these huge displays going on. It blew us away. I wish i had a video camera to capture it and post it because words don't do it justice.
Other than that, the big news of the week was our block parties on Saturday and Sunday nights. We knocked on roughly 1200 doors to advertise. The Saturday night crowd was kind of disappointing. There were not as many people and they were all Christians committed to their churches. The Sunday night party was awesome, however. We had 47 adults and 50 kids. Many of them were not churched and we had very productive conversations with several of them. We had nine request more information on the church and several more who were not registered. It was really encouraging and we were excited about the results.
One interesting note was that we met two church planters through our work.
Prayer requests:
We have a team hosting backyard Bible clubs in two neighborhoods Monday through Thursday.
I will be traveling to NYC for coaching.
We have several couples who are considering helping us out. Pray that God will clarify that call for us and them.
Luis Palau is doing a big evangelistic crusade in O this weekend.
Yet another cultural difference - people in Omaha go berserk over the 4th of July. Fireworks are outlawed within the city limits, which doesn't really stop anybody. They go out and buy the really big stuff - like the professional type stuff and do their own shows from their yards. I heard stories of people spending several thousand on their shows! Judging by the skyline, it's another case of one-upmanship. We have a neighbor who went out and bought a ton of them. Everybody on our street gathered around the circle and watched. We're on a hill and as you look down the street, you can see a long way. As far as we could see, there were these huge displays going on. It blew us away. I wish i had a video camera to capture it and post it because words don't do it justice.
Other than that, the big news of the week was our block parties on Saturday and Sunday nights. We knocked on roughly 1200 doors to advertise. The Saturday night crowd was kind of disappointing. There were not as many people and they were all Christians committed to their churches. The Sunday night party was awesome, however. We had 47 adults and 50 kids. Many of them were not churched and we had very productive conversations with several of them. We had nine request more information on the church and several more who were not registered. It was really encouraging and we were excited about the results.
One interesting note was that we met two church planters through our work.
Prayer requests:
We have a team hosting backyard Bible clubs in two neighborhoods Monday through Thursday.
I will be traveling to NYC for coaching.
We have several couples who are considering helping us out. Pray that God will clarify that call for us and them.
Luis Palau is doing a big evangelistic crusade in O this weekend.
Monday, July 02, 2007
07/02/07 UPDATE
Honestly, this last week was a little slow and boring. It's the calm before the storm, because July is going to be crazy. I used the slower week to get ahead for some of the things in July - trying to get my reading done for the coaching meeting, planning the year ahead, etc. I won't try to make the details sound more glorious than they were.
Please pray for us this week as we get prepared for the arrival of another mission team. Technically, it's two teams, but they will be working in tandem. The first one is hosting two neighborhood parties on July 7 and 8. These will be used to promote the work of the second team, which will be hosting Backyard Bible Clubs on the 9-12. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the people in these neighborhoods.
Honestly, this last week was a little slow and boring. It's the calm before the storm, because July is going to be crazy. I used the slower week to get ahead for some of the things in July - trying to get my reading done for the coaching meeting, planning the year ahead, etc. I won't try to make the details sound more glorious than they were.
Please pray for us this week as we get prepared for the arrival of another mission team. Technically, it's two teams, but they will be working in tandem. The first one is hosting two neighborhood parties on July 7 and 8. These will be used to promote the work of the second team, which will be hosting Backyard Bible Clubs on the 9-12. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the people in these neighborhoods.
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