1. Pray that each of our launch team partners has the opportunity to lead someone to Christ in the next three months.

2. Pray that God keeps the door to the theatre open for our Easter launch and 2 preview weeks.

3. Pray that God provides a facility for a youth center with at least 4,000 sq. ft., a kitchen, a larger room (for 150), a medium room (for 30), restrooms, office space, and parking.

4. Pray that God provides 70+ people to launch this ministry.

20 people committed to serve in hospitality (2 outside, 2 at front door, 1 info table, 5 serving

15 people committed to set-up and tear down

5 people committed to Kid Connection

5 people committed to Nursery/Baby Bridge

5 people committed to youth ministry

10 people committed to music ministry (need bass, singers, audio tech, video tech)

5 people committed to follow-up including a coordinator

1 servant evangelism coordinator

1 marketing director

3 people committed to web updating (lead editor, youth, writer)

2 people committed to global missions (support/communication, mobilizer)

5. Pray for additional funds to be raised.  While we have raised the essentials for our budget, we hope to raise additional resources to expand outreach efforts and youth ministry.  Check our financial report.

6. Pray that God continues to give strength and hope to Elmer and his family.  After undergoing chemo, an infection broke out in his lungs ceasing his treatment plan to receive a bone marrow transplant.  God has been very good to him in giving him this time with his family and to even go hunting a few times. 

7. Pray that God works in the hearts and lives of several new believers (Makayla, Kelsey, Alex, Devon, Trish, Alex, Kyle and Tony) and our unchurched friends (Terry, Rachel, Tom, Deb, Zack, Courtney, Brenna, Adriana, Russ, Martha, Brian, Tony, Dave, Steve, Denny, Ruth, Eric, Erica, David, Joshua, Phil, Jenny, Isaac, Candy, Adam, Sh'ree, Sarah, John, Mary, Debra, Monique, Malik, Pat, Holly, Judy, Cheryl, Benjamin, Mat, Julie, Evan, Cara, James, Gary, Cindy, Cliff, Leroy, Mat, Shane, Misty, Tom, Jan, Bonnie, Ken, Lisa, Tim, Cory, Cindy, Jen, Marlene, Seth, Mike, Stuart, Donna, Patty, Nicole, Merv, Janet, Mick, Heather, Jonathan, Amanda, Bob, Melissa, Ryan, Gloria, Matt, Al, Caleb, Isaac, Mark, Cathy, Jim and Anna.)


AN INVITATION TO HELP US

Here are 4 ways you can help us make a difference:

Pray 4 us

Support us

Donate 2 us

Serve with us


“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thess. 5:18

PRAY 4 US!
February 2006 Prayer Update
Dear friends & family,

Ok, It's now half way through February and the January update has turned into the February update.  Please forgive me for getting behind.  Evidently many of you have kept right on praying because great things are still happening.

Generosity of Many

Several of you have returned your pledge cards and sent us gifts. Thank you for your generosity!  From our prayer team/individual supporters alone, we received $5,845 in 2005 and $4,400 in commitments for 2006.

Because of your generosity we walked into the new year with $36,000 in the bank and another $90,000 committed. 

As well, we are rejoicing that Meredith Drive Reformed Church has recently donated a cargo trailer with portable church cases for our use. This gift is worth about $20,000!

Revitalizing of Staff
Armond, Rachel, Steph, Elyssa, and I enjoyed a weekend in San Diego at the end of January.  We attended the RCA Church Multiplication Conference thanks to those assessment dollars we all hate to send away.  If you are in an RCA Church, you should know that some General Synod, some Regional Synod, and some Classis funds are used to send church planters and parent church pastors to this event.  Rejoice the next time your church sets their budget.  Those assessment dollars are being funneled into valuable ministry!

Three things stand out as particularly valuable from our trip.  First, Steph and I were able to take half a day and run up to Paramount (L.A.) and see old friends.  It was a blessing to reconnect and see what God is doing with Emmanuel Reformed.  Next time we'll stretch our stay to see those of you we missed this time. Second, we were able to connect with other planters and parents.  It's always encouraging to hear what God is doing with these new ministries.  Finally, I was encouraged and challenged to keep focused on Jesus.  I was hoping to get some great new outreach strategy or program, but God shifted my focus.  Repeatedly, we heard about the spiritual battle we are in and how helpless we are without God's intervention. When we began this journey a friend put it bluntly, "Do you realize you are declaring war against Satan?"  Prayer and fasting are the most vital components of church planting.  Thanks for lifting us in prayer.  (Click here to learn more about fasting.)
 

Clarity of Vision
God has been clarifying, directing and expanding our vision.  As I prepared to teach on our DNA throughout January, God challenged me to better understand his heart for Waterloo.  In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is broken-hearted by the condition of Jerusalem. God let him experience His pain over the city and nation.  So too, God has been breaking my heart over the condition of Waterloo.  God revealed 5 key areas that are breaking Jesus’ heart in Waterloo.

Cyclical Poverty - The poor are trapped in poverty and lack the skills to escape the rut.

Disconnected Youth – The youth are experiencing pain and emptiness with little hope of life improving.

Unquestioned Materialism - The wealthy (anyone who can put 3 meals on the table) are devoted to accumulation in hope of finding meaning and joy in life. 

Spiritual Apathy - The believers are consumed by institutional maintenance and lack the joy of connecting with God.  Because of this, many unbelievers are unconcerned about Jesus, uniformed about the Bible, and unmotivated by the Church.

Relational Brokenness/Division - Many families and groups act in relationally destructive ways without understanding or acknowledging the pain caused.

Our Plan to Respond

God is calling us to launch a vibrant, growing ministry which effectively addresses cyclical poverty, disconnected youth, unquestioned materialism, spiritual apathy, and relational brokenness/division.

Specifically, we will:

1.  Mobilize those with resources in cooperation with churches and other organizations to meet immediate needs of our community,

2. Develop opportunities to teach basic life skills (relational, financial, spiritual…) to break unhealthy patterns, and

3.  Launch our ministry publicly.  We are currently shooting for Easter to launch Sunday gatherings in the Crossroads Theatre and to open a youth center in the heart of Waterloo.

Many things must come together very soon for this to happen so please pray!