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 PRAY
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US!
February Update
RUNNING
THE RACE SET BEFORE US
Here
we are, looking squarely in the face of 2007. We
begin this year with renewed energy, renewed vision,
renewed determination and renewed hope. But before
we talk about what is happening in 2007, let's take a
look back at 2006.
2006
was a year of many changes for Bridge of Hope, as we
knew it would be.
 The
youth group came alive and with their energy, propelled
us ahead. We knew there was no
 turning back
now. We were blessed with the baptism of 9
new believers throughout the year, and we mourned the
passing of one of our new believers. What a
witness Elmer was to how faithful God is and that it is
vital to spread the Gospel of salvation to anyone who is
willing to hear.
As
we prayed and planned and hoped, it became clear that
our official launch date needed to be pushed back. We waited on God to show us when and in the
meantime, we all learned more about who we are and what
our roles are to be in this calling. Who knew
there was so much that went into starting a new
church? We each needed to focus on what our gifts
and callings were and how that fit in the big
p icture. We were also blessed with financial
support that enabled us to meet our budget and were
given a huge trailer from Meredith Reformed Church that
included all the things we need to have a mobile
ministry. (One that needs to be unloaded, set up and
then reloaded each week once we started meeting at the
Theater.)
Throughout the summer, we did community outreach activities
which gave us the opportunity to just do something nice
for someone...brighten their day, give them a little
boost or a much needed break. These included
giving away bottles of water at sporting events and
skate
parks. We gave away glow bracelets and necklaces
at some of the evening summer fireworks events. We
met at local laundry mats and gave away soap and
softener as well as quarters to pay for their loads that
day. We also did yard cleanup in the fall and
cleaned/repaired an apartment of a young woman in
need. These events gave us the chance to serve and
to share a little about God and our ministry. It
was a nice way to bless people unexpectedly.
 October
1st was the date of our official launch as a church
plant. The launch team waited anxiously for people to
come that morning and anticipation turned to smiles as
the theater came alive with people. We were off!
Since the launch our average attendance has doubled;
we've connected several of them into ministries; and
recieved some wonderful gifts (a PowerBook, 12 passenger
van, and over $15,000 from you, the prayer team.)
That
is just a brief overview of 2006. But we know this
is not just a short sprint. This is a marathon
race we are in and we are in it for the long
haul. We appreciate your prayers so much and
we lean on them as we look ahead to the coming months of
2007.
PRESSING
ON.....
To the
left
are a few specifics that we ask you to keep before His
feet.
I
could go on here but you have the idea. We need to
be covered in a blanket of prayer and we desperately
need you to continue blessing us with your part in this
ministry.
Thank
you so much.
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