Yesterday I got away with a couple of our pastors for sermon planning. We mapped out the preaching calendar for the rest of the year…I’m totally stoked about what is ahead. Our retreat was in Greenwich, CT at a house that Greenwich Baptist Church lets us use. As we drove back onto the island this morning I was struck with the thought that I am one of over 7 million people that are coming onto the island today for work.
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2
The Gallery Church is filled with some very talented people. It is exciting to encourage people pursuing their dreams and careers in the arts. Elizabeth and her husband Jordan have become good friends. Enjoy this clip of her in Tuesday night’s Fringe (she’s the one with the great scream). Fringe comes on FOX right after American Idol.
Update: God is at work in New York City and your support is making a difference! Susan, Jack, Elliott, Lillie, and I are all doing very well. I wanted to give you a glimpse of what God is doing here in NYC. So much of what I want to share however deals with very personal details in peoples lives that we are ministering to that would not be prudent to post. Please know that God is at work in individuals lives in powerful ways. I may make the blog in the future password required to protect privacy and provide more freedom to write about what God is doing.
Questions?: What specific questions about our mission and ministry here in NYC could we answer for you on the blog?
Several folks have encouraged me of late to share with folks what we need. Our needs remain the same as when we launched out on this venture four short months ago. Pray, Participate, and Partner.
Pray: Please pray that God would grant spritual and numerical growth in our church plant. NYC is a foreign land and nothing like the south. You can’t start a church here (nor would it provide a solid biblical foundation if you could) by sending out fancy fliers and announcing when and where you will be meeting. Relationships must be built with people and trust must be developed (which does not happen quickly around here). Pray that God would multiply our efforts, establish the work of our hands, and supernaturally favour us with the people of New York. There is a fresh enthusiasm among our people…pray that will spread and many people will come to know Him in the days to come.
Participate: Consider being a Catalytic individual or family by moving to New York for a year or two or a lifetime. Many people could do what they currently do in the south here in New York City and be catalytic in helping the church develop. The Apostle Paul always traveled with a team so it makes perfect sense that others would join us in this venture. In the days ahead I’ll be telling you about two families from Clarksville that are planning on moving to NYC to partner with us. If you cannot entertain moving, who can you encourage to entertain this invitation?
Aside from moving to the city, the most strategic way you can participate in our work is to come to or sponser someone to come to City Uprising. City Uprising is a mission inititive of our church where we mobilize hundreds of volunteers to serve NYC in Jesus’ name. Last March HUGE in-roads were built into the community earning a right to be heard through City Uprising. This summer City Uprising will be taking place June 28-July1. If you are interested in more information visit the website or leave a comment. There will be a few other strategic weeks for Mission Trips, but right now our focus is on the City Uprising event.
Partner: We need people like you to partner with us financially. God is meeting our needs through people like you! No gift is too small. No gift is too large. The task is worthy of our sacrifice.
Thank you so much to those of you that are supporting us by praying, participating and/or partnering!
The next few posts will seek to map out some specifics of what God is doing here in NYC!