The Excitement Continues...

It may be freezing cold and dismal outdoors (for those of us who don't particularly like winter) but it is certainly heartwarming to see what God has been doing the past couple of weeks with the church plant. Here's a few highlights;

• We continue to receive very positive feedback on our meeting held on January 8th. People are excited about this new community and what God is doing. We have heard back from many of you with your intentions for this new ministry. Almost everyday we hear from someone who is on board. We are praising God for each person we hear from!
• We continue to pray for those who are still discerning what their potential involvement might be. We would be happy to talk with any of you at any time to help you in that process.
• A week ago Sunday (January 11th, 2009) Randy led services and met with the congregation at Cutlerville East CRC. We are excited to see how the Spirit is working in and through this ministry as a partner in the church plant and we are grateful for the opportunity to share the vision.
• This past Sunday Randy shared the vision of the church plant with the Hillside congregation in both of their morning services. We are very grateful to Hillside for allowing us to share, for Pastor Ron's support, and for the interest and conversations that followed.

Moving Forward

• We will continue to remember all of you in prayer, especially those we haven't heard from yet as to where God is leading you. If you could let us know by the weekend that would be great. If you need more time - we understand and will honor that.
• We thank God for everyone of you and we are praising Him from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God!

• Praise God with us for the 30+ people who attended our gathering last week! We are so blessed and encouraged by the interest and excitement! Several months ago I referred to this new ministry as a seed. I feel confident in saying that we have sprouted into a seedling and we are well on the way to becoming a healthy young plant! God is so good!!
• We praise God for the commitments we have received from several people who have decided to become a part of this new ministry.
• We praise God for the many year-end financial contributions that were made to this new ministry! What a blessing!

Prayer Requests

• Pray for those who are considering making a leadership commitment as we have asked them to do so by the 23rd of January.
• Pray for continued guidance and clarity for Randy as he continues to lay the groundwork for this ministry. Pray that doors and hearts will be opened to this new ministry.
• Pray that all Classis South churches will support this ministry.

Welcome to 2009!

We would like to wish you all a very happy New Year and pray that God will bless you richly in this New Year! We hope you are as excited as we are to see what God has planned for us and for this new ministry in 2009!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

This Thursday at 7:30pm (come early for snacks and refreshments!) we will be hosting an informal gathering for all of you whom have shown interest in becoming a part of this new ministry or just want some more information or have questions. If you were at our last gathering, or have been in contact with us, and we had your email then you should have received an email from us regarding this meeting. We will meet at Randy’s office, 6534 Clay Ave. (across from the Holiday Inn Express).

The format for the meeting will be: Opening Prayer, Getting to know each other time, Status and Update, Question and Answer time, Next Steps discussion i.e. leadership team, events, timeline… , Closing Prayer.

We hope to be done by 9:00pm. :)

In order to help us with the planning and preparation of this event, please let us know via email if you are planning on attending this event. rsledeboer@aol.com

Prayer Request

Pray for the meeting on Thursday night.

Pray for discernment for each person who is considering, or has already committed to, being part of this ministry. Pray specifically that God will lead and direct them as to how He wants to them and their gifts in this ministry.

Pray that in the next several weeks God will clearly put together a leadership team to work with us in building this ministry and moving it forward.

Pray that we may be fitted with the Armor of God that we may stand strong against the devil and his schemes.

Thank God with us for several year-end financial gifts given to this new ministry. Pray that in a difficult economy God will continue to provide the needed finances for this ministry.