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.

It"s Finally Here!

We have been telling you for some time that that Randy has been working on the Vision, Mission, and Core Values for this new ministry. Several weeks ago when we held our first gathering we shared with those present these statements and now we are finally getting them posted! Sorry about the delay but between continuing to work out the details of the vision, mission, and core values, the busyness of life, and technical difficulties (sometimes I really hate computers!) we are a little behind! Thanks for your patience and understanding and please keep in mind that further changes may occur within the framework of these statements.

“____________ Community Church” (Church Plant)

VISION STATEMENT:

“ _____________” is a DIVERSE COMMUNITY of Christ-followers who LOVE, ACCEPT, and ENCOURAGE one another, GROW in our Faith, and SERVE God and our neighbor.


MISSION/PURPOSE:

To “REACH OUT” to all people, regardless of race, color, or socio-economic levels, by Loving, Accepting, and Encouraging each other, including those from our community, to Grow in faith in God and Serve by being the hands and feet of Jesus to all those around us.


VALUES:

· LOVING RELATIONSHIPS (People/Community)
o We Value a safe accessible place to be together with family, friends, and neighbors.

· INSPIRING SIMPLE WORSHIP
o We Value praising, praying, and proclaiming the
Word of the triune God with simplicity, joy, and excitement.

· PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY (Discipleship & Evangelism)
o We Value learning about Christ so that we can become
more like Him and lead others toward Him

· MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT (Stewardship)
o We value the gifts we’ve been blessed with and pledge to use them by serving our Lord, each other, and neighbors.

· SINCERE SERVICE (Service)
o We value serving our Lord by being His hands and feet to all those around us.

What's been happening?

• Randy continues laying the groundwork for worship to begin. With much to learn about starting a new ministry like this and much to be done to accomplish a successful start, we are not sure when the actual start date will be yet. We are looking at either late spring or early fall.
• We continue to visit many area churches each Sunday. From each different service we attend we are gleaning much useful information as well as being richly blessed through the different worship experiences!
• We have met with some of the pastors and have more meetings scheduled with other pastors of the churches we are visiting. They have already walked the journey of church planters and are excited to meet with us and share their joys as well as difficulties that were encountered along the way. They have a lot of knowledge and are an invaluable resource for us.
• We had been planning on having another get together this month so that we could get to know each other better as well as ask and answer any questions we may have for each other. Realizing how busy this month is is for everyone we have decided not to to get to together again until January. In the meantime if you have any questions or concerns you can contact Randy through this blog or his email, rsledeboer@aol.com.

What's Next?

• We want to thank you for your love and support for us and this new ministry. Whether your support has been through being actively involved, prayers, words of encouragement, visits, financial, or just reading this blog, we love and appreciated you!
• Continue to think about what your role will be in this new ministry and contact us and let us know what you are thinking!
• Spread the word! We know some of you have been doing this because some of the people whom you have talked to have emailed or called us. Please continue telling your friends, co-workers, neighbors... about this new ministry!
• Keep your eyes and ears opened for the date of our January meeting and plan on attending.

Prayer Requests

• Pray that we will continue to seek and follow God's will for this new church.
• Pray that people will step forward who are willing to be part of the leadership team of this new ministry. Pray that God will reveal to you what He wants your role to be.

Needed

• Recognizing that the devil is alive and well and does not want this new church to become a reality, and realizing the power or prayer, we are looking for some people who would be willing to be prayer warriors for us. If you would be interested in praying for us on a personal and confidential level, please contact Lisa through this blog or at laledeboer@aol.com.

If you would like to make a year-end, tax-deductible, financial contribution to this ministry your check can be sent to: New Church Plant c/o Discovery CRC, 7245 Eastern Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

Thanksgiving Blessings!

We would like to wish all of you a very blessed Thanksgiving! We hope and pray that you are truly able to see God's blessings all around you. God is so good!

We are thankful for the 20 people who attended the meeting last Thursday. We are praying for you that God will guide you as you discern His will for you in regards to your involvement in this new ministry. We are excited as we have already heard from some you and we are anxiously awaiting to hear from the rest of you!

We are thankful for God's faithfulness and grace as we continue to witness His leading and guiding. We are thankful for God's plan and for His control over all things.

We are thankful for all of your support. Whether it is through your thoughts, prayers, or financial support, we are grateful for all of you!

We are thankful that Randy is beginning to feel better. We realize we have not updated in a while and we apologize for that. Randy has been quite sick and things have been on hold for the last week. We believe he is now on the upswing and soon hope to get back into action. Some of you have been waiting for us to publish the vision, mission, and core values. Thanks for your patience! It's coming...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Ledeboer's

Anxiously Awaiting!!!

We are anxiously awaiting Thursday, November 20th. We will be hosting the first get-together of all those who have committed to or have expressed an interest and want to know more about this new ministry. We are looking forward to this time when we can gather for information, ask questions, and make preparations for moving forward.
If you would like to join us for this exciting evening, we would love to have you present. We will be meeting at Randy's office located at 6534 Clay Ave. (Across from the Cutlerville Holiday Inn Express). The meeting will start at 7:30 pm, snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Also, in the next couple of weeks we hope to be able to publish the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of the ministry. Hopefully soon this new ministry will actually have a name as well!

Other News

• First the good news. Randy has located several possible sites to launch/house this ministry. God has been leading, directing, and providing in this process. Randy will continue to work on this process and we will be sharing more in weeks to come.
• Randy has proposed and submitted preliminary budgets for 2009. This has been a challenge since we know what the anticipated costs are, yet don't know what the membership role and their financial support will look like.
• Just looking at the financial numbers, it is clear to see that this new ministry is going to be financially challenged.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the meeting on the 20th of November. Pray for a good turnout and that God will bless the meeting and those present.
• Pray for the finances of this ministry. Pray that we will receive some year end gifts from churches and individuals. Also pray for churches as they continue to consider how they might support this ministry in 2009.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to this ministry, your tax deduct able donation can be mailed to Discovery CRC, 7245 Eastern Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

If you would like any further information regarding this ministry, Randy can be contacted at rsledeboer@aol.com or 698-7787 ext. 321.

Plant Updates

The weeks are going by in a blur of activity!

• Randy is keeping busy doing a lot of administrative tasks, including working on putting together a budget for 2009 (not an easy task when there is no church in existence yet!).
• Support letters have been sent out to all of the churches in classis asking them to prayerfully consider how their congregations can financially support this new ministry.
• The demographic studies have been ordered and the information is beginning to come together.
• Randy is beginning to look at some possible sites for the new church to meet.
• We have had several meetings with people who have expressed an interest in possibly being a part of the planning and launch team for this new ministry.

Upcoming Event!

An initial gathering is being planned for all those who are potentially interested in being a part of the planning and launch team for this new ministry. This will be a time to share, ask questions, and learn more about the plans God has laid on our hearts in regard to this new and different type of ministry. If you are at all interested in finding out more details of this ministry or are wondering if becoming a part of this is something God is placing on your heart, then please join us at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2008. We will meet at Randy's office- 6534 Clay Ave. It's off of 68th street, in Cutlerville, between the car wash and Arby's. Refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Prayer Requests

• Letters - Please pray that the churches of classis prayerfully consider how their congregations will financially support this new ministry.
• Land - Pray for guidance and directions as we begin looking into real estate and locations for the new church.
• Leaders - Pray for the future planning and launch team.

Many of you have been asking how you can you can help. Please remember this new ministry in any year end giving you may be anticipating and prayerfully consider financially supporting the church plant. Tax deductable gifts can be lableled "Church Plant" and mailed to Discovery CRC, 7245 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us through this blog or at rsledeboer@aol.com.

Plant Updates

God is Good!

The prayer conference that we attended was once again spiritually uplifting and also provided some valuable bonding time with fellow colleagues and their spouses. God continues to show us what He wants from this new ministry. Prayer will be a strong focus of this new church; including prayer for healing of the inner person.

This week letters are being sent to all of the classis Grand Rapids South churches. We have two specific requests: prayer support and financial support. We can do nothing without your support! It is our prayer that God will continue to work in the hearts of the people within these congregations so that they will eagerly offer their support.

Many of you are still asking, "Where will this church be located?" Demographic studies are in process that will aide in determining where the greatest need is and where this church should be located.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the churches within classis as they receive the support letters and consider how they will be involved in the plant.
• Pray for meetings with Home Missions that will take place this week to assess progress so far and time lines ahead.
• Pray that once the demographic studies are complete God will lead us to the location He wants this church to be.
• Continue praying for individuals who are considering becoming involved in a leadership capacity.
• Pray for boldness as we seek to listen, hear, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

For more information contact us at rsledeboer@aol.com