Headline News...

We’ve got a name for the new church and this time we are going to share it!
The name is “inSpirit Church”
The dictionary meaning;
In-spir-it ~ To infuse new life or spirit into; to encourage; to invigorate.
The word is full of action. If you look closely, the words used are verbs. They fit well with the action words of love, accept, encourage, grow, and share that are all part of our vision statement. We capitalized the “S” not only because we believe in the presence of the spirit, because also because it is the Spirit that empowers us.

Beyond the name...

... where are we in this process? So glad you asked!

• The leadership team has been officially seated and is meeting regularly.
• Each member of the leadership team is beginning to make calls, putting their teams together, and are beginning to meet with their team members.
• The leadership team is currently working fervently on “meeting space.” We are looking at a number of options and hoping to have some answers soon.
• The leadership team as a group has begun to worship other churches for observations and best practices.
• Later this month, the leadership team plans to travel and attend the national church growth and planting conference.
• Currently tentative schedules are being worked out for a launch date and preceding activities. We hope to have activities in June & July, and anticipate a soft launch in August and a full launch in September.
  

Having said all that...
1. Pray for us. The leadership team, the process, especially facilities right now as we see seek space.
2. Tell others!! Tell your co-workers, family, neighbors, and friends about us. Share the excitement.
3. If you are able, we really need your financial support. As we mentioned earlier, due to the difficult economic conditions we are in, some of our funding has been cut. At the same time, in these next few months, as we purchase what that is needed for start-up, and agree on some type of rental space arrangements, we really need your financial support.
Please consider how God has blessed you and if you are able, please send your tax-deductable gift to;
Discovery Church
c/o CHURCH PLANT
7245 Eastern Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Thanks so much for all of your support.

Breaking News!

We’ve got a name for the new church. That’s the great news. The bad news is we just can’t tell you yet. We have a couple of things that need to take place for the name to become official. As soon as we can make it public, you will all be of the first to know.

Other News!

The leadership has meet several times since our last posting. Besides the name, we’ve been working on the various aspects of the ministry. We are currently addressing the areas of facilities, hospitality, servant ministries, and education. We continue to marvel at the highly diversified capability of the leadership team. The excitement and enthusiasm is absolutely contagious. Over the next several weeks, the leadership will continue to work on these things as well as visit churches together and attend a church planting and growth conference.

What's Next

• Next Thursday, March 26 we will hold another informational meeting. If you would like to know more about this ministry, have questions, or just want to show your support, we welcome you! We will meet at Randy's office, 6534 Clay Ave. Refreshment at 6:45, the meeting wil start at 7:00. We hope to see you there!

Prayer Requests

We feel the power of your prayers. Stuff is happening every day because of your prayers. There is no way we could put this stuff together. It is God who is building this ministry through your prayer.
Pray specifically for:

• The informational meeting on the 26th. Pray that God would send us at least 20 more new people, as He did last time, to learn more about this new ministry. Pray also that through these meetings God would continue to build the core group of this ministry.
• The leadership team – Pray that God would continue to fill them with His spirit and equip them for the journey.
• The Facilities team. Pray that God would make the location clear for where He wants us to begin.
• Finances – Pray that God would provide the necessary finances for this ministry. Last week we learned that Home Missions will be cutting a por- tion of our support due to a 25%+ decrease in ministry shares. We are also behind in what was originally budgeted from individual church support.
• Randy & Lisa and their family – Pray for Physical and Spiritual strength and protection.
  
  Please continue to check back. We hope to share our name and other things with you shortly.

Thanks for Checking!

It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve posted. That doesn’t’ mean nothing has been happening. On the contrary, quite a bit has happened! We’ve just waited until some things were official before sharing them with you.

• First – Our leadership team members have been officially approved by the New Church Development Committee of Classis. This newly appointed leadership team met last Thursday evening for the very first time and we had an awesome meeting.
  It was great to see the diversity of the group, the talents of each member, and the passion and commitment God has lain on each person’s heart. We undoubtedly experienced the hand of God in orchestrating this body and we are excited about what He is going to do through each member.


• Meet our Team! - Jill Hendricks, Gord and Judy Brinks, Lisa and Randy Ledeboer, Rick and Rhonda Workman, and Bruce Gleason.


• At this point, the leadership team has a good idea of the work before each one of us and we are beginning to take up that work. We will be meeting a couple of times in the next few weeks to put together more details etc.
• We are also very excited that the leadership team plans to travel as group to the national Church Planting Conference in Orlando, FL in April. We are excited to be able to do this as a group and feel that God is going to do some neat things and give us some great experiences as he brings this group together and strengthens us for the work He has called us to.
  
  Looking Ahead

• Please mark your calendars for March 26th at 7:00 pm. We will be holding our 3rd mass informational meeting.
  At this meeting we plan to give you a ministry update as well as provide you with tentative plans for gatherings, activities, and worship.
• Remember, this is an outreach driven church so please invite and bring along friends, neighbors, family members, or co-workers.
  
  Prayer Requests
  
  Praise:
  -Leadership Team and Meeting Last Thursday
  -That we have seen God's hand leading, guiding, and providing.
  
  Petition:
  -Guidance and wisdom as we work on a name for this ministry.
  -Direction as we seek a location for this ministry.
  -For continued financial support.
  -For Church Partners – Classis Churches participation
  

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for this new ministry! Your thoughts and prayers are felt and appreciated.

The Excitement Continues...

• We met this past Wednesday evening with people representing Home Missions, Classis GR South, Discovery CRC, a Church Plant that has been meeting for 3 years now, and the new Church Plant. The intention of the meeting was to discuss the past four months, where we are currently, and a time-line for moving forward. The meeting was very encouraging with all in attendance feeling very good about what God has been doing.
• On Tuesday, February 10 the New Church Development team from Classis GR South will be having a meeting to discuss the make-up of our launch leadership team as well as tentative timing for events in the months ahead. At this point we are anticipating bringing the launch leadership team together by the third week in February and having a general meeting again by the end of February or early March.
• Moving forward beyond February, we intend to offer various formats of get-togethers on a regular basis. These may be for the purpose of simply getting to know each other, doing a service project, or gathering for an informal worship service.

Prayer Requests

• Give thanks for the progress and God's blessing on the plant so far as was acknowledged in the meeting this past Wednesday evening.
• Pray for the New Church Development Committee as the organizational structure and launch leadership positions are discussed.
• Pray that God will continue to bless this new ministry with people, churched and unchurched, who are desiring to be in community and grow in relationships with each other and with God.

Some of you have have begun or indicated your desire to begin to financially support the new church through your tithing. Your gifts can be sent to New Church Plant, c/o Discovery CRC, 7245 Eastern Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49508. If you would like some pre-addressed envelopes you can contact Randy and he will get them to you.

Blessings to all of you and many thanks for your love and support!

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.