The Rundown (7.25.2011)

I'm back in NYC for a few days with Beth after spending 2+ weeks at home. Beth & I continue to be humbled and blessed by your prayers and concern. We do feel like the big picture is much brighter as all the major problems and obstacles are resolving (leukemia in remission, EBV in full retreat); there are some lingering throat-mucus problems that cause eating-drinking issues and resulted in the G-tube.  Overall, cautiously optimistic yet prayerfully vigilant!

• The Rock Bridge staff team is simply amazing.  Almost every encounter I had over the past 2 weeks including praise for our staff:  work ethic, passion, leadership, growth, etc.


• Had lots of great conversations about the direction and health of our church.  We are all excited about what we see God doing in us and through us.
  
  
  
  • Biggest area we are working to upgrade is how we connect new people into the church.  Everything from first-time guests and salvation to group involvement and membership.
  
  
  
  


• I was able to connect with a few of our mission partners and I'm so excited about the "to the ends of the earth" work we get to be part of in our NW GA communities and across the oceans.
  
  
  
  • Our work with Compassion International will continue to grow. 4 Rock Bridgers went to Ethiopia to meet our partner church in Awassa and were blown away by Compassion and by the opportunity we have to do something significant for Christ!
  
  
  • The Living Water trip to Honduras to dig a water well was fantastic and another group goes in September. We anticipate 2-3 more trips in 2012.
  
  
  • Our Ukraine trip just returned and the initial reports are exciting!!
  
  
  • I'm very excited about our work with church planting through Launch Network. With 5 church planting "hubs" (and more to come) across the U.S. we are able to invest resources into planting healthy churches.
    
    
    
    • On a more local level, we can welcome and begin to pray for Wesley Odum and Dynamic Church which will be launching in Chattanooga in 2012.
    
    
    • Pray for Terrence Lester as God has called him to plant in Atlanta.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Above all, I think many of us are being drawn by God to pray passionately, consistently, and specifically for Him to move. We are more aware than ever of our need for Him (apart from Him = nothing!!) and yet His desire to work through His people and churches.