I just returned from a trip to Michigan/Toledo area, where I spent time with family and friends, and visited with two churches. Praise God for this time...I was really encouraged on my church visits, and it's always a treat to see my parents, my sister and her family, as well as others!
Another praise...the fund raising is really picking up! We are now north of $50K raised, with a likely possibility we will be in the neighborhood of $80K within a few weeks. I am so grateful...for the generosity of so many, as well as the scores of folks who are praying for us on a regular basis.
Alongside the fund raising, our biggest prayer need is for our house in Houma to sell. We just dropped the price a second time, and are hopeful to move sometime in July. Please pray to that end!
We serve a Mighty God! Thanks for your intercession for us and His Kingdom!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Update
Praise God! Fund raising is gaining momentum...at this rate, when we sell our house this summer there is a fair chance of being able to move to Albuquerque and start the ministry right away...rather than take a non-ministry job while finishing the fund raising.
Pray...that our home in South Louisiana will sell soon (a great prayer target is by June 30).
Pray...that people will continue to be moved to support us financially, as well as with their prayers.
Pray...for my trip to Michigan and the Toledo area beginning tomorrow, as I visit with family, speak at two churches, and continue to seek fund raising and prayer partners.
Thanks so much for praying!
Pray...that our home in South Louisiana will sell soon (a great prayer target is by June 30).
Pray...that people will continue to be moved to support us financially, as well as with their prayers.
Pray...for my trip to Michigan and the Toledo area beginning tomorrow, as I visit with family, speak at two churches, and continue to seek fund raising and prayer partners.
Thanks so much for praying!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
FAQ's of Fundraising
While I ordinarily stick to prayer requests on the blog, I figured I would take a paragraph or two to answer some commonly asked questions about my fundraising for the Duke City Project. (Besides, until we move to ABQ, the two dominant prayer requests are 1. We would sell our house in South Louisiana, and 2. We would raise enough financial support for the church plant to take off in her first three years. Thanks, as always, for praying!)
So, FAQ's of fund raising...
1) Why are you raising funds?
A. Because we are 'starting from scratch' with this church plant (there is no 'core group' of Christians who have already begun the church and are looking for a pastor), I need to raise funds in order to pay my salary and take care of expenses during the first three years of the church plant's life. We think after three years that the church will become self-sufficient financially.
The good news is that the Southwest Church Planting Network (plantchurch.org) has already committed $125,000 over three years in supporting us. My goal is to match that, with commitments over the next three years.
2) How much have you raised so far?
A. Counting one time gifts and pledges, we have raised $25,000 so far. I am deeply grateful to those who have given or pledged, and am looking forward to seeing many others partner with us financially.
3) What is the most effective way to support The Duke City Project financially, one time gifts or three year pledges?
A. While one time gifts are always helpful and appreciated(!), the best way to support us financially is to pledge a monthly amount over a three year period. There are two reasons for this: 1. A monthly pledge, even a 'small' one (such as $25 or $50 a month), turns into a big donation over a three year period ($25/month x 36 months is $900, $50/month x 36 months is $1800, for example). 2. A monthly pledge is an easy way to 'stay connected' with us over the beginning stages of the ministry. Each time you write that monthly check or see it electronically debited (see next question), that is a reminder that you are our partner in ministry. Perhaps that will prompt you to pray for us more regularly, keep in contact with us by email or website, etc. For Carrie and I, each time we see the receipts of those we support on a monthly basis, it reminds us of those folks and the important work they do for the Kingdom of God.
4) Is there an option to donate electronically to the Duke City Project?
A. Yes! On page three of our brochure is information on how to give...and there is a box you can check that indicates your interest in electronic giving. Fill out the form and mail it to Mission to North America (our clearing house for donations) at the address provided. Or check out MNA's website for contact information: http://www.pca-mna.org/.
As summer approaches, we are anxious to move to Albuquerque and begin the work God has called us to do. Please consider supporting us with your prayers and your finances! And many thanks to the faithful saints who have already given/pledged and to our great army of prayer warriors!
So, FAQ's of fund raising...
1) Why are you raising funds?
A. Because we are 'starting from scratch' with this church plant (there is no 'core group' of Christians who have already begun the church and are looking for a pastor), I need to raise funds in order to pay my salary and take care of expenses during the first three years of the church plant's life. We think after three years that the church will become self-sufficient financially.
The good news is that the Southwest Church Planting Network (plantchurch.org) has already committed $125,000 over three years in supporting us. My goal is to match that, with commitments over the next three years.
2) How much have you raised so far?
A. Counting one time gifts and pledges, we have raised $25,000 so far. I am deeply grateful to those who have given or pledged, and am looking forward to seeing many others partner with us financially.
3) What is the most effective way to support The Duke City Project financially, one time gifts or three year pledges?
A. While one time gifts are always helpful and appreciated(!), the best way to support us financially is to pledge a monthly amount over a three year period. There are two reasons for this: 1. A monthly pledge, even a 'small' one (such as $25 or $50 a month), turns into a big donation over a three year period ($25/month x 36 months is $900, $50/month x 36 months is $1800, for example). 2. A monthly pledge is an easy way to 'stay connected' with us over the beginning stages of the ministry. Each time you write that monthly check or see it electronically debited (see next question), that is a reminder that you are our partner in ministry. Perhaps that will prompt you to pray for us more regularly, keep in contact with us by email or website, etc. For Carrie and I, each time we see the receipts of those we support on a monthly basis, it reminds us of those folks and the important work they do for the Kingdom of God.
4) Is there an option to donate electronically to the Duke City Project?
A. Yes! On page three of our brochure is information on how to give...and there is a box you can check that indicates your interest in electronic giving. Fill out the form and mail it to Mission to North America (our clearing house for donations) at the address provided. Or check out MNA's website for contact information: http://www.pca-mna.org/.
As summer approaches, we are anxious to move to Albuquerque and begin the work God has called us to do. Please consider supporting us with your prayers and your finances! And many thanks to the faithful saints who have already given/pledged and to our great army of prayer warriors!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Update: Between Two Worlds
Stealing from John Stott's book on preaching, I feel more and more that I am Between Two Worlds. On one hand, I am living in South Louisiana, where I have made my home the last three years. My children attend school here. We have friends here, a 'routine' here. And yet, my heart and my future are a thousand miles away, in Albuquerque. And awaiting me there is a house we haven't bought yet, along with a church that doesn't yet exist! Strange days indeed.
Please pray for me and my family in the following ways:
1) For the sale of our house in Houma. We've had some interest, but 'traffic' has slowed down the past couple of weeks. We'd love to accept an offer on the house in the next two weeks...say, before Mother's Day. Please pray to that end.
2) For my upcoming trip to Michigan, in mid-May. I'm making plans to seeing friends and family in Battle Creek, Lansing, and the Detroit area, along with talking with a few churches about support. Please pray that the trip would be fruitful in every way.
3) For my family as we live in this 'now but not yet' phase. We're called to Albuquerque, but can't leave yet. And there are still many friends in Houma we plan on contacting before our departure...many phone calls to friends around the country...please pray that we would enjoy this season of our lives, that God would open up new avenues of trust and dependency upon Him and His grace.
Thanks for your interest in the Duke City Project!
Please pray for me and my family in the following ways:
1) For the sale of our house in Houma. We've had some interest, but 'traffic' has slowed down the past couple of weeks. We'd love to accept an offer on the house in the next two weeks...say, before Mother's Day. Please pray to that end.
2) For my upcoming trip to Michigan, in mid-May. I'm making plans to seeing friends and family in Battle Creek, Lansing, and the Detroit area, along with talking with a few churches about support. Please pray that the trip would be fruitful in every way.
3) For my family as we live in this 'now but not yet' phase. We're called to Albuquerque, but can't leave yet. And there are still many friends in Houma we plan on contacting before our departure...many phone calls to friends around the country...please pray that we would enjoy this season of our lives, that God would open up new avenues of trust and dependency upon Him and His grace.
Thanks for your interest in the Duke City Project!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Update
I just returned from my second trip to Albuquerque this year. This time, Carrie went with me, as we looked at housing and make some important connections and reconnections with friends, some of whom may become part of the core group for the new church.
Please pray for us in the following matters:
1) Fundraising: That I will be diligent in presenting my vision and excitement for this new work with as many people as possible. People tend to give to a passionate vision, and not just on a nice brochure...what I mean by that is I need to make time to see folks face-to-face (and phone time for those contacts who are far away) in order to successfully raise funds.
2) Housing: Please pray that our home in Houma will sell soon...we would love to have a contract on it by the end of April. And pray that we will find the right house in Albuquerque as well: we have an offer on a beautiful home in the North part of the city, right in the epicenter of where we want our church to be planted.
3) Family life: That our kids will finish school strong. That our boys will enjoy their birthday parties and take time to say goodbye to their friends in South Louisiana (Noah just turned nine, Caleb will turn seven in May). That Carrie and I, in the midst of our busyness, will continue to work on our marriage. That our boys will see this move as a great adventure.
Thank you for praying for us!
Please pray for us in the following matters:
1) Fundraising: That I will be diligent in presenting my vision and excitement for this new work with as many people as possible. People tend to give to a passionate vision, and not just on a nice brochure...what I mean by that is I need to make time to see folks face-to-face (and phone time for those contacts who are far away) in order to successfully raise funds.
2) Housing: Please pray that our home in Houma will sell soon...we would love to have a contract on it by the end of April. And pray that we will find the right house in Albuquerque as well: we have an offer on a beautiful home in the North part of the city, right in the epicenter of where we want our church to be planted.
3) Family life: That our kids will finish school strong. That our boys will enjoy their birthday parties and take time to say goodbye to their friends in South Louisiana (Noah just turned nine, Caleb will turn seven in May). That Carrie and I, in the midst of our busyness, will continue to work on our marriage. That our boys will see this move as a great adventure.
Thank you for praying for us!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Back From the Southwest
Twelve days...1900 miles driven (grateful for unlimited mileage on the rental car!)...face to face meetings with several dozen church leaders and pastors...more New Mexican food consumed on this trip than the last ten years combined...these are just some of the highlights of my trip that wrapped up last night.
Other than missing my wife and sons terribly, my trip to New Mexico and Arizona was an unqualified success and an absolute blast! Thank you for remembering me in your prayers the past two weeks; I was encouraged knowing so many of you are committed to my family and this church planting project.
If I could choose one word to summarize my time out West, it would be 'encouragement.' I was encouraged spiritually, in my walk with Christ; I was encouraged by so many saints in their hospitality and interest in the church plant; I was encouraged by catching up with family and 'old friends.'
In particular, I was struck by the following things during my twelve days in the desert:
1) The Beauty of Creation: I had forgotten the wonder of the Desert Southwest. The soaring mountains, many of them dusted with early spring snow; the sagebrush, cacti, tumbleweeds, and open spaces between towns; the huge skies with abounding sunshine. Having driven from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, Las Cruces to Phoenix, Phoenix back to Albuquerque, I wondered at the beauty around me...which led me to once again wonder at (and worship) the One who created all this. Our God is a wonderful, creative Wonder!
2) The Generosity of People: I lost count how many folks took me out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner...shame on me! Needless to say, I ate well, and enjoyed rich conversation at tables in homes and restaurants alike. Special thanks go to those families who allowed me to stay in their homes: John and Susan Pickett in Las Cruces, Marshall and Susan Burns in Scottsdale, and Jim and Tish Rose in Albuquerque. An extra word of thanks to Glenn and Karin Lingle in Gilbert, Arizona, who offered their home, but because of their "Animal Kingdom" (Karin's words, not mine!) and my allergies, I had to decline their gracious offer.
3) The Growth of Albuquerque: Having left the Duke City thirteen years ago, and having visited only sporadically since then, I was not prepared to see the growth of the city. In particular, the area of Albuquerque that we are targeting (the intersection of Interstate 25 and Paseo Del Norte, in the far north part of the city) has exploded with homes and businesses in the past ten years or so. Albuquerque continues to change and grow, which reminds me that I need to continue to change and grow, and that a successful church, not just in Albuquerque but anywhere, needs to grow and change to reach its community with the unchanging truth of the Gospel.
4) Interested Families: I had the privilege of interacting with three separate families who have some interest in being part of our core group for the church plant. They probably have no idea how encouraging that is to me! And yet their interest confirms to me that God is already working in the hearts of those who will be the front line workers in this new church. Being in a place where God is at work...there is no better place to be!
5) The Need is Clear: Sitting in a pizza joint not far from my old high school, I was struck by the hustle and bustle of a Friday night in Albuquerque. So many families, with moms and dads trying to keep their kids close while juggling their jobs and marriages. Tons and tons of teens, many of whom are looking for trouble and are bound to find it. Some families, obviously well to do, trying to find their satisfaction in their wealth, while other families just scraping enough together to enjoy their once a month outing to grab some fast food.
I want to minister to these folks. I want to live my life among them, not just telling them about Jesus, but applying the gospel to our lives, together, and exploring what it means to bring the Kingdom of God to bear in our families, schools, workplaces, and our city. Albuquerque is where I want to be, not just this summer or next year, but five, ten, twenty years down the road.
There is a need here for another Christ-centered, gospel-oriented community of grace. Thanks for continuing to support me and my family as we seek to follow His call to Albuquerque.
Other than missing my wife and sons terribly, my trip to New Mexico and Arizona was an unqualified success and an absolute blast! Thank you for remembering me in your prayers the past two weeks; I was encouraged knowing so many of you are committed to my family and this church planting project.
If I could choose one word to summarize my time out West, it would be 'encouragement.' I was encouraged spiritually, in my walk with Christ; I was encouraged by so many saints in their hospitality and interest in the church plant; I was encouraged by catching up with family and 'old friends.'
In particular, I was struck by the following things during my twelve days in the desert:
1) The Beauty of Creation: I had forgotten the wonder of the Desert Southwest. The soaring mountains, many of them dusted with early spring snow; the sagebrush, cacti, tumbleweeds, and open spaces between towns; the huge skies with abounding sunshine. Having driven from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, Las Cruces to Phoenix, Phoenix back to Albuquerque, I wondered at the beauty around me...which led me to once again wonder at (and worship) the One who created all this. Our God is a wonderful, creative Wonder!
2) The Generosity of People: I lost count how many folks took me out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner...shame on me! Needless to say, I ate well, and enjoyed rich conversation at tables in homes and restaurants alike. Special thanks go to those families who allowed me to stay in their homes: John and Susan Pickett in Las Cruces, Marshall and Susan Burns in Scottsdale, and Jim and Tish Rose in Albuquerque. An extra word of thanks to Glenn and Karin Lingle in Gilbert, Arizona, who offered their home, but because of their "Animal Kingdom" (Karin's words, not mine!) and my allergies, I had to decline their gracious offer.
3) The Growth of Albuquerque: Having left the Duke City thirteen years ago, and having visited only sporadically since then, I was not prepared to see the growth of the city. In particular, the area of Albuquerque that we are targeting (the intersection of Interstate 25 and Paseo Del Norte, in the far north part of the city) has exploded with homes and businesses in the past ten years or so. Albuquerque continues to change and grow, which reminds me that I need to continue to change and grow, and that a successful church, not just in Albuquerque but anywhere, needs to grow and change to reach its community with the unchanging truth of the Gospel.
4) Interested Families: I had the privilege of interacting with three separate families who have some interest in being part of our core group for the church plant. They probably have no idea how encouraging that is to me! And yet their interest confirms to me that God is already working in the hearts of those who will be the front line workers in this new church. Being in a place where God is at work...there is no better place to be!
5) The Need is Clear: Sitting in a pizza joint not far from my old high school, I was struck by the hustle and bustle of a Friday night in Albuquerque. So many families, with moms and dads trying to keep their kids close while juggling their jobs and marriages. Tons and tons of teens, many of whom are looking for trouble and are bound to find it. Some families, obviously well to do, trying to find their satisfaction in their wealth, while other families just scraping enough together to enjoy their once a month outing to grab some fast food.
I want to minister to these folks. I want to live my life among them, not just telling them about Jesus, but applying the gospel to our lives, together, and exploring what it means to bring the Kingdom of God to bear in our families, schools, workplaces, and our city. Albuquerque is where I want to be, not just this summer or next year, but five, ten, twenty years down the road.
There is a need here for another Christ-centered, gospel-oriented community of grace. Thanks for continuing to support me and my family as we seek to follow His call to Albuquerque.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Heading Out West
I leave tomorrow for the Southwest! I will be spending the rest of this week in southern New Mexico, visiting with PCA pastors and churches in Alamogordo, Las Cruces, and El Paso, to make them aware of The Duke City Project. As many of these brothers are church planters themselves, I hope to do as much listening as talking!
I will then make a quick trip west to visit with some Arizona pastors, again with an eye toward raising support, then head back to Albuquerque for even more fundraising, as well as to visit with some perspective core group members. Somewhere during this trip I hope to visit with my brother and his wife, my aunt and uncle, and some close friends.
All together, please pray that this trip will not only be a success in terms of fundraising, and prayer raising, but that God will use this time to sharpen my vision of what church He will build in Albuquerque. I am also looking forward to some long drives in the rental car, so that I can spend some personal time in prayer and worship. Finally, please pray for Carrie and the boys while I am away. Twelve days is a long time for the four of us to be apart!
Thank you, friends and family, for praying for me, my family, and this project. Keep seeking God and knocking on the gates of His Kingdom, and He will continue to guide us, protect us, and lead us to places and people we can hardly imagine!
To our Great God be the glory!
I will then make a quick trip west to visit with some Arizona pastors, again with an eye toward raising support, then head back to Albuquerque for even more fundraising, as well as to visit with some perspective core group members. Somewhere during this trip I hope to visit with my brother and his wife, my aunt and uncle, and some close friends.
All together, please pray that this trip will not only be a success in terms of fundraising, and prayer raising, but that God will use this time to sharpen my vision of what church He will build in Albuquerque. I am also looking forward to some long drives in the rental car, so that I can spend some personal time in prayer and worship. Finally, please pray for Carrie and the boys while I am away. Twelve days is a long time for the four of us to be apart!
Thank you, friends and family, for praying for me, my family, and this project. Keep seeking God and knocking on the gates of His Kingdom, and He will continue to guide us, protect us, and lead us to places and people we can hardly imagine!
To our Great God be the glory!
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