Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Just a week or so ago I received clearance from the Southwest Church Planting Network to pursue a home in Albuquerque and prepare to move to the Duke City. By God's grace, I've raised nearly $90,000 in support over the next three years, and while I hope to raise even more ($125K is the goal), that is enough for now to begin the work of ministry.
We have a contract on our house here in Houma (closing is set for July 26) and have an agreement on a house in ABQ (closing is July 29). We're praising God for the sale of our home in Louisiana as well as leading us to the new place in Albuquerque. I'll update you with an ABQ address once some of the closing 'hurdles' are cleared (inspection, appraisal, etc.).
Please pray for us in the following ways:
1) That the closing of these two houses is smooth and painless.
2) That the work of fundraising would continue...several families are still considering pledging, but have yet to make the commitment. Please pray also for churches to partner with us.
3) That I would begin to seriously plan and pray for the fall, as the real work of church planting will begin.
To God be the glory!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
June 12 Update
Great news! One of the two big hurdles left before we can begin our ministry in Albuquerque is about to fall.
Our house in Houma is now under contract. Closing is set for July 26. We had the opportunity to meet the couple that is purchasing our home...been married one month, new to the area, and attend a solid Baptist Church in the area and love the Lord! Praise God!
Please pray that their loan approval will go through, and that the house inspection and appraisal will occur without any major problems.
The other hurdle is that we are still short on our fundraising efforts. By God's grace, we have raised about $80,000 in pledges and gifts! Thank you to those who were able to contribute to our efforts. However, we're still short at least $45,000 from our goal. We still may be able to begin the work of ministry if we raise another $20,000.
So please pray for that $20,000 to come through. There are still a number of families that are considering investing in the Duke City Project...please pray that they will be generous, as the Lord allows. And pray that some churches will also come on board with commitments. There are two churches in New Mexico that are seriously considering how they can help...please pray for them!
What an adventure! There's a terrible recession going on, the Gulf Coast is undergoing an oil spill crisis that threatens a way of life for the people of South Louisiana...not exactly a great time to begin a fund raising project for a new church plant. And yet we've seen great generosity. And some who cannot give at this time pray for us regularly. It's a humbling experience...and I'm grateful for your generosity and your prayers. Just think, the real work begins after the fund raising is over! And we look forward to seeing our God come through, again, as He always does.
Our house in Houma is now under contract. Closing is set for July 26. We had the opportunity to meet the couple that is purchasing our home...been married one month, new to the area, and attend a solid Baptist Church in the area and love the Lord! Praise God!
Please pray that their loan approval will go through, and that the house inspection and appraisal will occur without any major problems.
The other hurdle is that we are still short on our fundraising efforts. By God's grace, we have raised about $80,000 in pledges and gifts! Thank you to those who were able to contribute to our efforts. However, we're still short at least $45,000 from our goal. We still may be able to begin the work of ministry if we raise another $20,000.
So please pray for that $20,000 to come through. There are still a number of families that are considering investing in the Duke City Project...please pray that they will be generous, as the Lord allows. And pray that some churches will also come on board with commitments. There are two churches in New Mexico that are seriously considering how they can help...please pray for them!
What an adventure! There's a terrible recession going on, the Gulf Coast is undergoing an oil spill crisis that threatens a way of life for the people of South Louisiana...not exactly a great time to begin a fund raising project for a new church plant. And yet we've seen great generosity. And some who cannot give at this time pray for us regularly. It's a humbling experience...and I'm grateful for your generosity and your prayers. Just think, the real work begins after the fund raising is over! And we look forward to seeing our God come through, again, as He always does.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Update
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!
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!
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!
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