Archive for July, 2007

One Blazing Community

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at July 24, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

The week in Saint Louis, MO was nothing short of amazing.  Try to imagine 200 teenage students paying money to go to a church camp where they are expected to work and serve other people.  These young people worshiped hard, prayed hard listened well and worked hard.

I can’t wait for you to hear testimonies of the great stuff that God did in the hearts of our young people.

It is great to be a part of the Newfrontiers family of churches.  I am continually blessed because of the gifting and faith of our brothers and sisters working in other places.  They are in turn blessed by the great things I am able to convey about you.  We have planted several churches over the past few years, but I believe that the youth that we see today will be planting healthy vibrant communities of the spirit at a pace that will leave us in the dust.

Risky Business

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at July 24, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

It was so good to be together on Sunday after missing the previous week with a stomach bug. Brian, Larry and Michael were a little surprised the I showed up since I had written them earlier in the week and let them know that I would not be there. It was my joy to watch these guys lead the church to trust God through prayer.

I felt that by and large there were wonderful contributions of thanksgiving, sweet songs of surrender and passionate prayers for God’s will to be accomplished through us. I believe that we must continue to pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers (active, not passive) into the harvest fields of Fort Scott and Bourbon county.

The work of evangelism is often passed on to the paid staff of a church. People feel unqualified, or ignorant. We may be inexperienced, but we needn’t feel that God will not use us even in this state. You have been qualified because you have freely received salvation. You are not ignorant because you have experienced the most powerful life changing force in the universe. You know God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that most of you have never been to a church that would de-emphasize teaching in order to devote time to prayer. I know that the Sunday morning meeting is a public meeting and it seems strange to invite people into a risky environment where anybody could say, or pray anything. We do not mind the risk, but hopefully we can take that risk because of good leadership and security in God.

We must be devoted to prayer. Not just individually, but corporately. We have tried to model prayer that is not passive, but active. Prayer that isn’t mundane, but is full of the power of God. Prayer that is based in belief that God will hear our cry and will transform us and the community in which we live. We are totally dependent on the God who loves us and has saved us.

Beginning in August we will be going some evangelistic training called Just Walk Across the Room. This stuff is transformational. I have heard great reports from friends all over Missouri who have found the teaching very helpful. I have also been reading the book and find it both challenging and helpful. As Christ followers it is our great joy and responsibility to help people who are far away from God make progress toward Him. He is drawing people, but he uses us as instruments to draw them. We have the ministry of reconciliation.

I am so excited about what I believe God is doing in our midst. We have so much to do. I hope that you are finding grace for living and power through God’s spirit.

Sunday when we gather we will be praying for Church plants that we are involved in throughout the United States (N.W. Arkansas and Tacoma, Washington in particular). I can’t wait to go to God for our friends who have left home to follow God in establishing new communities of faith.

Have a great week.

Steve

Believe God for Big Things

Published by
Administrator
at July 10, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

I want to thank you again for your persistent attitude of faith exhibited through prayer this past week. I was stunned by the kind of faith that prays for a 77,000 square foot Wal-mart building for a small congregation of about 70 people. It was awesome. I do want to encourage you to keep praying throughout the week for God to bless our church financially. What that means is you are praying for us a people both corporately and individually to be generous and to have more than enough for every good work that God puts in our hearts to do.

We are learning about prayer as we pray. Throughout this week as you pray remember who you are praying to. I was reading in Isaiah 46 this morning; “I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure.’” He is a big God and his plans will not be thwarted. Remember that he has promised to make us fruitful. He has promised to be with us as we seek His kingdom and His righteousness. He will be with us as we make disciples. He is building His church and hell cannot prevail against it. Therefore we can pray with confidence.

Hebrews 4:16 reminds us to “…draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Go to God with praise and with a heart of confidence that He loves you and He is big enough to handle the stuff that is discouraging in your life.

I also want to encourage you to be aware of how he is answering the things that people prayed for you this past Sunday. I would love to hear more testimonies of how God came through for you this week.

I am looking forward to worshiping and praying with you again this Sunday. This week we are going to be praying for power and gifting from the Holy Spirit. If you would begin reading 1 Corinthians 12 through 14 I think that would be very helpful to prepare your heart for this Sunday.

I believe this season of prayer is vital to our future progress in building community, making disciples and successful outreach. In August we will begin a series called Just Walk Across the Room, by Bill Hybels. I really believe that this will help break down some barriers and encourage us as we get ready for the Alpha course in September.