April Prayer Letter

Thankyou for taking the time to pray for us and Refuge City Church. Several exciting things have gone on in the past month, and more is on the horizon.

Earlier this month the team was in Dayton, filming for our first video. We spent three days walking, day and night, around Dayton. John and I probably walked at least ten miles. For one shot I was crouched to the ground near traffic with an umbrella down my shirt, it was raining and Scot was across the street.

Luke, Lydia Ruth, John, and I drove around the city and through many of the neighborhoods, so that Luke and Lydia Ruth could get an idea of what the neighborhoods are like. During this drive God grew my desire to be in Dayton and refreshed my mind on how much Dayton needs the Gospel. There are so many people living in Dayton, but there is no evangelical presence.

The whole team was blessed by how my parents served them on Sunday night. They cooked burgers and chicken, made some fruit salad, bake beans, and had a fire out back. Luke got his guitar out at one point and sang a few worship songs, while we ate smores. It’s easy to get caught up in the “things” that have to be done, and that night was a great time of fellowship for the team.

I thought the trip this month would be my last one, but I need to return to Dayton in May to re-film a few things. One segment where I am talking had no audio. I am so thankful that our pilot will be picking me up for this trip. It sounds funny that a plane has been or primary method of getting to Dayton for various trips, but when God blesses you with someone whom wants to serve in that manner, you humbly recieve it.

In a matter of days my home will be on the market. This has been where I find myself constantly relying on God. I pray things will go smoothly and the house will sell quickly. A few hours ago I was sitting on the poarch with my roomate and we were both making comments about how much we enjoy our nieghbors and will miss them.

The team decided on a logo and the cool part is, John designed it! John is still looking at changing the print name, but the logo is pretty much set. I have been trying different video applications for the video, some are good while others not so much.

Fatigue is constantly hitting me. It was a last minute decision for me to go to Dayton a couple weeks ago, and I was already worn out from work and church plant things. I am trying to go to bed earlier and watch how much time I spend working on things for the church plant. I think part of it is the realization of what’s coming and another part is what I am leaving.

On May 14^th at 6:30PM at Parkwood Baptist Church in Concord, you are invited to attend a pre-going away dinner. I am inviting people from: the three churches where I have worshiped, people I have worked with, and others who have been a part of my live here in Charlotte. John Pope will be there to share a few things with you. Please consider coming for a pot-luck dinner and a chance to meet many of the people that have blessed me here in Charlotte.

Proverbs 3:5-6

March Prayer letter

It is such a blessing knowing people are praying for Refuge City Church. This past month was busy and this month could be just as busy.

During this past month several things happen that encouraged and some that challenged me. Jeff was hired a couple weeks ago. He will be working at a restaurant next door to the one where his wife works. Scot was surprised to find his tires slashed as he was leaving work earlier this week. John and his wife Amy will be returning from his overseas mission trip today. John has also been working on designing a logo, and has come up with some great ideas, but a final version has not been reached.

I had a lot of goals for this past month and only completed 70% of them. It bothers me when I don’t complete everything and then have to catch-up the next month. For a couple days it was really bothering me, but then I remembered that God knows my limitations. I remembered that I should depend on God and not my list of things to do. Lists are okay, but my dependence should be on God.

Two trips back to back were a little more tiring then I thought. I went with the youth group at Parkwood Baptist on their winter retreat, helping with chaperoning and technical needs. Then the next weekend went to Ohio. It was nice the following weekend to chill on the front porch reading a book and talking to neighbors.

John is working on the proposal for Refuge City. The proposal will help other churches Know what RCC is about; what we stand for and our mission. The proposal will also help John think through various areas of church ministry. Having this will also help cast a vision for people both at RCC and within our community.

I am so grateful for the pastors that have been helping me understand the business side of church. John has asked me to work on some budgeting for RCC. While I find math easy and administration second nature, I know very little about finances especially church finances. David Moore at Crossway Community has been a great help for me. He has helped me understand various aspects of budgeting and has helped in getting a first draft for startup and running costs. I think this will be a nice surprise for John Pope as he returns from overseas. There is still a lot for me to learn and some great men are working with me to help in my inexperience.

I don’t know why I find this next step so hard. I will be turning in my resignation this week. It will not be effective till July, but leaving a job I enjoy is difficult. I know I could live for several decades to come here in Charlotte. I have a great job, even though its teacher pay, and great people around me. However I must be obedient to God’s call. Even though in some ways I don’t want to leave, I know I must.

2 Timothy 2:1-13

February Prayer Letter

Thankyou for your faithfulness to pray for Refuge City Church. A lot of exciting things happened in January and more to come in February.

This past month Jeff and Lauren moved moved back to Dayton, they had been in Louisville for over six years. They are still settling in and would appreciate your prayers. Scot is trying to finish up some work in West Virginia. As soon as he finishes, which should be soon, he will begin the process of moving to Dayton. John Pope traveled twice this past month. John went to Cedarville University to inform students of the plant. Later in January, John went to a conference for church planters. I went to Raleigh to visit and arrived just as he was returning from the conference. John was so excited that night to share many things that he had learned at the conference.

This month will begin my move to Dayton. I will be preparing to put my house on the market. Thankfully there is not much to do to get the house ready. A little paint, cleaning, and moving the dog, since it is not a good idea to have a pet in the house when you are selling. My brother and his family has been gracious enough to offer to watch my dog during this time. I think they likes that my dog will wear their dog out.

John and I will be traveling to Dayton this month, however we will be there at different times. He is planning on meeting with pastors in the Dayton area. I will be going up the following weekend to take my dog up, vist some friends, have a few meetings, and walk the streets of downtown.

While there is still a lot of steam moving us forward, the load is starting to be felt. John travels several times a month for meetings and conferences. John is also working on the proposal that will serve as an outline for the first several years for Refuge City Church. The whole team has been reading a lot, working full-time, serving at various churches, preparing to move, and many other things. While this time is exciting we are still human and encounter fatigue. Please pray for safe travel and great rest.

For those in the Charlotte area, keep the night of May 14^th open on your calendar. More info next month about that, but trust me keep it open if you can.

Philemon 4-7

Such a blessing

I've been using amazon.com for several years now for most of my book purchases. My family realy likes that I have a wish list on amazon, because at Christmas they go to amazon.com and order a couple books off my list. I still hold the title for easiest person to shop for, because of amazon.

The team is reading through several books over this year. So far we have read: Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll, Humility and Living the Corss Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. Before Christmas there were a few book on my list that I needed for this reading the team is doing. I also had books on the list recommended to me by John Pope, Nick Swan (pastor at Crossway Community Church), and Grandpa Graham for me to read to have a better understanding of interpreting the Bible. I began praying for God to make a way in my budget for me to get all the books, but with over 20 on the list that totaled close to $400 I did not see how that would hapen.

For Christmas family members bought books and gave me gift certificates that allowed me to get half of the books I really wanted. Then after Christmas a friend of mine offered to buy the rest of the books. To me the amazing part is I only prayed that God would find a way for me to purchase these books. I never asked anyone to help me.

Thankyou for your prayers. I now have all the books that I really wanted to get in order to prepare for the church plant. Sure there's other books on my list but what reader doesn't have a long list of books they would like.

January Prayer Letter

I really appreciate your prayers for Refuge City Church. I hope Christmas was a joyful time for you.

I really enjoyed the time I spent in Dayton over Christmas. Every time I attend a Koinos service, I get excited about being in Dayton. They are a wonderful church and big encouragers for me.

The highlight of my time in Dayton was taking some of my family members around Dayton. As we drove the streets of a city they were familiar with, they were reminded of how much that city desperately needs Jesus and people living in the city sharing and being examples of God’s love. We were outside one of the buildings, that is a possible location for Refuge City to have services, and there was a moment that I praise God for. Mom and Dad laid their hands on the building and began praying for the ministry of Refuge City. As they turned to walk around I saw in my parents’ eyes excitement and joy for how God is moving in Dayton. This helped me knowing that they are more excited about what God is doing then they are about having me around.

This weekend, January 8^th, Jeff and Lauren Bays are moving to Dayton. Jeff has been spending a lot of time preparing for the move; painting, putting carpet in, and other such things. Jeff is still searching for a job in Dayton.

John Pope will be at Cedarville University part of next week. He will be at a booth for the North American Mission Board. John will be sharing about the NAMB and Refuge City Church. We are praying that some students will express interest in being a part of Refuge City. John will also be meeting with leaders from churches in the area. Once again our friend from Koinos will be flying John in for his time in Dayton. It is so much fun and a blessing to fly with him.

There are families in Dayton and various other cities, praying about being a part of Refuge City. Please pray for them as they consider joining and moving.

Many of my family members gave me books for Christmas. These books are going to be a great help in writing Bible study material for Refuge City. These books are not easy reads so your prayers for my retention and application would be greatly appreciated as I study more about Biblical Theology and ways for studying scripture.

The realization of moving is starting to take hold. Even though I am moving back home it is not easy. I have come to love Charlotte. I love the people I work with. I love the people at my church. I love the pastors that have and continue to serve me. I love my friends and the fellowship I have had with them. Even though I am moving back home it’s like I am leaving home too. Being in Charlotte has taught me so much about believers being part of one big family. So preparing to leave Charlotte is like leaving home all over again. I know this is where God is calling me, so in joy and confidence in His call I move forward.

Philippians 3:1-11

December Prayer Letter

Thank you for taking the time to pray for Refuge City Church. Sorry this one is a little later then usual, I’ve been fighting a cold for the last three weeks.

John preached at Koinos Christian Fellowship the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Everything went well and the team had a great time in Dayton. I was unable to join them because of a few things that were going on at the time.

While in Dayton, John met with some of the pastors at Morning Star Baptist Church. John is still trying to work through what a partnership with them would look like. One thing I found out is Morning Star is a plant of Far Hills, I grew up attending Far Hills. Morning Star planted long before I was born.

Some of the time while in Charlotte I have doubted how God was growing me, it has been humbling to serve Refuge City with gifts that have developed since being in Charlotte. Some of you may now one of my passions is seeing people with a love for God’s Word. I really enjoy helping people to understand and apply scripture. John has taken that passion and put a vision to it. John Pope has asked me to consider editing and writing some material to take people through the different literary styles of the Bible and then through the Bible. So over the next several months I will be learning some more about Biblical Theology and interpreting scripture. Then editing some old material I wrote years ago and writing some additional material.

During my time in Dayton this month I hope to visit Morning Star and Koinos for a worship service. In addition to the Christmas activities, I will be taking some of my family downtown to show them areas Refuge City is considering. There are a few leaders from my past that I will be trying to meet with during this time as well.

Please continue to pray for other churches to consider partnering with Refuge City. Koinos is a great church with a wonderful pastor. Morning Star has some amazing leaders and we are starting to get to know the church. We continue to meet with people in the surrounding areas, and all are excited about the ministry of Refuge City.

A few members of the team are hoping to move to Dayton sometime next month. Scot, Jeff, and Lauren could use your prayers. They are searching for jobs and housing at this time. Jeff and Lauren have found a place and are working through the details.

John 1:12-13

November Prayer Letter

Thank you for taking the time to pray for Refuge City Church. Hopefully these letters encourage you.

Last weekend the team was in Dayton. One of the members of Koinos flew John, Luke, and I on his four-seater plane. The flight made the trip so much easier on us.

Most of the team stayed with me at my parents’ house. Mom blessed us by cooking breakfast. The weekend was filled with meetings and familiarizing the team with Dayton and the areas we will be focusing on in the beginning. We were able to be witness the first baptism for one of the churches that started just recently.

The city of Dayton is trying to renew the city by building programs, artsy décor, bike paths, and other such things. Refuge City believes that for city renewal to happen, Gospel renewal is necessary. These efforts of the city will be temporary, however Jesus Christ is not temporary. It is our prayer to renew the city with sharing the saving message of Jesus Christ and a regenerate relationship with Him.

Your time at Koinos was amazing. A couple people came up to me commenting on how they were sad to see John and I leave back in 2004. But when they heard John and I were coming back to plant a church in Dayton, they were excited and eager to find out how they could help. Others welcomed me with a hug and encouraged me, not only in regards to the church plant, but also telling me about the ministry John and I helped them start back in 2003 and how it has changed over the years. I thoroughly enjoyed being around Jonathan Newman, the pastor at Koinos, his humbleness and love for people is a joy to be around.

John Pope is preaching at Koinos November 22, and it looks like he will be flying with his wife. This last trip, because of Jack flying us on his plane, we were able to stay longer and could focus on the task at hand, instead of the eight and a half hour drive.

The team is reading some books together over this next year. The reading is about one book a month. I am also reading through some books and revisiting some old material I wrote a couple years ago. Through this personal reading and rewriting material, John and I hope to have discipleship material to take people through parts of the Bible and then to reading the Bible in a year. While John Pope and I worked on the syllabus for the teams’ reading I began to understand why I have been teaching these past five years. I’ll share more on that next month.

Ephesians 3:7-8