Yes, We Are Alive

This update is WAY overdue. Hopefully the following information catches you up and explain the delay.

The events of 2018 and 2019 were chaotic to put it mildly. This past calendar year was more difficult than Birmingham and Montgomery combined. Yet, these hardships came simultaneously in a season of blessing beyond our imagination. These two narratives existed as dueling marathons. Unpacking all these details would take several pages. So for brevity I will say that both of these marathons came to a sudden halt in late May and early June.

I had expected this sudden halt to be a relief. And in some ways it was. But on the other hand I felt like a piece of over stretched fabric. In fact the summer months were very difficult as I tried to unpack 2018 and the larger story from May 2015 (when we first took the call to plant in Roswell).

Here is some context. This Church plant began with no people and no money. After arriving we discovered the presbytery was stretched beyond its capacity to support a plant as they desired. As of today we: have a wonderful session, are growing toward financial independence, have a regular weekly attendance of 70-80 adults (many of whom are discovering Jesus for the first time). I will share more blessings later. This is just for context

It took about 6-8 weeks for the sudden halt of dueling marathons to be put into context. Then came another surprise.

Now what?

As August came to a close the past was finding context. But at the same time the needs of the Church had grown beyond the capacity of a solo staff. By God's providence help was arriving in two ways.

The ministry of MNA Second Carreer provided an amazing resource through a volunteer as a part-time Technical Administrator. This saint lives in Pensylvania and handles task remotely. Her investment is a huge relief on my schedule.
Although we are not yet financially independent (we are getting there) our session was able to budget for a part time Resource Administrator. She came on board two weeks ago and I think I am beginning to breath again.

Combined these two ladies represent a fulltime assistant. The timing of their arrival was like losing your scuba tank and finding two floating 10 yards away. Its a combination of provision, providence and a heart of deep gratitude.

Amazing Things

We Moved! If you know anything about the North Atlanta housing market then you know finding a home is a miracle in itself. Most homes (at least the potentially affordable ones) never go on the market. In fact our realtor found our home while attending a meeting in another county. This was 16 hours after I had prayed in front of the same home (not knowing it was about to be listed) BTW, our realtor had no knowledge of this prayer. AMAZING!

Since particularization we have received 17 new adult members. Among these folks are new believers and believers just discovering the riches of the reformed faith and Gospel living. I am so humbled to serve alongside this Church.

We are growing in favor with the city. Our relationship with the City Council & local Business Bureau is headed in a wonderful direction. This Sunday we are holding an event called the Roswell Pumpkin Painting Party. Its built around a vision of Faith & Work (see tifwe.org for an ex). Long term we are hoping to lead the region in the Faith / Work conversation.

From the beginning we set aside 10% of all internal gifts towards mercy and mission. We knew that giving needed to be part of our DNA so we set to established this even while we still needed funds ourselves. This idea comes from the collective wisdom of several national networks. Basically: if you want to become a giving Church, you must have it in your DNA from the start. That being said we have taken on two ministry partners.

A Roswell based shelter for homeless women and children (Drake House). We support an apartment and have even been able to furnish it. Several of our members have assisted in their financial / vocational training courses.
An MNA missionary (Phil Stogner) to Scotland. He is advancing the cause of Church planting in an area desperate for gospel centered ministries.

501C3

As a Church we have always been a tax exempt organization. But now we are an official 501C3. Which means we can acquire corporate sponsorships such as Amazon Smile and matching gifts.

http://gatheredbygrace.com/give/

Pray (Praise)

Please pray/praise for:

Our session. I love these guys and am so grateful to serve alongside them. We are all learning how to shepherd this Church. But the battle does not stop once you particularize and these men each had their own "Hard Summer". Pray for God's grace in the lives.
Praise - We closed on our home. What a GRACE!
Pray/Praise - We need to find a new space. This is not an emergency. But our needs are beginning to expand beyond our current space. We would love something that fits our vision and needs.
For the Oaks - specifically for Chapel, Mason and Cannon. That they would know God's kindness and gentleness.