In a new church (and established ones, too), there are moments when the organism of the local church or the individuals we’re given stewardship of need to be allowed to work some things out on their own–there are teachable moments and developmental opportunities that would be stifled by too swift a rescue or intervention.
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image: Bob Croft
In March of 2010, we hosted a Prayer Walk(athon) in Pittsburgh (the above image is of most of the participants). Rick (Lead Planter) designed a couple of these as significant fundraisers allowing The Bridge to have the ministry dollars needed to carry us through the year. He would later share that he sincerely, genuinely sensed $30,000 would be raised for ministry purposes. It was also a tremendous way to build interest and momentum for church planting in Pittsburgh.
The people who participated in the Pittsburgh Prayer Walk(athon) contributed in a big way. But by the time all of the fundraising was calculated, less than $7,000 had come in. This was enough to cover ministry during the summer and provide a number of opportunities to connect with the community. But it wasn’t $30,000. And we still had the biggest event of the summer to be cared for as well as making sure a facility could be rented for preview, launch, and post-launch gatherings.
But we were amazed as series of incredible points of supply came our way, some more breathtaking than others, while we ‘prayed in’ daily provision:
- Other churches provided recreation/games at no cost to The Bridge for our Family Fun Day
- Other churches supplied nearly all of the food (for over 400 people!) for Family Fun Day
- Area businesses freely gave merchandise & giftcards to give away to Family Fun Day participants
- Other churches have creatively raised funds to help cover portions of meeting-place rent
- The Bridge received free use of new sound equipment from a recently-closed church
- Another church supplied for many of The Bridge’s printing needs
- Area businesses helped provide for an Autumn Trunk-or-Treat event
- 3 Lakes Golf Course invited The Bridge to meet weekly in their facility at a very affordable rate
And do you know what all of this provision amounted to?
At latest tally, just about $30,000.
We know that the work we’re doing is much more about heart and life transformation than money; we know that financial provision is not a ‘goal’ but is a necessity. For us, it’s just one more way we have seen God’s favor and answer to prayer; it’s one more evidence of being where God is working. It makes me excited: if the Holy Spirit has been so faithful in bringing us to launch, what will he do as The Bridge continues to develop?!
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This post is the last in a series of five celebrating God’s favor as we have moved toward the launch of The Bridge this Sunday. Here are links to the earlier posts: One, Two, Three, Four.
THE CALL.
image courtesy of 3 Lakes Golf Course
For our pre-launch gatherings,we found the perfect place to meet. It was the ‘dream location’ for any church plant: a community hotspot, modern facilities, plenty of room to grow, plenty of parking, an area for connection, rooms for children’s and nursery ministries. Perfect. We might never leave.
But as we looked at what the cost would be to stay in that facility following our Grand Opening when we moved from monthly to weekly gatherings, things looked impossible. We asked God to please provide what was an overwhelming amount for our perfect place to meet.
One day, the phone rang. On the other end was a representative from 3 Lakes Golf Course with an offer:
Rather than paying hundreds of dollars for a few hours on Sunday, what if we payed a quarter of the cost for an entire day at their club house? With a fully stocked nursery? And a dedicated children’s ministry area? And all the space we could need for a long while? With permission to use the marquis signs and put up semi-permanent banners?
Yes, that’s right. A ‘more-perfect’ place than ‘the perfect location’ didn’t need to be sought out; they called us. Once again, God moved in an unexpected way and we were reminded of his faithfulness and the great love he not only has for us, but for the people he has commissioned us to reach.
What impossibility are you facing? The answer of Heaven may be unexpected, but rest assured as you pursue the heart of God that he remains faithful.
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This is part four of a series of post recounting God’s faithfulness as we prepare for the Grand Opening of The Bridge. You can find part one here, part two here, and part three here.
LEAP OF FAITH.
image courtesy of CRASH:candy/flickr
“Either we sell the house, or Sarah gets a job. We can’t move to Pittsburgh until then.”
Of course we couldn’t move ‘until then.’ It was the only way ends would possibly meet. It made practical sense, so we dedicated time to trying to sell or rent the house and hunt for work.
But after a couple months, neither the house sold or rented and my wife, Sarah, had yet to get a call for potential employment. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the moment, on my way to the ‘Burgh to look at potential apartments for us, when God clearly spoke to me that he had called us to Pittsburgh and we needed to be *IN* Pittsburgh. I immediately called my wife from the car and said, “I think I’m going to find our new home today, and that we need to move as soon as possible; are you okay with me signing a lease even though you won’t have seen the place?”
Out of gracious faith in God and me as her husband, Sarah’s response was, basically, “Go for it.”
I did find a place, paid a deposit, and planned our move-in day. We wouldn’t be able to sign a lease until we were both present, so we prayed with extra fervency that God would provide a job for Sarah. And nothing changed. Still, we knew it was time to be in Pittsburgh, so, in faith, Sarah and I met in Pittsburgh to sign a lease. On her way into the City, Sarah got a call for an interview. We moved into our Apartment and Sarah got a call for a second interview. Ten days after quitting her job in Carlisle, she started at a new job with better benefits and more pay in Pittsburgh. And this at the height of the Great Recession.
I’m convinced the job wouldn’t have come if we hadn’t taken our leap of faith by moving.
There have been trying times, tests of faith, and incredibly difficult circumstances since then, but God has proven himself ever faithful and has continued to lavish his favor on us. It makes me wonder, what steps of faith are you being called to this week and need to trust that God’s provision will be found on the other side of your obedience?
— This is part three of a series of post recounting God’s faithfulness as we prepare for the Grand Opening of The Bridge. You can find part one here and part two here.
This past weekend, my generous, amazing, nine-months pregnant wife was willing to let me take the weekend away to spend some quiet time for prayer and solitude. During that time, I felt like my soul was refreshed and that some nuggets of wisdom were given to me to digest…lessons that you may find valuable, too–maybe messages from God’s heart to yours:
- You already have God’s favor–He sent Jesus for you. He desires you. He is FOR you. You don’t need to pursue God’s favor because he isn’t withholding it; it’s freely given.
- You must have more of God’s Spirit–God favors you to the max, but you must have more of his Spirit convicting, encouraging, transforming, enabling, and anointing you. Don’t settle for yesterday’s victories and intimacy.
- Your weakness is a positive game-changer–“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9, TNIV).
- Your definition of ‘success’ is probably twisted–It seems God’s question for defining success is, “Were you faithful with what I gave you.” Not how famous, big, powerful, dynamic, or amazing you were. Were you FAITHFUL?
- You do not have to change the world or ‘create a movement’–Jesus already did that. Join in what he’s doing and you’ll find success (see above).
- Healing is freely available–Jesus secured your healing and wants to see you made whole, but the process of healing can hurt…so count the cost.
- Sometimes you just need time with your Friend–With no agendas, no big requests, no need to ‘accomplish’ anything, sometimes you just need to spend time with your Friend and King; there is a kind of soul salve that can only be found in times like this.
