KC Church Plant News, July Update

[Crossroads Church Plant]

When, at Lindsay's request, I put my hands in the air and slowly move
away from my to-do list, life takes on a surreal quality. I'm writing
this update from our new home/ministry staging area at 1827
Washington, the "Brick House," and multiple times in the last eight
months, we never thought we would arrive here.

Eight months was a long time to wait for the right place to open up by
downtown, and our refrain was, Unless God pulls this off, it's not
happening. Well, God pulled it off. Now we're slowly getting settled
in our new digs.

A two minute walk from the heart of the Crossroads District, spending
time downtown has never been easier. Our kids have room to play and
we're enjoying opportunities to take walks and meet neighbors, host
meetings, and throw parties on our deck. Finally being able to put
roots down and become stake-holders in the downtown community is a
huge answer to prayer. (Pictures at http://arieljvan.com/2009/07/14/pictures-of-the-new-homey/)

We're continuing to pursue our ongoing goals of building connections
downtown and growing our team toward critical mass for public worship
services. In addition, we've lined out an action plan for remodeling
the Brick House so we can use it for living, work and ministry the way
we envision.

Summer has been a choppy stretch for us, with vacations and changing
schedules breaking up our routines. (Baby #3 is due August 10.) We're
continuing to visit local church plants and meet Sunday evenings with
our team. In addition, we've started praying together on Wednesday
mornings; when we discussed the challenges of summer's dog days with
our team, we concluded that consistent, focused prayer needs to be a
priority.

When we experience a victory—like moving into the Brick House—we can
forget how risky this whole church plant endeavor is. God's the one
who opens doors, enables crazy plans, and changes lives. Without his
powerful intervention we're just spinning our wheels.

Another step we're considering is leasing office space in a downtown
location called JavaPort. JavaPort is not a typical office; it's a
"subscription coffeehouse" where business start-ups pay for space,
wifi, office equipment, and a collaborative work environment (with
coffee on tap).

Designated work space is good, but the main draw at JavaPort would be
the chance for Crossroads Church to office in a public forum and cross-
pollinate with other local entrepreneurs. We're working to raise an
additional $125 a month to pursue this opportunity, so pray that God
provides and get in touch if this is a project you'd like to fund.

As the month closes out, we'll tackle another service project on the
West Side, talk with more partner churches, and keep investing our
lives here in downtown KC, MO. I've enjoyed several opportunities to
preach in the last month, and will continue to preach at partnering
churches as I work to develop some good disciplines and rhythms.
Holler if you know of a good sermon opportunity.

Finally, pray that Jesus will sustain our focus through the summer
humidity and haze, and will keep adding members to our church plant
team. We think public worship services will be an important "front
door" for our friends to get acquainted with Crossroads, but need to
keep growing our team until we can pull off services.

We're thankful for your prayers, and humbly amazed that God uses
simple prayed requests—and people like us—to build his kingdom.

Peace,

Ariel (AJ), Lindsay, Aidan, Asher, and Boy #3