Ariel & Lindsay Church Planting Update 2

[ariell...@gmail.com]

We’re coming off a couple of great interactions with pastors and
people at young church plants. Early last week, I had the opportunity
to grab coffee with Troy Campbell, who pastors New Life in the middle
of the Crossroads District in downtown Kansas City. Troy told me about
his church planting journey and gave me a tour of the remarkable loft-
like space currently being developed for New Life on the fourth floor
of an office building.

New Life already has its share of stories, as they’ve served in one of
KC’s worst neighborhoods, seen people come to Jesus, and essentially
worked and prayed their way into the ideal new location, despite the
sky-high costs of real estate downtown. I deeply appreciated Troy’s
willingness to share his experience (and prayers) with a young buck he
doesn’t know from Adam.

Then, this past weekend, Lindsay and I enjoyed a similar experience,
as we packed up Asher (travels well), dropped off Aidan at his
grandparents’ (travels like a caged Rottweiler ;), and drove north to
Ottumwa, Iowa. A couple months ago, Marty Schmidt, who pastors a young
church plant in Ottumwa, had asked me if I’d think about coming to
preach at thebridge. When I asked Marty what had possessed him to
invite me, he said it was more of a Holy Spirit thing, at which point
I clearly couldn’t say no.

This was a great opportunity to go preach at a growing church, talk
with Marty and others about their stories, and get a good look at what
these Christians are doing in Ottumwa, which is the drug capital of
Iowa, an urban/suburban hybrid city where the two sides of the tracks
are pretty clearly marked. Once again, I was amazed at the generosity
and graciousness of Marty and others in welcoming us, praying for us,
and investing in us during the time we were there.

These types of meetings remind me what alien, illogical things the
faith, hope, and love of Jesus are. Apart from the gospel and grace of
Christ, there’s no reason for busy, established leaders to take the
time to pour into a dude they’ve never met before. As well, only Jesus
makes a lasting difference in tough neighborhoods.

Experiences like these will help form our vision as we move forward.
As I talked with Lindsay about the last week, we were refreshed by the
surreal goodness of grace, as people who have been loved against all
odds by God extend that same love generously to people they hardly
know.

We want to see the same grace of Jesus take root as we serve Kansas
City. Thanks for being part of our journey (and feel free to share
these updates with others).

Keep on keeping on,

AJ, Lindsay, Aidan & Asher

[Julie Beth Mauk]

i have on my desk an article i found a few weeks ago about troy --
really wanted to get it to you ---sounded like someone you ought to
meet ( and vice versa). God answers prayer and you've found each
other! glad to hear it was encouraging. (the cliches are flying
thick and fast -- but they are meaningful words, after all>) btw is it
aj now? sounds good. reminds me of someone i used to know, back in
the goodle days.