Alameda Prayer Requests, 5/4/12

[Jeff Locke]

Thank you everyone for signing up here to join us in prayer for the church plant in Alameda. I am confident that it is it through humble dependence on the Lord in prayer that the church will be built and that people will hear the gospel and be saved. Jesus said, "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). Let's take him up on his offer. 

Requests:

• Pray for Wellspring and Christ Church – These are the churches that are praying about sending us to plant. Please pray that each congregation would be united in their desire to see the plant go forward. Also, pray that God would bless each church as this is a significant step of faith and sacrifice on their part for the sake of the gospel.
• Pray for the Lockes' transition to Alameda – We are still looking for a place to live in Alameda. Please pray that God would open the right door at the right time, and that we would have confidence in his provision and plan. 
• Pray for people in Alameda – We want to plant because we want to reach people with the gospel of God's grace in Christ. Please join us in praying that God would bring 10 people to faith in the first year of the church's ministry.
  
• Pray for humility – Church planting is an exciting thing, and we want everyone to be excited for the mission. In that excitement, there can be a temptation to think much of ourselves and the ministry we are called to. Please pray that God would give me and the plant team humble hearts before the Lord and our neighbors.
  

Updates!

My family and I just returned last week from a relaxing vacation in Mt. Shasta and Portland, OR. We enjoyed the week of rest and time as a family. I think we all feel rejuvenated from it.

I have the privilege of preaching this Sunday (5/6) at Wellspring. The elders there have graciously invited me to preach there about once a month between now and the time of the plant launch. Also joining us will be Jeremy and Vanessa Tam, Christ Church members who have felt called to join the plant. If you go to Wellspring or will just be visiting this Sunday, come say hi to Kathy and me and the Tams!

It is enormously encouraging to have as many people joining us in prayer as we do. If you know of anyone else who would like to join us in prayer, send them this link where they can sign up for this group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/plantalameda. 

In his book, The Gospel Commission, Michael Horton writes, "There is not something called Christianity and then missionaries who spread it. Christianity is in its very essence a mission to the world. If it is not reaching, teaching, baptizing, and multiplying disciples, it is not Christianity." May God make us faithful Christians, answering the call of his mission. 

Blessings in Christ,

Jeff Locke

415-742-1675

jeffc...@gmail.com