Coming North
John Chisham
We are counting down the hours as we are getting ready to make our
cross-country move to Marshall, MN. Our home in Orlando will close on
the 20th, and we are taking our fully loaded van up to Marshall for
our closing on the 23rd.
We will have unpacking, registering for school for the kids, and
several other housecleaning items to do, but we are really excited to
hit the ground running. We are looking forward to having a couple more
community information/vision meetings, as we establish a presence in
the community. We will also be establishing some community Bible
Studies and small groups. We will meet in different homes and
locations around the community. We will also begin different outreach
events, each showing a different aspect of ministry in the church.As
we grow, we will be having some 'church planting boot camp' training,
music practices, and other ministry development. We hope that by
September we will have reached a critical mass so that we can launch a
public service with all basic ministries intact (e.g nursery,
childrens ministry, music team, etc).
Those who are in Marshall who have expressed desire to be part of this
launch team should continue asking God what their role can be. There
are leadership roles (Elder, Deacon, Treasurer, Small group leader,
youth ministry leader, etc.) There are support roles (music, childrens
workers, greeters, teachers) and of course there is a place for those
who are still figuring out what part God is going to have them play!
And by the way, most importantly, is the role mentioned first; that of
prayer. River of Life Alliance Church will only be successful in the
eyes of God if we 'seek first HIS kingdom and HIS rightiousness'. We
need to pray continually- and as we do, continue to lift up His work
in Marshall.
I am praising God for all the answers to prayer we have already seen.
I know God is in every detail thus far, and as we seek His face I know
He will continue to bless our efforts. Continue to pray for the
preparation of the field in Marshall. Continue to pray that His will
be done in Marshall; For He is not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance! As we pray in this way, we, like
Jesus, will lift up our eyes and see that the fields are white for
harvest- and that we are His workers that are being sent into those
harvest fields to do His task- to harvest the ripe grain; those men,
women, and children that He has drawn to Himself.
In His Grip,
Pastor John