This past month flew by, but not because it was uneventful. After 10 weeks I'm finally into the full swing of my new life in Vegas.
- Preach 5 sermons. Check.
- Finish "re-training" with new DJ company. Check.
- Start feeling like a "local." Check.
2 Minute Update (For those with time to smell the roses):
We recently met with some folks living east of UNLV about starting a new missional community there. The history of that neighborhood has been one of church works starting, then moving out into the suburbs - leaving this neighborhood, and it's people, behind. Starting Easter Sunday we're hoping to start gathering a few key people with a heart for this part of the city to see what doors God might be opening up. We've been asking locals, "If there were a church IN this neighborhood, FOR this neighborhood, what would that look like like? What would you want to see?" People living there seem to be longing for community, but many don't know where to find it. This Sunday night our hope is to start meeting some of those felt needs, with hopes that God also opens doors to meet the other needs of this community.
Surprise!
Yesterday a number of new people came to our Sunday worship service. That afternoon we got an email from a visitor who let us know she thinks she found what she was looking for ... and that she wanted to help support my apprenticeship. Didn't see that one coming. God continues to provide in the most random ways to remind us it's not our strategies, but God's Spirit that makes things happen here.
Prayer:
Next month I'll be traveling to Atlanta to meet with some church planting veterans. Given their seal of approval we would then become eligible for special grants to help support our work here. A week later I'll hope to finish my licensure (Like the first half or the Bar exam, only for pastors). Please pray for these times, that they would be productive and encouraging, not just overwhelming.
