“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…”
Zechariah 4:10a, NLT
Hi All,
It’s been three months since my last ministry update and quite a bit has happened on the Mantua Creek front.
Some of you may remember that, as part of beginning year four of our six-year plan, we had a significant fundraising challenge. As of November 30th of last year, we had raised 23K but still needed 22K by January 1st to reach our total goal of 45K. I’m humbled and amazed to tell you that although all funds did not come in by the first of the year, they did come in by January 31st! We are extremely thankful to all who made this happen, including the EPC’s national office, our presbytery, six churches, and three individuals. What all this means practically, among other things, is that I’ll be able to give at least two days of pastoral ministry a week throughout 2024 to move our church plant forward.
Additionally, Southwood Baptist, an aging congregation that is preparing to merge with another church provided us 2600 SF to meet… AND at no charge to help us get started! We are beyond grateful for this generosity and had our first Sunday in our new space on February 28th. See pictures above and below that were taken the week before when we had a tour and prayer of dedication. (The pic above included all of us except Josh Gincehreau, my son-in-law, who manages our website.)
As you might imagine, pioneering this kind of adventure has not been without its challenges. The most difficult has been what Henry Cloud calls “necessary endings” and we experienced one of these right as we were moving into our new space. A dear family that had been with us from the beginning prayerfully determined that God was leading them elsewhere. This “ending” was hard but “necessary.” And, as I’m learning from others, normal for this phase of church planting. Here’s the reality that was shared with me recently: Up to this point, everything like our mission statement and core values has been more on paper. Now these dreams and aspirations begin to be fleshed out. Values start to materialize and as they do, although there’s plenty of space to experiment, there’s also plenty of room to select in or select out. Again, although necessary and natural, this reality is tough on pastors who love and grow close to people.
Here’s a few ways you can pray for us over the next few months:
- That our small, fragile group will remember our great, all-powerful God who has brought us miraculously to this point. He will not abandon us. (Nor will He abandon you in your struggles.)
- That as we’re stretched, we’ll encourage one another, communicate well, address internal “pain points” to stay healthy, and grow even closer.
- That we’ll prioritize, simplify, and empower the right people to do the right essential things in preparation for our first outward-facing service on 4.14. Right now, we are doing weekly preparatory/launch meetings to prepare for guests and 4.14 is the official date that’s now on our website of when we’ll go public.
- That we’d know best how to get the word out, and that God would continue to prepare hearts that will benefit most from what we’re doing.
- That we’ll be a welcoming, invitational community, as well as one that promotes and strengthens area churches, including Southwood Baptist and the one they’ll soon merge with.
Grateful for each one of you who reads this blog and prays regularly,
Greg