With my family's time in Utah earlier this summer, I have not been writing much about my church planting internship here in Kentucky. But I have not lost focus on my ministry here. Through the summer, I have sought to be intentional in building bridges with my neighbors.
To begin with, I have continued to bring treats from my daughters to our neighbors. I have been able to meet several families now and have begun building friendships with them. My hope is that these relationships will continue to grow so that I can share and show the love of Christ to them.
My gospel community group has also been meeting through the summer. We have been devoting much of our time to praying for our community as we consider ways to reach out to them, and this past month we began prayer walking through our neighborhood. I hope that this can become a regular activity for our group, as we ask God to bless our efforts to serve our neighbors in love.
Speaking of focusing on our neighborhood, I continue to enjoy participating in our community's neighborhood alliance. It has been a great way for me to get involved, and I am even now leading our alliance in planning a fall neighborhood party. What a great way to serve and get to know those living around us!
At the same time, this summer has also shown me of my need to grow in godliness. I am more convinced than ever that I will be used by God as much as I am faithfully reflecting His holiness. One practical area where I want to focus my attention over the next few months is in my family being more hospitable. As the Apostle Peter instructs us: "Be hospitable to one another without complaining" (1 Peter 4:9 HCSB). Or as we read elsewhere: "Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2 HCSB). After all, being hospitable is a requirement for pastoral leadership (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)! So please pray that I will be more faithful in this area of my life.
Finally, as many of you know, my family has set aside the month of August for prayer and fasting about our future. We do not want to move forward in our ministry plans without God's wisdom and blessing. So we have committed to pray. If you would like to join with us this month, please do so! We look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us as we seek to glorify Him.
To begin with, I have continued to bring treats from my daughters to our neighbors. I have been able to meet several families now and have begun building friendships with them. My hope is that these relationships will continue to grow so that I can share and show the love of Christ to them.
My gospel community group has also been meeting through the summer. We have been devoting much of our time to praying for our community as we consider ways to reach out to them, and this past month we began prayer walking through our neighborhood. I hope that this can become a regular activity for our group, as we ask God to bless our efforts to serve our neighbors in love.
Speaking of focusing on our neighborhood, I continue to enjoy participating in our community's neighborhood alliance. It has been a great way for me to get involved, and I am even now leading our alliance in planning a fall neighborhood party. What a great way to serve and get to know those living around us!
At the same time, this summer has also shown me of my need to grow in godliness. I am more convinced than ever that I will be used by God as much as I am faithfully reflecting His holiness. One practical area where I want to focus my attention over the next few months is in my family being more hospitable. As the Apostle Peter instructs us: "Be hospitable to one another without complaining" (1 Peter 4:9 HCSB). Or as we read elsewhere: "Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2 HCSB). After all, being hospitable is a requirement for pastoral leadership (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8)! So please pray that I will be more faithful in this area of my life.
Finally, as many of you know, my family has set aside the month of August for prayer and fasting about our future. We do not want to move forward in our ministry plans without God's wisdom and blessing. So we have committed to pray. If you would like to join with us this month, please do so! We look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us as we seek to glorify Him.
