Published September 28, 2017
Harvest New Beginnings, Oswego, Illinois and Sunrise Bible Fellowship, Red Bluff, California
Joshua
Ministry Highlights
One highlight I have experienced this month has been my implementation of visitation to the unchurched, de-churched, and young believers at Sunrise. I have shared the gospel more times in the last week than usual and am making many connections. I love that part of my life work is helping others connect with God through Jesus.
Another specific highlight for this month has been in discipline a younger guy from our church. He has been battling with substance abuse for some time now and is experiencing victory as he takes life day. His dad also struggles with what he calls mental illness. I can see both growing closer to God and to each other day by day.
An unplanned highlight of this last month has been to see God using the people of Sunrise to carry on ministries in our absence. This has given our church more confidence in the Lord as well as the willingness to start new ministries.
Another ministry highlight has been in returning to preaching at Sunrise. Preaching is a passion of mine. I love to share God’s word with God’s people, it’s even better to hear how God is using the preaching of his word in the lives of others.
Key Prayer Requests
Join us in thanking God for our time here in Oswego and praise God that there are many blessings in returning to assimilate into our home church of Sunrise.
Pray for unity at Sunrise as the oversight team seeks God’s will for the future of our church.
Praise God that my wife and I have found out that our third child is a baby girl. We are overjoyed to meet our daughter, Blessing, in the late part of December or early January.
Praise God that we experienced many travel mercies as we drove back to Red Bluff CA, from Chicago, IL.
Prominent Lessons
One significant lesson that I have learned is to keep the end game in mind. I need to remember the big picture of ministry.
Another significant lesson that I learned is that it’s important to maintain strong relationships. I’m thankful that I sent regular updates to our home church as we were away.
I learned that corporate prayer with your family is essential to family unity and when things get hard you can fall back on them as a support system.
I learned that it is important to glean the wisdom of others in full-time ministry. They have been good biblical counselors for my wife and I.
Key Goals for the Next Month
I have set a goal of completing counseling CDs as we were not able to complete that before I left.
Next month I have set a goal to train at least one other person in visitation.
Next month I have set a goal to plan on making contact with one person who does not attend our church but is in our neighborhood.
Next month I have set a goal to be gather resources for cold call evangelism.
Laura
Ministry Highlights
The goodbye party that the staff at Harvest threw for our family was touching. They were so encouraging and we felt very loved as we left.
It’s been good to reconnect with church attendees back here at Sunrise. I am enjoying catching up with people I haven’t really spent time with in 4 months.
Key Prayer Requests
Our transition back here to CA. We had a great summer, but now it’s back to “real life”. Pray for the relationships that we are rebuilding in to here.
My pregnancy is progressing well. I am 25 weeks. Pray for endurance as I get bigger, but my responsibilities remain the same in the home.
Prominent Lessons
Ministering in a church where we are struggling to find joy is a difficult thing to return to. I have been learning not to compare the 2 churches. Each of them has good things about them and special people that are worth our time. I shouldn’t waste energy wishing I were in a different situation. We are where God wants us at this time! I should make the most of it!
Key Goals for the Next Month
Be an encouragement to those I come in contact with here in Red Bluff.
Continue to encourage my husband and pray with/for him daily
Strive to be the best Bible Study Fellowship group leader I can be. This is a new challenge I have taken on this year and am looking forward to growing in it!
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