With Us in Prayer
Dear <<First Name>>,
The author of Hebrews writes a lot about perseverance. In one instance, he says, "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them." (Heb. 13:3)
This exhortation to "remember" is not only a call to remember to pray, but also to remember to pray in a certain way: personally, and perseveringly. It's like he's saying, "Don't just pray for these fellow Christians, pray like your own lives were on the line, like you yourselves were in their same situation."
What a great picture of the life of the body of Christ: each one of us having the concern of the other, as if it were genuinely (but not inappropriately) our own.
Phil and Polly have moved their family and their home to New Jersey and have experienced many blessings: a home, a neighborhood, a school, new friends. But the work of church planting is hard--its not prison, to be sure, but at times it can be a heavy load.
As you read the requests below, please ask God to give you a heart for the Henry's work, and please pray. Pray as if you are "with us" here, on the mission field in South Jersey. Help us carry everything to Jesus, who is building a new church community through our--yours and ours--combined efforts.
With you in ministry,
Phil and Polly
Prayer Requests for the New Year...
Gathering - Launch team meetings began on January 10. 35 adults and children attended. These meetings will continue weekly. Pray people will invite their non-Christian neighbors and friends.
- Polly is building relationships with friends from our neighborhood. Pray ladies will come to a Bible study, or just for coffee and for fellowship. Ask God to give Polly wisdom on how to engage the lives of our neighbors with the Gospel.
- Phil continues to reach out and share the Gospel with people in and around where the area. A couple of possibilities for men's outreach/discovery Bible studies are developing. Pray for one to be started with students as well.
- Phil continues to network with area pastors and solicit financial and prayer support. Pray this financial support will be provided.
Timeline - Monthly preview services will begin in March, with a weekly worship service to begin in September. Pray for the details to be put in place.
- This spring we hope to launch Gospel Communities (our "small groups"). Pray God will help start six by September.
- We are praying God would send us a worship leader and provide the necessary funding to pay for this man.
Finances - Pledges are behind schedule and several donors who had agreed or who Phil hoped would agree to give have not given. On the positive side, there are some new partners in the launch team who will begin to tithe to Mercy Hill.
- So, there is a coming funding deadline this Spring. Please pray for God's provision.
- Phil and Polly continue to grow in grace in their marriage. Church planting is necessitates extra care in protecting our "first ministry." Pray God continues to pour out His care on their relationship.
- The kids are doing well and continue to adjust to new friends, new schools, new routines, new weather patterns, and a new culture. Pray for friendships for them and for their growth in faith.
- Phil has a developing network of brothers who are helping him stay focused, providing ideas for ministry, and praying for him. Pray that this support will be meaningful and will continue.
|
Connecting to Facebook
