New Wine Report - January 2012

This past month has been busy in the vineyard. We started off the month with a special visit from our Bishop who was in the area for an ordination in Lansing. I was up north to perform a wedding and Doc stepped up to help with the preaching through Philippians. As always, Doc excels as a preacher and challenged us to live a life of love and service.

Our Advent Series, "Warning: Christians Under Construction", helped us to think about ways we can grow and serve as we anticipate the Lord's return. We are hopeful He will finish the good work He has begun in us. If you would like to listen to the series again or for the first time, audio sermons are online at www.NewWineMission.com.

December has always been a great month for outreach for the New Wine community. As Rob Robertson, President of our Trustees, likes to point out "Jesus likes a good party!". So we threw several parties giving us chances to invite people who do not regularly come in contact with our community of believers. The Smith's started us off with their annual Christmas Party in the beginning of the month. Then we had parties at both Taecken's Terrace and Elmcrest Senior Apartments. Our Monday Cell and Men's group went caroling and delivered treats and presents to a single mom and child we adopted this year. One of our Cell groups packed up holiday goodie boxes for troops to do their part to brighten some of our military personnel overseas.

Some sad news is that the Anglican Mission in America's leadership has had a falling out with our Rwandan leadership. The church and I are still under the Archbishop of Rwanda's oversight, but our relationship is confused at best at this moment in time. We are praying for direction and reconciliation to happen in the leadership of our Mission. I do not understand all the dynamics, but it is very clear that spiritual powers of darkness are at play here, probably because so much good has happened through AMIA in recent years. I have heard we have started over 200 new congregations since 2001. No wonder Satan is at work stirring the pot.

Our Katie has completed the preparation portion of her mission school and now is in the field in the middle east for the next 3 months. She had some problems getting away from New Zealand but has caught up with her team. After only a day or so in the field, the team was robbed while they were away from the shelter and Kate's Apple laptop was one of several items stolen. She seemed to take it in stride, but again I see these things as having spiritual causes that challenges me to pray for her as she is on the front line. The enemy does not like it when we find success and is looking at all times to undermine things in the spiritual as well as real life.

Please join us in prayer as this new year begins. Deb still has no really good leads on a job. It is critical she get one soon for us to continue in our work here in Michigan. Those who are prayer warriors, I ask you might double your efforts in praying for us. Your prayers and financial support have been a great encouragement as the church finished the year a little bit ahead once again. He knows exactly what we need when we need it.