Sending, Gathering and Welcoming

Sunday April 22nd we marked a turning point in our relationship with Mike & Amy Cupp. They live in Homer, Michigan and for over a year now they have worshiped with us on several occasions. Mike preached for us and we entered into a discernment process with them as they feel called to be church planters. I have been in regular contact with him and prayed for them and now he will soon be ordained.

They have begun to meet with people in Grand Rapids. If the Lord opens the doors they will move there in the next year or so. Check out their new website:   

http://grandrapidsanglican.org/2.html

We are so grateful the Lord has allowed us to come along side Mike and his family and to be a sending church even though we are not that big of a church ourselves. This feels so much like God who often uses the small and foolish things to confound the big and powerful things of this world.

Next Deb and I, and Pat and Judy Self gathered with other Lighthouse Network church planters for dinner and a chance to catch up last Sunday night in Lansing. Joe and Sue Mlaker, priest at Christ the King Anglican, hosted a social night out with Bishop Doc. After a great evening of just catching up we heard first hand from Bishop Loomis and Allen Kanappell, our Network leader, about transitions in the AMIA organization. It was an important time and gave the 20 or so of us gathered a chance to pray for Doc. Though personally I had hoped the transitional process of coming together with other orthodox Anglicans could be smoother than it has been, I am very hopeful that the Spirit of God is at work. I am convinced that we are in the process of joining forces with more like-minded Christians as we reach pre-Christians with the life transforming message of the Gospel. Please keep our leadership, particularly Bishop Doc, in your prayers. (Even though he wears Purple Converse! At least this Bishop thing has not gone to his head, just to his feet!)

Finally, last Tuesday was a welcoming day as we met our daughter Katie at the airport. After seven months, 22 flights, stops in New Zealand, Israel and Cambodia, she is now safe and sound in Flint. We only have her for a few days as she will be heading off to Chicago to start grad school in Christian Counseling. She believes the Lord is leading her back to Southeast Asia for  more long term mission work as a counselor to train nationals in areas of emotional healing. Pray she gets her body clock adjusted soon and the practical details of living and education will all get worked out. Thank you Lord for the gift of giving us Kate back home safe, even if it is for a short time. Thank you Lord for all those who supported her and allowed her journey on this discernment mission trip.