New Wine Report - Aug 2012

The summer pace of ministry has slowed, yet I look back and find myself saying "Where did July go?" The most memorable moment last month for me was a visit from our Kettering Student who after graduation a year ago, has taken two years to serve with ELI (English Language Institute) in China. She took time to return to Michigan on her return to the states to share with us about her work in China. I cannot fully express the extent of her work, but it is all about relationship. She will return soon and we sense the Lord's hand is upon her. This past year He has grown her and used her as she serves in a place half a world away! We are so proud of her courage and willingness to extend herself in so many ways knowing she is driven by her love for the Lord. Small church - big impact.

A second God moment in July came when one of our missionary members saw an opportunity to extend ministry into her "neighborhood." Peggy lives in Roxbury Sr. Apartments in Clio, north of Flint. We recently hosted a "grief support" group there. After the tragic shootings in Colorado some of the residents wanted to gather to pray for Aurora and the victims and their family. Peggy organized a time in which people were invited to the common room and invited me to lead a prayer service. We had about half a dozen residents join us, but what was so neat was to see her take on a leadership role in her community. Small church - big opportunities.

Third, I was invited to sit down with a group of Nazarene pastors from fairly sizable congregations in the Flint suburbs to talk about our cooperative efforts in pulling off a campus outreach in the heart of Flint. I was able to share with them our vision of bringing revival through neighborhood cell groups and how this effort came out of one of our members catching a vision of working with others to reach college students. We could not pull this off alone, but in working with IVCF staff and the local Assembly of God church we got this work off the ground. Small church - big vision.

Finally this month we hosted a gathering of AMIA Lighthouse Network leaders for a time of discernment and prayer about the future affiliation decisions we are asked to make as AMIA reorganizes as a Mission Society. At the same time there is an invitation for us to affiliate with the new emerging Anglican Province called the Anglican Church of North America or ACNA. There was a good time of worship, sharing and prayer. We especially appreciated the practice we have grown accustomed to of spending time in quiet listening prayer as we seek the Lord for guidance and direction. Though small in number in our Lighthouse Network, we had good participation and had significant influence on our discussion about our common life together. Small church - big influence.

In regards to our family, most may know Deb's job with Diplomat Pharmacy was not a good fit. She chose to leave at the end of her 90 day probationary period the end of June. Within days of her quitting, the Lord provided another part-time respite care position where she helps care for Gladys, who is 97. This provides her with about a 15 hours a week of work. This is a blessing as this helps fill in the gap as she looks elsewhere. Please join us in prayer for God's employment direction and provision.

We moved Kyle, our youngest, to Grand Rapids where he will study Furniture Design this fall. This makes us officially "Empty Nesters". (we think for good this time.) We also learned last month that our first grandchild will be a little boy. Josh and Sarah will name him "Asa" after the good king of Judah. His due date is near the end of September. We are so blessed by all our adult children. For each of them we give thanks and pray they will draw near to Christ and know the joy of a life in Him.