Truly, 2007 has been a year of blessing beyond anything we could ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I can’t wait to see what God will do in the New Year ahead.Prayer requests for 2008:
Continued growth as we reach out into our community with the good news of hope and peace through Christ.
That we can begin and maintain several small groups within our community
Upcoming:
CORE/essentials membership class
Baptism class
small groups
- Discipleship essentials – a weekly topical study covering basic Bible doctrines.
- Growing up Catholic – as we seek to make Christ known in the heart of the city, how can we bridge the gap between our new community church and the many disenchanted Catholics and ex-Catholics living in our community? This will be an ongoing, weekly study/group, designed specifically for those who have many unanswered questions about the Catholic faith. Using a book and study guide written by Tim Lott, who grew up Catholic and accepted Christ at the age of 38, after many years of merely “going through the motions” of church and religion.
- Pure Reformation – this will be a weekly study/prayer group on sexual purity and the ongoing struggles that Christian men face as they seek to follow Christ. Using a book and study guide by the same title, we will meet weekly to pray together and discuss areas of struggle and temptation that men face every day.
Our ongoing Sunday morning Bible hour at 10:00am and worship service at 11:00am; that the Holy Spirit will guide us in developing a quality time of worship, teaching, fellowship and prayer; that the Holy Spirit will guide me in preparing timely, relevant Bible messages; that He will draw lost people who are trying to find their way back to God.
For our new relationship with Donna Walsh, our worship leader. God has been filling her with new melodies and lyrics. We truly believe God has sent Donna to us. Our prayer is that God will continue to use her at His discretion, for His good purpose.
For our ongoing relationship with our neighborhood association and city leaders. We desire to have a positive impact in our community. We will be much more effective as we seek to maintain a good relationship with our councilman, Mayor and key neighborhood leaders.
For God’s provision of finances and manpower as we continue with ongoing renovations of our circa 1913 church building.
Plumbing needs to be updated – restrooms updated and expanded
Electrical Upgrading – current system is old and inadequate for current usage.
Indoor ministry space– we have been working on the floor and walls of this large fellowship room for well over a year and are a little more than half-way finished. We are dreaming big over what we can do with this internal community space once it is finished. We are all drooling over the idea of a coffee house ministry, as well as many community outreach events and ministries we will be able offer.
Outdoor ministry space (formerly known as our vacant lot). As long as we continue to call it a vacant lot, that’s all it will be to us and certain city officials who would like to keep it on the tax rolls. However, we have big dreams for the usage if this external community space. We have already paved a section that spans the back side of the space, which will accommodate nine parking spaces. Also, this past autumn, three new trees were planted on the lot, courtesy of Capital District Community Gardens. This past summer we hosted our first ever block party, which took place on this exterior ministry space. This was a well attended day of music and ministry, organized by the CORE Church, Donna Walsh and 4ever1, and Victorious Life Christian Church. We are praying for the successful removal of this outdoor community space from the city of Troy’s tax rolls, so that we can put that money towards better things.
CORE/kids – we launched CORE/kids in 2007, with monthly outreach events designed for neighborhood children and their families. Our desire is to continue with this ministry and to build upon it.
Personal support through Missions Door. I am grateful to the Lord for all that He has provided, and will continue to provide, as we persevere in this calling. As such, I am praying that the Lord will provide the additional personal support that I need to continue, as I also raise my family.
