Hello Everyone!
Since we have all committed to pray for this team and its ministry, I thought it might be a good idea to invite everyone to share a little about you and perhaps one or two ways in which we can specifically pray for you. This doesn't have to be your life's story, just a little about you and where you are at in your journey with God. Go ahead and respond as a reply to this discussion and feel free to comment on others' stories with the intent of getting to know one another more. I am extremely excited about the opportunity I have to work along side each of you and I look forward to getting to know you better through this "exercise" (for lack of a better word)! :-)
Here's some questions to think about to help you determine what to share. These are just starter questions; you do not have to follow any format or even answer any/all of these questions (if you feel led to share something else, please do so!).
In what state or country do you live?
When did you become a Christian and who influenced you the most in that process?
What ministry(/ies) are you part of and how long have you been involved?
What do you do in your "spare" time (hobbeys, extra-curricular, volunteerism, etc.)?
What is your passion for the current/next generation?
What is a specific way in which we can pray for you as we uphold our commitments to pray for this ministry?
I'll reply with the first response and introduce myself more fully to you all! I look forward to hearing from each of you and learning more about you!
Grace and peace be with you!
Natalie Johnson
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Just wanted to share that my blog, www.StephenRClarkBLOG.com won first place from the Evangelical Press Association in the Single Author blog category. You can read details at: http://www.stephenrclarkblog.com/2012/05/this-is-really-something.html.
Greetings
I am Steve Sobczak and I currently am stationed in San Antonio, TX with the Army. I have served for 25 years. I became a Christ follower when my parents brought me to church as a was a young child. I felt like I actually understood the Gospel in a small group neighborhood bible study in a group called Officer Christian fellowship. I couldnt hide my ignorance by sitting in a pew any more. My wife Sue and I have 6 kids ages 15-3. We lead a small group dinner and discussion group in our home. We have been involved in lay ministry as Sunday School teacher and small group leaders for 12 years. My passion is to engage people and my children with the Gospel through life on life relationships and to encourage them to see how Christ works/is working in their lives and to tell them how much they are loved and forgiven. My hobbies are cycling and fitness, reading and fishing. I can use prayer in a couple areas. 1. My transition from Active duty Army officer to civilian will come in the next 1-3 years as I seek His will and direction on where to live and work 2. Pray for our small group of 8 familes as we seek to share our lives with each of these families and that we would have authentic relationships that Glorify Christ.
Hello there! I'm Linda Crabtree from Norfolk, Virginia, a daughter of the King of Kings; a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; mother to three beautiful women; grandmother to 8 grand kids; and I recently exchanged the role of wife for that of widow of a godly, exceptional man.
My favorite way of getting to quickly know someone is to ask three things---what is your passion, your pain, and your priority? I'll impose that formula on myself for your benefit… I am passionate about group Bible study, particularly women's groups where intimate sharing can take place and true discipleship happens. I am passionate about encouraging and facilitating loving community in the Body of Christ. I am passionate about reading and discussing books that provide opportunity for developing Christian perspective on all areas of life. I am passionate about my family. (And the list goes on…)
The pain I live with is the absence of my life partner of 41 years. This February 28 marks the 2nd anniversary of his transfer to heaven. We were lovers and partners, better as a team than either was separately. My life is good and the Lord is good but grief has a way of pouncing unexpectedly on me now and then.
My priorities have been fine-honed since my husband's illness and death. I have come to appreciate that every day is a gift in which I can love the Lord and others, and I have an urgency to live out my "passions" today. One priority I would appreciate prayer for is wisdom as to specific ministry in the new little church I recently joined.
I love the Word of God and I so appreciate access to the wise insights and profound wisdom of so many godly teachers through the written word in this day and age. I look forward to this opportunity to read fresh works by God's people and discuss such with you all. What fun! What grace!
May His favor be on you!
Linda Crabtree
Hallo everybody!!
My name is Charles Kasumba. I am married to Victoria and we live in Namibia in a mining town called Oranjemund.
I serve as a "Lead" Elder in our church. This is only so because currently we do not have a Pastor as the Pastor we had retired. It is my prayer that we fill the position as soon as possible. Between 07:30 to 16:30 I work as an Engineer in the Mine.
In my spare time, I try to catch up on my reading.
Remember us in your prayers as we go about filling the position of the Pastor.
Good morning everyone:
My name is Bob Buchanan. My wife and I live in Castle Rock, CO. I am the pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Parker, CO (about 15 miles distance). My wife and I became Christians about one month apart in January 1977 while in radio broadcasting school in Mpls., MN. It was through the books of C. S. Lewis that God brought me to Christ; especially The Narnian Chronicles and Mere Christianity. Since then, I've been reading lots of Christian "dead guys" (theologians, pastors and writers) and many others still with us.
I've been in church work since 1978 and since then served as a senior pastor (as I do now), a church planter and briefly a college prof. Got an M.A. from Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN). Recently, I completed a D.Min degree at SBTS (Louisville, KY) in Biblical Spirituality. Had the great opportunity to study with Dr. Donald S. Whitney. We studied the contributions of evangelicals to defining biblical sprituality and especially looked at bringing those principles home to the local church for intentional disciplemaking. In fact, our church is continually seeking to create ministry structures that help God's people grow in Christlikeness. Our most recent ministry emphasis is in family ministry -- helping families turn their homes into the primary place of discipleship.
In our spare time, when we are not scheming of ways to visit our grandkids in Louisville, my wife and I like camping and hiking in the Rocky Mountains -- just outside our door.
Regarding prayer: Lately, I've been praying for a "refreshed vision for ministry" on the advice of a minister who encouraged pastors in our region to finish strong. Also, wondering if it is God's will to go on to a Ph.D. (just another challenge!)
I look forward to connecting and hearing from all involved in the project. I am looking forward to what God might do with our reading, writing and reviewing that would bring glory to his name and growth to his people.
Be of good cheer,
Bob
I'm Stephen (pronounced Steven, not Stefan ;-) and originally from New Castle, Indiana. I grew up in a Christian home attending an Assemblies of God church founded by my maternal grandfather where I accepted Christ early and often. I have a B.A. in English and Biblical Studies from Evangel University. I quit a publishing job in Fishers, IN and moved to Cleveland in 2008 for a job that abruptly ended 3/5/10. So it goes. Am currently trying to build a freelance business (www.CleverSmithWriting.com) and am currently the president of the Cleveland IABC chapter (www.IABCCleveland.com). If you're really curious, you can learn more about me at www.StephenRClark.com. I also try to blog at least once a week on both www.StephenRClarkBLOG.com and www.CleverSmithBLOG.com. I'm joyfully married to BethAnn who is a special ed teacher (intervention specialist) at Imagine Bella Academy, a charter school. We're both active with an urban CMA church, www.MetroAlliance.net.
I am Dave Wasemann and I am humbly with you all and eager to minister in this manner. I am married to Denise and we live in Ligonier, PA.
I became a Christian in childhood and an early influence was my maternal grandfather and grandmother. My wife and I continue to pray the morning prayer I prayed with them during morning devotions. They were devoted to Christ and faithful in their worship, devotion and service.
I have been ordained since 1991 and in 2010 I transitioned to intentional interim ministry. I am also coaching pastors and congregations. I am interested in affirming and developing prayer ministry, leadership, discipling, mission planting and congregational renewal.
Denise and I enjoy snowshoeing, hiking, bicycling.
I am eager to prompt all ages to be listeners. I believe in dialogical living. I suppose I could say I have been influenced by the thinking of Martin Buber in his I-thou expression as the Holy Spirit has summoned me and nurtured me with speech to my heart.
Please pray I will not stray from what God holds dear for me and for clarity in my service through interim ministry and coaching.
Greetings to everyone! What a challenge this will be for me, as I am certainly not a gifted writer, but look forward to this new journey:) My name is Deb, and I live in Pennsylvania. I accepted Christ as a teen, and promptly went my own way; After accepting Christ, I was lost as to "where" to start. I had no one to disciple me, and felt cheated that I wasn't told the story-that after accepting Christ, you grow into whom He has planned for your life by personal disciplines which I knew nothing about, or where to start. After a few years, I came to a place in my life where I knew there HAD to be something more than what I had/ was- so began a quest (with the help of a great mentor) that I am still on. My main passion is to see people experience Christ in a transformational way- by having people surround them and help them on their life journey; through group life and one on one discipleship. I am a coordinator for group life, as well as a connections minister, at my home church. In my spare time I work on the house with my husband, and travel. As for prayer? That I can completely and with excellence honor this commitment to the group, and for balance of all that I have on my plate. Peace and Joy fill your day!
Deb Ottenmiller
Hi Everyone!
I'm Kathy and I'm living in Conneautville, PA. I just returned to PA the week before Christmas after living in Colorado for 18 years. I'm blessed to be near family and close to my 3 year old grandson, my daughter and son-in-law.
My walk with Jesus started the summer after 8th grade when I attended a Christian horse camp called Miracle Mountain Ranch. I came from a "religious" background where we went to church every Sunday but I'd never heard the gospel. I'm so grateful for the messages we heard at camp chapel each evening. I had a wonderful cabin counselor named Sylvia who helped me understand the good news and walked me through the journey to become a child of God.
I'm involved in prayer ministry and the Denver Rescue Mission is dear to my heart as I've seen God's hand working through the committed people there. I minister to those who need help due to financial conditions and circumstances, also. I would appreciate your prayers as I commit to be God's hands and feet in discipleship at my new church body here in PA.
My passion is for this generation and the generation after me and the next generation to draw closer to God in a true disciple relationship. I've seen too many churches become social and community outreach facilities where people can feel warm and fuzzy but God's word is being watered down so as not to offend anyone. I want to be a tool God can use in the church body to help encourage and build up so we look like the body as Jesus taught us to be.
I look forward to being a part of this group fellowship and praying for each of you. I'm honored and excited to be included in this group.
Blessings,
Kate
Greetings brothers and sisters,
My name is Keith C. Brown and I have served in the United States Marine Corps as well as the Lord's army. I have spent most of my life trying to help dying churches find new life in Jesus Christ. At times, I wonder if I should have done more church planting. LOL Yet, I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness God breath new life into dry and dead bones which has always reminded me how much he loves us even when we have lost our way. And I believe that is an encouraging lesson for myself as well as for older congregations that are beginning to dream again about having a new and fresh vision of what God can do in our presence.
Valerie and I have been married for 29 years and have five children and two grandchildren. When there is a free moment every now and then I like to listen to music, watch a good movie, spend some time with friends and family. Listening to my children talk and watch my grandchildren play is like being in heaven. Trying to learn how to be a better Christian, husband, father and friend has increasingly become important to me.
At 52 years old, I have finally figured out all this religious stuff is really about relationships. Relationships with God, family friends, community and our world; those that are saved, those that are lost. I think I have figured out that I am very seldom right, more often wrong, but God's grace covered it all. I'm not worthy, but Jesus is; and I am kinda blown away that he asked me to come along. And in finally learning this, I have discovered that we are free.
So now, I spend my time serving the church full-time (by God's grace) and inviting others to come along to follow Jesus. He is just up ahead you see, looking back with a smile upon his face, letting us know it is ok. I am amazed that I have a front row seat that allows us to see what miracles he will do in the hearts and lives of those who are learning to trust in Him! I am simply Amazed.
And to be honest with you all, I really can't wait to see what incredible things he has in store for you. I hope to learn much with you on this part of the journey.
God bless, grace and peace,
Keith
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