Here's To Hope In 2014

Much of my updates these days are shorter in length and offered via Facebook and Twitter, so you may have noticed that I have only posted a single article since last year around this time. So here goes my second and final article this year.

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out
Then it's time for you to shine
Brighter than a shooting star
So shine no matter where you are

Shooting Star, by Owl City

Last year, I asked the question, “Would there be a victory in 2013?” I will let you read on and judge for yourself. What I can say is that, while not as difficult as previous years, 2013 was still a challenging and often painful year to endure.

Circumstances have steadily improved for the Powells in 2013, as we have adjusted to a lifestyle that we never desired. Day by day, we continue to ask ourselves what God is doing in our lives by allowing the hardships we have encountered over the last three years since closing Encounter Church.

The ministry we engaged in through Encounter and in Helena, Montana, was such a large part of our lives. And over the last three years, we have drifted away from that type of ministry. I still long to engage in that type of “dangerous” ministry again, as soon as God allows and orchestrates.

WORK PROSPECTS

If we look at things honestly, we are in a better place than a year ago. I am still employed for a full-time job with insurance benefits. Things are very tight financially, and my pay is significantly lower that industry standard for the work I do. But jobs are difficult to come by and so we are managing as best we can.

Oddly enough, the very situation that I fled California from, the very situation that I said I did not want to get into coming back, is the very situation I am currently in - a full-time secular position with freeway commutes, and very little time with my wife and sons. It hurts to be where eI am now, and yet I will endure until our situation changes.

ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE

Andrik's Graduation

Andrea was finally able to secure a wonderful position the Custom Floral Designer for the Michaels Arts & Crafts store in La Verne, California. She is receiving many positive reviews (and positively impacting sales) in the the store district. Additionally, she really enjoys the work.

It is also good news that Andrik graduated from Summit High School here in Fontana. He is now attending Chaffey College and finding it very difficult to secure any classes at all. Fortunately, we were able to get him hired as a Web Design Intern at Lunarpages where I work.

Kellin is doing very well in Middle School here with nearly all A’s in his classes. He has begun to make friends in school and begun to adapt to this lifestyle called Southern California.

MINISTRY UPDATE

While I have made the connections I can here in Southern California, ministry work is difficult to find. The culture of faith here in Southern California seems much more corporate and less open to risk and adventure than in other places.

The Vine Church

We had been attending The Vine Church in Rancho Cucamonga, a 13+ year-old church plant still struggling to survive, much like Encounter.

Having made some friends there at The Vine, having gotten plugged in with a small group, and even met with the Pastor and rehearsed with the band, there seems to be some barriers and/or differences there. The Vine seems to be a forward thinking, community-minded church, but still much more “safe” than our personalities. We are still not sure where we belong.

In the meantime, the church where I served as Worship Leader for the 4 years before we moved to Montana has experienced some difficulties that led to a church split. They lost their staff, elder leadership, and nearly half the congregation. It was because of this (and my connections within the SBC and CBA denominations) that I received a call from the church to essentially serve as an interim worship leader there beginning November 24.

Our hopes and prayers are to serve as an influence, and a source of spiritual guidance and reasoning there, as we lead worship each week. Perhaps we can help renew the church’s sense of purpose while helping them develop an outward focus to change the the community around them.

STILL SEEKING A HOME

It took over two years, but our Montana home finally sold in April 2013. The market is the complete opposite here in Southern California. Home for sale are hard to find, overpriced, and difficult to secure. Since April, we have made and lost offers on 11 houses, and that is with a nearly 50% down payment.

Just this November, our offer for a home was finally accepted, nearly a year and half since we began looking. Things were looking good for the sale and we were expecting to close escrow and move in just before Christmas. However, at the last moment the financing options changed from what we were originally promised. We were instead offered a risky loan proposition with an exorbitant interest rate and we had no other decision but to back out of the deal.

So we find ourselves at the end of 2013, still without a home. I never expected that a year and a half would pass without finding a new home. To add to the disappointment, it looks as though it may be yet another 3 to 18 months before we can begin looking again.

CAUSE TO LOSE HOPE?

With all this said, we are really just trusting in God. I experience times when I feel that there is no longer hope. I sometimes feel that God has abandoned us. At the same time, I know that it is not true. I know that He is there, helping us with each painful step forward, He is orchestrating His will for us during the very moment I write this.

Oh, how I have wrestled with God over these last three years and it does not look like it will end any time soon. One thing I do know, is that we, all of us, were meant to shine. We were created and touched by God to make a positive difference in this world...to shine no matter where we are.

Will There Be A Victory In 2013?

This is the third and final installment of the experiences and struggles of our last four months of 2012. Read the first here and the second here.

I need a reason to sing, I need a reason to sing
I need to know that You’re still holding
The whole world in Your hands
That is a reason to sing

A Reason to Sing, by All Sons & Daughters

I hope I haven't left you hanging for too long. As I wrap up some of our challenges, I realize I can't really put into words all that we have gone and are still going through. Let me pick up from my last update.

CATCHING A BREAK

After interviewing for several Marketing & Communications Graphics Positions, I was able to start a new full-time job in mid-October. I am now still employed at Lunarpages, an internet hosting and services company based out of Anaheim, California. As a Web Designer & Integrator there, I am creating custom CMS websites for companies and individuals from literally all over the world. While the pay could be better, this full-time position is certainly a step up from my work at Staples and I am gaining valuable experience. Our full insurance offering starts February 1. While I am saddened we have had to wait this long for Kellin, I am still grateful that we may be able to follow up on his medical care soon.

HOME FOR SALE IN MONTANA

We've had some activity with people looking at our home for sale in Montana. At one point in November, we had a buyer lined up and a contract signed. Unfortunately the buyer backed out, afraid of such a commitment in this economy. We had already started looking at houses here in Southern California and were getting used to idea of having our own place (and the kids sleeping in real beds). It was, and continues to be a huge disappointment. It seems our life is largely on hold until our home sells.

ANDREA'S WORK PROSPECTS

Andrea has been looking for positions as well. With her experience as a shift manager at Great Harvest Bread Company in Helena, she was excited to transfer into a position possibly at Panera Bread or the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. She also applied to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and more. So far she has not secured a position but we are still hopeful for the extra income.

MINISTRY

One of the most difficult transitions for us moving to California is the lack of ministry opportunities. There are certainly many churches here, but no real paid minatory opportunities so far. Additionally, it has been difficult for us to connect with a new church family as we still feel unsettled as if God has no home for us.

Days still come where we question our decisions, we question what God wants for us, we even wonder if moving here to California was a mistake. Certainly I am back into the same routine I was in before, nearly 10 years ago. But what other choice did we really have?

I dare not compare our experiences over the last year to those of Job, certainly things could be much worse. Perhaps Joseph's trials are a better comparison. Even though it often feels like it these days, I know in my heart the He is not done with us yet. I am still trusting that He moves mightily in our lives soon. We are simply praying that God is using us to His glory, even though it doesn't feel like it right now. Would you commit to pray with us?

It is for all these reasons and more that I find my self singing this song more and more...
I need a reason to sing.

Will There Be A Victory In 2013?

This is the second installment of the experiences and struggles of our last four months of 2012. Read the first here and the final here.

When the pieces seem to shatter, To gather off the floor
And all that seems to matter, Is that I don’t feel You anymore When I’m overcome by fear, And I hate everything I know
If this waiting lasts forever, I’m afraid I might let go

A Reason to Sing, by All Sons & Daughters

THE MOVE

At the end of August, I applied for a transfer from Staples in Helena, Andrea left her position at Great Harvest Bread Company, and friends helped us pack everything we own into a 24-foot Budget box truck rental.

We then made the two-day drive (with only a little drama) from our empty home in Montana to Southern California ready to start over again. At the time, I don't think we anticipated the challenges ahead.

Andrea's parents have been gracious to allow us to stay in their guest bedroom, but things are definitely crowded. Andrik and Kellin have been sleeping on the floor in the office for three months now. Andrea's parents have also been helping out in other ways. We are so grateful for these blessings.

It was also a blessing to transfer to the Staples Best Copy & Print Center here in Ontario, California. A "Best" Copy & Print Center stands out in service and quality from standard Staples Copy & Print Centers, so it was quite an honor to be accepted into the position. However, I did not get the hours I had hoped, so I continued to look for a better position.

DIFFICULT TIMES

Even with help from family, things continued to be tight financially. At one point, I was bringing home just $138 per week for our family of four. Since my medical scare last February, our healthcare costs have increased to over $300 per month for medications without insurance (nearly the same with the limited insurance offered by Staples). My mom has been helping in that area.

To further help with costs, we set our pride aside and applied for MediCaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as food stamps). The kids were accepted for MediCaid coverage and our family has received SNAP assistance since November. For a man who is highly and uniquely skilled in two separate career tracks and educated with a post graduate degree, the turn of events of 2012 have been huge.

I am truly a broken man.

THE ACCIDENT

It wasn't soon after, that we experienced another setback in these difficult times. I received a call one afternoon at work from Kellin's middle school informing me that he had been in an accident on his bike — he was on his way home from school when he collided with some piping in the sidewalk.

He was thrown from his bike landing face-first on the pavement. While he still does not remember getting from the scene back to the school (a concerned parent helped get him and his belongings back), he does remember seeing a lot of blood.

In the end, Kellin had broken his nose and lost a permanent front tooth. At this point, it looks as though a second front tooth will also be lost for good.

On MediCare in California, it was nearly impossible to find a doctor to see Kellin. We ended up at the emergency room of a local hospital where they did very little. Follow up care has been just as challenging.

We finally found a specialist to see Kellin about his nose after the intense swelling subsided. The dentist we found that actually accepts MediCaid has still not contacted us and seems elusive as we try to follow up with care for his missing tooth.

We are still praying for help and a resolution to Kellin's heath needs.

So where are we now? Why are we praying for victory? Check out my third and final installment here as I conclude the experiences and struggles of our last four months.

Will There Be A Victory In 2013?

These words from "A Reason to Sing" by All Sons & Daughters continue to sum up our experiences over the last year.

"Will there be a victory? Will You sing it over me now?"

LOOKING BACK ON 2012

As I look back at 2012, I can honestly say that it was THE most difficult year of my life. I had no idea last January that it would be so. Even though we had just closed the doors of Encounter Church and looked to God's new adventures for us, we were filled with hope and trust.

Working at Staples as a Copy & Print Pro certainly did not pay the bills and the continued poor economy was not opening any doors for paid ministry positions anywhere in the country.

We followed God's lead to explore Seattle and made some great connections there, but nothing that would help our family survive. Early in 2012, I also experienced a scary medical situation that increased our need for strong financial stability.

MOVING ON

In my last post, I made the statement "We must be moving on soon." And so the final catalyst for our "moving on" lay in the need to financially support and provide the best life experience for our family. We could no longer do so in Helena, Montana.

After much prayer and consideration, our only true option was to move back to Southern California. I knew I could transfer my Staples position and we could stay with family for a season. Because I am uniquely qualified both in Ministry and the Marketing & Communications Arts, I was sure I could secure a related position in SoCal despite the depressed economy.

And so we did move. With much excitement and some trepidation, I brought the kids down to their grandparents at the beginning of August for the start of school in Fontana. Andrea and I followed just a month later to also stay with her parents.

It had been exactly eight years TO THE DAY since our move to Montana. Our empty home was still on the market waiting for a buyer, and a new life transition awaited us in a new place.

So where are we now? Why are we praying for victory? Check out my next post as I continue the experiences and struggles of our last four months. And the final post here.

Powells Still In Transition

In case you were wondering, the Powells are still in transition. Our home is still for sale and we are confirmed that God has His next adventure planned for us outside Montana.

What is holding us back? We are waiting for is His calling and orchestration in our lives to make that happen. Over the last months, it has become clear to us that we need to land in a situation where we can survive financially. While my heart is for new churches and church planting, we have not yet found the situation where we could make a difference and still survive.

We have been so blessed over the last months to meet such amazing people involved in some exciting ministries. How I wish we could get involved and help in every situation!

But as I've been holding down from three to four jobs simultaneously since October, I'm learning that our next situation needs to be fully devoted to one effort or another. Spreading myself thin takes its toll on both myself and our family.

My hours at Staples have been cut dramatically and so I've even been looking for a more substantial position here in Helena, but am still seeking out positions throughout the Western states (although I'm not sure Texas counts as Western). I've been broadening our opportunities by looking for Graphic Design and Marketing positions as well as ministry positions in the Worship Arts or maybe an Associate Pastor position. Please be praying for us as God guides and moves mountains for us.

KNOW OF AN OPPORTUNITY?

If you know of an opportunity that might be a good fit for us, please don't hesitate to let me know or to forward the following links.

Ministry Profile & Resume
www.esomething.org/ecpowell

Design Portfolio & Resume
http://ecpowell.carbonmade.com/

Miracles & Healing

For many in our local sphere of connections, you probably already know the challenges we've faced since mid-February — specifically, my health setback. At this point things are much better, so I am able to share with a positive outlook.

In mid-February, between working at Staples, applying for jobs, and investigating ministry opportunities, a seemingly small bump formed at the top of my back near my neck line.

I was checking out a friend's church plant here in Helena on that Sunday, visiting my physician on Wednesday, and landing in the emergency room and finally the hospital by that Saturday. That small bump had grown to become a painful 6-inch oval area threatening to unleash infection into my bloodstream. It had become a staph infection.

I was admitted to the local hospital here in Helena and immediately treated on heavy duty intravenous antibiotics. By Monday, MIRSA was thankfully ruled out and it was decided that the best course of action (although not my favorite) was to physically remove the infected tissue by surgery.

Within days, the infection was better and I was discharged by Thursday with large wound in my back/neck that was 7-inch-wide by 1-inch-deep. For three weeks at home, I received daily nurse visits to pack and treat my wound.

During my home hospice, I was unable to return to work and our family began to face a number of financial challenges for medication and insurance, as well as our daily needs.

We had immediate prescription costs of $600, our furnace stopped working needing $300 of repairs, one of Andrea's teeth had become infected and she required a $1000 root canal.

It was all too much. Both Andrea and I broke emotionally. As God often does through our brokenness, He was gracious to us through our friends, ministry connections, and a couple local congregations.

We were humbled and brought to tears by gifts we can never repay. And while we are still struggling, God continued to provided for us through some means we could never have anticipated.

After being out of work for nearly four weeks, my wound was beginning to heal. I was strong enough to return to the Copy & Print Center at Staples and begin paying back what may be about $12K in medical bills. At this point, we are still not sure what we will owe when all is done, but we are grateful that my Aetna insurance through Staples became effective just the Sunday before I was admitted into the hospital.

Now in mid-April, I am coming up on nine weeks since I first visited my family physician regarding the bump. Last Saturday was the first day that we did not pack and dress the wound and the gaping hole in my back that seemed like it could never heal has amazingly grown closed and is beginning to scar over. It feels like a miracle.

But perhaps the miracle is this — that God loves us, you an me both, to care for and sustain us regardless of our failures. He does this not only in times of hardship, but in every moment, through every heartbeat, and every breath.

Temple Veil Concert & Encounter Meet & Greet

As part of an Awesome April on Good Friday of Easter weekend, Encounter was pleased to host the amazing musical duo, recording artist Temple Veil.

The Evening Concert also billed as an Encounter Meet & Greet at our new Pattern House location, was a complete success.

Subway sandwiches, chips, and drinks were on the menu as well as some great conversation before the free concert. It was also a blessing to see 11 new guests come check out the concert and Encounter.

This was the second time Temple Veil played for Encounter, and we were again blown away by the raw acoustic talents of Brysson on the acoutsic guitar and DeRock on the violin, keys and vocals. Seriously awesome stuff!



You can find all the great photos on Facebook here.
Check out a Picasa slideshow here.

Christmas Decorating for Downtown Helena

This last Sunday, we partnered with local businesses and Downtown Helena to usher in the Christmas season a little early.

We called it Christmas Decorating & Coffee Downtown.

Encounter's group of nearly 22 people came out to help put up Christmas wreaths and decorate street lamps in Downtown Helena. What an awesome turn out!

We had about three groups climbing ladders, fluffing the wreathes (there were some expert "fluffers" there), and snipping cable ties along Last Chance Gulch! After it was all done, we took a little time to share some coffee and fun conversation at Starbucks.

Why do we do it? For us, it's just another way to be a burning bush for our community — to be a church not just IN Helena, but FOR Helena. It's our way to make an impact in our community by giving ourselves away.


View the Picasa slideshow here
View the photos on Facebook here

Updated Photo Albums 2008-2009

Surprise! It's been almost 6 months and I haven't posted anything over here at the eSomething blog. I will again resume posts here of our personal life journey...but not yet. Most of what is going on is over at the Encounter Helena blog.

However, I just uploaded about 8 albums of photos from the last year or so. Check them out on Picasa here. Or check them out on the e|Photos page here.

Enjoy!

7 Days of Servolution In Helena

Thousands and thousands of people all over the world been reached through Servolution this past week. At Encounter Church, we are proud to be a part of it, by organizing the effort here in Helena.

CHANGING LIVES — ONE PERSON AT A TIME
Whether we handed out free lollipops, delivered gift baskets, or washed storefronts downtown, the response was often the same — disbelief. It was hard for people to grasp that we were serving them for free with no strings attached. At the same time, once people understood and heard about the idea behind Servolution, they were receptive.

SERVOLUTION ON CBS IN HELENA
One business owner was so excited, she called the local TV news. As a result, we were interviewed about the 7 Days of Servolution in Helena today at the walking mall. You can look for the news cast this Good Friday, April 10 at 5:30 and 10:00pm on the CBS News in Helena. (View the news clip here.)

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS?
While numbers are not the goal of the Servolution in Helena, they certainly do tell a story. We had 21 volunteers participate in Servolution and directly reached a minimum of 212 people, but I suspect we reached many more indirectly — all while sharing God's love through simple acts of kindness.

There were 5 organized efforts. Three gift baskets were delivered to workers and volunteers who serve our community. Downtown, we served our community as windows were washed, trash was cleaned up, and 115 Tootsie Pops were given out for free.

All in all, we gave away nearly 800 free items that were donated by Servolution volunteers. What an awesome way to bless individuals in our community! We just want to say thank you to all who donated and served this week.

THE HEART OF JESUS
As you may know, we at Encounter Church want to free people to encounter Jesus. The most important way people can do that is through us as we reflect His heart and passion in our own lives. As my friend David Timms recently wrote, Jesus has a passion for serving others and encouraging them to do the same...

In the middle of that first Holy Week — as the cross loomed — Jesus gathered His disciples together, took up a towel and basin, and washed their feet. Then he urged them to do likewise, not just for each other but for the blistered, bruised, deformed, and dirty feet of the world. They would serve the broken and the beaten, the disillusioned and the defeated, the hurt and the humbled, not to demonstrate obedience but to define their life’s vocation and purpose.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS
View a slideshow of Servolution photos here.

The 2008 Christmas Vacation Saga

We're in California now staying at Andrea's parent home. They are always so gracious to let us stay here when we visit - we are so thankful. But boy, what a trip down.

If you haven't been following our Facebook updates and Twitters, our van broke down in a snow storm in Idaho just about 300 miles out of Helena on Christmas Day.


A little better conditions than the snow storm our van stalled in

We were sitting in a snow bank with not a car in sight and we didn't know if we would get it re-started. I was a little nervous about that, but after about 30 minutes we got the van started and we limped to the town of Dubois, Idaho with about half power from our engine and the engine light on.

When we finally got to Pocatello, Idaho, we figured it would be wise to stay the night and have the van checked the next day. We got a discount at the hotel because of our sad story :-)


Us, stuck in motel in Pocatello on Christmas Day


Only place open on Christmas + lots of people = 3 hours at Denny's

After a few hours at the Dodge dealer on Friday, we found out that the parts we needed for the van wouldn't be there until the following Tuesday. After much calling to friends in Helena for mechanical advice, we weighed our options and then decided it would cost the same renting a car and continuing to California rather than staying in a motel in Pocatello all vacation. :-)


The car next to ours at the Dodge dealership - Pocatello got a lot of snow

We got a late start on Friday, and drove through the night to Fontana, California arriving about 7:00am. Whew! Andrea and I were tired.


Approaching Las Vegas about 3am - 34 degrees

Anyway, we're here in California now. Saturday, we took it easy and went to Vince's Spaghetti - hands down, the best spaghetti in the world.

We saw Andrea's grandmother in an Poway (San Diego) hospital yesterday. She is looking good, but has a logn road to recovery of she's ever going to get out of the hospital again.


Us and Andrea's grandpa visiting Grandma

Also, we visited the famed Killer Pizza from Mars restaurant in Escondido before we headed back up to Rancho Cucamonga. By the way, the Chargers killed the Broncos!


Fun photos from "Killer Pizza"

Today, we're gonna see several friends at Chili's and El Torrito. We're really looking forward to seeing them.

Tomorrow, we're going see my Mom. She has some major blockage in arteries through her neck and had two strokes in last two months. She lost sight in left eye first time - then during a medical procedure to determine the extent of the blockage, she had another stroke loosing some usage of her left hand.

We've gotta be back in Pocatello on Friday to turn in our rental and we're praying our van will be fixed. Funny thing - wasn't even a mechanical problem with the van - just the "computer." But it still cost us more than $1K with the rental and all.


Our rental - the "mini" version of our Dodge Grand Caravan

After all, we're still actually in a good mood. It was just a little set-back. We know that somehow through all of this, God has a plan. Can't see it yet, but we know things could have been worse. It's been a blessing to see family and friends and we definitely feel a bit refreshed.

This will be a Christmas to remember for years to come. And looking forward to 2009, we know it will be equally challenging and rewarding as we move forward to plant Encounter Church in Helena.


We could use all your prayers and thoughts - and we're looking to connect with many of you who don't yet know what Encounter is all about. Feel free to contact us and we'll get together to talk about it.

Have a blessed Christmas and hopeful New Year!

We'll be adding all of the photos of our trip here.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Negative 1 degrees here in Helena today. Brrr.

Long Time, No Blog Post

Hey everyone! It has been difficult to post, but I thought I'd check in and give you some updates with what has been going on personally and on the church-planting front.

DIFFICULT TIMES: IN OTHER WORDS, LIFE :-)
First, we could use your prayers for Andrea's grandmother, Mabel. Having recently found out she has cancer, she was being prepped for surgery and there were complications with the anesthesia causing vessels to burst in her lung. Since that time, she has developed not one, but two serious infections: one airborne and one in her blood. All things considered, it is not looking good.

Andrea left early this week to drive down to Escondido (San Diego, California area) to help where she can. That also means things have been pretty busy for me as Mr. Mom here around the house. So we ask you to be in prayer for all of us. Thanks.

2008 HANNAFORD FALL CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP
Of course, we had the 2008 Hannaford Fall Conference at the end of September. A lot of time an effort goes into that each year - this year was no exception. I can tell you that the worship was off the hook! Especially the second night.

If you want to find out more, check out the conference webpage here and the resources webpage here. You'll also find notes and an audio file for my workshop, Worship That Makes An Impact.

CHURCH PLANTING NEWS
If you want to get regular updates regarding our new church planting efforts, I suggest you visit our Encounter Helena blog and subscribe there. For now, I just posted a couple updates on our progress: Potential Sponsorship and Next Steps.

I'm also struggling with how often to post here and there and where to post when. In other words, I think I may be pontificating over at the other blog more and give basic updates here. That's just another good reason to subscribe over there, too.

ARC Church Planting Roundtable

Thought I would let you know how the ARC Church Planters Roundtable went last week. Here are some reflections...

• Colorado Springs is beautiful, even in the rain.
• New Life Church is pretty awesome - great place for the roundtable.
• Met Ross Parsley and Brady Boyd, New Life's new senior pastor. Boyd will be a great spiritual leader for the New Life family.
• Met about 50 people who have a true passion for church planting.
• Billy Hornsby introduced ARC as an organization dedicated to planting churches that look like Jesus - churches through which people can "encounter Jesus." No joke! Billy used the word "encounter" a number of times. Churches need to reflect the personality and attributes of Jesus - Did Billy read our Encounter Prospectus??!!!
• I really resonate with ARC's passion — to plant life-giving churches.
• Billy shared eight characteristics of life-giving churches:

1. Empowering Leadership - Leadership empowers believers to follow God's plan.
2. Gift-Oriented Ministry - Help believers identify and integrate their gifts.
3. Passionate Spirituality - Faith lived out with commitment, fire, and enthusiasm.
4. Functional Structures - Structures must help fulfill the purpose of the church. Cut the fluff.
5. Inspiring Worship - Excellent worship that inspires people.
6. Holistic Small Groups - Encourage groups where people can find intimate community, practical help, and intensive spiritual interaction.
7. Need-oriented Evangelism - Address the questions and concerns of non-Christians.
8. Loving Relationships - Form strong and genuine trust relationships.

I feel challenged by our next steps with ARC. A lot more was shared at the roundtable, including all the different ways they help and come alongside church planters. If you want to know more, just contact us and we'll talk. But here are the basic facts:

1. To continue, we must submit an application - if approved, we must attend a church planter assessment in Atlanta, Georgia. The cost of the assessment is small, but the travel expenses will be difficult. I estimate it will cost nearly $2,100 to travel and stay there for the assessment. Of course, it could be cheaper if we could stay with someone, find some transportation there, or receive a donation of frequent flier miles.
2. We must also secure a "sponsor" church to come alongside us. This sponsor church must believe in our vision enough to vouch for us financially. That means that although ARC will match all the funds we raise dollar-for-dollar (up to $30,000) - if the church plant falls through, the "sponsor" church will repay ARC for all funds provided.

We would like to pursue this partnership with ARC, but we're going to need some help. For now, we're praying for God's direction and working in this situation. If God is moving you to help with any of this, please let us know.

New Downpour Festival Pics

At the Downpour Festival in Great Falls. Rush of Fools!


Jeremy Camp on the stage.


Here are some more photos, courtesy of Mike!!! (click on the album below)
Downpour Festival Pics 2008

NWLC Update: Day 1

Hey guys! We hope everyone is doing well in Helena. We made it to Austin safely on Sunday evening and got a chance to scope out the local surroundings before the first National Worship Leader Conference General Session this evening.

We already posted this photo from the airport. It was so cool - there was a giant welcome banner for worship leaders coming to Austin for the conference AT THE AIRPORT!

Here's a couple of other observations we made:

1. We haven't seen one person in Austin wearing a cowboy hat. I thought this was Texas!
   
2. Everyone here speaks normally. I haven't heard any Southern accents (except from visitors to Austin). Go figure
   
3. Austin seems to have a crazy road system. When the car rental place at the airport asked us if we wanted a car with GPS, I thought "we don't need any frills." But the road system is seriously confusing. It seems like all the major streets run parallel and right next to the freeways - and none of them have street signs! I can never figure out what street we're on.

Anyway, we went to the kick-off tonight at Riverbend Church here in Austin.

I can really say that some people are anointed to lead other before the throne of God - Matt Redman and Paul Baloche were outstanding. Early tomorrow we start our first full day with 3 General Session and 2 Workshops.

Well, that's it for now. Miss you guys, but having fun.

We Finally Made It!

Halfway There...Kinda

Andrea here in Minnesota at the airport on layover.

Join Us On Our Trip To Austin!

While you may not be able to physically join us on our trip to the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin, you can journey with us thanks to the wonders of technology. Of course, I'm talking about the "world-wide-interweb" as it used to be called :-)

Thanks to what is known as Web 2.0 applications such as Blogger, Picasa, Twitter, and Facebook, we'd like to invite you to journey with us the whole week we're at the NWL Conference. You are already familiar with Blogger and Picasa through the eSomething blog and photo gallery, but the others are something newer that you might want to check out.

TWITTER: You can find some of my Twitter updates in the sidebar at the right (look for the title "eTwitter-ing"). I can send updates from my phone throughout the day to update my Twitter feed and just let you know what's going on in short, quick updates. If you see a URL in the update (i.e. http://twitpic.com/4lnp) then that means I've sent a photo or a link to check out.

If you're reading on the eSomething blog, then you'll have to highlight, copy, and paste it into your browser to check out a URL from a Twitter update. However, you can also click on the "Follow me on Twitter" link and check it out there - clickable links and all. If you sign up for Twitter yourself, you can even be notified by email or phone when I update. It's all free, of course.

FACEBOOK: Facebook is something I just joined a few weeks ago, but I gotta say it's pretty cool. My Twitter and e|Something blog updates go there, too. You'll have to sign up yourself to check out my Facebook profile page, but if you are at all web savy I think you'll find it worth your while. If you do, be sure to "make me your friend."

Anyway, I encourage you to at least check up on us this week. And be sure to check out the Twitter feed.

Kellin Is A Pirate!

Here's a couple of photos of Kellin in costume from his pirate musical yesterday.