tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75334392024-03-13T13:04:44.590+13:00Keeping Up With the Joneses...Keeping Up With Life in NZBJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1136983147070407382006-01-12T01:18:00.000+13:002006-01-12T01:39:07.080+13:00Leaving On A Jet Plane<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today is the day...we jump on a plane about 4pm local time and hit the Auckland tarmac (not literally) around 7.30am. The last few days have been a succession of goodbyes which is good because it spreads it out but is bad because it spreads it out. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last night we went to see Chronicles of Narnia. A good night out. Tilda Swinton was magnificant as the White Witch I thought. Peter was a wimp. The beavers were fun. Some of the fantasy creatures were way cool. Favourite moment: just before Aslan is about to bite the witch's face off and she realises for the first time who he really is. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am left with a profound question: how come so many Maori are ending up as mercenaries in people's armies these days? In Narnia you've got Shane Rangi as General Otmin (the Minotaur) and Patrick Kake as General Orieus, the Centaur (their face off was pretty cool I thought). This following on from Temuera Morrison turning out to be Boba Fett's Dad (forget the whole "Luke, I'm your father thing") and being like the template for the entire clone army (and subsequently the whole stormtrooper thing).</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Deep questions.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See you Kiwis soon...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jonesboy</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1136845236062040342006-01-10T10:58:00.000+13:002006-01-10T11:20:36.120+13:00For Whom the Bell Tolls<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A great weekend with Impact enjoying being a part of this vibrant community. Kristen and I got to do a last hurrah with Ryan and Angele, introducing the cessioncommunity to our partner church. We basically took over the service with Ryan, Kristen and myself joining with Dave (drums), Bailey (vox) and Tom (percussion) from the 2005 Student Missions team to form the nucleus of a worship band. Katie Sullivan, soon-to-be cession intern joined us in helping to tell the story of cessioncommunity and the partnership we have with Impact. It seemed to go well. It was a real highlight that Katie's parents and grandparents were able to be there.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I preached from 2 Corinthians 3 - us being a letter sent by Christ. It was an interesting experience having to preach 3 services with the same message. Each time different. Not at all boring, but high energy required!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sunday evening it was off to Mars Hill. Rob Bell was in fine form - check out the Mars Hill website for the download. Faithfully, I persisted with my plan to introduce Rob Bell and Mars Hill to the riches of the cessioncommunity. It was my goal to create an initial opportunity to connect our 2 churches and to enrich Mars Hill with our innovative approach to worship in a post-Christendom culture, to create fresh impetus to Nooma using the cession-patented Abraham and Isaac approach to retelling OT classics and to offer a unique experience in visiting cessioncommunity here in Auckland, New Zealand. I had set up this opportunity via email and had Rob's instructions to meet him after service to set up a time. So, feeling like a groupie I followed my instructions, shook the great man's hand and introduced myself as "the pastor from NZ who emailed him." He seemed to recognise me was effusive and polite, but unfortunately too busy to meet this week. I then found myself on the end of a highly efficient deflection programme which culminated in being handed off to one of their pastors and offered a tour the next day. However, I've already been to Disneyland so I didn't bother.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Today was lunch with Ken de Peal, pastor at <a href="http://www.allendalewesleyan.org">Allendale Wesleyan</a>, and a chat with Dave Drury, connections pastor at <a href="http://www.slwc.org">SLWC </a>and <a href="http://www.drurywriting.com">author extraordinaire</a>. Fortunately, both had time to meet with me...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Its now countdown to our return. I am looking forward to being home but also sad to be leaving our home away from home once again. A wonderful family and great friends make this a place I am truly privileged to have as home. But a year at cession beckons - significant challenges that hold within them great opportunities for growth. May it be so.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Jonesbrushoff</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1136644641426029202006-01-08T03:24:00.000+13:002006-01-08T03:37:21.436+13:00Florida Postscript<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The road trip is over...we cut 10 hours off our return journey driving through the night in shifts. So it only took us 27 hours...I could not believe how many trucks we saw on the roads and parked in truckstops - literally hundreds. It gives you some sense of the scale of a large country such as the US.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We had a great time in Florida. One highlight was heading to the Everglades and riding an airboat. This was a lot of fun, including seeing large alligators close up. One useful tip from our guide: as alligators can run as fast as a horse over short distances you should zigzag if trying to escape an alligator on land. There was no equivalent hint for the water.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Since we've been back I've had a session with the Impact Missions team. We've begun discussing some exciting possibilities for the future. I also attended a Church Planters Leadership Development group which was informative but mainly a chance to catch up with various people I've got to know here! Had lunch with the Watermark pastor families yesterday at a surprisingly average Mexican joint. But the company was as always first class...then off for a Sam Adams with Jim Wood. I hasten to add at this point that Rev Wood had a cherry coke or some other such sweet "pop".</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This weekend I am preaching in 3 Impact services with input from Ryan and Angele, Kristen and Katie Sullivan our soon-to-be youth intern. We get the chance to communicate who we are as the cessioncommunity to our partner church. A little daunting in some repects but I am excited by what we've pulled together. Then on Sunday evening its off to Mars Hill which is always a highlight.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A family day today with Kristen's grandparents and other family turning up for the weekend. A sign that our time here is drawing to an end.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Jonesboy</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135905390176638772005-12-30T14:07:00.000+13:002005-12-30T14:16:30.186+13:00Tropical Christmas<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well we made it...finally...this was the roadtrip that never ended. We crossed Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia and then into Florida...however the Georgia leg just went on and on with traffic congestion and roadwork. The trip times were: Christmas Day - 12.45pm - 11.30pm; Boxing Day 8am - 1am the next day... we kept stops to a minimum so I hate to think how long we actually spent in the cars.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Florida is close to the equator, so its tropical here. Winter, but like Spring in NZ. Not a cloud in the sky with temperatures that make it T shirt and shorts most of the time. Its pretty laid back - reading, eating, playing with Rhys and binging on playstation - massive Tiger Woods Golf challenges with the in-laws. Kristen's brother Kyle is scarily good on playstation...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The cousins are getting on really well - it is cool to think that they will each have these distant cousins they'll get to meet at various times in their lives that will give them a window into another culture and country. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyways, we're out for the evening with Kyle's in-laws so better be sociable! Their house is on a canal! The car is parked in the driveway - the boat is parked out back in the canal! Or I should sau suspended above the canal - because of the storm surge risk during hurricane season the jetties are equipped with "lifts"!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jonesbulge</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135523441565670192005-12-26T03:51:00.000+13:002005-12-26T04:10:42.336+13:00Florida Road Trip<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Its Christmas! For little Rhys its a special day: his first rugby ball! He is holding it right now as I type...sniff, sniff...<br /><br />Kristen was nearly surprised by her new watch...she is the world's hardest woman to surprise about gifts. I wasn't much surprised either - I have a new coffee thingie for the wall - its very cool - its to store my coffee and has a retro coffee shop feel. I like it a lot. It will be a bit annoying to bring back but when I saw it I had to have it!<br /><br />Today we head to Florida - 2 days of driving! As you can see from the map we virtually travel the length of the US to get there - 1403 miles - NZ is itself only 1,000 miles in length from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island...its a long way! We will travel through several states on the way down so that will be something. I have multiple bookage to sustain me. Anyway, I have to go, my help is required! Have a good Christmas...<br /><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/1600/Roadtrip.gif"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/320/Roadtrip.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/1600/new_zealand.gif"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" height="222" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/320/new_zealand.jpg" width="145" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/1600/new_zealand.gif"></a> </p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135522223327280322005-12-24T03:35:00.000+13:002005-12-26T03:50:23.366+13:00Christmas Eve<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So its Christmas Eve in the US of A - this means its Christmas Day in NZ - we rang through around 7pm US time to catch the family at their Christmas Day lunch. The whole tribe was at my sisters enjoying a traditional Christmas Day BBQ. Only thing that was slightly disturbing was the report that my brother had made 2 great salads...I logged my Christmas requests: LOTR Extended Version gift pack, sharpening stone for my cooking knives and a new outdoor umbrella...anyone reading this should not feel constrained from participating...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Christmas Eve here was pizza for lunch followed by traditional Christmas ham for dinner. Unusual accompaniments included: jello salad with fruit in it; corn casserole (creamed corn with corn muffin mix - comes out like a sort of soggy bread); root beer. Dessert was Dutch apple pie (lots of Dutch live here - there is a place not far from here called Zeeland) and a Cherry Pie (Michigan is big on cherries).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Anyways, we have a big day tomorrow so better sign off. But before I do here is Rhys looking at his first Christmas tree...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3708/365/320/Rhys.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135479514050498962005-12-23T15:38:00.000+13:002005-12-25T15:58:34.060+13:00The Week That Was<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Its been a busy week! But a good one...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Monday was Watermark day. Some things never change! Deur is never short of a "dodgy" comment...Thompson is always working a new angle on spirituality...Nate is still complaining about cession not partnering with Watermark...a good time catching up on life and ministry - so cool to celebrate the stories of growth at Watermark and yet to acknowledge the <em>niggle</em> that precedes the inevitable structural innovation that must emerge from such growth.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Then it was a race home from Grand Haven and out to Lowell to meet with Katie Sullivan. We also had the chance to meet with her parents which was a great bonus for their preparation as a family. Its very exciting seeing what God is weaving together with our emerging ministry to youth.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Tuesday was another Impact day, Brett meeting with Jason Holdridge and Kristen with Elisa, the children's ministry leader. It was awesome to see Jason's collection of LOTR memorabilia - 2 swords on the wall that I was most impressed with. A good chance to simply share who we are and where we have come from. Tuesday evening was a party time with the De Peals and Jim Wood over for dinner...no shop talk at all...well just a little...lots of salsa and lettuce sandwich remembrances!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Wednesday has faded into oblivion apart from the evening where we had dinner with the Deurs. A relaxed evening...wow have those kids grown! Steve was privileged to enjoy a private viewing of "The Invasion of the Wobblejellies" starring yours truly as Flush Gordon, an unlikely hero who "rescues" Princess Laidback from the evil step mother and thwarts the sinister Wobblejelly invasion. Truly awful. Memorable appearances from a truly skinny Jacob Powell as the trusty rebel leader Batarang and David Pitman as the Android and the First Minister to the evil step mother (ask him about his underarm problem).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Thursday was a lazy day at home. Kristen and I have now watched the entire first season of Lost on DVD! We even started the second season: wait till you see the first episode...especially the bit where...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Friday was lunch with Ken De Peal and Jim Wood. We enjoyed a modestly good Thai followed by the best coffee so far at Beaners (still only NZ Starbucks quality). Notable for me navigating down the interstate! Good times sharing about church politics (!) and ministry. Finished the evening at friends of the Hintermans for dinner. Highlight of the evening was Rhys dancing to this dancing, singing snowman - just priceless!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Its been a great week all up. Been reading Church on the Other Side which apart from anything else is packed full of common sense. A very good read so far.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well thats it for the moment gentle reader. No great insights, just a travelogue account of the week that was...</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135397935062611602005-12-19T17:05:00.000+13:002005-12-24T17:36:00.883+13:00Impact Aftermath<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After visits from Phil Struckmeyer, the Impact Student Missions Team and Ryan and Angele Gerten to New Zealand, we finally got to visit <a href="http://www.impact-church.org">Impact </a>ourselves! 3 services later (Saturday night and 2 on Sunday) we were beginning to get a feel for the community that is Impact.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It was cool to arrive early and see how well (and yet informally) people were welcomed as they arrived. The hot coffee was a definite plus. The intimate worship space maintained an informal feel with coffee tables at the back. The Narnia series set was simple but effective.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The band was really solid with strong leadership from <a href="http://www.jasonholdridge.blogspot.com">Jason Holdridge</a>, another of the pastors at Impact. I liked Jason even though he said to the congregation that when he closed his eyes while I was praying it sounded like Shrek was interceding instead! Ed Love preached a compelling message from Luke 2 on what the Christmas story penned by Luke would have meant for 1st century Christians - with particular reference to the shadow of Rome and the ever increasingly deluded Caesars. Enjoyed this (even after hearing it 3 times). </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I got to do the announcements without introduction as if I were the pastor. Cunningly crafted power points asked the questions behind me: "Who is this guy?" "Is he allowed to speak?" "Why does he talk funny?" Seemed to go down OK and a good introduction to the 8 January service I will preach at.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Moment of the morning however came in the final service when the band failed to appear on cue. Phil grabbed a mike to cover, finally giving up the pretense and admitting he was playing for time with the quip: "They must be on a smoke break!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It really does make a difference being here and sensing the heart of these people. I left refreshed and optimistic for how our two communities of faith could deepen a partnership together. Today Kristen and I are meeting with Katie Sullivan, our prospective youth intern and hanging with the Impact leadership team at their Christmas party.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">But before that I get to go to <a href="http://www.iamwatermark.com">Watermark </a>and catch up with <a href="http://www.deurty.blogspot.com">Steve Deur</a>, <a href="http://www.stevethompson.us/">Steve Thompson </a>and Nate Smith. Looking forward to this in a big way!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Jonesboy</span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135396322923645012005-12-16T16:49:00.000+13:002005-12-24T16:52:02.926+13:00Mexican Standoff<p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was either him or me. In the end the burrito lost. Don Pablos Mexican cafe. Outstanding! It all started with Kristen's brother Kent saying, "I'll take you to Don Pablos for some Mexican." I was keen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So Friday arrives and we're due to catch up for coffee with Ryan and Angele Gerten. We meet at a Starbucks which is located inside a large bookshop, Barnes and Noble - I cite this in my defence in agreeing to meet at a Starbucks. We had a good time. I even managed to get the barista to make me a proper long black. You know you're in a different culture when the flavoured coffees are the easiest thing to find on the price list. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But it was the trip to meet Ryan and Angele that was to uncover the Mexican treasure trove. I spied it from the passenger's seat. I knew that it was my destiny to eat lunch there. So we did. Awesome. They had these options where you got like some of everything. Which I did. Outstanding with guacamole, jalapenos and hot sauce to complement the burrito, enchilada, hard and soft-shell tacos and a variety of other dishes I'd not come across before. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New Zealand needs more Mexican food - thats the kind of campaign bribery that would get my vote. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A host of family and friends calling in over recent days plus Kristen visited her 2 old schools in this area. Still snowing. Drove to Lowell (30 mins) to meet up with Phil Struckmeyer at Impact. Getting back into driving on the wrong side of the road...Got to meet with some of the staff there and hear their stories. Good times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jonesbandito<br /><br /></span> </p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1135395693572549392005-12-13T16:39:00.000+13:002005-12-24T16:49:31.153+13:00Back in the USA<p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So we arrived safe and sound in the USA! Its 13 December here - we almost arrived before we left - however, the date was of great moment as it was 3 years to the day that Kristen and I had the DTR talk (Define the Relationship) in the classy atmosphere of "Steak 'n' Shake". So we stopped off on the way home last night to pick up a shake in celebration! It was perfect at the airport when we arrived - just enough snow drifting down from the night sky. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rhys was entranced by it. The wee man did brilliantly as a first time traveller. He slept most of the way to LA and had good naps on both other legs. The backpack was great, especially for the LA terminal adventure (from terminal 2 to terminal 7) and the "Chicago walk under the runway to our next plane" jaunt. He was a little unsure at first but as long as he could grab my ears or hair or both, he was happy! We got extra seats the whole way which made a huge difference. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was mostly well-behaved. I did tell one idiot about 3 rows in front to turn off his cell phone (after repeated announcements) as the plane began to taxi for takeoff. I was heard to make comments about the third world conditions at the LAX security check point near enough to be heard. I scoffed chilli fries in Chicago. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kristen's parents, brother + fiancee and grandparents were at the airport - Rhys woke up just in time to bestow beatific smiles on everyone. He has them charmed. It is great to see evryone again. Today is take it easy day. Not sure what tomorrow will bring. Anyway, nothing deep to say. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jonesboy<br /></span></p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1124923280147421012005-08-25T09:40:00.000+12:002005-08-25T19:37:50.950+12:00August Prayer Blog <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It seems that "Keeping up with the Joneses" is difficult for even the Joneses! Young Rhys is a delight to his parents but he keeps us very busy so please forgive our lack of consistentcy in posting our prayer letters. Let me allow him to type a few words for you before he has a little tummy time while mommy writes a prayer letter. From Rhys: vzvd,tkr bhjoi g cb b b b b b cd cm b bmgbgn. Mommy will now translate: Thank you for being so good to us by your continued support through gifts and prayer. My family can see how God has taken care of us in the last few months through your love and prayers. Thank you! Love, Rhys. Isn't he an articulate child? We have always thought he was highly advanced. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I will give you a brief Rhys update and then fill you in on our church news and prayer needs:<br /><br />*started solids 3 weeks ago, loves pumpkin, carrots and apples<br />*started rolling over a week ago from back to front and scoots himself all around the floor, is now into everything.<br />*has the most infectious smile and giggle to go along with it<br />*has started taking naps and going to bed around 7 p.m. as opposed to midnight! (that is mommy's favorite praise report!)<br />*weighed 8.8 kg or 19lbs 9 oz at his 5 month check up<br />*loves people and knowing what is going on around him. He has to be in bed by 7 before homegroups or Rhys is up until everyone leaves!<br /><br />Anyway that is a little about our boy. Thank you for all your prayers concerning him, he is truly our greatest blessing.<br /><br /><strong>Praises</strong><br /><br />*cession community continues to have new seekers coming to check us out (and they want to come back!).<br /><br />* Ryan and Angele Gerten have joined us from Impact Church, Lowell, Michigan and will be serving with us through to December. They are mainly adding some muscle in our worship and music ministries.<br /><br />*Kristen has had to let go of some ministries outside the church since taking on the ministry of mommy. Those roles have been filled and it has taken heaps of pressure off of her and her other ministries.<br /><br />*Our friend Dawn who came over to NZ with Kristen in July 2003 was able to come back this past July and we had a wonderful visit.<br /><br />*The Wi$e Money seminar was a great success for the people in the cession community. Combined with the Money for Dummies series we are now doing, we have seen several people inspired to get in control of their finances and find freedom in this area of their lives.<br /><br />*God is providing a way for us to be able to visit friends and family in the States at Christmas time. See the prayer request below for further details.<br /><br />*We have someone interested in taking over KFC next year for Kristen. We have begun succession planning so she can focus on getting Lil' Lambs and kids encounter running to a higher level for cession community.<br /><br /><strong>Prayer Requests</strong><br /><br />* cession is taking steps to become an established church. We meet 5 out of the 6 criteria needed to be an establised church. Please pray that we can get that 6th criteria sorted.<br /><br />*We have been having issues with the teachers of the school where we meet. Please pray that we would have wisdom in dealing with these teachers and that we would find ways to "win" them over.<br /><br />*Please lift Aimie up in your prayers. She is one of the seekers we have had come to cession in the last two months. Pray that she would find the answers to her questions and that the people she asks these questions would have the words to speak.<br /><br />*Claire is another seeker who came for the first time two weeks ago and would like to come back. Please pray that any barriers that keep her from coming would be lifted.<br /><br />*We have had some lower attendances these past 2 weeks (winter/illness/inconsistency) after 2 great months in June and July - some of our "regulars" have been very irregular. We need wisdom in knowing how to motivate people to place a high importance on growing their walk with Christ through attending corporate worship gatherings.<br /><br />*Many people in the cession communtiy are facing financial difficulty. Keep these people in your prayers as we continue our money series. Pray that through this series and what they have learned in Wi$e Money they won't have to worry about this any more.<br /><br /><strong>Personal Prayer Needs</strong><br /><br />*We are one of the families facing financial troubles right now and feel that God is calling us to lead by example in this area. This includes selling our house and downsizing our mortage. Some specific prayer needs for this are:<br /><br />-the selling of our home privately so we will avoid the realtor fees<br />-getting our house cleaned and the clutter sold in a garage sale so the house looks pristine<br />-a low maintenance, 3 bedroom home, with ensuite for us to buy<br />-wisdom in knowing when we have found the right house for us<br />-comfort in letting go of a house we all love and has so many memories wrapped up in it<br />-wisdom/provision - should Brett look at employment opportunities in 2006?<br /><br />*We are feeling somewhat low in our ministries. We have had some people leave or simply drop out of ministries that has left us feeling a bit battle worn. Please pray that God would put his hand of refreshment on us and that He would raise up people to take on new ministries.<br /><br /><br />Thank you for your prayers. It is comforting to know that people all around the world care for us and are praying for us.<br />Love and Blessings,<br />Brett, Kristen and Rhys</span> </span><br /></span>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1118269636342846622005-06-09T10:22:00.000+12:002005-06-09T10:27:16.346+12:00<p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s been a busy few months for us as we have welcomed Rhys into our life as a family. We're sorry that we've been so slack with this! There’s been a lot to give thanks for and a number of needs we’d love you to partner with us in prayer over:<br /><br /><strong>Praise</strong><br /><br />> What a wonderful gift Rhys is! We are thankful for his safe arrival, for the delight he brings to us and for the support and generousity of so many - check out our <a href="http://www.jonescam.blogspot.com">photoblog</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> In our last prayer blog we shared about Rachel – she is now following Christ and growing in her new life with Him. Very exciting. Continue to pray for her as she comes to grips with the impact this is having on her friends and family</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Mel(anie) and Tyrone have joined a cell group and are continuing their journey towards following Christ</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Our cell groups continue to grow in number – we have 5 running now with a 6th starting soon<br />We broke the 100 barrier twice in April!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> KFC has continued to run while Kristen has been on leave!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> The annual convention at Lake Taupo was a great event this past weekend – Brett spoke on “Creativity in the Local Church” and “Exploring A Call to Ministry”</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> We are excited at the appointment of Ryan and Angele Gerten from Impact Church in Lowell, Michigan for a 6 month stint with the cessioncommunity<br /><br /><strong>Prayer</strong><br /><br />> Fatigue has been weighing us down a little with the usual lack of sleep that follows the birth of a child – we need God’s refreshment and His wisdom in managing our time/relaxation well</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Kristen is returning to KFC duties in June but is also aware of the need to begin succession planning for 2006</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> A related issue is our cession kid’s ministry – our current leaders have needed to step down due to external pressures on their family – who is God raising up to take this forward? What should Kristen’s role be in this?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Having Ryan and Angele with us will be great, but Brett would love your prayers for wisdom in leading them well as they spend this time with us</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Finances continue to be a day to day proposition, but God is faithful – we’d value your ongoing intercession in this area, but have countless examples of God’s care for us in the financial</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> As the winter approaches we’re aware of the motivational challenges this can hold for the leadership – would you pray for fresh, intense vision for all?!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> We’re looking forward to the Impact Church Missions trip at the end of June – pray for this to be an impacting time…</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">>We’re having a few issues with Kristen’s immigration status – please pray that this would get sorted out sooner rather than later</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Thanks so much for partnering with us - see you in July!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Brett, Kristen and Rhys</span></p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1106849656493915552005-01-28T07:02:00.000+13:002005-01-28T07:14:16.493+13:00January Jottings...<p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dear Prayer Partners,</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> It has to be said that January has been a very busy and exciting month! What began as two weeks of laid back cleaning out of closets, between Christmas and New Year, has picked up a bit! As you will see from our praises and prayer God has been moving in our church and He continues to stretch and grow us.
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<br /><strong>Praise:</strong>
<br />> cession has had heaps of visitors over the holidays with 8 new people deciding that they would like to make cession their new church home!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">>There has been a renewed enthusiasm and interest in people wanting to become part of cession small groups. Each week Brett receives more inquiries into the different groups we have. There is the potential to start at least 4 new groups this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> God has sent us a very special gift in the form of Melva. Melva has come to us from Hamilton (about an hour and a half south of Auckland) and has experience in training and administration of small group leaders. Just what we needed for 2005! Already Melva has set up training days for small group leaders and is working her way around all the new groups.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Rachel has been coming to cession since our last café. She has been previously “burned” by the church and has spent the last few years walking away from her faith. As she told Kristen this past Monday, “I don’t know why I keep coming back to cession. It’s funny but it (cession) really feels like coming home.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Mel and Tyrone have been coming along off and on since striking up a friendship with Peter and Antoinette. At Pete’s birthday party early in Jan. they came along and really connected with everyone in the community. They haven’t missed a Sunday night since. Mel is very eager to get involved in the community and wants to be a part of bringing supper (a NZ term for snacks) on Sunday night. This has been a huge help to Juanita, who previously only had 2 or 3 people helping with this ministry. Tyrone, has seemed to hold back a bit, asking lots of questions. Last Sunday night, Tyrone, took the first steps towards Christ by responding to the message.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Brett is greatly enjoying being a “one job” man. It is great to see his dream of being in full time ministry coming true.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> KFC is gearing up for a new year with new programs in place that have the kids and their leaders very excited.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Most of the teaching team has come back with a few more raising their hands to be involved in KFC.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> This year we have added a 2 &3 year old class and it is already fully staffed!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> We had 7 kids “graduate” from KFC and they will be heading off to JAM. I’m already praising God for the new children and families He will send to us this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> One of our “toughies” gave his heart to Christ two weeks ago through KFC. This young man, who is going on up to JAM this year, has always been too cool to do anything remotely “childish” (which is what he thought about KFC). As his mother said to me when she told me he had asked Christ to be his Saviour, “All those times we thought he wasn’t listening and he was just soaking it all in!” </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I’m so thankful that I got to be a part of teaching him about God this year, I could already see a difference in him a week later. What he used to goof off during he sat and listened and participated. Truly a wonderful praise to report!
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<br /><strong>Prayer Requests:</strong></span></p><p><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Church needs</span></em></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>> </em>Please pray that Rachel will continue to find cession home and that she will have the strength to grow and change the things that God is laying on her heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for Mel and Tyrone, that they will keep seeking after God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for our new life groups as they minister and grow our community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for Melva as she leads this new ministry. Pray also that she will gain many new friends and that Auckland will continue to grow to feel like “home” to her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray that God will continue to meet our needs in all of our different ministries. When cession core met last, we were reminded of the amount of work that needs to be done and the need to recruit more people to share the load. I was reminded of Mat. 9:37 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Please pray that we will trust God to provide for the harvest and that He will give us the strength to get the work done, as He provided completely last year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray that KFC 2005 will be a roaring success in bringing new children and families to ECW. Pray that the new programming and advertising will be successful in bringing people in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray that the lives of the children in KFC will be changed and that they will grow in their walks with Jesus this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for the areas in which we need more leaders. Administration Team Leader, Small group guides, nursery workers.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Personal needs</span></em></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Please pray that we can keep our walk close to God as we become increasingly busy</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray that Kristen can get all of the systems in place that she needs to before going on “maternity leave”</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for Kristen’s back. As the baby get bigger, it is becoming very hard to sit still in one place for very long. This doesn’t make it very convenient for getting work done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thank you so much for your support - we are very optimistic about the year ahead and the awesome potential that God has entrusted to us - thanks for your part in his plan being unfolded here in New Zealand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brett and Kristen
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<br /> </span></p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1103534791723125862004-12-20T21:49:00.000+13:002004-12-20T22:26:31.723+13:00End of Year Ramblings...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well we missed a month. Can't really think of an excuse! Sorry...</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Praise</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> We celebrated 3 baptisms last Sunday - Jimmy and Nicola are an engaged couple who joined the church plant team for cession while still sorting out their allegience to Christ. They were believers but still very much on a journey toward becoming disciples. Imagine the celebration we had when they announced their decision to become engaged and to live apart for their engagement to honour God and each other. The community wrapped around them and provided accommodation for Jimmy when he moved out of the house they had been living in together. So it was great to celebrate their baptism together. I marry them in February '05. Leana has been a bit of a faith-wanderer. She connected strongly with the community this year, joined a small group, established a mentoring relationship with Melissa (our associate pastor) and has served in various helping roles since. She invited her family and heaps of friends to her baptism which was very cool. A touching testimony of how her Father had died when she was young and that she had raged at God for much of her life only to discover that He was a true father to her</span>
<br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Kids Musical - a great occasion after much hard work by the director and her cast - Kristen took the end of year musical to a whole new level. It was great to see so many grandparents turn up - many from a non-Christian background.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Our November cafe outreach was a huge success with around 120 people in attendance - not bad for a community of about 70 people. We've been encouraged by the number of friends who attended and by those who have subsequently returned. One young woman Rachel has been to the last 2 gatherings - her background of a recent relationship break-up and a long period away from God leaves her with a huge distrust of the church but we are seeing the power of loving community in action!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> A great story that really captured for us what we want the <span style="font-family:arial;">cessionIcommunity</span> to be about involved Brett's sister Kim and her husband Brad. Brad helped us with our Abraham/Isaac video project. He was totally blown away when Pete (who was baptised back in April) turned up with me to help paint his house. Now he expected me to turn up(!) but had no idea Pete was coming - Pete had played Abraham in the video so this was an awesome way for him to live his faith. Nice.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> We have a small groups Team leader for 2005 - Melva and her husband Frank joined the <span style="font-family:arial;">cessionIcommunity</span> back in October - Melva brings wonderful gifts in the areas of leadership development and administration to our small group's ministry. This will help us to go to the next level with our small group's ministry (cessionIcell)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Brett will be full-time in ministry next year! The <span style="font-family:arial;">cessionIcommunity's </span>giving has continued to grow (in the last 3 months we have exceeded budget) and we are blessed by ECW's continuing commitment to the vision of the cession plant. So praise God for the end of this 5 year stretch of (often exhausting) bi-vocational ministry! Brett will continue to serve as worship pastor to the ECW congregation on a 10 hour per week basis.</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prayer</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> In New Zealand, Christmas marks the end of the ministry year - pray that we would finish well with our Christmas services - a Christmas Eve service @ midnight for cession. A Christmas Day service @ ECW...we've invited family to join us...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Pray for Daniel who Brett has been meeting with as he continues in his seeking of God</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> There has been much planning for 2005 with more to go - pray for God's leading in this ongoing preparation for a new ministry season</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Kristen is doing well with Jones Junior just 12 weeks away. Pray that this new life would continue to grow in a healthy way</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">> Brett has noticed a drain in energy since the pressure came off with the end of the law teaching work - these next 2 weeks of vacation will be important times of refreshment</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">> Pray for the Hinterman family in NZ (1) and abroad (many) as they spend Christmas in different hemispheres</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What a great year this has been. We've seen the community grow from around 25 to 75 with 7 baptisms along the way. The opportunity to see real lives enounter real truth has been amazing. Thank you to all of those who partner in prayer and financially with us. You have been a huge part of this and you'll probably never know the times in which your prayers have helped carry us through difficult moments. We face 2005 with a great sense of optimism!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a wonderful Christmas!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brett & Kristen</span></p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1097875501452139632004-10-16T09:41:00.000+13:002004-12-20T22:29:25.220+13:00October Offering...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">October has rolled around real fast! In New Zealand its spring...so we're slowly coming out of the grip of an admittedly benign winter. While the church year really runs Feb-Dec, there is something about the onset of the warmer weather that envigorates church life. Anyways, here's what we're giving thanks for (some real good ones this month!)</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Praise Points:</span></strong>
<br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last Sunday, a relatively new attender Daniel took huge step towards following Christ - Daniel has been a fringe attender - he recently reconnected through a sports/picnic event - and has come to the worship gathering since then - Daniel actually has a family background with the Seventh Day Adventists but he has been through an intense time of spiritual seeking (reading the Koran etc). He described coming to the cessioncommunity as being the first time the messages really connected with his life!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We're celebrating the arrival of another Daniel - the third of our cession babies born this year - 5 to go!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Our brother-in-law Brad helped in the filming of a hugely impacting video we are using this month in our Genesis series. This was an opportunity for the building of deeper friendships with our video team guys and an exposure to the gospel.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Brett's sister Kim came to the Parenting With Confidence seminar we ran through our Community trust - she even brought a friend!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Our Leadership Training Dinners have been going pretty well - some new leaders growing into roles within the community - its exciting seeing the lights go on for people. Brett is enjoying his Leadership small group with Reuben, Jacob and Peter.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We've seen new people attend our worship gathering most weeks and are excited about 2 couples new to the area who are in the process of connecting more deeply with the community.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Our weekly offerings have nearly doubled since we started! Over 70% of our people have become members! Our small groups are bulging at the seams! </span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kristen is feeling much better these past few weeks. She has been working hard - including some relief teaching jobs (US translation: substitute teaching). Berkley Hill Wesleyan have also agreed to continue supporting Kristen in children's ministry in 2005. Thank you Lord for your provision!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Discussions have begun in earnest concerning Brett's remuneration. It is looking like the church will be able to reach for a full salary in 2005. The potential end to taking part time contracts "on the side" is an appealing one!</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Prayer Points:</strong></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Would you pray for Nick and others like him who are yet to fully trust Christ?</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We've launched our summer outreach series: encounter - a series of outreach events designed to keep our vision front and centre and provide multiple entry points for people to the life of the cessioncommunity - we're running Connecting (friendship), Supporting (serving) and Reaching (gospel-sharing) events. Check out the </span><a href="http://www.cession.org.nz"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">website </span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">in the next few days for more info.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Light Party - a Halloween alternative for kids - is fast approaching. Its not often that Halloween falls on a Sunday so we're praying that some parents will attend the worship gathering while we serve their kids.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kristen is now working on the Christmas Production: "Its the Truth Ruth" - the kids are excited! Kristen is daunted by how much there is to do!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brett is currently working on a law teaching contract - pray for the sustenance of his spiritual disciplines and physical fitness during this time. Also wisdom in time allocation.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pray for Kristen as she starts to vision-cast for next year's leaders for the KFC ministry in our parent church and also mentors our Kids Ministry leaders in the cessioncommunity as they step up their planning for next year</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Thanks to all who continue to support us. We're particularly grateful to the BH congregation. To those who have been financially supporting us this calendar year - thanks for your support and prayer. We're seeing the fruit of your investment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Brett and Kristen Jones</span></p>
<br />BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1095397427505893432004-09-17T16:35:00.000+12:002004-09-17T17:03:47.506+12:00September Already?<p><span style="font-family:arial;">That'd be September is nearly over! Its been a busy 6 weeks with plenty to thank and praise our God for!
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<br /><strong>Praise Points</strong>
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<br />> For those who don't know we have decided to make a further sacrifice for the cause of the cessionlcommunity - we've decided to add to our congregation by way of natural growth - our fledgling All Black is due in March 2005! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> Melissa Powell has started as Associate Pastor at cession - she is giving us one day per week (for free) while she works and studies - what a gift...</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> A number of unchurched connected to the cessionlcommunity are making real progress towards following Jesus - Nick the Atheist has now become Nick the Agnostic (self-professed) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> Brad (our bro' in law) came to 2 of the services in our last series and is helping us with some video projects - a great chance for him to engage in deeper community - Brett got to share the gospel (most of it anyway!) with him this week... </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> Kim (Brett's sister) turned up at church the other week, uninvited (!) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> The F.R.O.G. Party was a great success! The kids loved it and some new families were touched through this outreach </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> The cession Leaders Advance was a significant time of growth and community - monthly leadership dinners look to be gathering numerical momentum - new leaders are now involved in kid's ministry and pastoral/hopsitality </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> We are looking forward to the visit of Phil Struckmeyer from Impact Church in Lowell, Michigan - cession and Impact are dialoguing on Partnership possibilities - one Steve Deur will also be coming for Conference...fun times! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> Kristen has been getting the occasional additional nannying job and some relief teaching - morning sickness is not helping in this area but the additional cash is! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">> Brett starts a half time contract in October and is looking at some full time work in November-December - not desirable but proving necessary at this point - thanks God for the opportunity to put some money away to cover potentially lean months in the New Year </span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><p>
<br /><strong>Prayer Points </strong></p><p>> Pray for Nick. He is searching. </p><p>> The Parenting With Confidence seminars we are running in October are a great outreach opportunity - pray for Kim and Brad who we are inviting and for Jeremy and Bridgit, a dechurched couple who Brett invited this week </p><p>> Our Halloween Outreach - the Light Party promises to be a cool opportunity to engage our local community in a fun, family time </p><p>> Tina - our very first Missionary - who flew out to Guatemala this week to contribute to primary healthcare needs among the poor - also our Missions series: "Between the Trees" which starts this weekend </p><p>> Raising up of new leaders to continue building the cessionlcommunity's influence </p><p>> Brett's next phase of contract work starts on 4 October - this has been a stressful exercise in previous stints - please pray for wisdom in time allocation and resilience under stress... </p><p>> Wisdom in continuing partnership discussions with Impact </p><p>> Good health for our family especially Kristen who has been struggling with colds etc </p><p>Thanks for your wonderful support. We could not do without our faithful intercessors! Be blessed...
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<br />Brett & Kristen</span> </p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1092086946110292312004-08-10T08:42:00.000+12:002004-08-10T09:29:06.110+12:00Is it August Already?<span style="font-family:verdana;">Can't believe how the year is flying by and with it the time to do what should be among the first things on our list: giving our prayer partners the ammo they need! So anyways, working on the better late than never principle...</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Praise Points</span></strong>
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<br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">July attendances at the<span style="font-family:verdana;"> cessionlcommunity's</span> Sunday gatherings averaged 70 - maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal - but when you start with a group of 20-30 it feels pretty good! We've seen a wide range of people connect with us over recent months - our core group would now stand at 60+</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">We've seen people make some important deeper connections with the community - over 60% of people are now involved in ministry - just on 60% are in small groups and a number of people have regularised their giving - in July our giving went up by 40%!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">A number of new leaders are stepping up as we gain the numerical momentum to expand the ministries we can offer</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">We've been encouraged by our own forays into personal evangelism, particularly with family. My brother and his wife came to cession recently and seemed impressed - a small door opening? My mother's recent surgery has provided much time for discussion about the deeper things of life - and some fairly direct challenges to her about some next steps. My sister and her husband have also attended church and responded positively to our invitation to attend our upcoming series: "<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>love</strong></span>, <strong>actually</strong>".</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Kristen's leadership of the Kids For Christ ministry within our parent church, East City Wesleyan, has been amazing! This month we've seen 2 new boys come and bring with them their families! One little boy's mother commented, "He seems very happy here. We have tried several different churches and he won't go to Children's church anywhere else!" She was quite appreciative of the fact that we had a programme that fit his needs.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have survived finanically so far (!) - Kristen has been working 2 days per week as a nanny and now has her teaching certificate which should open some doors. Brett has continued with contract work when it has been available. We have seen much generousity - mysterious cheques in the mail, a new printer that someone bought for us + God's provision through unexpected tax returns. And then there is the faithfulness of our financial partners in the US.</span></li></ul><p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Prayer Points</span></strong></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">We'd love for you to undergird our faithful team in prayer as they seek to encourage the cessioncommunity to reach beyond themselves. New Zealand is a tough nut to crack as a very secular nation...however the gospel does actually have the power to save and I suspect much of the first century world was unfamiliar with the message of Jesus!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Our next series: "<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">love</span><span style="color:#ff0000;">,</span> actually</strong>" starts this weekend - we are promoting this an invite opportunity as we deal with issues around love, marriage, conflict and communication. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would empower the community to make the invite and draw people to this opportunity</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">There are a number of people who have been coming for a while who have yet to make a commitment to Christ - would you pray particularly for those people?</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have a leaders retreat this weekend for our core leaders and a bunch of new talent. Please pray that this would be a rich time at all levels: Vision, Prayer, Planning, Learning, Friendship...</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">KFC is having a number of outreach events over the next 3 months - please pray for these - <em>"The F.R.O.G. Party"</em> (Fully Rely On God) in September; <em>"The Light Party"</em> in October (a Halloween alternative) and our Christmas programme will be publicised as a chance for the neighbourhood children to experience drama, singing, dance etc...and then invite their parents! Practices begin in October.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Brett is currently working (as Worship pastor) with a series in our parent church "Cracking the Jesus Code" - a number of new people came to week 1 - please pray that they would return and that others would be drawn to hear more about who Jesus was and is!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;">Our finances are somewhat precarious! Particularly, with the summer months coming and little contract work available for Brett. We'd value your prayers not only that God would provide for us but also that He would lead us as to what opportunities to take up and what not to...especially in 2005 - Brett dreams of being full-time in ministry and would love for you to intercede earnestly on this point!</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thanks so much for your support and faithfulness. We are so grateful for what God is doing through your contribution to our ministry here. We know that without God's intervention we cannot do what we are doing and value so much your part in seeking Him on our behalf. Bless you all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>Brett and Kristen</em></span></p>BJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7533439.post-1088975169759869252004-07-05T08:52:00.000+12:002004-07-05T10:48:15.213+12:00This Blog is now open...Hi all. If you've made it here you've demonstrated curiousity at least over what God is doing in our lives and ministry here in New Zealand...and maybe you'd like to participate as one of our prayer partners...
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<br />We'll be replacing our "monthly" prayer letters with this blog, so instead of receiving a cumbersome attachment you'll find a website reference in an email that you can head to with the click of a button! Or you can check in here regularly if you're praying for us and want to check up on the latest prayer needs...
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<br /><strong>Praise Points</strong>
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<br />> We're celebrating a great time in the US with family, friends and ministry partners...and a safe return!
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<br />> Kristen starts a part time job this week, nannying 2 days per week for Brett's sister - the money will help but this is a great ministry opportunity as well
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<br />> Brett continues his law work this week with a new class - thank you God for your provision...
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<br /><strong>Prayer Needs</strong>
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<br />> A speedy recovery from any lingering jet lag and the wisdom to rest!
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<br />> Wisdom for Brett as he attempts to get his schedule right and manage the priorities of teaching law, doing ministry and following Christ (not necessarily in that order...)
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<br />> Opportunities for Kristen to take next steps with teaching options in New Zealand, while balancing the desire to make a meaningful impact in ministry
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<br />> Vision, Wisdom and Discernment for next steps in the development of the cession|community
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<br />Thanks all for your love and friendship and for taking the time to partner with us...
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<br />Blessings,
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<br />Brett & KristenBJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01836871676533938956noreply@blogger.com0