FORWARD!

This morning, I crawled out of bed, went downstairs and joined Sam on the couch. Immediately Sam noticed some impaired mobility of my right arm and questioned if my arm could possibly be as sore as his. As we were comparing our aches and pains that are the result from a weekend of competitive play, I was reminded of our journey 2006 to 2007. Aches and pains ... promises of a future and a hope.

FORWARD!

If we were to do a FAQ section on our web site, without a doubt the most frequently asked question - understandably - is "How's the church going?". In response to that question our answers vary, often depending on the day. This is not our first experience with starting a church as a "pioneer" work. Many churches today are started in a "parent church" situation - this is ideal. In Madison, as it was in La Crosse, this was not an option. So, somebody has to go first why not us? That would be enough of an adventure but actually we are not the first to attempt to start a church here. As in La Crosse, Madison has seen a number of attempts to begin a church that did not pan out long term. We do not call these attempts failures - we would refer to them as "reconnaissance missions" - nevertheless there are no churches here that are in for resourcing a new church plant. There are many great churches in Madison. There is always room for another.

Over the past year, and we will continue, we have been making an effort to develop relationship with the other churches in the area. We have been serving at two of the church plants in the area, we have met with leaders and even been introduced and allowed to entertain questions from the attenders who may know someone on the Northside who may be interested in a new church. We have developed an ongoing "online spritual conversation" that our friends here are reading (En Gedi). We have held two informational meetings, advertised in the local newspaper and online news. Over this year we have been getting to know business leaders, community leaders, food pantry directors...neighbors, parents... We will continue to focus on our relationships with all the gifted, fascinating, wonderful people we have gotten to know. We learn so much about our God when our focus is on just getting to know the people of Madison. God has called us here to follow Jesus - to fulfill the mission given - to go and make disciples. Jesus set an example by loving, living and walking with people who were open to, or even curious about who He is.

This past weekend was our second weekend retreat with our entire team together. We are planning to meet monthly up until June when they make the big move. These weekends are primarily focused on praying together and building our relationships with one another. This weekend we spent time in prayer and worship, we toured the Capital, took on some brainstorming exercises, enjoyed some Jamba Juice... We prayed together, Gene led us in times of worship in song, Jenn led us in worship in play. It was during these times that we developed our competitive edge, our drive to push ourselves beyond our comfort levels. We exercised our sportsmanship and willingness to stick it out when things get tough. It was this playing tennis, bowling, boxing and baseball that gave us the aches and pains this morning. It also brought an idea for opportunity for gathering people together - and all we need is a Wii and a couple wii Remotes! (People ask us all of the time to let them know what we need...)

This year we have plans for more "preview" services, adding weekly in home Bible Studies...Wii tournaments, "Office" parties... discovering a creative point of contact with our community - a way to serve on an ongoing basis. In June of 2007, a new team will assemble. Selling their homes, taking on salary cuts, leaving a fantastic church where they are loved, encouraged, supported...answering a call to a mission that promises only to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit wherever He leads. We are unable to provide our friends any more than what we count on ourselves - God is faithful, God is good, God desires to save all people, He will fund His will, He is enough.

Please continue to pray for the Nobrega's and Jenn as they continue to serve at Cornerstone, seek to sell their home and find another, as they search for jobs in Madison and all the detail of the transition.

So, how's the church? Moving FORWARD! Falling in love with the people God has called us to live our lives with and for. Growing in commitment to the mission. Willing to give up what is known for what the Kingdom brings as it crashes into Madison. "His Kingdom come, His will be done - on earth, as it is in Heaven"!