January Prayer Letter

January 1, 2014

Dear Friends,

The new year has started and with it comes God’s mercy for a broken city like Chester.  God has called us here in this time and place to bring hope to this city.  For the last few months our team has been praying for a new church in Chester.  We are inviting many of the community people that we know to come to the church.

Over the years we have learned that it takes time for families to open up to us.  We met Tenee at homework club in 2009.  Later that year Vicki and I started visiting her family to update them on different events.  During those first visits Tenee’s mom and dad politely listened to what we had to say and then we would go on our way.  

In 2010 we started going for regular walks in their neighborhood.  We would stop by their house and talk.  As we got to know them better, they began to trust us.  We have regularly been stopping by for three years now.  Even if we are just walking by, they smile and wave at us.

In November I was handing out coupons for our Thanksgiving Outreach.  While I was talking with Tenee’s father, I mentioned the church we are planting.  He exclaimed, “when’s it going to start? I want to bring my family.”  I was able to share with him that we are planning to start meeting on January 5.

Just a few week’s ago I stopped by their house again.  This time when I got to the door I was invited in.  This is a huge step!  It means that I have gained their trust.  Building relationships takes time, lots of time, but it is worth it.  Once trust is earned, the hearts become softer to the gospel.  

We look forward to what God will do in the hearts of Tenee’s family and many others as we step forward in this journey of planting a church.  God is so good here in Chester!

Please pray:

• For our launch on January 5.
• For discernment as we seek out those who are committed to this church from the beginning.
• For God’s Spirit to flow during our time of worship, prayer and listening to the Word.

In His precious name,

Tom, Vicki, Lizzy, and Lilly