Such Encouraging Conversations

Thank you for your prayers! I have been so encouraged by the conversations I've been able to have!

Last weekend I spent a few days at a family reunion. I also have good conversations with cousins and uncles and aunts, many of whom are in the faith. But this time I was especially encouraged to find faith where I hadn't before. Two conversations stand out which I tell about in this week's YouTube teaching. I'll just let you watch that here.

Harrisonburg, VA
After the reunion, I had wonderful conversations in the Harrisonburg area, some of which were started last year, and others that were new this year.

I met with three couples who are interested in planting, and are discerning the next steps. One of the couples already has a weekly meeting in their home where university students (mostly foreign and Muslim) come to learn about the Christian faith. They don't see this gathering as a church, but maybe God wants to do something there. Or maybe he wants to start two or three microchurches. The interest is there. But there are also some barriers. So please pray for clear direction.

I had dinner last Tuesday with an adult Sunday School class that has been together for over thirty years. They have connected with some of my teachings, and our X242 way of doing things, so I wanted to learn more about them. It was a rich conversation. So much to celebrate there. The love each other. And they love the Lord. They also have some starkly different views about some of the things that split churches and nations. But they have remained loving in their dialog. We were able to discuss some of those topics directly, speaking the truth in love, and listening to each other with gentleness and patience that doesn't betray conviction. I was especially encouraged to hear how one of the men said that, when he has taught a book study, he has just wanted to throw the book out and open the bible. That's what we do at X242! So I'm encouraging them to try that. I think they will. And I feel like they'll probably continue to connect with us. 

I also had coffee with the pastor of an older conventional church who loves what we're doing. He also has great affection for this church. We simply encouraged each other.

Lancaster, PA
It was a quick stay in the Lancaster area. It was our first time visiting missionally. We will plan to spend more time there the next time we visit. I believe there is an open door for effective ministry. 

I met with a man who heads up a network of sixteen house churches, scattered through the U.S. and even a few international locations. Their network is part of a larger network of churches, including conventional and even mega churches. I asked him lots of questions about what they do, and how. And I was greatly encouraged by the conversation. 

Spring Valley Bruderhof // Farmington, PA 
I had never heard of the Bruderhof until last year when Jorge Enciso mentioned it to me on a leadership Zoom. The Bruderhof is a Christian fellowship that lives communally with a common purse, meaning no one has their own possessions. They share all things. And it's a lifetime membership, meaning you pledge yourself to the community for life. Like you, I have SO many questions, and I've been asking them. They are very, very hospitable. But we just pulled in last night (Saturday), and will be here till Tuesday morning, so I'm sure I'll have more to say later about my conversations.

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Specific Prayer Requests

Our mission is to plant and encourage microchurches wherever God opens a door, and to encourage and strengthen faith wherever we find it.  This means lots of conversations! And that takes lots of energy. 

Please pray for health and wellness for Wendy and me. It seems we keep getting hit with various health problems, from an injured back (which is better now! Praise God!) to recurring respiratory illnesses and the like. As you know, I'm not quick to claim "spiritual attack" over every hard thing in life, but I do believe the enemy would like to rob us of the energy and life needed to carry out this mission well. I know God is faithful, and I believe he will provide in accordance with your prayers.

Also, pray for the following:

• Pray for the establishment of a new microchurch in Harrisonburg, and that we can encourage the Sunday School class that connected with us.
• Pray blessing over the microchurch network based out of Lancaster, PA. 
• Pray for conversations here at the Bruderhof.
• Pray for upcoming conversations in Berlin and St Marys, OH, and then in the Goshen, IN area.

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Thank you!

Thank you for your prayers. And thank you to those who support X242. My heart is to pay my own way in living out this mission, and God has given Wendy and me a business which helps with that, and allows us to do some work from the road. But being gone from the business is expensive, as is travel itself. Your support really does make up the difference for us, and we are humbled and filled with gratitude. God bless you, and this X242 ministry, that we would all be fruitful in life, and in helping others enter the Kingdom.

​I pray for you every day.  ​