On July 26, the first two members of the Eugene Church Plant team headed to the Northwest. On August 5, five more members will do the same. The last week of August, the final three members (and two children) will head out. It’s hard to believe that what began as a dream in January 2007 is now becoming a reality.

 

Our team has been processing through many different emotions as leave dates approach. One on hand there is so much excitement for this brand new adventure, but on the other is the sadness of leaving family and friends. There is a mustard seed sized faith that God is in control, but then there are the questions of how and when His provision will manifest itself. Mark 9:24 probably sums this rivalry of emotions up the best, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

 

This entire journey, especially the last month, has really fostered vertical growth with God and horizontal growth with each other. The list of uncertainties and questions such as “where and when will I get a job,” “when is my house going to sell,” and “do we have any idea what we’re doing” have forced each member to root themselves in the love of God, remembering the promise of 1 John 4:18…’perfect love drives out all fear.’ It has also created a deeper sense of ‘one another.’ This sense and commitment to ‘one another’ is foundation to the health and future of this church plant.

 

Please continue to be in prayer for the Eugene Church Plant, the team and the people of Eugene. Please pray that God will continue to give the team a passion for loving Him, each other and the people of Eugene in the way of Jesus. Please pray that God will continue to awaken each of us and the people of Eugene to His redemptive story and what it looks like to live fully into that story.

 

If you would like to learn more about the Eugene plant, please contact Clint and check out their blog. Interested in providing the team with financial support? Please make checks payable to Common Ground and write Eugene Church Plant in the memo line.

Two trips are scheduled this fall to give you the opportunity to love those in ministry and to serve in other cultures. From September 27 through October 5, a team will travel to Turkey to work with and encourage our family there while being immersed in Turkish culture, customs and needs.

 

In November, you have the opportunity to partner with ServLife International and assist with an annual Indian Pastor’s Conference in India. Team members will also be blessed to work in the ServLife orphanage.

 

To learn more, please download our list of 2008 Vision Trips. Have additional questions? Please contact Bill Briley.

 

Our first Revive gathering was held on Friday, July 25 where we experienced an extended time of corporate worship and prayer, with an intentional focus on listening to the voice of God. After praising God for who He is and what He has done, we shared what God has been speaking to us, and thanked Him for His faithfulness in our lives. We concluded the evening with a time of small group fellowship and prayer.

 

According to one participant, “Revive was amazing! It was so good to get together in a room full of people who were there just to worship God and be encouraged in some way.”

 

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the next Revive on Friday, October 3. Revive will be followed by Training and Equipping on Saturday, October 4. More information and registration will follow in the coming months. Have questions? Contact Nate.

We have recognized for some time that the lines marking the parking spaces in our lot at Midtown are difficult to see. In addition to the need for general maintenance, all of the construction and landscaping activities have made the parking lot stripes fade even more. As soon as we have a Friday and Saturday without rain, our lot will be sealed and re-striped.

 

In addition to the stripes being easier to see, there will be more of them. A minor reconfiguration in how we draw the stripes will actually add about 20 additional spaces to our parking lot capacity! Remember, please reserve the parking lot for visitors, those with physical conditions who need to be close to an entrance, and families with small children. Have questions about the lot? Please contact Doug.

Are you reliable, in a house church, have a strong attention to detail and able to maintain confidentiality regarding donations and donors? The counting team is seeking volunteers for both our Midtown and West locations. Accounting knowledge is not necessary – just a willingness to serve in this important role. Team members typically count once per month, and each week’s offering takes approximately 10 minutes to count per service. To learn more, please contact Stef.