I just looked at the last time I blogged and noticed that I haven't done a thing since October 5th! People must be thinking we died but "we're not dead yet." :-) There has been a lot of ground covered since then and we are pressing forward with plans for Toronto.
Since my blog on the 5th, we had Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving was the second Monday in October and we had a crew over to celebrate. There are 3 couples who joined us for dinner who are interested in helping us in Toronto. They are all on different levels of commitment. One couple is coming for as long as they are able, another is coming for the summer and the last couple is coming for the missions trip and short term trips beyond that. This is very exciting for us because we are planning a full week of ministry for the 100 or more coming from Fairfax, VA. This is all happening August 16 - 22, 2010.
Pray for us and our next visit to TO this November. We are lining up a few details for our move and I am praying God will give us a free place for one of these couples to stay for the summer. I am also praying that God will give us some free or relatively cheap office space and use of equipment. A few things are lining up and we just need to see what God has in store for us.
Also, pray that we are able to secure the name of our church, Burlington Community Church. We have already bought the websites and Phil Bassham (Media Pastor at Fair Oaks Church) should have something for us soon.
Pastor Stokes also has an opportunity to develop a live radio show in Oakville, Ontario. Oakville is the next town over from Burlington. If God is in that, there will be a good opportunity to promote the ministry and give a daily voice to the ministry there as we take Loud On Purpose to Toronto.
Showing posts with label Roy Dowdy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roy Dowdy. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
We have a date!
I hope you get excited reading this because I am am excited writing it! We still have a lot more to learn and a lot of strategy and planning but we are definitely excited about this church in Toronto.
Why am I writing about this today? Because I needed the encouragement and this has been therapeutic for me. I walked into my daughters' room last night to kiss them and say good night and we began a conversation about Toronto. They told me they wanted to know a little bit more about our plans and to start talking about the plans more consistently as a family. I must admit that I have been busy and have not taken the time to talk with my family much. So, I sat on the bed with them and opened up our conversation. Just for fun, I asked them what they thought the church would be like. I don't know if I'll ask that question again! :-) They began to describe a church of about 20 people with me on the keyboard, the girls singing with me, and Tracey on the tambourine! Is this funny or what!
As the conversation went on and I explained to them what we intended to do, they became excited. I must admit, I worry sometimes that their concept would not be far from the truth except that THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! We have a much bigger God than that and my ambition and prayers are aggressive and pointed with God. So much so that those who interact with me daily on the church staff and notice, know my fasting habits. I am serious about what we are getting ready to do and I am bathing it in prayers daily! Though my daughters had a funny concept of our beginning, I do kinda want to see what Tracey could do with a tambourine! That would be fun, right?
So...what were some of the details I shared you may be asking? I told them that our very first community service would take place on August 22, 2010! Plan on joining us the week during August 16 - 22nd as we canvas the communities of Burlington, Oakville and Halton to invite many to the service on the 22nd of August. This is perfect timing for Virgina and Ontario. In Virginia, we will still be out of school and in the thick of vacation travel. In Ontario, students will be returning to school that Monday the 23rd of August so vacations will have ended and the weekend used in getting things in order for the new school year.
The purpose of the community service is to show the community what we intend to establish in that area. Mass publicity will be key but nothing as effective and our efforts in finding one of two families we can bring to that service with us. Fair Oaks Church and Pastor Stokes will be there in full support and work force. It is our intention to reproduce Fair Oaks Church for a day. This means we will have a full band, children ministry, greeters and cafe, youth emphasis and all the other wonderful full ministry options our home church offers. What does that mean for you? If you are a part of any of these ministries, you will translate that for that service in Toronto. Regardless of your niche in ministry, you will be used in this service in Toronto.
What is the theme for that week? I am using a concept and message series Pastor Stokes preached back in 2006 called Church, Why Bother? This series has been on my heart before the PIVOT Meeting (vision casting meeting) we had at Fair Oaks Church in January this year. We are all about reaching the unchurched/unsaved community and this is the question they are asking. Where America has a rich protestant heritage, Canada has an established church background which means they are stooped in ritual, formal church history that has left them empty and asking the question, "Church,Why Bother?" Makes sense, right?
After the week is complete, we will have even more to do! What I am talking about is the follow up. If you are unable to come during the week of the 16th - 21st, why not come for the Sunday service on the 22nd to attend and help, then stay for the week following August 23 - 28th to reach out to the people who attended that service and help us get them plugged into growth groups and meetings that will follow the campaign as we organize the church and set our Launch Day for later in November or December. On this Launch Day, we will communicate effectively with Fair Oaks Church and figure out who would like to take a shorter weekend trip to work with us that weekend and complete the history of a church plant in Toronto.
Here is what I need everyone to join with me in prayer about:
The Dowdy family is getting ready to go and I encourage them, sweet daughters and wife, as I encourage you to surrender to the call. Jesus addressed this issue when he said, "whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." I know the context applies to salvation but I absolutely believe it can apply to our commitment to Christ. I am tired of being a saver; I want to be a loser. Maybe that doesn't sound just right but be a loser with me, won't ya?!! Come on this adventure to Toronto, Vision Toronto!
Why am I writing about this today? Because I needed the encouragement and this has been therapeutic for me. I walked into my daughters' room last night to kiss them and say good night and we began a conversation about Toronto. They told me they wanted to know a little bit more about our plans and to start talking about the plans more consistently as a family. I must admit that I have been busy and have not taken the time to talk with my family much. So, I sat on the bed with them and opened up our conversation. Just for fun, I asked them what they thought the church would be like. I don't know if I'll ask that question again! :-) They began to describe a church of about 20 people with me on the keyboard, the girls singing with me, and Tracey on the tambourine! Is this funny or what!
As the conversation went on and I explained to them what we intended to do, they became excited. I must admit, I worry sometimes that their concept would not be far from the truth except that THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! We have a much bigger God than that and my ambition and prayers are aggressive and pointed with God. So much so that those who interact with me daily on the church staff and notice, know my fasting habits. I am serious about what we are getting ready to do and I am bathing it in prayers daily! Though my daughters had a funny concept of our beginning, I do kinda want to see what Tracey could do with a tambourine! That would be fun, right?
So...what were some of the details I shared you may be asking? I told them that our very first community service would take place on August 22, 2010! Plan on joining us the week during August 16 - 22nd as we canvas the communities of Burlington, Oakville and Halton to invite many to the service on the 22nd of August. This is perfect timing for Virgina and Ontario. In Virginia, we will still be out of school and in the thick of vacation travel. In Ontario, students will be returning to school that Monday the 23rd of August so vacations will have ended and the weekend used in getting things in order for the new school year.
The purpose of the community service is to show the community what we intend to establish in that area. Mass publicity will be key but nothing as effective and our efforts in finding one of two families we can bring to that service with us. Fair Oaks Church and Pastor Stokes will be there in full support and work force. It is our intention to reproduce Fair Oaks Church for a day. This means we will have a full band, children ministry, greeters and cafe, youth emphasis and all the other wonderful full ministry options our home church offers. What does that mean for you? If you are a part of any of these ministries, you will translate that for that service in Toronto. Regardless of your niche in ministry, you will be used in this service in Toronto.
What is the theme for that week? I am using a concept and message series Pastor Stokes preached back in 2006 called Church, Why Bother? This series has been on my heart before the PIVOT Meeting (vision casting meeting) we had at Fair Oaks Church in January this year. We are all about reaching the unchurched/unsaved community and this is the question they are asking. Where America has a rich protestant heritage, Canada has an established church background which means they are stooped in ritual, formal church history that has left them empty and asking the question, "Church,Why Bother?" Makes sense, right?
After the week is complete, we will have even more to do! What I am talking about is the follow up. If you are unable to come during the week of the 16th - 21st, why not come for the Sunday service on the 22nd to attend and help, then stay for the week following August 23 - 28th to reach out to the people who attended that service and help us get them plugged into growth groups and meetings that will follow the campaign as we organize the church and set our Launch Day for later in November or December. On this Launch Day, we will communicate effectively with Fair Oaks Church and figure out who would like to take a shorter weekend trip to work with us that weekend and complete the history of a church plant in Toronto.
Here is what I need everyone to join with me in prayer about:
- That our publicity and canvasing will yield huge results
- That 100 or more people from Fair Oaks Church will set aside time to take this trip
- That we find unique and creative ways to share the gospel to the Toronto culture
- That we find the right spot to hold our community service
- That we have a spirit-filled service free of complications or demonic attack
- That we are left with a core group of 100 people ready to begin the church
The Dowdy family is getting ready to go and I encourage them, sweet daughters and wife, as I encourage you to surrender to the call. Jesus addressed this issue when he said, "whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it." I know the context applies to salvation but I absolutely believe it can apply to our commitment to Christ. I am tired of being a saver; I want to be a loser. Maybe that doesn't sound just right but be a loser with me, won't ya?!! Come on this adventure to Toronto, Vision Toronto!
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