Looking Ahead

Columbia is a ghost town once again. It's been nearly a week since the mass exodus of students from our town, since the last pen stroke of a test was given or the button of a keyboard pressed for the final paper due. It's a time to recollect, set myself before the Lord and look ahead at what's to come. Then, of course, there are the holidays. This week has been a little slower as I've met up with old friends and begun to lay out this break. Lots of things are going to be changing once January 1st hits and it's good to take a little time to brace for it and prepare myself for where God is taking me.

We've recently been having conversations about the future, finances and all that good stuff. Last summer, I quit my second job and pursued support raising once again in response to where God called me to trust in him. I was able to increase my hours at The Rock reasonably and with Aimee taking up her teaching job, we seemed set for the semester. That being the case, within the past couple of weeks, we've taken a look at what needs to happen next semester and have been laboring in prayer as to what to do. What direction is God taking me, vocationally? Where are my hours going to go? How can we begin to prepare for a family and a house, if that's where God is leading us? What will we be doing this summer?

So it seems that once again, it's time for me to increase my paid hours at The Rock. To do this, I will continue my journey building a team of financial supporters for GCM while lightening my load at The Rock. Honestly, it feels very daunting at times and I wonder if God will provide. It unleashes loads of fears and insecurities for me. It's an internal battle that resurfaces because, despite having nearly 40 regular financial partners, I begin to hear lies that no one cares about college ministry and certainly not for me.

Yet God's spirit comforts me and gives me and my wife a resolve that will carry us through. He shows that the heaviness I can feel about support raising is liken to the ever-uphill battle of bringing the Gospel to the University of Missouri students. He shows me that the lies I hear about people giving money parallel the ones about students giving serious consideration that Christ wants to save their soul and become king in their lives. God has called me to be a pastor and, more importantly, a servant of Christ Jesus. Each time I take a step back I see again with clarity the dire need for servants to be on this campus. I look ahead at the future of The Rock and see that God has called me to continue, to grow, to lead, to serve here until I might pastor a church of my own some day.

So if you are reading this, please labor with me in prayer for next semester. Specifically, be praying in these ways:

• That I might reach a monthly support goal of $1000 by May
• That Aimee and I would be united and trusting in the Lord's provision
• That I can continue to do ministry well at The Rock while being faithful to making trips for support raising.
• That God will expand the team in his timing and purpose.

I praise God for those of you who give, encourage and pray fervently for our ministry at Mizzou. Thank you for your support and God bless.

Chris

November 2011 Prayer Letter

Better late than never! This month, I've reflected on some things worth being thankful for. Also, there is an appeal that I'd like you to prayerfully consider - giving a special end-of-the-year gift. To do so, please go to gcmweb.org/give. Thank you for your prayers, support and giving.

Have a great week,
Chris

Worship Team Growth

Part of my role this year has been in growing our Worship Ministry. What exactly does that look like?

 It looks like conducting auditions and adding new members. We've have six new members added to our team this year. This brings new life to our group, ensuring that we'll be stable in the future as older members graduate and move on. It brings new opportunities to minister to these students and puts them in a position to grow as worshipers.

It looks like meeting with the worship leaders and challenging them to look into new music this year and raise the bar on how we analyze and introduce new songs into our collection. This leads to leaders filtering through what songs they choose and encourages them to be purposeful with how they lead our church. It also pushes them to expand their creative limits in worship.

It looks like challenging members who aren't living up to the commitment they signed up for. This leads to our members recognizing that we value them and our roles as worshipers enough to pursue integrity and to walk through that with them.

It looks like having gatherings with the team three times a semester. This leads to a tight-knit community within our team and ensures that members are on board with the direction of the team and have a venue to voice concerns.

It looks like sitting with Andrew, who leads the team, and having conversations about where we are going as a team. This leads to us aiding worship leaders, musicians and singers in their musical development and discipleship as they become more involved with the team.

October 2011 Prayer Letter

Hey everyone!

I just sent out my latest prayer letter with updates about our Fall Retreat, Axis, Worship Team Auditions and The Rock's Tenth Anniversary Homecoming! What is Axis, you say? Well you'll have to read it to find out!

Take care and see you in November?
Chris

Supporter Breakfast: November 5th

Click to view the invitation full size!
Please RSVP by emailing me to let you know if you can make it. I hope I'll get to see you there.

God bless,
Chris