This past weekend two of our GCs, one from Ravenswood and one from Lincoln Square, came together to throw a pumpkin carving, chili eating, party. It was awesome to see people from various parts of the city connect…and to see 45 people crammed into one apartment. Ha!
The win? New friendships were formed. The lesson? People are hungry for community…so use the space God has given you to create it.
Life has a rhythm of its own, and much of it seems to be the enjoyment of one season to the next. One of the most popular seasons in Chicago, like most places, is the fall. At the heart of this season here isn’t pumpkin spice lattes, cool nights, or even the changing colors of the trees…but Halloween. It’s amazing…I have never seen anywhere get so jazzed about Halloween. To join in on the fun, one of our GCs helped a group of middle-schoolers create a haunted house for the neighborhood. Needless to say…these were great times!
Eric Staples, one of our community leaders in West Town, recently wrote a short piece on his journey of faith and work. With a heart to see the Gospel spread through everyday life…this story hits home!
Check it out at: http://missiodeichicago.com/index.php/component/content/article/11-resources/103-pulse-issue-october-19-2012
People partnering together for the work of the kingdom is a beautiful thing. After hearing the story of MissioDei and how the mission of Jesus is being carried out through her, Russ Johnson (one of our pastors/elders), was invited to share with the students enrolled in Wheaton’s Masters of Evangelism and Leadership course. Through God’s grace our church has begun a new relationship with Wheaton’s grad-school which has opened doors for students to come intern/learn with the family of MissioDei.
As a church we have experienced the beauty of the Gospel and the freedom to join GOD as He makes all things new. Today we continue to both learn and teach the call of Jesus’ mission on all of our lives, and how every follower of Jesus gets to make disciples, baptize them, and help them follow Jesus.
This video from some of our brothers and sisters in Austin captures this journey so well.
This past week, one of our GCs had the kids and parents over from the football team where one of our leaders serves as a volunteer coach. The turn out was great, and Jaylin, one of our players here, made sure he brought some fun to the party.
Who wouldn’t want to hang out with this kid?
Last night one of our members bought jerseys for the Hamilton Middle-School football team! Screen printing them was a blast. Students were so excited to receive them this morning…naturally they put them on immediately:-)
Over the past few days our pastoral team attended the City Collective in NYC to connect with fellow leaders from around the world. Naturally, we heard some amazing stories of God’s grace. One story particular came from an Irish brother who shared about the healing work of the Gospel in his country…one sign being how this past Good Friday, both Protest and Catholic believers alike, gathered by the hundreds to pray together in Dublin for the good of their fellow-country men.
Good times this past weekend at the retreat.
In the Scriptures we learn that rest is not only needed, it is commanded. To understand why it is so important is not something you can learn in a study, but rather something you just have to practice. Today the men in our church our heading to Lake Geneva to do just that. Our plan… relax, unwind, pray, connect, eat, laugh, play football, dig into the Word, and encourage one another.
