Monday, September 30, 2013

Update #4 - Our Team

God is cray-cray.
I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. I mean it in a mind blowing way.

God's calling us to plant a church. That's a crazy thing to write, but it's more crazy to think about. 

I know it doesn't make sense that God would use us, however, we know the God of the universe is calling us to plant a church. We are called labor in this harvest (Matthew 9:36-38). 

harvest
God's laid another passage of Scripture from James 4:13-17 on my heart. The last verse is extremely poignant: "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

God has called us to plant a local church as part of His Church. Some may question that, which is fine. But, we know what God's asking us to do, and we know it is the right thing to do.

For us not to plant a church would be sin.

OUR TEAM
For the mission God has called us to we are in need of help. God has called us to plant a church that is focused on Biblical, Gospel Centered teaching. He's also burdened our hearts to be a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and inter-generational community that show the world what unconditional love looks like.

We need courageous people willing to do one of three things (or two...or even all three). We need people, who we are calling prayer partners, to PRAY for this church plant (even in its fledgling stages) and our family. We also need people, financial partners, to GIVE financially to the ministry and calling God has placed on our lives. Finally, we need people, mission partners, to GO with us where this plant will be (Charleston, Chattanooga or the metro-Atlanta area).

Here's a brief idea of what each involves:

PRAYER PARTNERS
James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." We know that prayer is powerful, yet it is often the most underestimated, underutilized and undervalued part of ministry. We need people who will go before God on behalf of us, our ministry, and the people we will impact. We are going into a war hotspot against the enemy for the hearts and souls of people who desperately need Jesus. Will you commit to joining our team as a prayer partner?

FINANCIAL PARTNERS
We need people to give financially. I really believe this is true, because it's true in our life. People need to give more than we need to receive. We are being obedient to the Lord's calling on our lives, and inherent in that call is the need for financial partners. So, there are people who need to give to what the Lord has called us to do out of obedience to God. That's why I'm asking people to join our team financially.

Having people contribute to our ministry will allow us to do the ministry work God has called us to do now, and when we leave FBC and plant this church. For this next year we need 30 people to commit to give $100 every month. If that's not something you can do, another amount the Lord puts on your heart would be a blessing as well. This is what God has called us to do, and we must do it.

You can give to fellowship Bible Church and designate it to "Brett Durham" or "Church Planting Resident Brett Durham." You can send hard copy checks to Fellowship Bible Church, 480 West Crossville Road, Roswell, Georgia  30075, or you can give online (FBC) or through a paypal account (paypal). Would you commit to joining our team as a financial partner?

MISSION PARTNER
This one is a bit difficult at the moment since we do not have a destination solidified yet. But, we are looking for people who will do life with us. We need people committed to the ministry of evangelism and discipleship. We need people committed to loving people unconditionally. We need people committed to the vision God has given us for this church plant. We need people willing to die for the cause of Christ (sounds harsh, but this is a spiritual war and we need to lay it all on the line).

So, if you are interested in being a part of a church plant in and around the NW metro-Atlanta area, the Eastside of Atlanta, Charleston or Chattanooga areas, please let us know and we'll share more about the vision God has placed on our hearts. Would you commit to joining our team as a mission partner?

As you prayerfully consider joining our team, we would love to meet with each of you individually and discuss what God's doing in your life. Please let me know the best way to reach you, and I will set something up with you.

Also, if you have questions about anything I've mentioned, or would like more information please don't hesitate to ask or contact me. You can comment here, email (bedurham@gmail.com) or call me.

Thanks for taking the time to read the whole thing and prayerfully consider being part of what God's going to do.

Together In Him,
Brett & Holly Durham

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