Acts 16:5

” So the churches were strengthened in faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” ESV

This is our prayer and desire for the city of Chicago. That God would add to the number of His church daily. This prayer was answered recently. A close friend of ours has recently come to know Christ as his Saviour and has become a member of Christ’s body. Rachel and I have been praying for this friend for 5 or 6 years. God is faithful always and when we are faithful He will add to His church.

This friend just gets it. It is clear that the Holy Spirit is working in his life and he is already a changed man. Thank you Lord, you are faithful and just and good. This friend gathers with us on Wednesday nights and we have been so encouraged in doing the work God has set before us.

Rachel and I believe that Acts 16:5 is possible today, that God can add to our number daily and we pray and ask God for the lives of our friends and family and for the entire city to fall on it’s knees and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Please pray with us for this. The people we encounter and the people in Chicago need the peace and joy that only Christ can give. God can and is doing it, let’s be faithful servants and work together to accomplish this goal.

Well the day finally came. We had our first gathering on November 9th. As Rachel and I got ready to host this gathering we were stressed and nervous. But God in His goodness reminded us that He is in control. He brought the group together, He is doing the work and He is the leader of this gathering, not me! I love that. All Rachel and I have to do is obey. Knowing this brings us to a place of peace, confidence and joy. God is going to do this work and we are willing and ready to be used as He sees fit.

Our first gathering went well, there were a few people who could not make it, and we look forward to next week when the whole group will be present. Something that has been very encouraging to Rachel and I as we start this group has been Acts 2. Encouraging and very challenging.

Acts 2: 42-47

” And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any has need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

What a beautiful picture! Rachel and I believe that this is possible and relevant for today. That the Lord can add daily those who are being saved. No matter how different things are in our culture today our Lord is the same. Praise God!

Matthew 16:18

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

 God is doing this work and nothing can stop it.

November is just around the corner. We have big plans to see our ministry grow in people and in funding. It will be a year that I have apprenticed with the underground network in November. And what an exciting and hopeful year it has been. Through my entire apprenticeship I have set November as the date to start a family of faith in our home. And November is only two weeks away.

Rachel and I have been praying for God to lead people to our gathering who desire a close relationship with Him and a close relationship with His Church. God has faithfully brought people to mind and quite literally to our front door. Rachel has been praying for specific names of people who God put on her heart. Since Rachel started praying God has worked in the hearts of these people. They have gone from adamantly against it to desiring to be a part of our gathering.

This month has been a struggle for Rachel and I. As we look forward to a November we have come under a lot of spiritual attack. October has been a trying month, but God is good. He is faithful and in the midst of these trials He has shown us areas where we need healing in our lives. Healing and growing can be painful, but Rachel and I trust God and we know that this is Him preparing us for what we are starting in the coming weeks. Intimacy with God and His Church is a threat to the evil one and we are excited to be a part of it. God is in control and we put our lives in His hands and our hopeful for November, knowing that at the end of this pain and work God is doing we will be better equipped to do the work He has set before us.

Please Pray:

• That financial support would come in.
• That God would continue to guide us with who to invite to our ministry.
• That God would lead those He desires to come and join with us.
• That God would bring up more people in this city to love Him and help serve Chicago.

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