We are officially wrapping up the second full week of the Fall! As we experience the beautiful changing of the colors around us, the cool breezes, and pumpkin flavored everything(!), we wanted to reflect a bit on some of the beautiful things God made happen in our midst during this summer. Here are some pieces from our end-of-summer newsletter sent out a bit ago. Celebrate with us!
1) ONE Baptism: Our neighbor, Ben, received Jesus at our July 4th Pancake Breakfast and Parade! We had the biggest and most fun July 4th Celebration yet. The best part was that the Holy Spirit healed one of our neighbor's backs after Jordan prayed for her---and then another neighbor, Ben, gave his life to Jesus. Click here to watch a 30-second clip of the baptism: https://youtu.be/pFV4C3F_1xw
2) TWO of our Antioch students finished their first year of studies and practicums: Mark and Michelle have been engaging training in Church leadership through the Antioch School right here at the Boiler Room---they are getting married TODAY---and they're dreaming together about planting a missional community in the near future and how they might utilize their passions in gardening, family, physical projects, etc. We are so thankful for these two. Multiply your Kingdom, Jesus!
3) THREE weeks of prayer during 2016: We finished out three different weeks of prayer in a series with the themes of Pray Always, Pursue Shalom, and Love Boldly. We also coached a team of Calvin students through hosting a 24-7 prayer tent and did a City-Wide Prayer Bike Ride called RIDE GR. One woman who rode with us on the prayer ride, and who grew up on the West Side, celebrated with us afterward that it was the first time she'd ever prayed out loud with a group of people in her life!
4) FOUR interns finished strong this July after giving themselves to a full year of laying foundations of discipleship and mission in their lives. Dan and Eddie managed a community garden project with the Other Way together and made sustainable improvements to the Love Feast meals. Renee hosted soaking worship nights in the garage after Love Feasts this summer. Rebecca has pursued and walked with several young girls in our neighborhood during Love Feast meals and is moving into a house with some other young women on the West Side in order to living intentionally together. Eddie is continuing for a second year in order to pursue a dream of working with kids and being part of a team to plant a missional community. We are so proud of each of them!
5) Neighborhood Picnics on FIFTH Street: We were delighted for an opportunity to team up with the St. Adalbert's Catholic Basilica across the street from us to host some big neighborhood picnics in the park (during our regular Love Feast time). We have been so blessed to get to know some of the parishioners and clergy who have a heart for prayer, the lost, and are open to working together as God's Church in the neighborhood. Partnership and church unity is GOOD!
