New Wine Report - Nov. 2008

October was a special month on several levels for which we give thanks to the Lord.  First our newest Cell group in Davison (East of Flint) has had several visitors in its first few gatherings.  They meet in the library/chapel room of a senior housing building. Having posted some notices after their first week of gathering, the cell doubled in size the next week with 6 resident visitors.  Three have continued to come on a regular basis.  One of the new people is an elderly woman whose husband was a pastor.  She does not say much, but my can she pray!  Our dear sister cannot get out to church on Sundays, but makes her way down the hall for Wednesday night.   Their newest visitor is an answer to prayer.  A relative of one of  our members, he came to participate in a study based on Tony Dungy's book "Quiet Strength".

Last month one of our families hosted a young adult group.  We had 6 young people attend a home group using an Inter Varsity booklet "Affirming the Will of God" by Paul Little.  This led into some great discussion and learning and the group will continue to meet this month looking at the apostle Paul's first letter to Timothy.  Like most of our Cell groups, several of the participants are not members of our fellowship, but attend different churches.  We see the Lord using us to help people grow no matter where they belong (Kingdom growth) and not worry so much about "church growth."  We have already seen how this mindset has produced fruit in churches other than our own!

Beth and Rob Robertson and I had a chance to go as a team to minister in Waterford, Canada last weekend.  Only a 3 1/2 hour drive away, we spent Saturday night and Sunday morning with the people of St. Barnabas Anglican Mission.  They were celebrating their 2nd year as a mission.  We shared how God was working in us and challenging us to think about pouring ourselves into a "new wineskin" (Matt. 9:17)  For us this means building a relationship-based ministry where everyone in our fellowship is growing in a small group or cell.  The cells all gather on Sunday around the table to share testimony of what God is doing, pray, worship and break bread.

Just as we were leaving we were asked to visit a member of  St. B's who was sick and unable to come to worship.  As I shared communion and anointed our new friend with oil,  Rob shared a very powerful word of encouragement with him.  I almost wonder if the "unexpected" side trip was the main reason we were to be in Waterford that day.  I felt so honored to minister with Rob and Beth.  We really felt like missionaries. 

We continue to look for opportunities for our small groups to minister together to each other and the world around us.  Pray that we might see the opportunities He is giving us.  On November 15th (Saturday) we are having Brad Culver back for a teaching on how we can help others grow spiritually more effectively.  Once again he will be sharing out of the Celtic model of ministry and mentoring.  For anyone who is near us please join us at no charge from 10am to 2pm.  Also Andy Piercy will help lead worship during our time and teach on leading worship and helping people enter into the Lord's presence.  (from 2-4pm)

The family is doing well though Jenny, who lives in Nashville, is having some oral surgery very soon.  Pray for a successful operation and a fast recovery.

We count our blessings daily in our work for the Lord,

Dave+ and Deb