a month before the move

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now begun our final approach into Tampa." So fitting that the final words of my flight to Tampa resonate in my head as I am currently thining of the next months details.

Excitement and anxiety create tension in my life right now. There is much excitement for what God will do through this ministry Yet the there is a lot of anxiety to as we continue to approach the fund-raising and staff recruitment process.

I am thankful we have a God who wants to carry our burdens and concerns. It is part of my relationship with Him that I continue to work on each day.

One of the ways God encourages us to hand over our concerns, outside of prayer, is to share them with our brothers and sisters. So can I share with you? I need you to pray about our landing and life in Tampa.

First, we have found a place to live. We have also found a house. We feel we know the schools well and the area. Pray that we would be able to secure the housing we have looked at and our move would go smoothly at the end of December.

Second, pray for staffing. I have met with several inividuals who are considering coming with us. Some for children's minsitry and others for music ministry. Pray God put's a burden on their heart for something great in Tampa.

Last of all, pray for the findraising. It has been slow going and we need some major affirmation financially. The security and development of our team is really determined by the underwriting of our finances. There will be conferences and training to attend. We want our staff to have the best and many opportunities to grow. Pray that partners continue to be raised up who can underwrite what we are stepping out to do.

Well, we are almost 30 days out. Better get ready to move, our plane is about ready to land. Take care and God bless - Danny

New friend and similiar heartbeat

Do you ever have those moments that seem to be coincidental but are really encouragements from God? (Don't start the prodinence of God sermon. I recognize it as that.) I had one of those today. I was in the warehouse - a student union of sorts here at LCC - and met a ministry group who was heading to Indianapolis for the National Missionary Convention.

The ministry is called "The Pearl." (www.denverpearl.org) They are very similiar to who we are becoming and potentially going to be. (Now I say that as far as in similarity, but we are not an established entity yet. They are who they are and we will be who God has called us to be.) They are an ancient future, multi-ethnic, and urban restart. Sound familiar?

I am shocked the deeper I get into this church plantes role at how many people are going back to the city. Yet I am even more shocked on how few people really know about it. They are doing a lot of the things we are looking to do. They have re-embraced their community and restarted a church to meet the very community around them. What an encouragement and inspiration! Real urban warriors reclaiming the streets for His glory.

If you would, take a moment and go to www.denverpearl.org and check them out. The least/ most we could all do is pray for them.

By the way - they will be at the National Missionary Convention this weekend. (Nov. 17-19) Oh - and so will The Tampa Project. We will be in the student section recruiting mission trips and partners!

Take care!