Year End and New Beginning

Me with my boss, Church Development Director Rev. John Pethtel

A merry Christmas to you! I hope you are enjoying this season of celebrating the coming of our Savior Jesus both long ago and soon.

Seventh Day Baptist Center, Janesville, Wisconsin

First, the big news. As of January 1, 2020, I will be employed part-time by the Seventh Day Baptist Conference, rather than self-employed and supported by donations. (Still based in Colorado.)

My work in Church Development will be much the same, maintaining our central database and responding to new inquiries about SDBs. I am currently seeking a second part-time job in order to have a full-time income.

Many of you have been praying for me since I began this ministry journey in July 2013 and I am SO thankful for you! I could not have done it without your prayers. 

I also praise God for my team of faithful monthly supporters, and all who contributed financially from time to time. Thank you for believing in me and my work. My sending church has also been important to my ability to serve and I thank them for that support (Frontier Church, formerly the Boulder SDB Church), as well as the SDB Missionary Society.

If you are able to give a “bonus” gift in December, that will help me tremendously as I start the New Year. Please direct checks to “Frontier Church – Carbon Valley”, PO Box 67, Dacono CO 80514. 

You can also give through the SDB Missionary Society, 129 Main St, #156, Ashaway RI 02804. They will continue to partner with the Conference to support my work in church planting and revitalization. (http://sdbmissions.org/donate/)

In either case, include a note with my name as the designated purpose.

 

 

Frontier Church finished our booth ministry for the year on October 25^th at the Frederick farmer’s market. Kids and adults enjoyed tossing beanbags into our Corn Hole boards to win treats. We gave away many good books from the church library (downsizing) as well as tracts and Bibles. Pastor Steve wore a bat costume for the autumn theme! 

In November, we joined with New Horizons Christian Church to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys and food boxes to many in the Carbon Valley area. We’ll do that with Christmas food boxes, too.

Thanksgiving Food Box Distribution

 

I was blessed to attend the MULTIPLY conference in Colorado Springs in November, along with 24 other SDBs. It was exciting to hear Pastor John Pethtel speak on the need to increase our sending capacity – willingly send out our best workers for the Kingdom and not hoard them. 

He also led a session for just our SDB cohort on overcoming obstacles to church growth. It was very challenging to be told we should think about future leadership needs before the current pastor leaves. “Have a 25-year vision.” “Who is needed for the next phase?” “Invest in the next generation of leadership.” Please consider attending MULTIPLY next year!

Pastor Nate Crandall brought the Word Sabbath morning

 

Sabbath afternoon at the Garden of the Gods

 

It can be hard to meet and “love your neighbor” when people are so busy. One idea to try is organizing potlucks every month or two. I’ve been doing that for a little over a year, the most recent right after Thanksgiving. 

Not too many come but it is helping a few of us develop deeper relationships and even talk about spiritual things. They know I’m a resource if they need help, and I rely on them to help me, too.

I am thankful to be near my son and his wife not only to spend time with the two little granddaughters but to be a support to them as parents. Paul recently had minor surgery and I was able to help out with meals and childcare. 

God gave us families (including church families) to be there for each other, among other reasons, and I am glad! We will soon be doing a Christmas sing-along together for elderly residents of St. Vrain Manor, as we did last year.

 

Leading the carols at St. Vrain Manor, 2018

“Frontier Church – Carbon Valley, a Ministry of Seventh Day Baptists” is getting ready to officially launch on January 4, 2020. We appreciate your prayers as we put all our energy into being effective at making new disciples. 

We are streamlining what we do, even though it’s hard to let some things go. Pastor Steve Osborn is leading us, assisted by Pastor Chris Galarneau. I am serving on the PULSE team that is helping us transition to the new focus.

Pastor Chris Galarneau bringing the morning message

Pastor Steve Osborn teaching the Bible class

Prayer Requests:

• Praise God for His faithful provision during the past 6 years and His plans to use me in future.
• For just the right second job where I can serve well and point others to new life in Christ.
• For me as I mentor a few people to grow in their walk with Christ; others in our church doing this also.
• For Frontier Church as we prepare for greater mission in 2020.
• For SDBs to dedicate themselves even more to gospel work, for the good of the Kingdom and our churches, and to the glory of God.

This is my final newsletter. Thank you for enabling me to serve the Lord in this way!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Morning walk to the west with Long's Peak in view. 😀