Friday, April 5, 2013

Following a Follower

We are followers of Jesus Christ.  Pattie and I are in Denver because we have followed the leading of our King here.  We are where we are because God has led us there.  We are always on the move because God is on the move.  Here's an update for those of you who want to follow this follower.

Since moving into The Nines on Jan 1 of this year, we have been diligently seeking people who would want to partner with us in this ministry.  Our goal was to raise $2000/month in support by the end of March.  God has been good.  We have been graciously received by all who have given us an audience.  As of the end of March, we have 2 churches, The Pointe in Canton, GA and the West Normandy Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, who have embraced us as their missionaries.  Fourteen individuals have generously partnered with us with monthly support.  Four other individuals have given generous one time gifts toward our ministry.  Four others have expressed desire to partner but have not committed to an amount as yet.  Dozens have partnered with us in prayer.  That brings our totals to 20 financial partners and almost $1400/month.  The work is not done but we thank God for you and your partnership and am confident that God has the other $600/month in store for us.

While we have been traveling and raising support, God has been on the move in The Nines.  We see Him at work in the lives of individuals and in the community itself.  Here are three brief stories that happened in Feb and March:
  • I reported to you in Feb about a deadly shooting that occurred in the Globeville community which is one of The Nines.  A young mother shot and killed two of her children and critically wounded a third before turning the gun on herself.  Our church sprang into action in the form of prayer that opened the door to hospital visits to the wounded child and the grieving family.  The child is recovering and the hospital staff is calling it a miracle.  The grandmother prayed with one of our elders to receive Christ.  God be praised!  I wrote in more detail about this story in my blog.  Check it out here: http://rbrim.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-miracle-favors-prepared-team.html
  • Last year we (Providence Bible Church) found out about a vacant building owned by the City of Denver which they were giving away to a non-profit organization that would best use it to serve the community.  We joined with a few of our community partners to form the Globeville Community Center and submitted a proposal.  Eight other non-profits submitted proposals but the city chose ours.  In March of this year, the city officially sold the $450,000 building to us for $10.  I call that God’s favor!  God is opening the Kingdom in Globeville.
  • A memorial dinner was held on March 19 on the one year anniversary of the death of a young man named De'Quan who was killed in a gang shooting on the corner of the block where my pastor lives. God specializes in bringing life out of death.  His death made us more committed to starting a youth ministry in The Nines.  After some failed attempts, the Fellows kicked off our youth ministry in Feb called “New Reality.”   We have 20 students attending.  Also, we started working with gang members more intentionally and, this month, had 13 gangsters in Bible Study. Praise Him!
Here are some prayer requests:
  1. Rayanne has been experiencing a debilitating health issue.  Last August, she began passing out everyday several times a day.  It was attributed to low blood pressure.  She was given medicine to raise her blood pressure and the fainting stopped.  The last 2 weeks the fainting has begun again.  Saturday night she passed out in the bathroom, hit her head and caused a concussion.  We are told that this is not a rare problem in women her age and that she will get through it.  The falling is the dangerous part.  From slipping on the ice to fainting, she has had 2 concussions and a broken arm in March.  Pray that this will get resolved.
  2. Pray that we will finish our support raising by the end of April.  There is much to do in The Nines and completing this part will allow us to be more present here.  I am praying for at least 10 more partners.
  3. I am recovering from a knee surgery on March 26.  All is well and should be able to return to full duty at the airport in 6-8 weeks.  Pray all goes well.
  4. Health and support are our main concerns this month.  We have exciting ministry opportunities ahead of us when we get past these obstacles.  I will share with you next month what is on the immediate horizon.
Do not hesitate to send us requests, concerns, needs of your own that we can bring before our Father.  He is rich in mercy and has inexhaustible resources for every and all needs.  As it is in heaven, let it be on earth!