Prayer Requests

Updated May 24, 2011

Clear Vision
I have my dream of a transformative community development, but it must be guided by God if it is to be truly transformative. I need to keep my eye on the big picture while building into the people. Both need clear direction. In the next months I will be having lots of conversations and even more prayer on just what God would have happen in and around Wauconda.

Please pray that I hear God clearly and follow without hesitation. Pray for visionary partners.

Finances
Prayerfully consider how God would have you partner with me, whether it is financially or in other ways. God has a plan and simply asks us to be obedient to his guiding. I need real partners who believe in the mission of serving those in need and who have a heart to see holistic development grow.

Please pray that God calls more people to partner financially with me on a monthly basis and brings supplement income. Pray for those who have already given so generously.

ANSWERED PRAYER: I was able to pick up some clients over the last few months that have helped cover basic expenses of rent, etc. Just recently I was hired to work with a business that wants to grow in order to more effectively help people. Pay from this job will go toward covering my student loans that have been deferred. Continued support is still needed to expand what God would do here, but I’m excited for the opportunities presented so far!

Relationships
Other believers have joined the work of relationship building! Momentum is growing. Now events and projects that foster relationship need to be planned but not to the exclusion of that driving force of relationship. Keep in mind that the key to community development is people and building them up. Without real relationship, any events will be a failure.

Please pray for me and the team as we grow these relationships and as God opens the doors for help and discipleship.

Mobilizing
Mobilizing the Church to transform lives and communities is not just the mission of  Love In the Name of Christ but mine as well. Talking with people, small groups, classes and churches is a component of God’s calling. As God opens the door, I plan to make this a regular part of my schedule.

Please pray God opens the doors to helping others live in mission and grow in faith. Pray for me as I preach.

Inside/Out
Inside/Out Kids Ministry works with immigrant and inner city elementary age children out of Iglesia Emanuel in Waukegan. As one of the team leaders, it is my responsibility to bring in volunteers and other workers to assist with the Tuesday evening program. I love these kids and people. I want others to know how special they are. If you want to experience another culture in your backyard, I can make that possible.

Please pray for volunteers and people with a heart for immigrants and inner city children.

YBS
Youth Bible Study happens each Monday night with a group of Middle and High School students in Wauconda. They come from different church backgrounds, but each has a heart to know the Bible and to put their faith to work. We have a meal, study the Bible and, as opportunity allows, I bring them into mission with me. I consider these students to be real partners in mission.

Please pray for these students and what God would do in and through them. Pray for more students and leaders to share this passion.

Forge Chicago Residency
The people in Forge Chicago’s NW Cluster are passionate about reaching others for Christ. Heath & Charis work in their Grayslake neighborhood, reaching their neighbors in powerful ways. Their kids are an integral part of the mission. Jeff & Angela lead a church birthed in the homeless community in Elgin. They pour themselves into the lives of these forgotten ones. Both  are bi-vocational with young children. These families are working together to bring the gospel in unconventional ways to people outside the walls of conventional church. Each time we meet, I learn something more about how to reach my own community.

Please pray that God opens our eyes and ears to His mission and to the vision He has for us where we are. Pray for Heath & Charis and Jeff & Angela, and their children.

Answered Prayers:

Woodland Village has an apartment opening up for rent! I think this would be a great situation as it would get me into the village but also leave me with flexibility in the long term. I’ve not seen the place so I have no idea of its condition, but that is not something I’m overly concerned with. The manager and I have a good relationship, but employment and financial issues will play a factor in whether I can get in there.

Please pray God leads in this and gives me favor. I GOT IN! Prayer Answer: YES! 8/25/10