The question everyone is asking us is: “How is it going?”
Sometimes the life that you see changed is your own. Sometimes it’s the life of your fellow church planter. Sometimes it’s the life of the person you’ve just met or the neighbor across the street. Here are the lives that God is changing-
Students
We’re seeing more students on campus come around to what has now become two different Bible studies. One young woman named Sophie even came to house church! Our efforts on campus were bolstered by two spring break teams that came to labor with and for us. One group came from our sending church in Ames and another trekked in all the way from Purdue University in Indiana. These teams were a huge encouragement to us and resulted in those new folks joining the Bible studies and a new couple coming to our house church.
Neighbors
Personally, my family and I have connected with our neighbors across the street from us. They have been friendly and we have jumped in to serve them by snow blowing their massive driveway and cleaning up a mess of downed limbs on their property. We also had them over for coffee, scones and a chance to share what we’re doing here on a church plant. I think it weirds them out quite a bit so we’re taking it slow and building towards a full explanation of how we feel that our Christianity should be lived out and how that’s different from the Christianity that they grew up with and see around them. They’ve been burned by the church and it shows.
Church Planters
A few Sundays ago we were “sent” by our other sponsor church, Evergreen up in Lakeville. My co-pastor Charlie has pastored there for 20 years and therefore it was an emotional time as his church said goodbye for now. Our team has been weighted a bit towards the Iowa side for a while and we’ll be getting several more from Iowa as well as a bunch more from Lakeville and the Twin Cities area. I admire these church planters as they step out in faith and endure hardship just like Christians from the book of Acts. They are growing toward God and they are growing toward one another. It’s marvelous to see!
Our Lives
Let’s just say that we’re taking it a day at a time. Our house is still under construction, many of our belongings are still in boxes and we are still building our routine and daily structure. We’re getting done what needs to be done and there isn’t much time or space for anything beyond that.
This is stretching our faith and teaching us once again that we need to rely on God. He’s got this and he knows what we need to do next. If we rely on him we can do what he tells us to do and have peace knowing that what hasn’t gotten done – well, it just doesn’t need to get done right now.
Kiddos
Our kids are tons of fun! God is moving each of them along through life and we get to be an active part of it! Sign for our email list for more details on how the family is doing. >> https://paulandchristie.org/contact/
We are gifted by God with our family, our church, and all that he has given us!
Thank you for being a part of God’s blessing in our lives!
Please let us know how we can be praying for you as well!
Much Love in Christ,
The Johnsons