By this time next year, I believe at least 100 orphans from the Colorado foster system will be adopted into families at New Life Church. This will be the beginning of our church rediscovering God’s heart for the poor, the widows and the orphans. In fact, I believe that across America, the local church is about to rise up and take responsibility for the poor of our cities and communities. I can sense that a new awakening is happening in the hearts of believers. Our mission is about to become clearer and more defined than ever.
New Life is no different than many congregations. We have immediate needs for new staff and we need immediate repairs for many parts of our campus. It is so easy, though, to focus so much on buildings and ministries that we forget the real reason for church in the first place. In Acts 2 and Acts 4, the recipe for church was simple – meet together, worship together, honor the sacraments of communion and baptism, teach scripture, pray fervently and bring offerings so that the needs of people could be met. I am not opposed to building buildings or repairing old ones. We just cannot lose our focus in the process.
In two weeks, we are receiving a special offering to renovate our campus. But, we are also setting aside 20% of everything we receive to renovate our community and to help the poor and needy. It helps us stay focused on the real mission. I am excited about this new awakening that is happening at New Life and around the country. The church is to be salt and light and I am convinced more than ever that many congregations, including New Life, are on the threshold of unprecedented influence. Let’s get back to the original recipe of local church and allow God’s glory to spread throughout the earth.
November 11, 2008 at 10:18 am
Brother Brady:
Daniel 2:19-20(NIV)(19) During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven (20) and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.”
May the Name of our Lord Jesus forever be lifted up in Worship and Praise.
Just wanted to say Thank You for myself and all Veterans (still Active Duty, Retired, or those that have paid the ultimate price), and our families, for New Life’s continued support and encouragement. The Vet’s Tribute this weekend was a Blessing in and of the Lord’s handiwork. Thank you.
Also, Thank You, Sir, for your passion and openess to the leading of His Spirit in your life and your Leadership, via His Counsel of New Life Church. Cindy (my lovely wife of 29 years) and I deeply appreciate and encourage you to carry on with the Vision the Father has placed within you.
We don’t know yet where the Lord’s moving us to help with the new projects (Foster Children/Orphans; Renovate…), but we do know the Spirit is stirring the waters within us. Thank you for your prayers.
Brother, know that you, the New Life Staff, our Christian Family, and the lost of our world who have yet to meet our Savior are ever and always in our thoughts and prayers.
Thanks again,
God Bless You, New Life Church and God Bless America,
jaj
Lt Col Jeffery A. Johnson, USAF
November 11, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I am in my seventh year of teaching and I can agree that the need in this country to rise up and take care of this nations children is so great…I never saw it until I was in public schools. The Lord has definitely moved me to a love for children which I never had before. The Lord wants these children to come to him and I believe the church will take the initiative in the coming years to show them the way. Thanks for giving us vision and reminding us of our purpose as a church.
December 22, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Brother Brady, My family and I are new to New Life and left another church based upon some of the topics that you have been preaching about: loving each other, praying fervently and giving to others. Me and wife are convinced that if we’re going to change the world around us, prayer is the answer. The 1st century church survived because of prayer. We were so blessed to hear that New Life has a weekly prayer meeting and the World Prayer Center is going through a revival. Thanks so much for your leadership and allowing God to use you at this critical time. I’ve attached a video you may or may not have seen. It’s a video of a sermon from Jim Cymbala titled “My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer.” Please watch it and let it bless you as it did us. There is a study that accompanies this sermon and it has transformed our lives. We have made a commitment to New Life and are thankful that God has led us there. We are praying about leading a small group using this material. Please pray for us as we continue to pray for you and your family and New Life Church. Merry Christmas!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5015435750261664501
In Christ Jesus,
David, Pam, Becca, and Ella Grace Milne