Sending Church Round Table

What an amazing thing to see pastors, mission pastors and church leaders come together to discuss sending people out from their churches. There were many states and denominations represented. There was a lot of earnest discussion between leaders seeking God's direction and encouraging each other with stories of successes and short comings. What an inspiring thing to see leaders come together and be humble and honest with each other. As a part of a team preparing to be sent it was beyond encouraging to be a "fly on the wall". As we served drinks, cleaned away trash and mingled, it was clear that everyone there was part of a bigger plan. A God sized plan for the vision of a Church body, one with many parts, that was together seeking His direction. I am blown away. I am beyond excited to see what will come of this meeting. I am sure that the Kingdom will feel the affects. I am grateful to the UpStream Collective for their fostering an environment of learning and encouragement. I am eternally grateful for a home church, a Sending Church, that is led by a pastor who believes that missions isn't just a part of our church, it is in fact part of the DNA of our church.

Are you sent? Or are you sending? If you aren't either I would encourage you to find your place, your role in this life. After all it's our purpose to bring glory to God. What better way than to lead people to know and worship Him!

For his Glory,

Cynthi

The Little BIG Move

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There's a reason it's called downsizing. We went from a 65 inch tv to a 27 inch one. A king size bed to a full. Yes it's crazy, yes it goes against the "American Dream". But as it turns out, selling out for God has been well worth any sacrifice we thought we were getting into.

The beautiful pool that we had all to ourselves but had to clean, to the beautiful pool we get to share with neighbors and don't have to clean.

Every sacrifice is met with a bigger and better blessing. They just don't come in monetary and "stuff" form. They come in relationships, freedom from all the possessions we worked for before and a lot less time spent cleaning. That might be my favorite part!

We are blessed, this calling has truly freed us from the rat race we were running. You might recognize it, working to buy things, to work more to buy things. Ultimately it is a game that never ends and no one wins. Now instead of working to buy the next big thing we are working towards something.

Please trust me when I say we are not better than anyone else. We still make mistakes, act selfishly and basically blow it. But the difference is now we repent, we seek God to be our strength to help us do better. We are making ourselves available to be used for His will and not our own. So thank you for your prayers and support. Keep them coming. We need them as we prepare for the BIG move to come!