Praise Him!

This month our big Merriam Marketplace event went really well as far as the music, the prayer, the teachings and the dedication of all who helped to pass out fliers. The attendance was lower than what we were hoping for, but we are thankful because we have had the privilege of two new people who have been coming regularly to our Sunday night meeting since the event. They have already been such a blessing to our community. We figure that any church with a 20% increase would be shocked! Our model of discipleship actually fits best with slow growth, so adding more than a few would have been challenging, as our time is quite limited now as we are raising up leaders.

We have decided to keep our Sunday night service as the initial door to joining our community. This is helpful regarding the teaching ministry, which as we all know can be quite complex. On Wednesdays we have broken down into three small groups in order to share life together. So essentially we are not operating as independent house churches, but rather as most traditional churches do. Paul's brother Tom and his wife Leah are leading a small group of young adults in their early 20's who have joined us recently. Our brother-in-law Eric, and of course his wife (Paul's sister) Susan, are pioneering a "kingdom business." He has spent a few years helping his guys from work to truly seek the Lord together, and now a few of them are beginning to meet as a small group with wives. Paul still leads a small group of those who have been with us for awhile.

In September, we will be starting a monthly woman's meeting on the first Saturday of the month called Proverbs 31. Ladies will sign up to teach one of their passions that they have in everyday life. Angela Maasen, who is a middle school P.E. teacher, will be sharing on physical fitness.

We have also started a started a new kids study. We are teaching the kids from the book of Deuteronomy since that is what the portion is right now in the Jewish readings. It has already been really enlightening and fun. We have pitched a tent, made mezuzah's, studied Scriptures, danced before the Lord, prayed together, received a heavenly vision and more. Did you know that Jesus quotes more from the book of Deuteromony than any other book? I wound encourage you to check it out.

Jewish roots update: Some in our community, had the privilege to take an Israeli folk dance class by a couple who trains people all over the nation. Also the Jewish Roots Institute classes for the fall semester have started, so several of us are taking classes on Monday or Tuesday nights. They are offered through a satellite of http://www.aihls.org/, an accredited university of Biblical studies.

Spiritual Warfare note: Paul went to an Ana Mendez conference in Omaha. He also was able to meet and talk with Ana for a brief meeting.