A quick update on what's going on here with us....

Kids are back from Christmas break.

As a staff we're going through employee reviews, looking at possible team dysfunctions and how to avoid/get rid of them, spending time in the bible, prayer, and assigned reading.

Through Ignite/Staff, Dave, Rachel and I are going to start meeting each week day in the prayer room (upper youth hall) at 10am to pray, read Scripture, do our assigned reading and read other books that help us better to what we do. We're also meeting in our home Tuesdays and Thursdays after the lunch hour to go through Discipleship material, Sal Army 101 material, and have accountability time. It's cold outside..very cold, but we're committed to weekly prayer walks on Wednesdays at 1pm (if anyone wants to join us) around the neighborhood. This week we prayed around the business/commercial side of our neighborhood; a side we often forget to pray for. Also, this weekend we're checking out The Tree, a campus church service that Dave has been involved in for the past few months. Dave has been doing a lot of stuff on campus getting to know the campus rhythm, the people, and the ministries going on there. This is one are we haven't been able to make great connections in aside from service projects in the neighborhood. We're optimistic to see what connections happen as a result of sending Dave onto the campus several days a week.

Dave and I are going to The Urban Forum in a few weeks. This year it takes place in Toronto, Ontario. The theme is "from service provision to community development". I am excited as this is what we are all about. Then, the following month I will be in Chicago for the annual Multi-Cultural Ministries Conference.

Things are moving forward on the TLW grant we received in October. By February, we should be launching some new community oriented ministries including a meal, bible studies, life skills classes, recreation, and eventually a second service.