|
Dear Gospel Partners,
“Be careful when aiming for nothing. You just might hit it.” - Will Rogers
It was around this time last year when the Rising and Giddings families started the process of selling our homes, buying new homes and were getting ready to move to Greensburg PA. We had hopes and dreams of planting a church that would magnify Jesus, make disciples and multiply churches - and the more we thought and prayed about it, the more vivid that dream became.
It was in January of 2021 that we began our Sunday morning gatherings in the Rising’s living room as a core team. This was a sweet time of intentionality where our focus was simple - to worship Jesus through song, the preached word of God, prayer and communion while realigning our hearts and minds. This was refreshing yet the environment was much different than what any of us were accustomed to on a Sunday morning.
It was at this point where we began to make our plans of having 4TheCity Church’s first public service on September 12, 2021. Kevin and I literally picked a day on the calendar and trusted the Lord would direct our steps. We didn’t know how everything would come together, but we had faith in Jesus and were committed to making disciples - not to church planting or even to a building.
We were confident that if we focused on our own spiritual formation as a core team, intentional prayer, proclamation of the gospel, building genuine friendships in our neighborhoods and everyday discipleship, a church would be planted. We knew that church planting couldn’t be our main focus - our main focus always has to be Christ.
“Church planting is not the cause of anything in the New Testament, but rather the effect of carrying out the Great Commission.” - Peyton Jones
So, this is what we’ve been doing since putting boots on the ground here in Greensburg - we’ve been walking with Jesus and making friends. Our goal was never to fill a room with Christians from other churches - our goal has been and continues to be seeing lost people reached and giving the de-churched a place to come and worship the risen King.
We always knew the day would come when we would outgrow the living room and need a new location to gather in order to scatter into this city.
Thankfully, the Lord has provided a space for
us!
I remember taking a walk though downtown Greensburg last fall. Jessie and I saw a beautiful brick building right in the heart of it all. We prayed right then and there that God would allow us to worship Him there. Almost a year has passed and God has answered that very specific prayer! To God be the glory!
Many of our local friends and business owners who have
yet to know Jesus as Lord have been celebrating this with us - this is even more reason to be thankful!
It’s been a long year but a good year, full of challenges and joys that have shaped us and changed us in beautiful ways. Now that we are leasing the second floor of this place, we are eager to begin having public worship services.
We want to be clear, this is not a church launch - we’re not a spaceship carrying God’s people. We want to be rooted in loving Jesus, loving the church and loving the city of Greensburg - that’s why we’re not calling this a church launch.
Nothing has changed for us. We’re going to do what we have been doing since January - we’re going to keep our focus simple and concise - worship Jesus through song, the preached word of God, and prayer and communion while the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and minds.
Because of this specific building in the heart of downtown Greensburg, we’re better able to invite others into the Kingdom and family of God with us. This space is sufficient for us to be hospitable and welcoming to the city that welcomed us almost a year ago.
It’s worth noting and celebrating that God has been answering our prayers all year - both the small and the big! He has been closing doors while opening new ones for us. He has been growing our friendships with one another, our neighbors and community. Jesus has given faith to new Christians, rekindled the faith of wandering brothers and sisters and strengthened faith that has grown weak and weary - only through the presence and power of Jesus!
So, we aimed at something, and by God’s grace, we’ve hit the mark. On Sunday September 12th, 2021, 4TheCity Church will have our very first public worship service. In a space we specifically prayed for and on the date we aimed for. We are confident that as we continue to spend time praying and asking Him to show up in power in our community, God will break in to do what He alone can do.
As we’ve said before, 4TheCity Church is dependent first and foremost on God and secondly on our faithful gospel partners who pray and give. Thank you for co-laboring with us and with Jesus as we seek to share and show the transforming power of the gospel and plant churches that multiply in the city of Greensburg, PA, and to the ends of the earth.
Here are a few things for which you can praise and pray...
--- Our first public service for which our friends and neighbors to join, and the Galatians sermon series we will be starting at that service.
--- For all the logistics to come together, including the purchase of all the equipment and things we need to have our first public service. (i.e., Bibles, sound/media equipment, chairs, etc...)
With that said, we need you to please consider giving a one time gift towards the purchase of this equipment by clicking the "Give" button below so that people will continue to be transformed by the gospel.
--- We praise the Lord because the church has needed and now has the ability, at this crucial time of starting our first public service, to bring Kevin on half-time at the church.
--- Our church has doubled in people and opportunities to serve our city! Pray that the Lord would continue to open up hearts to the gospel and doors to community ministry.
Gospel On...
~ Pastor Scott
|
