What a great day we had on Sunday! I loved all of it!! Watching people make their way forward to make their commitments; hearing Pastor Bryan cast a strong vision for the Reading Area Campus; hearing stories of lives transformed by God; introducing myself for the first time as the 'Reading Area Campus Pastor' (thanks to those of you who gave me a shout out!!) - it was an outstanding day!

After the service, I had the chance to meet a few of you for the first time in the Courtyard - the Doremuses, the Bennetts, and the Blumenshines - and hear some of your enthusiasm for what God is doing. I can't wait for us all to find time to gather and to get to know each other better soon!

On Monday, the pastors and ministry staff gathered all of the 'post it' notes that were placed on the walls. Each note represented names and places where people are asking God to fill with his grace. We poured over them and prayed for each one they represented. Two of my post-its had the new campus on them!

Let's continue to be praying for what God is doing. In particular, be prayerful about the location of our new campus. We have a team investigating some options, but if you have suggestions or know of available space, pass it along. We are looking for about 25-30,000 ft2 to inhabit together - families, kids, students, singles, and grandparents alike!!

Thanks for all your enthusiasm!!

Serving with you,

Tom

The power of a map!

For the last few weeks, I've been pouring over this map. Each placemark represents a family at Grace Chapel - can you find yourself? What I've found so intriguing about the map, is that I've known so many of these folks for years. We've shared conversations in the Lobby, met together in my office for counseling, worked on teams of various sorts, bumped into each other in Kidstown while dropping off our children on Sunday. But for most of these people, I have never known where they live - I mean exaclty where they live. For many, I have known what town they live in - but something changes when you see someone's house from an aerial view on Google Maps!

And so, for the past few weeks, I found myself thinking differently about each of you as I imagine you in your 'natural habitat'. Engaging with neighbors - bringing your kids to school in your town - driving out of your driveway every morning - eating dinner round your dinner tables at night - mowing your lawns in the evenings. (now don't worry, the sattelite image wasn't that good)

But what excites me most about this map is how it has enabled me to pray for the towns around us and for you with a greater insight and understanding. I'm praying that God will do a work among us and place on our hearts a collective desire to add more markers to our map as people join us in becoming followers of Jesus, for the sake of Christ, His kingdom, and the towns we live in!!

By the way - the green markers? They indicate people who have expressed an interest in joining the Reading Area campus!

Those that are green with a dot? These are folks who have told Richard or me that they are already committed to joining us at the new campus!!

Please continue to pray for the work that God has begun, and continue to pray for each family and person represented by the markers on the map!

Tom

Time to Pray!

Hi everyone! My name is Kirsten McLaughlin and I have been involved at Grace Chapel for 5 years, serving in the middle school ministry as well as on the drama team.


A couple of months ago, I shared with some of the pastors my excitement about the idea of starting a campus in Reading, MA. I knew this would be a huge step of faith, a way to trust in God’s provision, and a time where God could use our weaknesses and uncertainties to display his power! I told them that I had no idea how I could contribute, except through prayer. Since that time, I have been committed to praying for the development and unfolding of Grace Chapel’s vision; asking for humility, boldness, a group of people to be raised up as leaders in this endeavor, and most importantly, that GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED.

In the months to come, I would like to encourage you to faithfully join me in praying for our leaders and our church. My hope is to share specific ways we can be prayerful, moving forward in this “New Day of Grace”. Not only will we read of ways we need to seek the Lord, but I anticipate great joy in seeing God answer- displaying his faithfulness and goodness.

Let’s remember and put into action Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

- Kirsten McLaughlin

Networking

I spent some time today with about 40 pastors from the metro-Boston area.  The goal of the gathering was to enter into conversation about ministry in the New England context.  I was thrilled to be placed at a table right next to David Reid, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Reading!  Pastor Reid has been ministering in the town of Reading for over 32 years, and I am very eager to continue to glean from his experience and benefit from his partnership and friendship.  Praise God for the many dedicated pastors who have served our region for so many years!  And praise God for the things He will continue to do in the years ahead!! 

Tom

I join Tom in sharing my enthusiasm for this New Campus in the Reading Area! I am excited for lots of reasons but the primary one is that we have seen God's hand in all of this....from the very beginning. As we go along we will enjoy sharing some of these "God Moments" with you but for right now, suffice it to say that our confidence is very high in moving forward. For 2 years now, God has been guiding each step and opening each door towards launching a New Campus in the Reading Area. Some of the doors that He has opened have surprised us.....ones that we did not plan or expect. But each door has been clearly opened by Him. Tom and I have been keeping a list of these open doors...we are calling them "miracles" and the list is growing!

Even though we are confident He has led us to this point, there are many unknowns ahead and plenty of room for Him to continue to work...and plenty of room for us to be dependent on Him.

One Christian Leader that I admire once said, "Attempt things so great for God that if He is not in them, they are doomed to fail!" I believe this New Campus opportunity is just that kind of opportunity....an opportunity that God has clearly led us to but yet so clearly needs Him to bring it about. With that sense of confidence and dependency, we press forward with Him by our side!

Looking forward to the Journey with you and Him,

Richard