Little (?) Blessings

As I know many of you can relate to, money has been especially tight the last few weeks for us. Today I put on a pair of pants I hadn't worn in a few weeks and found $6 in the pocket. I praised the Lord! We needed milk and dishwasher detergent at the store. So, I took my new-found fortune and ventured out. Not wanting to put these little purchases on a credit card or take money out of emergency savings...I was hoping my $6 would cover what I needed to buy. What did I find? By God's grace, milk was $1 off regular price and detergent was $.60 off. Way to go Meijer! Total purchase price: $4.97. With that remaining $1 in my pocket...I feel like the richest man in the world!

I was thinking about how silly this praise is... OR IS IT? Isn't that what Jesus was speaking of in Matthew 6:11? "Lord, please provide us with the resources we need to live TODAY..." (Wirt uninspired, possibly errant paraphrase). God knows exactly what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:32)...even if its just $6 to buy some milk and dishwasher soap.

Preaching at Lexington, OH Grace Brethren Church

I'm thankful to God and our friend Pastor Jason Carmean for the opportunity to speak at Lexington this Sunday, August 12. God is still stirring my heart around and using principles from Acts 4:23-31 in my heart, so I plan to rework that message and present it again. I'd appreciate your prayers for my own application of this passage and God's grace and strength to present it clearly to the good people of the Lexington GBC. Pray that a powerful movement of prayer is mobilized in me and those who listen on Sunday- for the advancement of God's Kingdom through the bold, loving witness of His people.

Some Things To Pray For This Week!

August will be a key month for us. We were energized by time in Winona Lake, IN for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches annual conference and are back ready to pour ourselves into loving people to a clear view of Jesus and His mission.

Along those lines, please pray with us over the next week that:

• God would work in a breakfast meeting I have with a neighbor. We have built a good relationship and I am praying that Jesus would be clear in our conversation and that my friend would move closer to a relationship with Him.
  
• God would cause our Block Party invitations to stand out in people's schedules and piles of mail and that they would plan to come.
  
• God would open doors at places like Home Depot, Meijer, local car washes, and YMCA pool as we strategize how to love and serve people that do not go to church. We're thinking of Sunday a.m. coffee give aways, snow cones, car washes, etc. to serve those who are not in church. We'll be talking to managers of these stores/places soon to seek permission/team-working.
  

Thanks for praying! James 5:16!

Thanks, God, For Acts 4:23-31!

I was thankful to God, and my friend Dan Gregory (Pastor), for the opportunity to speak at Community of Hope Grace Brethren Church on Sunday, July 29. God used the message from Acts 4 greatly in my life and I was thrilled to be able to present what God has been teaching me to the good people at Community of Hope. If you, like me, are looking to spice up your prayer life and see God change your world through you... check out how Peter and John (Acts 4:23-31) (1) moved with urgency to pray; (2) prayed with partners; (3) prayed to a God they viewed as sovereign, Creator, fulfiller of Prophecy, and as having a perfect plan; (4) and prayed for supernatural results out of a Kingdom perspective. Your prayers just might rock the world! :)

Pray for our block party, August 18!

We're anticipating a fun time with neighbors on August 18. This has been another great opportunity to get out and meet people and invite them to something fun. The reception to our invitations and conversations thus far has been very positive. Please pray that people come, make connections with us and each other, and that this will be a step forward in the trust level in our relationships with those in our neighborhood. We feel that if we can build trust...perhaps people will be more open to our invitations to dinner or our spiritual formation group.

Knowing that you are praying with us for movement in our relationships is a huge blessing to us! Thanks!

Preaching at Community of Hope

I'd appreciate your prayers this weekend (July 29) as I preach at Community of Hope GBC in Columbia City, IN. My good friend and mentor, Dan Gregory, provided this opportunity. Its been a long time since I've preached...so I'm shaking the rust off and really enjoying the prep. this week. I was unusually discouraged this past weekend and really sought God on some things. Through this time, and considering the theme Dan asked me to preach on (power/passion of prayer), God led me to Acts 4:23-32. It has been great to develop the theme of this passage- a prayer for boldness for mission. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW... along with a solid dose of prayer with our team and trust in God's sovereignty and PERFECT timing.

So, please pray for preparation, for effective communication, and that I would apply what God is teaching me FIRST and then be able to encourage and challenge others from the Word.

Trish and I are looking forward to briefly attending the FGBC's Equip conference this weekend and early next week in Winona Lake, IN. We'll travel out Saturday and come back Tuesday a.m. Hopefully we'll be able to connect with some friends and make some good ministry contacts.

Thanks for praying with us!

What a GREAT week!

We are so thankful for all that God did during the Neighborhood Bible Club we hosted last week (July 9-13). God truly answered many prayers, like the following:

• We had great weather. It wasn't too hot and several storms that came through during the week finished before we were due to start each evening.
  
• Our team worked together well. This is very exciting for us to see God providing help for missional work through those who have been meeting with us on Sunday evenings. Special thanks to Beth and Luke Fields for helping with crafts and games and to Erin Whinnery for leading songs and teaching the lesson each evening.
  
• We were able to deepen connections with many neighbors we had met before and meet several families we had never met before.
  
• Numbers were great (especially when you consider we've only lived here 5 months). Totals included (at different times throughout the week) 33 kids, 63 people (including kids and workers), 7 families we had never met before, and ministry to 13 unchurched families!
  
• The kids had fun! Highlights of the week included games, snow-cones, cotton candy, popcorn, huge (killer/injury machine) "earth-ball", and water slide.
  
• Most important: kids and parents were loved with Jesus' love and the Gospel was clearly communicated to each child present on Friday evening.
  

Thanks for partnering with us in prayer. We're excited about God's movement in northeast Franklin County!

Pray for Neighborhood Bible Club

With help from Beth and Katelyn Fields (our friends and neighbors), our family passed out almost 100 invitations to the Neighborhood Bible Club we'll be hosting next week (July 9-13, from 7-8:30p.). We're so thankful for the help of our spiritual formation group and the Powell Grace Brethren Church (providing curriculum and supplies) for helping us pull this off. Many in our small group are taking key roles (teaching, snacks, games, crafts, etc.), so this will be our first project together and a fun team effort. Please pray:

• That God would bring many children out.
  
• That we would have good interaction loving children and connecting with parents.
  
• That God would lead some to attend our spiritual formation group as a result of attending the Club.
  
• That children (and parents) would hear and be open to the Gospel.
  
• That our team would enjoy working together and catch a vision for doing mission together.
  

Thanks!

Thanks, Lord!

Some things I've praised God for this week:

• Silas ate more than I've ever seen him eat the other evening. Usually we have to force food down him and dinner is a concert of crying and fussing. At this particular meal, Silas ate well and even fed himself most of the time.
  
• We spent Monday evening passing out invitations in our neighborhood for Bible Club next week. In an effort to meet as many people as possible in person, we knocked on doors (instead of just placing a flier on the door). After a while, Seth insisted on going to the door by himself to greet whoever answered and give them the invitation. What a joy to a parent's heart to see a 4 year old fully engaged in ministry!
  
  
• Yesterday (the 4th of July) we went to New Albany's parade and fireworks (2 separate events/different times of day). At each event, we saw and talked to 3 different people that we knew (most unchurched that we've met through soccer or neighborhood). While seemingly small, this was a huge milestone to us. We can see progress in meeting and making contacts with people when we're at an event of thousands of people (none of whom we knew 5 months ago) and run into people we have met and talked with before. Now... may God use us in their lives for His work and glory! Pray with us to that end...
  

Its a joy to give God praise- for big or SMALL things. What's He doing in your life? Feel free to share it here if you'd like to leave a comment. We'll praise God...publicly... with you!

Group Meetings Are Going Well!

Most of you know that we've started forming our church through an initial small group where we're gathering together those God has brought us in contact with for fun, new friendships, discussion around Bible passages about Jesus, and simple prayer. We've had consistent attendance, seen new people visit at each of our three meetings, and had great discussions. One truly exciting note has been meeting Bill (right), pictured with Daniel (left). Daniel and his wife, Erin, are a super couple and have been participating in our group faithfully. Dan has been working with Bill and faithfully and gently being like Jesus in front of him and sparking spiritual conversations with him. The long and the short of it is that Bill attended our meeting 2 Sundays ago and shared that he had made a commitment to Jesus as leader and forgiver of His life a few days before! Praise God! We had a WONDERFUL meeting hearing more of his story and what God has been doing in his heart.

Obviously, we're elated at the way God is working in Bill, using Daniel in Bill's life, and that Bill's story brings genuine discussions of life transformation to our group. It is so good to see God changing a life right in front of our eyes. May that be the continual flavor of our group(s) as we move forward and gather those God brings.

Please pray with us for Bill- for growth and encouragement in this new journey with Jesus. Please pray with us that God would continue to bring us close to people Jesus loves that do not yet know Him. That's our highest aim.

Silas AND Seth are improving...

What a week last week! I was away most of the week (in PA for a church planting training) and Trish was home with sick kids. Thankfully, Trish's parents and my mom were able to come and help at different times. Silas vomited and had diarrhea through Wednesday evening (about 6 days total). We were very concerned, again, about dehydration from what we're sure is Rota Virus (again!). God was merciful to us and allowed us to get enough fluids in Silas to keep him hydrated. Some blood tests done on Monday (testing for immunity problems- trying to find out why Silas keeps getting sick) came back normal. Praise God!

To top off the week, Seth began throwing up on Friday. We took them both to the doctor that morning to find out that Seth was in the beginning stages of pneumonia. He began keeping food down on Saturday night and with an antibiotic and some rest was doing better on Sunday.

So, we're thanking God for healing and feeling like life is returning to some sort of normalcy. We spent all day Saturday and most of Sunday cleaning every single surface (including every Lego and Matchbox car and GeoTrax piece...) with clorox to try and prevent more sickness. We know God is teaching us patience and trust through illness. So, we're trying to learn His lessons and thank Him that we're not dealing with anything more serious.

Thanks for praying with us for our kids!

Please Pray For Silas

Unfortunately, I've written this title to a blog post before. But, we could really use your prayers again for Silas' health. He is again battling some mysterious virus that causes symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. This started late Thursday and he really hasn't been keeping anything down since. He won't eat and we have to force him to drink anything. Obviously the concern is for his hydration. Please pray that God would help his stomach to settle soon and that he would be able to keep liquids down. We're earnestly asking God to protect him from dehydration. Please also pray that we could learn to trust God at deeper levels with our fear for him and frustration over yet another sickness.

To complicate matters, its an important ministry weekend and week for us. We're trying to canvass the 191 homes in our neighborhood to meet people and hand out invitations to our neighborhood Bible Club (July 9-13). We had a good spiritual formation group meeting tonight. And, tomorrow, I'm (Andy) to leave to go out of town until Thursday night to an important training time for church planters. Please pray for Trish as she man's the fort here with a sick little one and active 4-year old. Special thanks and PRAISE GOD! to friend (and blog reader! :) Anne Stansfield and my mom (coming out on Tuesday) who will be an enormous help to Trish while I'm gone.

Bottom line as parents- we're concerned about our little boy and we covet your prayers. Thanks!

If you pray for one thing...

...please pray that God helps us make many, many contacts this summer. This is our number one priority at this stage of beginning a missional church- learning how to focus on reaching people Jesus loves that do not yet know him. For fodder for your prayers for us...I'm giving you (wow- aren't you privileged as a blog reader! :) an inside picture of our journey. Below is a plan I've submitted to my coach (Tony Webb) for making contacts this summer. Would you pray God leads us and brings these desires to reality...for His glory? Thanks!

Contact-Making Strategy
Andy Wirt
June-August 2007

I envision meeting new people, building deeper relationships, and inviting receptive people to our spiritual formation group through the following fishing pools:

• Expanding neighborhood involvement. I would like to go door-to-door several times to invite people to a Neighborhood Bible Club we’re planning July 9-13. Also, I’d either like to sponsor a block party for our street or participate in facilitating the neighborhood-wide block party this summer.

• YMCA. I have a goal of meeting a new person every time I work out there. I want to look into classes or activities I/my family could join to be around new people.

• New Albany pool. We’ve joined the pool there with the desire of making contacts while enjoying good family time.

• “Renting” office space at Panera Bread or Starbucks. I frequently (2-4) times a week try to do administrative work or study outside of my home office at one of these places to meet people and start conversations where God opens doors.

• Volunteering for community service. I would like to find at least 1 large-scale, community-wide event to volunteer for (and get others from our group to help when possible) per month to be involved with. Possibilities:

• June: Cancer walk in New Albany on June 12. Blues/Jazz Festival in Gahanna on June 15.
  
• July: July 4th celebration in New Albany.
  
• September: Walking Race in New Albany.
  

• Facilitate ClearView Church joining New Albany and Gahanna Chamber of Commerce. I’d like to utilize contact making/networking, marketing, and event participation that chamber membership would offer. This would open the door to unlimited new contacts.

• I’m thinking about the viability of some door-to-door work individually, with my family, or with teams. I’d like to do soft demographic research (“What could a new church do that would benefit this community…”) and make new contacts… but not sure how effective this would be in our community. Might be a negative contact?

• Secure a soccer coaching position for this fall.

• Select service events (car washes, etc.) and request teams to come and help us serve and meet people in the community.

A BIG WIN!

The first meeting of a new church is history! Thanks so much for praying! We met June 10, from 4-6p. Since we count everything that breathes and moves...there were 13 people representing 5 family units. Being that this is 4 more family units than we have had in our previous meetings (our family :)...PRAISE GOD! We were excited as people came together, enjoyed meeting new people (everyone was new to each other), participated in lively discussion around Matthew 4:12-25 (great passage-check it out!), and interacted with a brief bit of vision on what God has called us to in northeastern Franklin County.

Please praise God with us for this first meeting and for those willing to take a risk and attend something new. When you consider that just a few short months ago, we knew none of these people, bringing five different family units together for an initial small group gathering is huge! There is an amazing God-story in how we met each of these people. Also, there are several more people who communicated interest in attending that could not make it yesterday. Please pray that they would be able to participate in the future. Each participant was encouraged to invite someone new to the next meeting. Please pray that we would have 10 adults and 6 family units represented when we meet again June 24. Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, please pray that this group would be used to reach people Jesus loves with His truth and grace.

I can't thank you enough if you prayed for us this past weekend. We heard reports of entire churches, Sunday School classes, families, and many individuals from all over the U.S. praying for God to work in our first meeting. He did! Praise God!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mercer!

We had a special weekend this past weekend. I was truly blessed to have the privilege of marrying Jamie and Bobby (whom I've written about in the past). Bobby committed his life to follow Jesus a few months ago and we've been meeting regularly for pre-marital counseling ever since. I've been ministered to by the opportunity to get to know this genuinely super young couple. Their wedding rehearsal and ceremony went well. Praise God!

One of the things that impacted me this weekend is the hundreds of contacts that each of us have for Jesus. Because of being invited to officiate this special day in Bobby and Jamie's lives, Trish and I had the opportunity to meet many people we never would have otherwise come into contact with. The grace and truth of Jesus was clearly evident in the ceremony and we were also able to talk and get to know several individuals and couples from the Columbus area.

Please thank God with us for Bobby and Jamie and the privilege of marrying them. Please pray for a lifetime of love and blessing for them. Please pray that we, and our new church, would be able to walk along side them as we work together to reach their friends and loved ones for Jesus.

What A Small World!

It is amazing to me how God works and can tie people together through common associations almost too bizarre to be true.

Several weeks ago, I was "renting" office space at Panera Bread (I bye a drink and work there for a few hours to get out and be around people...looking for contact making opportunities). While there, I drink a lot of their excellent sweet Green Tea. On my 43rd trip to the men's room, I walked by a man reading biblical Hebrew. On my way back by this gentlemen, I stopped and asked him about what he was reading. I admitted my poor Hebrew (I hope Drs. Abegg and Davis aren't reading this!)...but nonetheless, we had a fascinating conversation.

As we talked, I discovered that Daniel is Jewish and attends a local synagogue. We were surprised to discover that we shared a common association with someone who used to be on staff with Grace Brethren International Missions. Daniel had not seen this person in 20 years (a childhood friend of his), so I promised to track down this person and asked Daniel if it would be OK if I got them in touch. Through sharing this information, Daniel and I e-mailed back and forth a few times and I asked him to lunch.

Today we were finally able to get together again. I was truly challenged and inspired by our conversation. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I've ever truly sat down across the table from a Jewish person and really tried to understand what they believe, what they don't believe, and why they don't believe Jesus was/is the Messiah. I learned a lot from Daniel...none-the-least being how much more I need to understand to be able to articulate why I believe what I believe about Jesus to a Jewish person.

Amazingly, as we talked...we had more common associations. Daniel had been to several Grace Brethren Churches- one being Bowling Green while Ron Boehm (from our former church in Macedonia, OH) was pastor. He also knows a cousin of mine here in the Columbus area. So interesting.

We also shared a connection around life goals. Daniel is an attorney turned financial advisor who owns his own business. He truly desires to help his clients find genuine meaning and fulfillment in life. I asked him to help me understand the mindset of a rich person in our area (this is one of the most affluent communities in OH). What I learned from this man who advises many wealthy people in this area is the confirmation that money doesn't bring fulfillment. Daniel shared a story about two doctors (married) who make over $600,000 per year and can't pay their bills. His summary statement to me (a blessing!) was, "You will do well here...people need what you are offering."

Would you pray with me on two fronts:

• Pray for Daniel. He is truly a kind, good-hearted man. I don't know exactly where He is at with Jesus. We obviously believe different when it comes to John 14:6 and Colossians 1:15-23. Pray that Jehovah would meet him in his passion for the OT and show him truth about the authenticity of Jesus as Lord in the NT. Pray our relationship would continue and grow.
  
• Pray that God would show us how to communicate the hope of Jesus to those with much material wealth. The work will not be easy...Scripture makes that clear. But, with God, all things are possible.
  

Would You Pray For Our First Meeting?

Our first group meeting on June 10, from 4-6p. is a strategic time for us. In some ways it's the culmination of months of solo work in trying to meet as many people as we could and find initial contacts that would be willing to meet with us for spiritual formation and cooperative ministry. In many other ways, it's just the beginning...the beginning, Lord willing, of a movement of people that will touch thousands of lives for Jesus and form a healthy, disciple-making, reproducing church.

Please pray that in this first (and subsequent) meetings, God would:

• Give us wisdom as we plan each meeting
  
• Lead the people we've invited (and others they invite!) to come
  
• Give our new group a spirit of unity and excitement over what God is doing and could do...
  
• Assist Trish and I in ministering to this new group
  
• Assist Trish and I in clearly sharing our vision and calling for a new church and inviting the group to join us
  
• Help us to have fun!
  
• Help us to incorporate children and any other dynamics in a way that is healthy and flexible
  
• Help us create an environment that is accepting and open to seekers AND inspiring to believers
  

The following is a list of people we've invited to come. Please pray with us that God would join our hearts together in co-mission.

• Victor
  
• Ryan and Rachel
  
• Dan and Erin
  
• Luke and Beth
  
• Michael and Marlissa
  
• Miserat
  
• Melissa
  
• Jay and Sylvia
  
• Cathy and Greg
  
• Mark
  
• Bobby and Jamie (who I'm marrying on June 9. I told them they better NOT be there on June 10! :)
  
• 2 other neighbors
  
• Andy and Trish (I'm pretty sure they'll be there)...
  

Thanks for praying with us! Your prayers have never been so critical as they are this week.

Praise God For A Great Vacation!

We're thankful for the time we had together with my (Andy) family in Myrtle Beach, SC last week. We all enjoyed the ocean, pools, and time with family we don't get to see often.

Seth and Silas enjoyed the sand and water...and had a super time with their five cousins from Georgia. Fun times included building projects on the beach (Seth would build and Silas would wreck!), Seth's first miniature golfing adventure, tag with cousins and grandma on the beach at night, etc.

Whenever I have the opportunity to enjoy the ocean, my spirit is enriched by contemplating Psalm 93. I love being tossed around by the waves on a boogie-board and being actively reminded of God's power. My heart is stilled as I look out over the ocean from a balcony and am comforted by God's sovereignty. There is something peaceful, inspiring, and challenging about observing the ocean's beauty and power and realizing that God is "mightier than the breakers on the shore" (vs.4). His power over this natural phenomenon is illustrative of the fact that "the world is firmly established (and) cannot be shaken" (vs.2) and that His "throne...has been established from time immemorial" (vs.3).

So...why do I worry and fret? Why does planting a church seem impossible? God has it all under control...it's no stretch for Him..."the Lord above is mightier than these!" (vs.4b).

A Good Day...

I praise God for a great day yesterday! I wanted to make that praise public by giving God praise for...

• A great meeting with Mark, a friend we met several months ago. We haven't been able to get our schedules together until, finally, yesterday we were able to connect. Mark was a member of Northwest Chapel before he moved to the northeast side of town several months ago. God directed our paths together miraculously. Mark works many hours, including Sundays, but he's going to try and make our group and desires to help us get a church off the ground as his busy schedule allows. Please praise God for Mark and his heart to serve.
  
• Our end-of-season soccer party last evening. We played well in our last game and had a great time of celebrating the boys and their accomplishments and connecting with families. I created an award for each player based on skill or character and presented them during the party. This was a fun way to commend them. God allowed many good conversations with parents. I believe we had a positive testimony for Jesus. Praise God. Please pray that some type of spiritual fruit will come from this investment of time...even if it is 10 years down the road. Pray that these precious boys and families are drawn to Jesus.
  

Date Is Set...Invites Are Out!

Please pray with us! We're excited to ask you to pray with us on June 10, from 4-6p. as we host our first spiritual formation group at our home. Together, with several of our new friends, we've invited at least 12 different family units to attend. So far, we've gotten good feedback on desire to attend from about 7 of these invitations. Please pray that God would bring people out, bond our hearts together around Jesus and mission, and help us have fun! Pray that those that attend would see and feel the vision God has given us and desire to partner with us. This first meeting is important, the culmination of many God-stories, and a key next step in the development of a new church. Thanks for your prayers...please keep them coming!