STORY OF THE WEEK - Northeast District - 150 Days of Prayer

Northeast District - 150 Days of Prayer
Chris Dull, Johnston Third Brethren Church
Johnstown, PA

On Saturday, October 20th, leaders from the Northeast District of the Brethren Church gathered to spend some time celebrating what Jesus is doing in their midst and beginning a process of discerning what else Jesus wants for them in the coming years. This time of training, praying, sharing, laughing and eating served as the kick-off of 150 days of prayer around specific questions about their future ministry together. Below are some reflections of the event by one of the leaders, Chris Dull, who was there:
“I felt the weekend was all about the Lord Jesus giving assurance that we're on the right track and to keep moving ahead. I feel a burning desire to keep looking ahead and seek where the Lord is sending us next. Many of the folks I've spoken with about our efforts seem really impressed that we have three GSE groups in the works, with the possibility of a fourth in the future. [Gather-Shepherd-Elder, or GSE, is one model of church planting that MissioChurch promotes.] I find the affirmation more than a little humbling.

“There was significant interest among the churches represented this past weekend. All present seem pretty committed to prayerfully support the efforts currently underway, starting with the 150 days of prayer.I do believe we definitely need to enlist the support of the District’s pastors as a whole. If we have them banging the drum from the pulpit and driving the wagon in each of their respective ministries, I think this will go a long way in instilling a passion in the folks across the district for evangelism, nurturing disciples and subsequent church planting.

We're sending letters out to each pastor in order to seek their support. I would really like to see a ‘wave’ ripple across our region and infect all the Brethren to see the lost of the Northeast come to Jesus Christ and to plant ministries in the aftermath. When I say "Northeast” I mean everything in our District and the entire northeastern seaboard. I am convinced that the Lord is waiting for us to be faithful in stepping out to carry the Gospel message beyond our established borders in Pennsylvania. I absolutely know that when we take those steps across the borders into New York, New Jersey and beyond He is going to bless those efforts abundantly. That's what I feel the Holy Spirit is leading us to. How can we not be excited?”

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Our Northeast brothers and sisters are already embarking on an exciting journey as to what plans God has in store for their district/region. The questions/prayer foci they are using to prepare and guide their journey for the next 150 days are listed below as this week’s “Resource of the Week.”

We would encourage you to journey through individually and consider how you might join this prayerful, mission-minded journey AND to prod and challenge your regional impact with other Brethren brothers and sisters.

• Prayer Focus #1: What kinds of systemic, qualitative changes would you like to see in the Brethren churches in your district/region by June of 2020? Make a list of qualities and characteristics.
• Prayer Focus #2: What people groups, communities or regions that we presently have not deeply penetrated would you dream of seeing us reach with new Brethren congregations?
• Prayer Focus #3: How many total Brethren congregations (autonomous and multi-site) would you dream of seeing in your district/region by June of 2020?
• Prayer Focus #4: What, if any, unique or significant contributions would you like to see your church known for in the fulfillment of this vision?
• Prayer Focus #5: What other impressions, promptings or leadings of the Holy Spirit are you experiencing individually and/or collectively?

“Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.”  -- Elisabeth Elliot, Christian author, speaker, and writer, most notably, Through the Gates of Splendor

Feel free to contact the National Office at 877-289-1708 or brethren@brethrenchurch.org. Share your stories, dreams, and processes with us and we’ll get the stories out to the larger Brethren body.

The weekly update is a weekly e-publication of the Brethren Church highlighting a quick story of kingdom movement and impact amongst the Brethren and a reinforcing resource for further reflection and application.