Dear Friends and Family, It has been too long since I have talked to some of you, but my reason for writing is so important to me, I had to make an effort to get in contact with each of you. The college ministry I have served with since I moved to Louisiana is starting a new church. Parkview Baptist Church has been our home for the last 8 years, and has supported us in the growth and maturation of this baby church. We have affectionately termed Parkview as “pregnant,” and she is about to “birth” this new church the night of Sunday, February 12th. God began this ministry by planting a vision in one of the pastor’s hearts. Jim Wallace believed in God’s vision and promise to use this ministry to reach Baton Rouge through college ministry. He hired Josh Causey as a ministry intern to develop a worship service. Their first night, 8 years ago, there were about 25 people there, 10 of whom were in the band. At the end of the night, they just kind of looked at one another and said, “Well, you want to try it again next week?” And they agreed to do it again, while secretly Josh thought it wasn’t going to ever grow past their beloved 25 people. In spite of their hesitations, they all had a sense that God was planning on doing things way beyond their comprehension and capabilities. Eight years, eight elders, ten community groups, and one pastor later, God has developed the Ring Community Church. He has sent us families, married couples…. People with more life under their belt, there fore with more wisdom than we have (praise God!) to help us walk out His design for His Bride. God has shaken us up over and over again. He continues to strip us of ourselves, our desires, and our plans, only to rework us in His higher ways and thoughts. He has planned and executed this church down to even the launch next Sunday.
The reason I am writing you, is to say thank you. Each of you has had a part in God building this church, because you have played such an important part in my life. From the time I moved to Louisiana to go to seminary and work, you have supported me with your prayer and encouragement. I still miss home more than you know, but I have also never been as confident of where I am supposed to be as I am at this moment. As our church family grows in intimacy with one another, I am ever more aware of the ways our histories make us who we are. God has knit together a precious Body of people; none of whom are perfect nor try to appear so. We are all just walking through life hanging onto God’s grace and promises that He is alive in us. With that hope, we want to do our best to love God and love people the way He intended.
Thank you for being a part of my history, present, and future. As our church body gathers together for the “birth” of this new church, I would ask that you pray with us on Sunday, wherever you may be. Our service starts at 6:30 Sunday night. We are going to spend the night committing every part of this church to its Creator and Sustainer. We are all so excited to be a part of God’s plan in this. We know He could accomplish His purposes in Baton Rouge with the blink of an eye, but are so grateful He wants to use us in the process.
Thank you for loving me and influencing my life by living yours to the fullest. Please pray with us as we continue to seek His guidance and heart. Please pray for Josh as God leads him in leading us. And pray that we, as the Bride of Christ, will act out who God truly designed His church to be… humble servants who are in love with their Master and Creator. We know that if we will keep our eyes focused on Him He will lead us in all areas.
I love you and am so thankful for your presence and influence in my life,Megan
The reason I am writing you, is to say thank you. Each of you has had a part in God building this church, because you have played such an important part in my life. From the time I moved to Louisiana to go to seminary and work, you have supported me with your prayer and encouragement. I still miss home more than you know, but I have also never been as confident of where I am supposed to be as I am at this moment. As our church family grows in intimacy with one another, I am ever more aware of the ways our histories make us who we are. God has knit together a precious Body of people; none of whom are perfect nor try to appear so. We are all just walking through life hanging onto God’s grace and promises that He is alive in us. With that hope, we want to do our best to love God and love people the way He intended.
Thank you for being a part of my history, present, and future. As our church body gathers together for the “birth” of this new church, I would ask that you pray with us on Sunday, wherever you may be. Our service starts at 6:30 Sunday night. We are going to spend the night committing every part of this church to its Creator and Sustainer. We are all so excited to be a part of God’s plan in this. We know He could accomplish His purposes in Baton Rouge with the blink of an eye, but are so grateful He wants to use us in the process.
Thank you for loving me and influencing my life by living yours to the fullest. Please pray with us as we continue to seek His guidance and heart. Please pray for Josh as God leads him in leading us. And pray that we, as the Bride of Christ, will act out who God truly designed His church to be… humble servants who are in love with their Master and Creator. We know that if we will keep our eyes focused on Him He will lead us in all areas.
I love you and am so thankful for your presence and influence in my life,Megan
