Our Work with Angel Tree

At Genesis, we divide our work with the city into 2 categories. The first category is our Mercy work. These tend to be one-time, as-needed events. For instance, we’ve worked with Second Harvest Heartland to distribute food, we’ve assembled and distributed homeless care kits, we’ve prepared and served meals at the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, etc. The second category is our Justice work. These are ongoing and gradually increasing relationships with a handful of local care and outreach agencies. The four agencies that fall into this category are:

1. MVNA
2. Engage Global
3. Prison Fellowship
4. Little Earth of the United Tribes

This Christmas season, we are excited to participate in one of Prison Fellowship’s programs - Angel Tree. Here is a brief summary of what Angel Tree is and does:

Every child has a story. For 2.7 million American children, that story is filled with the abandonment, loneliness and shame that come from having a mom or dad in prison. For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration.

Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. This unique program gives your church an opportunity to share Christ’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.

We have been assigned 6 children. Over the course of the next month we will meet with them and their caregivers, provide them with Christmas presents on behalf of their incarcerated parent, and show them the love of Jesus through words and actions. Please pray for us, these children, their caregivers, and their parents, that through this ministry the love of Jesus and the Christmas message would shine brightly!

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

It's Been a Few Weeks

You may have noticed that it’s been a few weeks since the last post. Winter came early this year, so I’m going to use that as my excuse. Since it has been a few weeks, I thought it would be good to bring you up-to-speed on a few key things:

1. Bi-Vocational Work - On Thursday, November 6 I started my short-term work as the custodian for Trinity First Lutheran Church and School. The regular custodian is on medical leave until the end of December. This position has been a huge blessing from God for both us and Trinity First. It has provided me a bridge from my Parks and Rec position to whatever He has in store for us in the new year. It also allows for uninterrupted custodial work at Trinity First during this medical leave.
2. Miracle Grow Community - On November 8, we launched our Miracle Grow Community. If you didn’t get a chance, you can read about what that is here. We launched with 4 families/individuals and 2 others who were unable to make it but plan to be involved. These participants are either current or potential missional leaders from throughout the region - S. Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and even Waconia.
3. Children and Youth Discipleship Leader - In the past couple of weeks we were able to hire Katherine as our new Children and Youth Discipleship Leader. She is a freshman at Concordia, St. Paul. She not only has an impressive history discipling children, but that also happens to be her area of study in college. It truly is a win-win - Katherine provides for us expertise in this area and we are able to provide her with a platform to grow in her skills and put the book-learning into practice.
4. Large Group Worship - We are getting closer and closer to launching the large group worship component of Genesis. We have already had several planning sessions. On December 7, we will have a “dry run” and walk through everything. Then, on January 4, we will have our “preview service.” You are more than welcome to attend, although we won’t publicize this service. Lastly, on Sunday, January 25 in the evening (exact time TBD) at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, we will have the launch of our public worship service. We DEFINITELY want you to attend that if you are able! Then, beginning in February, we will have the regular rhythm of meeting in our different Gospel Communities the first 3 (or 4) weeks of the month and then having our monthly large group worship service at Mt. Zion on the last Sunday of each month.

We have taken some big steps in the previous months and are excited to see what the Spirit does through the big steps that are ahead of us in the coming months! 

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Reflections on Bivo (So Far . . .)

Last Friday (October 17^th) was my last day as a seasonal Park Keeper for the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. I have a couple of week off before I start my next position as the temporary custodian at Trinity First Lutheran School in Minneapolis. I’ve written a few times on bi-vocational ministry, which you can read here, here, and here if you’d like. In light of these initial 4+ months of bi-vocational ministry, I thought I would share my three main reflections on this particular type of ministry.

1. Work Hard and Work Well. I cannot stress this enough – for all who lead the bivo lifestyle, the “non-ministry” job cannot be seen as something less important and less worthy or your energy and effort. Such an attitude would be obvious to your co-workers and boss and will affect how they view you. It will also cheat the organization for which you work, which is unfair to them. Ultimately, such an attitude will be detrimental to your witness in the workplace. On the flip side, if you work hard and work well (at a job you truly enjoy, which is a huge plus!), you will establish a good reputation, which will open all sorts of doors. I have so many stories of my work ethic shaping my reputation in the work place, which then opened numerous doors to deep spiritual conversations about Christ and His Gospel.
2. It Is Really, Truly Hard. I also cannot stress this enough – the bivo lifestyle is physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding. You work 30-40 hours per week at your “non-ministry” job and then an additional 30-40 hours per week for the church. Of course, on top of this you need to prioritize your life as a husband and father (if applicable). Naturally, this doesn’t leave much time for anything else. However . . .
3. It Is Really, Truly Worth-It. One more time, I cannot stress this enough – the bivo lifestyle  will put you and the church in positions that otherwise would not be accessible to you. You will engage with the lost, broken, and hurting in ways that are not available to full time ministers. You will understand the lifestyles of “lay leaders” in the church in ways that you would not if you are full time. You will allow the church as an organization to be leveraged for financial health, both now and in the future, in ways that would not be possible if you were drawing a full time salary. Yes, bivo is hard. But for those called into it, you will quickly realize that you wouldn’t have it any other way.
4. BONUS – Make Sure to Have Really Good Financial People in Your Corner. This is the last thing (I promise!) that I cannot stress enough – if you do not have people in your corner who understand accounting, taxes, etc. REALLY well, you will develop extreme headaches due to the administrative side of bivo. With taxes being so different between church work and non-church work, it can be brutal trying to figure out exactly how much you’re actually making. By far, this area of bivo has caused me more heartburn than all the other aspects of this lifestyle combined.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here
Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Launching the Lighthouse

I’m not sure where I heard this analogy (although I do know I didn’t come up with it!) but broadly speaking, there are three avenues for applying the Gospel to people’s lives:

1. The Lighthouse – This is mass application. It takes the truths of God’s Word and throws them out to the masses. Typically this avenue takes shape in the form of large group worship or other mass events.
2. Flashlight – This is application to a few. Through this avenue it is easier to figure out the specific needs, cares, concerns, etc. of the group and apply the Gospel accordingly. Typically this avenue takes shape in the form of small groups, Missional Communities, etc.
3. Laser Pointer – This is application to an individual. Since this takes shape in a 1-on-1 setting, it is possible to figure out exactly what the person needs to hear (rebuke, words of forgiveness, exhortation, specific insights, etc.) and act accordingly.

For us at Genesis, we have spent the last year focusing on prioritizing Flashlights and Laser Pointers. In the coming months, we will introduce the Lighthouse to the life and rhythm of the Community. But even this component will be unique for us as we have 3 goals for this space:

1. Celebrate – This will be a space for us to celebrate what the Lord has done for us as individuals and as Gospel Communities.
2. Connect – This will also be a space for the different Gospel Communities to connect with each other. It will also be a space to connect the disconnected to Christ and the life of His church.
3. Proclaim – Since this will be the Lighthouse component, it will be a space to preach the Word and for people to respond to that Word.

Our plan is to start with Sunday night Gatherings once-per-month in the coming months. Perhaps we'll progress to a more frequent Gathering, perhaps not. Our desire is to be balanced as we equally emphasize the Lighthouse, Flashlight, and Laser Pointer so that we’re applying the Gospel to as many people as possible in as many ways as possible.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Miracle Grow Community

In the next month we will launch our Miracle Grow Community. This is our biggest step yet in developing Genesis' dual emphases - 1) Genesis the congregation, and 2) Genesis the mission-equipping agency. These two emphases can be described thusly:

1. Genesis, as a local church, exists in South Minneapolis. We currently have two Gospel Communities. In the coming months, we will add large group worship. We have a website (under construction), Facebook page, Twitter handle, and Instagram account (under construction).
2. The Miracle Grow Community exists as a part of Genesis’ mission to identify, equip, and support missional leaders regardless of their geographic location, denominational affiliation, or congregational participation. 
3. Members of the Miracle Grow Community are welcome to participate in any aspect of the congregational component of Genesis, but it is not required.

You may ask, "What exactly is this Miracle Grow Community?" In short, a Miracle Grow Community is (the following is borrowed from this information from Mason Vineyard):

1. A space to directly disciple current or future missional leaders who will, in their unique setting and calling, apply the Gospel to a group of people
2. A space to give and receive encouragement and accountability
3. A space you are invited into by the leader—this is not something you bring a friend to
4. A space to help people answer two questions each time we meet: 1) Where is Jesus at work around me? and 2) How am I joining Him in that work? 
5. A space for a season only, not forever (in our case, 1 year)

Please pray for those in Minneapolis and the surrounding towns who have been invited into this Community. Pray that they would accept this invitation and grow as faithful witnesses of the Gospel wherever they live.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

On to the Next Job

In the coming weeks I will have my last day as a park keeper for the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board. After 3+ months, my seasonal position will come to an end. Then, it's on to the next job, whatever that may be. 

As with everything, we must ask ourselves – Did we accomplish what we wanted to accomplish with the seasonal position at MPRB? I believe the answer is a resounding "Yes!" As I've written before, our 3 main reasons for being an intentionally bi-vocational church are:

1. Missional
2. Leadership Development
3. Finances

But especially with this seasonal position, we wanted to use it as a trial run of sorts in order to learn how to be bivo and answer questions like: "How do we manage our time and energy?"  "How do we spread things around so that all the work for Genesis is getting done?" "How do we handle the budgeting and payroll for a bivo ministry?" "How do we handle the miscellaneous stuff we don't even know about in the bivo life?" Etc. Etc. We were able to find answers to all of these questions and find ourselves far more knowledgeable, capable, and comfortable as an intentionally bi-vocational church.

Of course, the biggest question is: “Is bivo a short-term or long-term thing?” Our answer is: “We will keep doing this until the Spirit guides us differently.” The beauty of where we are now and where we are going is that we are a very healthy 1 year-old church and we are leveraging ourselves to be healthy for many years to come. And I think that’s pretty exciting.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

When Darkness Seems to Be Winning

I love the Bible. I love the fact that the whole of the Bible is God's Word and "is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16) I loved our year-long journey through Acts. I've loved our journey so far through Proverbs. But in all of the Bible, I especially love the book of Habakkuk. 

If you're not familiar with the narrative of Habakkuk, it basically goes like this:

• The prophet Habakkuk complains to God about all the evil around him and asks Him to do something about it.
• God responds by declaring that He will send a group of people who are even more evil to wipe out the evil around the prophet. 
• The prophet tells God that he doesn't like His plan.
• God tells the prophet that one day He will bring all evil to justice. 
• The prophet submits to God's plan and worships Him.  

I love this book for many reasons, but the top reason is because it is constantly relevant (not that the rest of the Bible isn't). When the church takes God's Word seriously to make disciples . . . When we seek to live like Jesus and plunge ourselves into the midst of the hurt, broken, abused, and outcast . . . When we share the Good News only to be rejected and met with apathy . . . When we see a world filled with so many who have bought into Satan's lies . . . Then we will certainly follow the prophet's narrative:

• God, fix things!
• OK, but I'm gonna' do it this way instead if the way you're thinking.  
• I don't like that way!
• Don't worry, one day everything will be made perfect and new. 
• OK. Help me to worship you, trust you, and be faithful to you. 

When you're on the front lines, God's ways rarely make sense. But when you're on the front lines, God is all you have. He is all you want. And you have no choice but to completely trust His promises, even when it seems like the darkness is winning. 

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Three Next Steps

Not too long ago someone gave me an incredible insight into life - When you have young kids, the days are long but the years are short. With four children ages six and under, this has proven to be quite true. Each day, to different degrees, is tiring (but joyful!) Yet, I cannot believe that my oldest is already in Kindergarten and my youngest is on the verge of sitting-up on her own.

I believe this insight is also true of church plants. Each day and week is filled with tiring, yet necessary activities. At the same time, I cannot believe that we have been living as a Community in S. Minneapolis for a year now! This year has flown by, but at the same time it's been humbling to see the many ways God has been at work in us and through us for His Kingdom in this city. As we look ahead to year two, these are our three next big steps:

1. Launch “Miracle Grow” Community - This will be a Gospel Community stocked with Missional leaders. Some will be from S. Minneapolis, some will not. But all will commit from the beginning to be mutually encouraged and equipped as they launch and lead Gospel Communities as the Spirit guides.
2. Large Group Worship - Our goal is to launch monthly worship with all of our Communities beginning in November or December. We have a location secured, but need to spend these upcoming months ensuring we're ready to incorporate this component into Genesis.
3. Bivo Part 2 - When I started at Minneapolis Parks and Rec, I knew this was a temporary position. Well, it's temporary-ness will culminate in the next couple of months, which means I need to find a new position. I have several applications in, and even have an interview tomorrow (Wednesday) for a full-time position with a private landscaping and snow removal company. Please pray that the Spirit would open and close doors as He sees fit so that this next position alligns with our vision at Genesis. 

P.S. - In the coming weeks we will be sending out our annual newsletters/financial appeals/magnets. If you don't think we have your address and would like to receive one, please email your address to dave.larson@genesismpls.org. 

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

The Reward of Missional Living

I’ll be honest with you – recently I’ve been pondering whether or not this life that we’re living is worth it. Our previous life in a congregational setting was much simpler, more predictable, and more comfortable. In other words, our previous life was easier. I didn’t work 40 hours per week at one job and then 30+ hours per week on ministry stuff for Genesis. I didn’t have to work on building something out of nothing. I didn’t have to worry if my family would literally be the only ones to show up on a Sunday morning. I didn’t have to beg and plead with God, asking him to allow someone, anyone to listen to us and our sharing of the Gospel.

This is a hard life. But I don’t write this to gain sympathy or “look heroic.” I simply share the reality of the life to which God has called us. And we completely believe God has called us to this life. Yet, in the midst of this life, God will remind us of the incredible opportunities that He’s opening up to us to be lights in the midst of extreme darkness. Friday was one of those days.

• At work I was able to share with my bosses some details about what’s going on with the church, especially my new work with the police department as a chaplain, which elicited an “intrigued” response.  
• During my 30-minute lunch break, I met with Holly from Prison Fellowship. She shared with me how to become an Angel Tree Church and work with the children of the incarcerated. (We’ve already signed-up and I can’t encourage you and your church enough to sign up as well, if you haven’t already). She also shared with me how the ladies of the Community can experience ministry to women in prison.
• After work, I met with a young lady who is very urban and very spiritual, but is all over the place in regards to what that spirituality means. Yet she has come to value my Christ-centered counsel and is looking for ways to get connected to the Community.
• After that meeting, I had dinner with a man who spent many years in prison. During his time there he became a believer. But right now his life is very challenging and he is searching for Gospel-centered answers in the midst of the storm.

Yes, this life is hard. But it is also the most rewarding life that I’ve ever lived and I wouldn’t change any of it. If you’re feeling the pull, in some way, to jump into the deep end and surround yourself with the lost, broken, hurting, outcast, and forgotten, realize that it will be exhausting in every way – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But also realize that you will see the truths of God’s Word in your life and the lives of others in ways you may have never seen before. Likewise, you will have a deep, thick, and rich satisfaction with life as you live as “children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15-16)

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Serving Those Who Serve

Last week, I (finally!) began my work as a chaplain for the 3^rd Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department. I am 1 of 3 chaplains at this precinct. My duties are essentially broken down into three categories:

1. Police Officer Care – I will attend roll-calls, go on ride-alongs, and simply be present around the officers. The goal is to develop trust and relationships with the officers and be available for conversations and counseling . Simply put, I’m there to care for the officers in whatever ways they need it.
2. Community Presence – I will also attend neighborhood meetings on occasion with officers in order to be a chaplain’s presence in the community.
3. Crisis Care – Lastly, I will eventually be on call for crisis situations where a chaplain’s presence at the scene is beneficial for family, friends, and neighbors.

I am truly excited that the Lord has opened this opportunity to me to serve in this way. The fact that these men and women have voluntarily committed their lives to serving and protecting the general public, to the extent of putting themselves in mortal danger, is absolutely awe-inspiring. It is an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to care for and love them. Plus, it’s an opportunity to be live like Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28).

I would highly encourage all of you to pray for opportunities to serve those who serve others, even if it’s not your local police officers. However, if the Lord should give you that opportunity (or if you are simply connected personally to a cop in any way), I highly encourage you pick up and read a copy of Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

When Darkness Rejects the Light

Before I get into the details of the story that I want to share with you, I want to make a few things clear - 1) I LOVE my second job at Minneapolis Parks and Rec, 2) I truly enjoy working alongside my co-workers there, 3) I pray that the Spirit would work through this situation to do something incredible, and 4) I don’t know what the conclusion of this story will be.

When I first started at Parks and Rec, I discovered that there is another pastor who works there on the mowing crew. I also discovered that this pastor is teaching through the book of Proverbs at his church. Since I knew that we were about to embark on a journey through Proverbs at Genesis, I asked him if he would ever be willing to study it together at break or lunch. Naturally, he was all for it because any time to study the Word is a good time.

Finally, this past Tuesday, it finally worked for us to start talking through Proverbs at lunchtime. We were barely able to even open our Bibles before a firestorm erupted. Some in the area joked about keeping the Bible away from them because it would cause them to go up in flames. Another co-worker absolutely went off on a tirade, “That thing’s outdated . . . You gonna’ tell me some god is going to judge me? . . . ” Another co-worker vehemently declared that it was against the rules to have anything religious at work. Other co-workers stepped-in to defend our reading of the Bible. As for me, I just sat there listening (mostly because there wasn’t room for anyone else to talk). When all was said and done, we were able to read and discuss 1 verse from Proverbs.

The following day, we tried it again. This time we were able to enjoy our lunches and conversation on Proverbs. However, at the end of the day, my co-worker/fellow pastor was pulled aside by our foreman and was informed that a complaint had been filed and that our studying of the Bible during lunch made this individual uncomfortable.

As I mentioned above, I don’t know how this story will end. my co-worker/fellow pastor did not join me for lunch on Thursday and was not at work on Friday. However, I have 3 reflections on this incident:

1. I will continue to study the Scriptures at work. Even if we need to find a different location to eat lunch, this is an incredible opportunity to grow in the Word and create a space for other co-workers who are far from God to meet Him.
2. I will work even harder and show even more respect to my co-workers. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12, “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders.” It is fairly clear that many of my co-workers are currently shut off to the Gospel message. No amount of arguing, apologetics, etc. will do any good right now. My only hope is a ton of prayer and life they can see that is both worthy of respect and validates my faith.
3. I will not get angry, but will weep. In Matthew 23:37 Jesus wept over Jerusalem and their rejection of him, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” It is easy for us to respond to the rejection of the Gospel with anger. But when we have the heart of Christ, our response will be one of mourning, because we know what is being rejected.

Please pray for my co-workers, especially those who are far from Christ. And please pray for myself and my fellow believers there, that we may be like Paul in Acts 17 and trust that while some may disregard us and the Jesus that we worship, others may want to hear more and some may call upon the name of Christ and be saved. 

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

What Can Church Look Like?

This past month has been very sporadic at Genesis (which is fairly typical for churches in America.) In fact, it’s been about a month since we gathered together in Minneapolis. On August 13, we had our normal Community Gathering. On August 20, we returned to Trinity, Waconia and then enjoyed a potluck picnic at a park there and completed our journey through Acts. On August 27 we had our Acts Party (i.e. relaxing dinner together at Minnehaha Park).

Last Sunday, August 3, we were scheduled to get back on track and launch a new journey through the book of Proverbs. There was only one problem - nobody (except us) connected to Genesis was in town. Everyone was either camping or up north or out of state. So our back-up plan was to invite everyone we’ve gotten to know for a laid-back brunch at our house. We received a lot of responses, but those responses were all basically, “Sounds like a good time, but we’re in (insert name of fun place) this weekend!”

However, at the last minute we had two families say “Yes” to our invitation. But these two families are actually related and in the middle of a move and house rehab project. So here’s what we did: We met at the newly purchased house that is being rehabbed. The kids played and had a great time. We sat on the only chairs in the house (which had just been brought that day) on top of semi-installed carpet. We spent an hour or so sharing what God is doing in our lives, discussing Luke 10:25-28, and praying for each other. We then sang a song and, 6 of us in all, Communed together. When we were finished, we worked on the house for a couple of hours, installing a mounted microwave and fixing a step.

So, the question is - Was this church? The beauty of Jesus, His Gospel, and His gifts is that these things are always available to us. It is perfectly good to hear the Word, pray, sing, and Commune in a formal setting on Sunday mornings. But it is equally good to do these things spontaneously alongside a handful of brothers and sisters in Christ in house being rehabbed.

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Reflections on Acts

Last Sunday (July 20th) was the finale of our year-long look at the book of Acts. This journey through Acts had a profound impact on me. While I'm sure I could list more than these, here are my top 5 take-aways from our travels through the book of Acts:

1. The power of the Spirit - There is absolutely NO way someone could read through this book and come to the conclusion that we humans are responsible for individuals coming to faith and the growth and expansion of Christ's Kingdom. Again and again and again we read about how the Spirit did mighty things as the Church grew and expanded. Nothing has changed - today the weight is off our shoulders as the Spirit is the one who continues to do the work of bringing people into the faith and growing them in that faith.
2. The power of prayer - I LOVE how prayer was not a fringe activity of the church. Rather, prayer was foundational to everything they did as they were faithful to the leading of the Spirit. We are to imitate this centrality of prayer, both as individuals and as the Church.
3. The power of community - There were no "Lone Rangers" in the early church. Even during instances of individual mission work (i.e. Philip and Peter), those were short lived as they quickly returned to be fed by and rejoice with the larger church community. Perhaps it's not such a bad thing for us to want each other, need each other, and deeply love each other as we live this Christian life together?
4. Relentless Perseverance - Paul faced rejection so many times. How did he respond? Go find the people who will listen. Every time Paul was rejected in a town, he simply moved on to the next town in search of anyone willing to listen to his life-saving message. If, and when, we and our Gospel message are rejected, we are to be like Paul and keep going instead of being stopped in our tracks by rejection.
5. Joining vs. Asking - This ties in very much to point 1, but throughout Acts it is clear that God is about His work and invites His people to join Him in that work. When we look at our lives in this way, things switch from "I'm going to do this and hope that God blesses it" to "I'm going to listen and pray in order to figure out where God is at work around me and then join Him in that work." And I'll be honest, this way of doing ministry is MUCH less stressful!

Next we will embark on a journey through Proverbs, but I am going to miss Acts. As commentator William Willimon wrote to conclude his commentary on Acts, "You and I live in the continuation of the story of Acts. Acts must close in an open-ended fashion, with the door still open for work and witness rather than closed by death, because the Spirit is still active. Luke is not simply writing history. He writes the story of the Spirit, the Spirit incarnate in people like you and me. Living here between the times, as we always have, there is work for the church to do. We need not be gazing into heaven when the Spirit is active here on earth. The period of the world mission of the church is now. There is still time to tell what has happened on earth. Since Pentecost nothing has been able to silence the tongues of God's faithful witnesses. In your church and mine the story continues. Nearly two millennia after Luke wrote to Theophilus, Acts reminds us that despite rejection, persecutions, setbacks, and our own lethargy or cowardice the gospel proclamation continued to the very end of the earth, by God's grace, unhindered.”

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel

Momentum Is Fun!

As I’m sure you’ve encountered, life is quite enjoyable when you’re experiencing momentum. When things are heading in the right direction at home, work, in your personal life, etc., then life is pretty dang good. This is the case for Genesis right now. And I’ll be honest – it’s a ton of fun!

Here are just a few ways we’ve experienced momentum at Genesis recently:

1. Launch of 2^nd Gospel Community – As I mentioned last week, this past Friday we launched our 2^nd Community – the Lake Hiawatha Gospel Community. Just like the Morris Park Gospel Community, this group of 10-20 individuals will enjoy life together as they discover and follow Jesus and do good in the City. 
2. New Apprentices – As part of our strategy, we identify and develop apprentices who will one day launch their own Gospel Community and apply the Gospel to a group of people. Now that our former apprentices have launched, we have new ones who have stepped into this role. 
3. New Families – Not only did we launch our 2^nd Gospel Community, but we are connecting new families to the Morris Park Gospel Community.
4. Finances – We ended our first fiscal year with a good-sized surplus. As a thank offering for the Lord’s generosity we are tithing from that surplus and dividing that money to give to our four key community partners – MVNA, Engage Global, Little Earth, and Prison Fellowship.

All of this is living proof of James’ words from James 5:16, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Thank you for your continued support and may the Lord continue to guide and bless you as you work for the Kingdom wherever He has placed you! 

Invest in us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Pray for us and our work in S. Minneapolis - Click Here

Participate in the life of the Community - Click Here or Here

#PlantTheGospel