MARCH 2023
“Entering A Season of Newness”
CHURCH UPDATES
March was packed! The month began with a Liberti Communion Cohort — a meeting with my fellow pastors in which we ate, prayed and discussed various topics that affect us and our people. And it was great! Each time we get together I am reminded of how at home I feel and how blessed I am that these guys have made a place for me around the table. It’s a feeling I want to bring with me and share with everyone I come in contact with. It’s the culture I am praying for, for Liberti Bristol. Thankfully, I think we are well on our way.
Exactly one week later I had the pleasure of joining Pastor Evan and our new pastoral resident, Zac, at Cairn’s Annual Church Leaders Conference. There we had the honor of hearing from Dr. Kelly M. Kapic. Dr. Kapic shared with us his heart and all he learned while writing his most recent book, “You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News.” It was a much needed lesson for me. That next Sunday our team at Liberti Northeast went door to door inviting the Church’s neighbors to join us on Easter Sunday if they didn’t have another place to be (which, by the way, is an invitation to all of you as well!).
But tucked in amongst all of these opportunities was one that I am the most thankful for: a social media workshop for small businesses right here in Bristol (shout out to Melissa Newman, owner of the social media agency Thea Creative Studio, for hosting). In just a few hours myself, along with my much needed editor, Laura, were able to learn more about the tools at our disposal and how to use them to continue to spread awareness and build momentum for the future and for our goals. Not only was the event logistically helpful, but we we also able to build a new relationship with yet another leader committed to revitalizing and growing Bristol. And that’s a Gospel Goal! Wherever the church grows should make that place closer to Heaven on Earth.
Melissa, if you are reading this, thank you!. Thank you for sharing in that mission in your own way; using your obvious talents to serve Bristol. What’s more, I don’t know if you secretly picked us, or if it was just God’s favor, but winning the raffle to have you help us plan a marketing road map means more to us than you know! I’ll certainly be seeing you at your next event, but I hope to run into you again before then!
Finishing off the Month, I was able to help lead another Bristol Ministerium meeting where ministers and leaders from the Borough all gathered around the table and prayed for the community and each other. Holy week is soon upon us, so there was much to pray for and many invitations to worship together were discussed. MORE! Just adding to the welcome and affirmation God has given Liberti, yet another potential location has been offered to us! Now, as a church planter, you have to understand just how hard it often is to find a place to gather. But God has now found us three to choose from! I am overwhelmed by gratitude and my head is spinning as I seek wisdom and clarity deciding exactly where God would have us to plant our roots here in Bristol.
Would you join us in that prayer?
PERSONAL UPDATES
Let’s start with what you are all wondering about. The dog is fine! Surgery went well, Heist is fully recovered, and by looking at her, you would never know! Better still, those guys who were caught scoping out our house haven’t been spotted since. Thank you for your prayers.
On another note, did I mention that March was packed?! Weddings, events, hospital visits, all mixed into an already packed schedule left me, as I am now: feeling quite overwhelmed. And yet, God has continued to minister to my soul with something like a quiet, but ever present voice reminding me of the good news, that He meets us there. This month held so many distractions and feelings of anxiety, yet I could still hear it, “I’ve got this; and I’ve got you.” And even now I can’t explain it. I know my words are failing me to describe the experience. But I am so grateful that His voice is there for me to find and follow. And you know, if you are feeling anything like me, may I invite you to quiet your mind for just a moment and I bet you will hear Him too. “He’s got this; and He’s got you.”
I needed these words this month. I needed them with each migraine I suffered. Laura and I needed them on our way to the ER one night as Laura experienced abdominal pain that we thought were leading us to surgery up until the MRI results came back. That was tough. We were overwhelmed. But still, God had it, and he had us. That remains true — surgery or not. But we are so thankful that bedrest was all that was needed. A week after that night in the hospital, Laura was back to work! She is recovered! I couldn’t get her to pose in the backyard fetching the toy that I threw; but I promise, by looking at her, you would never know!
But in all seriousness, as overwhelmed as we have felt, we also feel blessed by the family and friends that have been around us, and by the support of people like you. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. With March comes the spring and a season of newness. With a church on the horizon, and a baby girl due in May, we are certainly entering a season of newness and we can’t thank you enough for coming with us along the way.
Would you continue to pray for us in this new season and would you consider supporting us both with your presence and financial provisions? We can’t do it without you.
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Partner With US
Liberti will be a church in the heart of Bristol with a heart for Bristol — who seeks to live, speak and serve as the very presence of Jesus to our neighbors there.
PRAYER
Would you commit to including Liberti Bristol in your prayers? Would you pray for softened hearts? Would you pray that God would open doors and opportunities for us to be ambassadors for His kingdom? That we would have eyes to see opportunity and the willingness to pursue it — even when it’s difficult?
PRESENCE
We desperately need your prayers, but we also need your presence! Liberti Bristol needs mission-minded people like you; willing to do the work and take the risks to participate with God in the expansion of His kingdom! If you'd like to consider joining our launch team, then I invite you to stop by our house on a Wednesday night. Every Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30PM, our team comes together as a family — adults and children — for a time of fellowship and prayer. Come meet us and see if this is where you belong!
PROVISION
And finally, provision. Listen, we believe that God will provide for that which He has ordained. Liberti Bristol isn't a project of our own, but rather it's our effort to be obedient to God's call on our lives and to be his ambassadors and priests, declaring the good news of God's Kingdom; inviting others to repentance and to come and see that He is good. And so, we believe that God will provide for us. But we believe He'll do it through people like you! Would you consider being a part of God's provision to us? Be it a monthly, annual or even a one-time donation? We need your help to make Liberti Bristol the church that this neighborhood needs it to be!
