“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” There is something to Candy Canes and Suger Plum Fairies dancing in children’s heads. Bundling up with scarves and mittens to adventure in the winter wonderlands. Christmas Cards, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Coffee and Cocoa. But best of all, Christmas is the season of hope. Hope, 2000 years ago, that the King would emerge from the virgins womb, Hope that He would would deliver His people from their sins on the cross, Hope that He would emerge, then, from the tomb, and hope that we too will be raised in a resurrection like His.

Christmas, then, is not simply “Peace” and “Joy” and “Believe.” Christmas is the Gospel. That God, in His wonderful goodness, would send His Son into a broken, hopeless, and corrupted world. To live a perfect, sinless life. To die, blameless and unblemished on a cross for sinful man. To be buried. To raise from the grave. To come again…

Christmas is the Good News that

“For us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

And…

“Of the increase of His government and of peace
there will be no end…”

Is this not what we must have? Is this not what we long for!

Here in DeKalb we have spent the Advent season finishing Mark’s Gospel and it has been such a joy to preach three final sermons, individually on the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, coupling each of them with the hope of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

Ministry continues to be prosperous. We’re thankful for our city and our people as well as Jesus’ willingness to use us here. And really, the opportunities for ministry here in DeKalb seem endless; there is so much that we can be doing. So, too, we’re thankful for the vision that God has given us to begin a new church here and we’re excited to be accomplishing that vision, bringing people to new life through the Gospel (Worship), becoming a community by the Gospel (Love), and doing life together for the Gospel (Mission).

As we look towards 2010 and make plans to grow as an influential church and see the Gospel become more influential in our city it’s my hope that you would continue to support us both financially and in prayer so that we may continue to do the work that Jesus is putting before us.

I’d like to ask, just one more time this year, that you would consider our work and The church in DeKalb as you look towards your year end giving. We still require over $5000 just for our most basic ministry needs which include staff and ministry needs like health insurance, salary, bibles, and mercy ministry needs. Too, one of our biggest needs and desires, as well as a big part of our vision for 2010 is having our own “multi-use” space which we could use for Worship, Office Space, and Mercy Ministry.

So, along with the $5000 we need monthly we’re hopeful to raise another $20,000 to have our own space in DeKalb.

Giving can be done through our website at www.reachingdekalb.net or mailed to Redeemer Fellowship at 1125 Oak Street, St. Charles, IL 60174.

Would you please consider making a year end gift to our ministry and The church in DeKalb to help make our vision manifest?

Too we hope that you’ll continue to pray for us as we move into 2010. Below are some specific needs:

Pray that God continues to grow our new church numerically and spiritually. Last year we started with 4, today we’re 40ish.
Pray that we continue to meet people and have opportunities to share our vision for our new church in this city. Pray that God would give them a glimpse of the reality of this vision and a desire to be a part of it coming to be.
Pray that we continue to be able to preach the Gospel clearly and that people would hear and believe.
Pray for our people: Students will be beginning a new semester in a few weeks. Townies are struggling with jobs and employment. Young adults are making big, life impacting decisions (it’s hard being a 20 something). And we have four men who have been a part of TcD getting married in 2010!
Pray for our new babies: Nora Oneal and Casey Loar.
Pray for Cherron and myself, as well as Noel and Calvin.
More than anything, pray and give thanks that the Father is satisfied in our efforts to be a Gospel-centered church making Gospel-centered Christians because of the Gospel, the blood and righteousness of Jesus!

I continue to thank God for all of you! Thank you for your participation in our ministry. Thank you for your participation in the Gospel!

Grace and Peace,
Jamie

Another weekly update from my sweet wife and ministry partner. She loves writing these and being involved! Love it!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 ESV

Despite having the coolest venue in town, a hip pastor with fashionable clothes and a good sense of humor, a young music minister who can strum a guitar and sing like an angel, free coffee and cookies made from organic ingredients, and a fancy logo with an artsy background…TcD is NOT “seeker-sensitive”. One visit to our Sunday morning gathering, Community Groups, or even a meeting with one of our leaders, and you will see immediately that we are not about attracting people by being trendy. It is obvious from the moment that you meet us that we are all about the gospel. We truly believe that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, and emphasize it in our Scripture readings, confessions, responsive readings, song lyrics, preaching, and Community Group curriculum. We unashamedly proclaim long passages of Scripture during worship services. And, Jamie is faithfully preaching verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark. TcD is not about style or image. By being so in-your-face with God’s Word and the message of Jesus Christ, we can actually be un-appealing, as the gospel can definitely be a stumbling block. And, unfortunately, it can be a turn-off for someone who does not want to be challenged in their faith. However, for those of us who believe it, we know that there is New Life through the Gospel, Community by the Gospel, and Life Together for the Gospel. In my life, personally, I have actually seen the gospel continue to transform my heart and mind. All glory belongs to Jesus Christ and His church!

Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry. Here are some updates and ways that you can specifically pray for us:

Two weeks ago, we had our highest attendance to date (not counting our Easter launch)…40 people!!! No friends/family/supporters, either. 40 actual attenders! 6 were first time visitors. A huge praise to the Lord for the way He is growing His church! But, please pray for us as we struggle to provide enough seats for everyone. We may need to invest in some chairs soon! And, we may need to look for a new location to meet if we outgrow The House Cafe.

With so many families joining TcD, and two babies due next month, we are finding our nursery is overflowing with babies! The “green room” (where the bands that play nightly at The House Cafe hang out before they go on stage) in the basement measures about 8×8 feet and is becoming crowded with two workers and 5 babies already each week. So, please pray that we can find another solution soon to our space problem. There is a large area in the basement that needs to be organized by the owners of The House Cafe and cleaned with our help. Please pray that is coordinated soon!

God is stretching us as Christians to practice what we preach about showing humility and not showing partiality as He is bringing us people who are very different than the sqeaky-clean college students or middle-class Gen X-ers that most of us are. Please pray that we will, as an entire church body, under the example of our pastor and leadership, embrace these people with open arms and minister to their felt and spiritual needs.

Thanks, again, to everyone who so faithfully supports us. If you would like to make a one-time gift or become a monthly giver to this ministry, please make out your gift to Redeemer Fellowship Church, 1125 Oak Street, St. Charles, IL 60174 and clearly mark them for The church in DeKalb. Your financial aide is incredibly important to us right now as our ministry here in DeKalb grows and our bank balance hovers around only a few hundred dollars after paying for ministry expenses each week. Please support us not only with your prayers but in your sacrifice too.

“Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” Ephesians 6:24

In Christian Love,
Cherron