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