I’m sitting in a chair in which someone has sat before me. Specifically I’m sitting in a chair that someone has sat in as recently as this past Sunday, on Easter. And in this chair the person who sat in it on Sunday morning heard the Gospel, the Good News that Jesus died for sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures.

Most people who hear the Gospel don’t hear it from this chair – but this past Sunday they and about 60 others sat in these chairs here, at The House Café, and heard the Good News that Jesus was delivered up because of our transgressions and raised because of our justification.

On Sunday morning we celebrated new life through the Gospel and our reconciliation to God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the first time on a Sunday morning, and, for me at least, it was amazing!

We had roughly 60 people attend The church in DeKalb’s first worship gathering, many of whom were members, friends, and supporters and some who I had never even seen before and have now had the pleasure of meeting.

More importantly God was glorified, Jesus was exalted, and we pray that the Holy Spirit is speaking and applying the words spoken and sung to the hearts of people here in DeKalb.

Our first service was incredibly encouraging for me personally and for many, if not all, of those involved with TcD as members. Likewise it should be encouraging to those of you who are our friends and those of you who have supported us through prayer and financial support as we could not have achieved this apart from Christ, God’s goodness, the Gospel, and your partnership in the Gospel.

Further we hope that the success of this first Sunday morning worship gathering will serve as some of the first fruits of God’s calling us here to plant a new church in DeKalb and will encourage others of your to begin to support us by partnering with us in prayer and financially.

One of the most key things that I have learned since Sunday morning is the incredible need we have both here in DeKalb generally and with TcD specifically for prayer. There are deep spiritual obstacles in place here that through much prayer need to be removed. I feel that we are on the verge of having many people become new Christians; there are a half dozen in my mind right now that are so close to grasping faith in Jesus alone.

So, with that, here are some ways in which you can support us this upcoming week:

Prayer:

Pray that God continues to work in the hearts of people who we’re meeting and who are becoming involved with TcD, that the Gospel would become clear to them and that they would receive Christ and trust in Him alone.

Pray that God becomes the most desirable thing on our people’s lives and that God and the Gospel becomes the sole motivation for our love for each other and our city.

Pray that God would enable us to bless the people of DeKalb with good works and to encourage them with the Gospel. Pray that God would provide financial support, time, and energy along with open doors for beginning new relationships.

Give:

We still need about 20 people who can give at the $40 a month level. And we’re still looking for churches to come on board and partner with us with financial support too.

Our goal for this month was to raise $4000 which is used to accomplish the ministry we want to accomplish in DeKalb. This week we received $2508.67 through our offering and outside support! That means that we’re just about $220 away from accomplishing our goal for April.

If you would like to support TcD by becoming a financial partner you can give both through the website at www.reachingdekalb.net or through mailing checks to Redeemer Fellowship at 1125 Oak Street St. Charles, IL 60174

God has been tremendously good to us! I’ve rejoiced in that all week! Praise God for a great start! We look forward to growing our ministry and influence here in DeKalb.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel!

Grace and Peace,

Jamie

Well, here we go! This Sunday The church in DeKalb will be gathered for Sunday morning worship at 10:00am at The House Café for our first ever worship service!

Obviously we’re pretty amped for this and really the whole week leading up to our first service. As well as the service we have a lot going on this week, officially, in our Community Group, and our Food Drive on Saturday, as well as all of the preparation for Sunday morning like printing programs, finding offering plates, checking the sound and setup at The House Café, practicing worship songs and scripture readings, and writing a sermon.

I hope you’re praying for us and for our events this week as well as the “spring board” effect of our Easter service as we’ll be launching a second Community Group and other fellowship and service events following Sunday’s service.

More good news:

Cherron I found a house! We’ve gone from a farmhouse to a house on a farm. The blue farmhouse that we liked very much sold about two weeks ago but we kept our eyes open and actually found a house on a farm on the outskirts of DeKalb. The rent seems very inexpensive for what we’re getting: a three bedroom house with a basement on over three acres with a play set and swings for the kids, a basketball court and a baseball field! God has given us more than we asked for! It’s going to be a great house for TcD events and gatherings…a great house for building great community.

Cher, the kids and I will be moving in on May 1^st. Thanks to the Winters for their friendship, their support, and allowing us to rent their Batavia house for the last three years.

Praise God that giving has been good so far this month. We have a goal to raise $4000 for April’s TcD budget needs. So far we’ve raised $1265.00. Our support usually comes in at the beginning and end of the month so we’re hoping that you can help us in the middle.

*Break*

I just had another great conversation with a local high school Spanish teacher as I was writing our weekly update. She was very impressed with our desire to be a church for the whole city and very helpful in recommending some ideas to reach the Hispanic part of town on the East side of the railroad tracks here. Got to talk about her church background a bit and it was awesome to be able to invite her and her family to worship this Sunday morning!!

*I’m back…*

We’ve picked up one or two more $40 per month supporters but still need over 20 more. Please consider giving online at www.reachingdekalb.net or by mailing a check to Redeemer Fellowship at 1125 Oak Street St. Charles, IL 60174.

If you haven’t checked out the website it’s new and updated and looks amazing! Thanks to Brian Malcolm for his help! Check it out www.reachingdekalb.net

Also, if you aren’t familiar with Twitter you should check it out (www.twitter.com). I use Twitter throughout the day and I have found that it is a great way to follow, almost live, what I’m doing in DeKalb. It’s a great way to stay up to date, know what’s always happening, and helpful if you’re one of our prayer partners to know specific ways to pray for TcD and me. Once signed up with Twitter you can add me, my user name is pastorjamie. I’ve also created a TcD specific account where you can follow official TcD happenings. Sign up and also add TchurchD.

*Break, again*

Just found out that NPR will be airing our Food Drive ad for FREE!! Sweet!!

*I’m back, again…*

Alright, lots to do this week in preparation for Sunday! Thanks for continuing to support us, and thank you for your partnership in the Gospel!

Grace and Peace,

Jamie