The Stillwaters young professionals’ house church is shifting gears with its Sunday gatherings. I personally like our new set-up.
The picnic worship services (see this post) that we’ve been having earned us a good many friends. We are still in happy communication with all of them. Yet we found that it’s very hard to have meaningful conversations on the football field. So we’ve made some changes to our gatherings:
- We now meet at a coffee shop
- “Gospel Transformation” discussion material is used
- It’s earlier in the day
- More seeker-friendly
It has been very meaningful for us so far. AND the environment has allowed us to help each other in our personal ministries. There are some good stories of yuppies sharing their faith. More on that next time. 
Two weeks ago, this student was in knots; he was worrying about the many academic requirements he had. He would go to school trembling everyday, because everyday his best efforts only got him partial results. But the strange thing was that every time, every class, the requirements would officially fizzle out or be modified for one reason or another. This left him repeatedly wondering what he was worrying about in the first place.
And then something happened. (He calls this a “turning point” in his life.) At the end of that week, he hears a Stillwaters talk on Matthew 6. The phrase that struck him hard was: “Worry is a sin.” The events of the previous days amplified that message. So in his heart, he decided not to allow worry to rule his life. He decided to live as if a Sovereign God really did care about him. And you should see the smile on his face now.
Hearing him share the story is inspiring. There is a serious joy in his eyes when he says: “I want everybody to know this.”
But if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelguy/2447780758/
The Heyday fellowship tonight was filled with newcomers, each bringing their perspectives to the soul-searching time. The fellowship is an informal, safe place to ask the dangerous questions of life. This recently planted (see post below) house church is striking a cord, as newcomers gladly invite their friends to give the fellowship a try. Here they are in small group discussions. 70% are newcomers while 30% are old-timers.
The Thursday house church officially launched a new house church yesterday, affectionately named Heyday. This marks a third generation of house churches in Stillwaters. Tuesday (1st gen) planted Thursday (2nd gen), and Thursday has planted Heyday (3rd gen).
Such regular multiplication is a good sign for Stillwaters as a whole. Just ask the new full-fledged house church leaders and the new batch of leaders-in-training. The send-off worship service yesterday was full of passionate testimonies.
Father! An awesome work you have done in the hearts of these students. These spiritual families meet a desperate need in my generation. Thank You. And knowing You, there’s more to come. Take us there. Amen.
Photo by Nigel Chatfield: http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxley/2482742958/
The first three weeks of AY 2011-2012 have been energy-packed and Spirit-filled. We hope that you have been enjoying the updates through SMS and Facebook/Twitter.
If you haven’t yet, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/melvinandflo) or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/melvinandflo). That way, you receive God-stories as they happen. Here’s a sampling:
And now, God-junkies rejoice! The Building Households of God blog will be once again updated on a regular basis. We start tomorrow, so stay tuned!
p.s. You might even get the bonus of NEW blogs from our new staff.
These are the leaders of Stillwaters from the 4 different student house churches. Not included in this photo are the many other wonderful people that they lead. The stage is set for a radical Gospel-movement in this generation.
These student leaders gathered the other day for a briefing that was greatly encouraging. They exchanged stories of how God transformed lives in their house church; revisited the main distinctives and identity of Stillwaters; and together dreamt of what God could do this coming school year and beyond
Feedback from those who attended reveal a stirring of the Spirit. Responses include:
- A trembling because of the great trust God has given
- The satisfied thrill of seeing (and not only hearing of) God alive in other house churches
- Tender affections for “cousins” during break/fun times
- A seasoned missionary commented that there was enough power in the room to see Stillwaters grow to 10 house churches and 600 members by the end of the year.
Stillwaters would never have made it this far without You, Father. You maneuvered ten thousand factors without breaking a sweat. What a joy to see Your power! So now expand Stillwaters, Your church, at a rate explainable only by Divine intervention. Amen.
Here’s another reason why tomorrow’s briefing is special. The event is funded entirely by Stillwaters alumni. Together we’re learning that church isn’t just a “college thing”. I salute you graduates!
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