April 2011
It has been a great month for Southern Hills! As rookie church planters we know that we have a lot to learn. During our education we have read a lot of books and we have been to a lot of classes, but there is no substitute for learning from those who are walking the road that we hope to walk. This month we had the privilege of spending time with and learning from two churches that have been started within the past three years. It was awesome to be around their ministries and to learn from them first hand. On Sunday, April 3 we were in Centerton, Arkansas with Lifepoint Baptist Church and Pastor Mike Brinson (Read More). On Sunday, April 10 we were with Pastor Ben Seyden and Riverside Baptist Church in Kankakee, Illinois (Read More). We want to thank each of these pastors and churches for their encouragement and their willingness to invest in us.
One lesson that we are learning on a regular basis is the importance of trusting God. We have worked hard to make good plans, but there are still a lot of uncertainties. We have many questions and concerns, but we are thankful that we have a God who we can trust with our questions and concerns. We are also thankful that we have friends like you to join with us in prayer. With that being said, we want to share a couple of our prayer requests with you.
Please pray that God would provide for us during our transition from Springfield to Round Rock. As we prepare to move (in about two months!) we have some very specific needs. We need to secure jobs and homes in the Round Rock area and Thomas and Rachel need to sell their home in Springfield. Also, moving from state to state is not cheap, so we are praying that God would provide for us financially as we go through this process.
Second, please pray that God would continue to guard our hearts from fear and doubt. We are incredibly excited about what we have ahead of us. We cannot wait to see what God is going to do through us, but there are times when we can become anxious about the parts of God’s plan that we do not know or understand. It is our prayer that we would learn to live out the words of Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Lastly, please pray for us as we continue to visit with pastors and churches about our plans. We are thankful for those who have already chosen to partner with us, but we could use some more help. Please pray that God would keep us safe as we travel and that we would be an encouragement to the churches that we have opportunities to spend time with.
As always we want to say thank you to those who support the ministry of Southern Hills through encouragement, prayer and financial gifts. Please continue to pray that God will give us wisdom as we plan and prepare. Also, pray that God would prepare the people of Round Rock and North Austin for His message.
May God receive the glory from our lives and the ministry of Southern Hills.
Tags: Southern Hills Baptist Church, Round Rock, Texas, Austin, Texas, prayer requests, church plant, newsletter
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