Ron on the Road: U.K. and India
It has been a busy yet rewarding week spent in the U.K. We arrived in London a little more than a week ago. During this week, I have had the opportunity to meet with over a dozen Church planting pastors. One of the highlights of my trip was attending the second ever service of Trinity Church Everton. This church is pastored by Peter Roberts, and is located in Liverpool, England. There were about 30 people meeting in a local community center. The church is a wonderful blend of cultures in a very deprived area of Liverpool. Peter and his wife Ruth moved into the area a little more than a year ago. They are expecting their first child in February. Please keep Peter and Ruth Roberts in your prayers as they minister to the folks in their neighborhood.
I am now on my way to India, where I will be visiting with John Khusal in Lucknow, and then onto Manipur State to spend some time with Khen Tombing. I will be teaching a Gospel Boot Camp to over 300 pastors in that area. Please pray that we make much of Jesus, and for protection for the pastors of this region of India.
Spotlight: Samuel Choi & Center Church
Samuel Choi shares his vision for Center Church in Irvine California
Spotlight: Bryan Loney & Christ The King Roslindale
See what Bryan Loney has to say about one of our church plants - Christ The King - Roslindale in the Boston area
Ron on the Road: The Summit Church
We arrived in Plano, Texas in time to have dinner with Joel and Michelle Miller. Joel serves as the senior pastor of The Summit Church in Allen, Texas. Joel planted this church just two years ago after planting a church in Mississippi. The Summit Church has had to move locations three times this year, and that has caused some struggles for the Church. Allen is located just north of Dallas, and the area has been greatly affected by the economy. Joel has lots of stories of folks coming to Christ through his ministry, and is starting to see some real leadership being developed in the Church.
Michelle is not only very busy with their four children, she also substitute teaches at a local Christian school. Joel and Michelle are excited to see what God is doing through The Summit Church and appreciate the support of Spanish River Church. Joel also appreciated the coaching he received from David Nicholas, and is committed to preaching the Gospel.
Please keep the Millers in your prayers as they deal with all the changes and challenges of this community.
After leaving Dallas, we are making a beeline to home, and will arrive in Boca Raton tomorrow. It has been a great trip, but we are ready to be home. We have travelled over 13,000 miles, seen 33 states and visited with 51 pastors. Most of the pastors have been supported financially by Spanish River Church. It has been amazing to see what this investment has returned. The vision that God gave David Nicholas and Ernie Tomforde has resulted in an unbelievable network of Churches that are preaching the Gospel and serving their communities. It is a great honor to serve at a Church that is so kingdom minded.
Miriam and I will arrive home four days before I leave for India to visit with our church planting partners in that country. Please keep us in your prayers as well, there is much to do.
Ron on the Road: City-Wide Redeemer, Las Vegas
We rolled into Las Vegas in time to have dinner with the Phillip and Angie Glassmeyer, Phillip serves as the senior pastor of City-Wide Redeemer Church. Phillip along with Eric Phillips came to Las Vegas in 2007 to plant City-Wide. The church currently meets in a local school and averages 130 on a Sunday morning.
November, 2009, saw the formation of CWR’s first missional community. These missional communities number between 20-40 people and exist to give localized expressions of the gospel among neighbors. They meet regularly to consider God's word, pray, share a meal, and to serve the neighborhood. At present there are three of these MC's meeting around the city. The vision is for many more neighborhood missional communities to form throughout the city for local transformation through word and deed ministry.
In February, 2011 They launched their second site, City-Wide Redeemer, Paradise. This congregation, centered just east of the UNLV campus, meets for worship Sunday afternoons. Keith Robinson has come on staff to oversee this second site. Please keep Phillip, Eric, Keith and their families in your prayers as they build a church in a very difficult and challenging city.
After leaving Las Vegas we continued east and took a quick detour to see the Grand Canyon. We arrived there right at sunset, and braved the sleet and cold weather to get some great photos.
We then headed out of the park but got delayed when we hit a deer crossing the road. The car had some minor damage, not sure about the deer, he trotted away.