Ask any builder and they'll tell you: if you don't get the foundation level, the structure won't last. Jesus shared similar sentiments when he told the story of the foolish man who built on sand and the wise man who built on rock. As church planters, we're currently in perhaps the most pivotal phase of the project. The core leadership of our church plant (currently Hamish and Molly Taylor, Whitney, and myself) have been meeting weekly to hear from God together, to worship Him, to reconnect with each other, and to begin seeking answers to crucial questions like where, when, and with whom we will plant this next church. While we still have countless steps to take, we do have some direction currently.
In short, we're releasing control and asking the Master Builder to lay a firm foundation for His glory - not for our own. In our meetings, we've found that we have a collective passion for finding out what God is up to and asking Him to use us to accomplish His purposes there. We also realise that we're all keen to surround ourselves with others who feel the same way. The leadership at Shore Community Church have been on their own journey toward collaboration and it seems the Spirit may be leading us together for such a time as this. Since Hamish and Nate have good rapport in the church as visible leaders there and we have a heaps of respect for the SCC leadership, it seems like we have great potential for a healthy partnership. The spectrum of how exactly we could partner with Shore range from planting an independent church collaboratively to creating a multi-site church. This will be a topic of discussion soon, so please be in prayer that we're all in tune with the Spirit and following His lead.
Family Update.
We're celebrating FIFTEEN YEARS OF MARRIAGE today. Doesn't it go by in a blink? Looking back, it's been such a roller coaster. Our first five years were spent in Indianapolis and were the pre-children years. It was a glorious time. We went on random trips and date nights whenever we wanted. We would sometimes work late nights together (at Northview Christian Church). It was just the two of us...and Rory Gilmore the dog. Then as we were moving to New Zealand to plant churches, we were surprised with our first child: Lane. She's nine years old now. Then after moving to Christchurch Henry arrived, we planted a church, we survived earthquakes, we made life-long friends, and then came Finn. Now we're in Auckland and we're about to enter a new phase with all the kids in school. We're walking into the future arm in arm and more in love than ever. :-)
“The Hutchisons are an immense blessing to our church community as we seek to reach out to those in Auckland and beyond.
We are so appreciative to their supporters in the U.S. for making it possible for them to invest in ministry and mission with us for this season.”
Prayer Requests.
Elaine Hutchison (Nate's mum)
Please pray for Elaine as she has been diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma. We're still waiting for information that will stage her cancer, but initial advice from doctors is that it doesn't look good. We're devastated, but holding on to hope. Will you pray with us?
Tami Meaige (Whitney's mum)
Please pray for Tami as she undergoes treatment for stage 1 breast cancer. She was diagnosed in May/June and is now receiving chemotherapy. She is expected to recover fully, praise God!
Praise: Our Church Planting Team
Praise God for calling Hamish and Molly Taylor to join our church planting team. These two are the ideal teammates for us, and we basically absolutely LOVE them! Please pray for them as they embark on their fundraising journey, and as they restructure their lives in order to get back into church planting.
Church Plant
Pray for good conversations with Shore Community Church and others who will likely be heavily involved in our next church plant project. Please pray that we follow God's leading in this, and that He will provide the workers and opportunities we need for the spiritual harvest.
Homeless Outreach
Please pray for this blooming new ministry led by a young man Nate is mentoring, Joe Jay. We are being blessed each time we go out to bless others in the name of Jesus. Pray that more people get involved and that God continues to sustain the leaders of this ministry.
Financial Partnership
Please pray for our financial partnerships to remain strong, that God will provide for what we need, and that we will be good stewards of what He provides. If you'd like to help, you can donate here.
Life Group
We're really enjoying the community we have with people in this group. Please pray for continued participation and continued discipleship.
School
Please pray that the kids make positive friendships at school, and that they will connect well with their teachers this year. Please pray also for Nate as he continues studying counseling as a support to our ministry here.
Our Family
Pray for good health and positive friendships. The transition to our new house wasn't easy. Please pray for peace and a sense of belonging in our new home.