Let’s call this a level-set of what’s currently going on in Kelly and I’s lives and ministries. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I’m going to start incorporating ministry updates into my regular mix of musings and devotional material here on the blog. Since there’s quite a bit currently taking place it made sense to me to start with a post that runs down the list and will hopefully give each of you some insight into what we’re devoting our days and nights to.
Threshingfloor Communities
This coming August will be the five year anniversary of Threshingfloor Communities. Crazy. We’ve gone from five college students meeting in a freezing basement to two communities totally about 40 people. I lead one community here at our apartment working to jump-start our network of disciples and discipling communities, and Nate and Paul (both awesome dudes) lead the other community that’s reaching international students at NDSU.
Our leadership team is sitting right around 10 people, counting community leaders and apprentice leaders. We’ll all be taking a weekend at the end of April to get away to hang out, pray, and brainstorm as a team. We’ve set out a few goals to pray and work towards this spring and summer – 10+ people coming to Christ for the first time directly through the ministry of people within TF and connecting with a discipling community, two additional communities, and 75% of the people presently in our communities getting deeper connected by taking part in DNA groups.
We’re on track to reach the two additional communities by the end of summer and we’ve seen some awesome stuff happen as people have gone deeper in their faith through DNA groups. Honestly though, I feel like we’re struggling in getting traction on seeing people come to Christ. Maybe it’s that we’re too inward focused, or maybe it’s that the structures and systems we’ve defaulted to due to mostly being people raised in churches aren’t attractive to non-believers. Whatever the case is, we’re going to shift whatever we need to in order to see people encounter the glorious grace of our savior!
Verge Ministries
Verge ministries does awesome work, and, to my knowledge, a ministry that no one else in America is doing. Headed up by Andy Abramson since their inception 5 year ago (several months before Threshingfloor began it’s infancy stages) they’ve worked to serve and equip churches, communities, and campuses in discipling young adults and college students. Verge comes alongside existing ministries to help them build, deepen, and multiply; helps new ministries launch and sustain; sets up networks so that people leading ministries can connect and work together; and works to educate people on the needs and opportunities among young adults for the Gospel.
Andy approached me about 8 months ago and asked if I would come on staff as their Midwest Regional Director to oversee the 10+ ministries they’re currently working with in the region. After a few months of prayer, discussion, and seeking the opinion of many people both Kelly and I respect, it became clear that going on staff with Verge was the next step God was calling us to take.
My job will be to help coach current ministry partners and sites, develop a deeper network of relationships, and basically do whatever I can to help see the young adults and college students across ND, SD, MN, and IA encounter Jesus in ever-deeper ways. I’ll be travelling throughout the region to meet with ministry leaders, hosting Leader Communities (there’s one coming up this weekend in the Brainerd area), and working with the Verge national team to do the annual Leader Advance conference.
There’s a huge need for the church to press into discipling young adults. The majority I encounter are, at best, indifferent towards their faith. Many think of Christianity as hateful and judgmental (though most of them are interested in Jesus in some way).
My day-to-day work with Verge at the moment consists of meeting our existing ministry leaders, working to raise the $4000/mo of funding that will enable me to provide for Kelly and I while doing full-time ministry (you can donate at the Verge website), and working to identify where Verge can serve and help lift up more ministries to young adults. We’re particularly targeting non-college and community-college cities and towns, as well as the western Dakotas and Iowa.
Personally
On a personal level and beyond “official” ministry stuff, I’m working part time at arvato as an Execution Readiness Project Manager (that means I train new employees and plan for new product/system launches and policy changes) three days a week. Kelly is working full time at Old Lutheran doing graphic design. We’re living in a three bedroom apartment in southern Fargo. Andrew, one of the guys I’ve been discipling for a few years now, is living with us.
Life is full and time races by, but we love what we do. It’s so awesome to get to see people grow in their depth of love for Jesus, break free from sins, anxieties, depression, and other bondages that have held them for years; to see lonely people become part of the Jesus family; and to have a marriage that is truly a partnership in doing Christ’s work.
It gets to be a lot on some days though, and we greatly appreciate the prayers of those of you who are praying for us. We would be honored if you would consider joining our official intercessory prayer team and want to receive email and text updates on urgent prayer issues. Please only sign up if you’re actually going to commit to serious prayer.
A couple specific things that we’d appreciate prayer for at this moment are:
- The Threshingfloor goals mentioned earlier – 10+ people coming to Christ, 2 new communities by the end of summer.
- $2,000 of funding raised by the end of April, $4000 by the end of June.
- Energy, joy, and satisfaction in life for Kelly and I
- A couple people that Kelly and I can connect with on a deep relational level who will encourage and inspire us in life, marriage, and ministry
- The Verge Leader Community taking place this coming Saturday. Pray for unity, an environment of love and honesty, and huge encouragement for every leader who attends
Thank You
Thanks for reading this lengthy update! Things are moving forward and I’m so glad to have you along for the journey.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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