Almost 17 years ago I planted the Chattanooga Vineyard and it is easy to forget what it's like to pioneer a new church. Let me fill you in on some of the exciting things that have happened.
- We left Chattanooga the week before Christmas and arrived in Houston in time to have Christmas in Texas for the first time in 16 years.
- I enrolled at Texas A&M to begin finishing my degree that I had left undone for nearly 30 years. I took 12 hours and made a 4.0. I now have about 19 hours until I'm finished! Being able to sit and learn, to get to know A&M again and meet lots of new friends was WONDERFUL. I got up everyday feeling like I needed to pinch myself. Who gets to do this? My college-aged friends do not take this time for granted! Learning for learning's sake is a precious gift!
- Kellie got a job teaching at the Brazos School and is finishing her certification to teach in Texas.
- Though we have made less money than we have since the time I was in my early twenties (try a 40K hit to your income, it smarts) God has provided. Our dear friends Jon and Denise Bowden allowed us to live on their farm/vineyard in Anderson Texas. It was a truly wonderful time and getting to hang out with Jon and Denise on the weekends was soul-restoring after nearly 17 years of ministry. The property was amazing and I can tell you the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.
- Anderson was about 40 miles from Bryan/College Station so for the last 5 months we've commuted. This last week both the Peils and Anderles moved into the Bryan/College Station area. We are renting a little 1920's bungalow style house three blocks from downtown Bryan, and the Peils got a great place near College Station High School in College Station. Everyone (the Peils and Anderles) is in and out during July but we should get into a rhythm starting in August.
- In August we will begin bringing people together and setting the culture of the church that will be the The Vineyard Church of Bryan/College Station.
- There are so many things that I am so excited about when it comes to my relationship with Jesus and what it means to live in Christ-centered community. I will be posting about those things a little bit each week.
Here's how you can help. Pray that our core team develops a unified vision and culture for the church. As always, we can use your financial support. You can give to the pioneering work of The Vineyard in Bryan/College Station by clicking donate. Thanks we appreciate your support and prayers!
