Dear Brother and Spouse

Greetings!

First! Do not make hasty decisions!

The same God will speak to both of your hearts - though one may lead. It is very important that BOTH of you sense God leading, or that the Mrs. is 100% behind trusting you, Jeff, as your hear God, and she follows you as you follow God.

[1] Bro Jeff, keep in mind that Church, DEFINITELY is 100% MISSION and 100% NOT a building!

Church is like the Marines: What is the Marines, a particular barracks? A particular base? Not hardly, it is much more that that! The Marines is a commitment to a cause and purpose!

Whatever the Marines may be on "home soil", when enemy territory is invaded, THERE IS NO BASE - there is only Mission!!! Right?

We the Church are in "Enemy Territory!"

Starting a Church is simply making a commitment to cause in your heart!

So I recommend for you to go ahead and think "Church Mission" . . even if it never becomes a "local group" - as a Church makes the best foundation - legally and spiritually - from which to launch a dozen ministries.

FAITH:Remember, your ministry will never grow beyond your faith to believe that you receive, sow seed for, pray for, and cultivate with your profession . . . it is important that you and your wife can agree on the ministry to pray for, with your older Children . . .to pray for, speak for, believe for, and prepare for . . .

Preparing to receive is EXTREMELY important evidence of faith!

EXAMPLE: If I emailed you that I was coming down tomorrow, you would do something to prepare to receive me . . . "IF" you truly believed I was coming down. Perhaps you'd plan some chores and put me to work [HA!] - we could cut wood and/or dig you a good well, or build you a cistern - or mow the lawn or work on the house - or go soul winning.

[NOTE: Maybe we do need to dig you a well or build a good cistern!!!]

Anyway, if you didn't believe that I would show up, you wouldn't make any plans to "get some good out of me!" [HA!]

So it is with ministry! If you really believe God desires to use you and bless, then you must PREPARE TO RECEIVE!!!!!

So let's lay a good foundation, say for a dozen ministries five years from now - several for you, 2-3 for your wife, and at least one for each child as they graduate high school and get a job.

Starting a Church COSTS NOTHING, but it pays great dividends spiritually, legally and financially, and it needs to be done going forward - not backtracking!

[2] A Church (Mission) can begin with 2-3 gathered together Christ said, and proceed from there.

[3] A Church (Mission) can begin in a library, a room in a community center, a restaurant for Sunday Morning Breakfast (or "join a Catholic Church or Methodist" and invite them to a midweek Church gathering for Praise & worship, prayer for the sick, study of the Gifts, mission of the Church, etc).

[4] Once you get a few people, say 10-20, a public school is perfect. It is non-denominational, low-cost, great for Sunday School and meeting classrooms, with chalkboards, maps, overhead, etc.

[5] Some of the greatest ministries NEVER leave the Public School . . . let the gymnasium be you sanctuary . . .saving a fortune in expenses from which they can pay a worthy Minister and achieve many things

[6] Consider hosting a Community Sing one Sunday Evening a month at a public School . . . get some volunteer groups to come in, . . .you give a short message, have some praise and worship, invite Church Choirs.

Have a Republican meeting one night a month

Start a Community Door-to-Door Survey in Fairview

Have a youth rally once a month at a Bowling Lane, etc.

[7] Start gathering a group around you . . . ask God to give you those who are disgruntled with their home churches doing nothing for the kingdom . . .[this is how King David formed his army, with the outcasts of Israel].

[8] Perhaps print a one page "Flyer" describing the kind of ministry / church you believe God would have you to start in Fairview, and start passing these out and posting everywhere.

[9] Have some discussions at a library, or little restaurant with a side room.

Ask God to bring you someone who wants to "lay up treasures in heaven" by allowing their home, basement, big porch, garage etc. to be used to start a Church in their "Heavenly account"

[Even print this in your Flyer, asking for some one to step forward and offer their home]

Run a simple "classified ad" in the paper for those interested in starting Soul Winning New Testament Church in Fairview to contact you

[10] "IF" you have started your CHURCH on paper, you can begin receiving OFFERINGS IMMEDIATELY beginning with your OWN tithe!

This is how you PROVE TO FOLLOWERS THAT YOU BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING: THAT IT IS WORTHY OF YOUR TITHE!

Pay yourself first!

[11] Ask God to bring you older couples who have a buck-or-two . . . who will adopt your family, who will be unto your as a father and mother, who will be as grandparents to your children, whose heart God will touch to bless you!

[12] Ask God for a "Barnabas", or a "Joseph of Arimethea" who can and will bless you financially . . . WHEN they see you wisdom, your dedication, your commitment to the task.

[13] The main thing is YOU'VE YOU TO GE OUT OF THE BOAT. . . you got to get started:

Get this: even God can't steer a parked car!!!

God bless as you go forward!

Let me know how you are thinking