http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/show/223 Recent Prayers en-us Prayer On Tuesday, June 17, I was offered and accepted a position with Advanced Project Solutions as a project management consultant. This is a VERY exciting opportunity! Check out my blog for more details. Thank you so much for praying! Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:44:49 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/309 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/309 Prayer Julie and I have been praying -- and thank you for praying with us -- that God would open the doors He wants open and close the doors He wants closed. Our prayers are being answered. It became clear today (Monday, June 2) that one door is closed: HBU. But another VERY exciting door is still open. Please continue to pray for discernment as some important decision points are fast approaching, particularly next week, June 10-11. Thanks again for your prayers! Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:41:37 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/288 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/288 Prayer I noticed today, Friday, May 23, that we have a VERY special new member of our Prayer Group: Brice Reddell. Now THAT'S a praise...and a testimony to what a loving guy you truly are, Brice. Thanks so much for joining and caring and praying. I really appreciate you! Fri, 23 May 2008 16:24:02 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/277 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/277 Prayer If you've been following my blog -- you have been following my blog, haven't you? -- then you know that a lot of really cool urban ministry things are starting to happen all at once. As you read about these things, take a moment to give God the praise and thanks He deserves. Fri, 23 May 2008 16:16:15 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/276 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/276 Prayer On Monday, June 2, I will be meeting informally with a Department Chairman at HBU. That door is still open, but not very widely. I have two other academic applications out, but there is nothing to report. There is tremendous competition for academic posts, especially at schools such as HBU and UST, so I don't find any of this surprising. Then later in June I am tentaively scheduled to take the next significant step forward on another VERY exciting opportunity. Though this other opportunity is in some ways unexpected, it fits my gift mix in an amazing way. So, thank you for your prayers. I appreciate it so much! Fri, 23 May 2008 16:05:06 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/275 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/275 Prayer On Thursday, May 15, I'm having lunch with the president of a leading project management consultancy to discuss the possibility of working for his firm as a workshop facilitator. This would be a wonderful opportunity that I would enjoy immensely. Thanks for praying. Wed, 14 May 2008 19:59:41 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/261 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/261 Prayer May 13 and 14 have been REALLY good days! On Tuesday, May 13, I met with Pastor Rufus Smith of City of Refuge Church near the Third Ward to begin helping them develop their long-range plan, particularly their vision for multi-ethnic urban church planting. On Wednesday, May 14, I met with Pastor Bryant Lee of Higher Expectation Church in a low-income section of Humble to help him envision and implement a strategy for mobilizing young adults from an area college to mentor at risk kids in an area junior high school. Conversations with Humble ISD are already underway. Watch my blog for more details. These are two of the exciting opportunities I've been hinting at for awhile. Others just as exciting are still developing. Stay tuned...and thank you so much for praying! Wed, 14 May 2008 19:51:31 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/260 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/260 Prayer Some recent developments: I've learned that HBU's Honors College has its classes covered for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, and that unfilled positions will likely remain open until the 2009/2010 academic year. I'm not hearing anything from the Department of Christianity and Philosophy, but I suppose that their situation might be similar. I have also applied for a one year position at the University of St. Thomas, where I did my degrees in Philosophy, which of course would be a real honor. A position at another area university has been filled -- they just forgot to tell their website. So, it won't surprise you to learn that my job search is broadening. I am interviewing Thursday for a "contract" position in the consulting world that sounds very interesting. And today I will be contacting a recruiter I met recently to get his advice and help. Thank you so much for your prayers. I appreciate your love and concern very much! Tue, 13 May 2008 07:24:16 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/245 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/245 Prayer As most of you know, I have applied to teach at Houston Baptist University. It would be a joy and a privilege to teach at HBU -- and a wonderful complement to my volunteer work in urban ministry among young adults! Since I am one of (literally) thousands of applicants, I thought I should expand my search. Two other positions at area universities are being advertised, so I am preparing my applications. Thanks for praying. Fri, 02 May 2008 13:59:54 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/218 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/218 Prayer A number of possible partnerships are developing, with some of the most exciting entering a crucial phase of development. The first half of May could be very exciting! Please pray that God would guide all parties as we seek His will. (I can't wait to share the specifics, but I just can't do it yet.) Fri, 02 May 2008 13:52:48 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/217 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/217 Prayer In just over two weeks we will be making a crucial presentation to the Leadership Network Church Planting Learning Community in Dallas. Please pray for our team as we craft our message, that it would reflect God's heart for the urban poor, minorities and immigrants of the great city of Houston, and that those who hear it would respond as God leads. Fri, 02 May 2008 13:47:20 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/216 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/216 Prayer Please pray for "Pentecost Houston: Church Planting Challenge for the City of Houston," a one-day, by-invitation gathering called by Tom Billings, Executive Director of the Union Baptist Association (UBA). The Challenge: "What can we do to significantly accelerate the rate and level at which UBA congregations effectively penetrate lostness in the city by evangelizing new believers, discipling them in the faith, and forming them into reproducing congregations/churches?" This working meeting will be held Tuesday, April 29th, at Houston’s First Baptist Church. It could be a turning point in urban church planting in Houston. Thanks for praying. I will keep you posted. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:13:22 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/202 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/202 Prayer We are seeing some progress on possible partner churches -- two very exciting possibilities in two IDEAL areas of Houston! It's too soon to go public on the details, but please be praying that God would open doors for us during this critically important time. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:50:42 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/194 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/194 Prayer The family we've been praying for -- the one that suffered the horrific loss of their oldest son last Friday -- will be gathering tonight (Wednesday) for a time of visitation with friends. I have been asked to speak, and especially to share the Gospel. The funeral service will be held tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:31:45 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/184 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/184 Prayer God is bringing me into contact with some wonderful prospective church planters -- amazing young adults that I would be HONORED to get behind and support! The problem is that I'm getting Planters before Partners, meaning that my relationships with young adults are developing faster than my relationships with the organizations that will help shape and support the movement. (It's not too surprising, I guess, that the 20-somethings are moving faster than the 50-somethings.) Identifying and developing the right organizational partnerships has been a vital prayer need from Day 1. And it is getting MORE vital with each passing day. But progress has been slow. Please pray that we would begin to see progress as we reach out to these organizations. And pray, too, that I would continue to have the faith and confidence in God to reach out to these incredible young adults...even in advance of established organizational partnerships. Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:29:39 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/175 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/175 Prayer Today, Friday, April 18, a family I have known for over twenty years lost their oldest son to a tragic death. I do not know the precise circumstances. This young man knew the Lord, as do his parents and siblings. Please pray for the family and for all of those who will be with them to provide love and comfort through the coming days. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:41:41 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/172 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/172 Prayer As I leave suburban ministry and go into the city, I've asked for your prayers that I would find the right job and the right ministry partnerships. Well, things are moving slowly -- very slowly -- on both fronts. Please pray that I would be patient and discerning and above all trusting as I seek to follow God in these two vitally important areas. Thank you for praying! Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:21:51 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/164 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/164 Prayer Work continues on the presentation for the Urban Church Planting Summit. Please pray specifically that the committee would be sensitive to God's leading regarding the precise focus of the Summit -- its scope and subject matter. Thank you. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:17:01 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/163 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/163 Prayer The Urban Church Planting Summit is going to be a MAJOR project. Please pray that God would provide us with the project management and event planning professionals we need. And pray, too, that God would provide them early enough to allow them to influence our presentation to Leadership Network on May 19. Thank you. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:59:56 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/141 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/141 Prayer As I mentioned in an earlier prayer request, we are planning an Urban Church Planting Summit in Houston for 2009. We are approaching Houston Baptist University about the availability of their beautiful Morris Cultural Arts Center. Please pray that it would be available during HBU's Spring Break, March 16-20, 2009. And pray, too, that the price would be good...very, VERY good! Thanks. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:32:57 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/139 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/139 Prayer I am feeling a special urgency around the issue of ministry partnerships. Over the past year, God has allowed me to meet some wonderful people in some wonderful ministries. I believe that the time is fast approaching for me to formalize my role as a lay catalyst by associating myself officially with one of those organizations. Today, Thursday, April 10, I will be contacting some key leaders with that goal in mind. Please pray for me today and over the next week -- this will not happen in one phone call -- that God would open the right door for the right ministry partnership. Thank you. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:32:19 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/132 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/132 Prayer Imagine urban church planters and strategists coming together to promote the creation of communities of spiritual and social transformation across North America's global cities! That is exactly what a group of us has been doing. Our goal is an Urban Church Planting Summit 2009 right here in Houston. Next month we will be presenting our proposal to Leadership Network for possible sponsorship. No, this isn't "the main thing" I've been doing. My major focus is still on urban church planting in the City of Houston. But my involvement in this amazing world of urban church planting has brought me into contact with a diverse group of like-minded dreamers and strategists -- and suddenly we're working together to create a first-of-its-kind summit for fellow travelers. Please pray for me as I do my part in imagining this event and preparing the presentation. This event could be HUGE, both in size and in strategic impact. And our presentation in May is coming up fast! Thanks! Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:32:05 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/129 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/129 Prayer Julie and I are pursuing our new ministry of urban church planting without knowing how we will make our living. Please pray that God would open the right doors for me (Keith). I have applied to teach at a wonderful university in the Houston area. It would be a GREAT way to make a living while ministering to young adults in a global culture. Please pray that if God wills, He would open these doors. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Him for the generosity of our Grace Community Bible Church Family for continuing to support us during this transitional period. Thank you! Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:54:12 +0000 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/125 http://www.kindlejoy.com/prayers/show/125