January Highlights!
Now that 2021 is here, we are overwhelmed with excitement believing this is just the beginning of what will likely be one of the most monumental years of our life! We hit the ground running in January with lots of big projects, meetings, and planning for all things LOCAL CHURCH! Yes, our church finally has a name…and more news below 👇
No, Long Island isn’t a state. But if it were, it would be the 13th most populated!
How do you name a church?
We have known for years that we wanted to start a church, but we could never decide on its name. Isn’t it more fun to think about the people who will attend, what it will look and feel like, and what kinds of things we will do? Alas, the church needs a name. We want a name that is simple and unassuming. Like the church itself, we want the name to be inviting to everyone, no matter your faith background or if you have been to church this decade. We also wanted a name that would appeal to the deep connection Long Islanders feel to their communities. So one night I asked Mike, “When you think of our church, what is its name?” His answer was the same as what was in my heart. And that is how we became LOCAL CHURCH! 🎉
Michael networks bi-weekly with other church planters from Grace Church.
What now?
The biggest undertaking for us this month was to start the process of becoming an incorporated 501c3 organization. Michael spent hours researching to determine the best structure for Local Church (eek!). This means creating our bylaws, forming our board, and completing all the fancy government paperwork (I’m sure if Michael were writing this there would be a lot more detail here, so call him if you are interested in the minutiae of this stuff). Thankfully, we are working with an organization called Start Church that is fluent in all things “new church.” By this time next month, this process should be completed with the paperwork pending approval!
Launch Team 🚀
A wise YouTube leadership lesson once taught us that “the first follower turns the lone nut into a leader.”
Meet Nick and Sarah. They are the first official members of our Launch Team and we couldn’t be more excited! 🥳 We met these friends at a park in September and quickly started doing life together in our small group. Just after Thanksgiving, they said that God was leading them to join Local Church and move to Long Island with us! They have amazing servant hearts and experience working in special needs ministry. 🙌 We can’t wait to see who else God brings to the team as this church comes to life!
Are you interested in being part of Local Church?
We will be on Long Island from February 26th - March 1st and would love to invite you to join us as we pray and share the vision God has given us for Local Church. To learn more, send me an email (eliebler90@gmail.com) and I’ll give you all the details. 😊 You can also click the link below to find out what our Launch Team is all about 👇
A sneak peek at our weekly resident meetings at Grace Church 👀
Prayer Team
Did you know we have a goal to cover Local Church in 1000 hours of prayer before we launch? We can’t do that alone. So if you think of it, would you CLICK HERE to let us know how many minutes you spent talking to God about us, Long Island, and this new church?
Amigo’s turned 5! 🐾
Here are some specific things you can pray about:
- Pray for our trip to Long Island! Safety on our drive, fruitful time connecting as a team, and wisdom/direction for potential locations.
- For provision and wisdom as we look at places to live!
- Join us in praying for Long Islanders to find hope and life in Jesus.
- We are praying constantly for those who will be part of our church in the coming year and for those who will join our launch team! Pray we will connect with these people and begin to lead them as soon as possible.
Answered prayers:
- We are making more connections here a Grace and are enjoying a full schedule of meetings and sharing meals with new friends.
- We have made some awesome connections with people on Long Island and look forward to building these friendships further!
- We are approx. 20% funded! 🙌
Thank you for following us on our journey 🎉
Find previous newsletters by visiting our website at www.churchplantjourney.com
We are looking forward to all that God has for us, for you, and for Long Island! 🌱
