Attempting Great Things & Expecting Great Things - 2014

Mike and I are continually humbled by your partnership in prayer and giving for Church at Bergen. It feels like yesterday we were meeting with you at the Payne's sharing with you the calling God had laid on our hearts to faithfully labor for the gospel in Northern NJ.  I remember those of you who prayed with us, shed tears with us and shared in our excitement.  I remember those of you who came to help us move out of the same home you helped us move into only two years prior.  We hoisted couches off the balcony with our homemade pulley system, a pick-up truck and snowboard gloves.  We loaded our home into the Payne's basement.  We packed our cars to the brim.  We drove to NJ full of high expectations of what God would do.  Then, we arrived at my dad's, moved into my old college memorabilia stamped bedroom, sat on the bed and cried.  What had we done? We left everything that we loved in NOVA - a flourishing youth ministry, beloved faith family, all our 1st years married memories, deep friendships, discipleship, home.  Our calling was sure, but the road ahead was uncertain.  We had nothing to cling to except our faith in our faithful Heavenly Father.  What a gift. Were the days easy? No.  Did we know what the future held? No.  But we did know this, Isaiah 55:11 promises "So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."  God's promise to us: His Word would accomplish its purpose in us as He sanctified (and continues to sanctify) us through obediently following Him to NJ and His Word would succeed in the purposes for which He sent it to be proclaimed by Mike, our family & His church plant.  

William Carey once said, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God." His words have been a huge encouragement to us as we have taken one step of faith at a time following His plans for Church at Bergen.  

Thank you for your prayers.  Along with us you have expectantly prayed for God's provisions and blessings on Church at Bergen and we are seeing the fruit of your partnership with us for the sake of the gospel.  

Mike began a sermon series in Genesis beginning on Sunday, December 1st. Since then we have seen an explosion in the attendance at CaB as God brings more and more people to sit under the teaching of His Word each week.  We are seeing believers growing more mature in their understanding of the gospel as seen in Genesis, new Christians developing an understanding of and hunger for God's truth, sin confessed, repentance, and nonbelievers/skeptics consistently coming and asking questions.  I have finally put Jaxson in the nursery.  Long overdue I know.  Neurotic first time mama.  As a result, I have been able to sit in service and actually pay attention to God speaking through Mike the past two weeks. I have been cut to the core by God clearly speaking of His power, mercy and love for sinners through Genesis.  If you haven't gotten to listen to any of the sermons yet I encourage you to take sometime on your own or with your family to check them out.  

In addition, God has been opening doors for us to have a permanent "home" for worship and continued growth.  Please pray alongside us for His wisdom, leading and provision as we trust in His plans for CaB ahead.  We are attempting great things for Him in 2014 and expecting great things from him.

Praise & Prayer Requests:

- Praise God for His work in making disciples at CaB

- Praise God His work thus far in providing people of peace to help as CaB moves toward finding a more permanent space to gather

- Praise for faithful saints partnering with us in VA and NJ (you & our CaB volunteers)

- Provision of finances for permanent building 

- Protection over our marriage & family (especially since flu season scares me)

- Time management & balance for Mike as is wearing many hats in this season without a staff 

With hopes of seeing you soon to share our joy in Him together, 

Kristin for the family