Originally sent to distribution list on 2.17.24. Posting here for convenience.
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Hey friends!
Thank you for your interest in our church planting journey. For those of you recently joining us, we welcome you to our community! We treasure your prayers and support, believing each of you play a valuable role in our lives and ministry.
Here are four items to note for February:
I. Approved Easter service at Jack Marley Park
On February 6 we were given approval by the Angier Board of Commissioners to hold an Easter Sunday (April 20) service at Jack Marley Park in Angier. Save the date and make preparations to join us!
We’ll meet under a white tent on #field 2 at 10:00am. Invite your friends and neighbors. We aim to make this our first “preview service.” We’ll put our training to work, and pray to have a spiritual impact on the community.
We’ll be sending out more details as the date draws near. For now, thank you for the continued prayer and support. We hope to see some of you there!
II. Financial Review
Our Coram Deo bank account is now open. Its immediate purpose is to collect contributions from future church members that are not members of our sending church (Fairview). This account will allow us to create a financial base from which we will pull upon launch. I’m happy to share that our current balance is $20,842. We are very grateful for the support!
There are two ways to give to this account:
Mail | If you would like to give directly to this account, please make checks payable to “Coram Deo Baptist Church” and mail to:
Coram Deo Baptist Church
PO Box 308
Angier, NC 27501
Online | Recently we’ve opened our online giving platform with Church Center. Download the app, search Coram Deo Baptist Church and tap the ‘Give’ button.
As we collect resources in our Coram Deo account, residency expenses are still in view. Financial needs at current are my salary, miscellaneous administrative costs and event supplies. Though Fairview’s current balance is sufficient to cover my salary, we need much more to meet the budget upon launch.
As always you can also give directly to Fairview by marking your gift “church plant” or through our NAMB giving link. Thank you advance for your contributions. All gifts go to the same Fairview line item from which our pre-launch expenses are taken.
III. Logo and Brand
We introduced our logo at today’s core team meeting. Simple and unique, yet timeless in design, around the concept of light as we “walk [coram Deo] in the light of life.” (Ps. 56:13)
The window represents the gathered church. The sunlight—the warmth and presence of God. We also included with a subtle nod to the IMB’s missionary task, the six rays of sun.
From Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 34:29) to Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3), we learn that “God dwells in unapproachable light.” (1 Tim. 6:16)
With these truths in mind, our logo reminds us to ever be “children of the day.” (1 Thess. 5:5)
IV. Next Information Meeting | March 9
Join us after the morning service at Fairview Baptist for our next information meeting (12-2pm). This meeting is open to all. Our time will include updates on finances, vision casting, core team formation, facility search and more. Please watch our Facebook page for details and sign up. Lunch and childcare will be provided.
On March 30, Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC will host an additional interest meeting (12-2pm). Though it’s largely for their people to learn about Coram Deo, please join us if this time works for you. Please watch our Facebook page for details and sign up. Lunch and childcare will be provided.
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Preaching Schedule
The Lord has been kind to provide opportunities for me to preach in various churches around the Raleigh area this spring. Please pray for these preaching appointments. My Sunday schedule is:
February 23 – Shelter Church | Cary
March 23 – Life Point Community | Willow Spring
April 6 – Fairview Baptist | Apex
April 27 – Piney Grove Chapel | Angier
May 18 – Redeemer Community | Fuquay-Varina
Prayer Requests
Facility Needs. Pray for favor as we continue to search for a permanent space to gather upon launch. We’ve started several conversations with local elementary schools, as a possibility. Our desire is to secure space soon to best prepare and promote Sunday services open to the community.
Supporting Churches. We have a new supporting church! Richland Creek in Wake Forest, NC.
Pray for more churches to come alongside us with financial support. We expect our 2025 budget to be near $300K. It’s our prayer that one third of those funds will come from generous local churches. If you know of a church that would be interested in partnering with us, let’s set up a meeting!
Document Formation. Pray for wisdom as I begin to craft key documentation with the help of Fairview and supporting church leadership. Bylaws, policies, website and our prospectus will be key documents among the many created.
Core Team Meetings: We’re now two meetings underway. Things are going great as we learn, discuss, pray and plan. Please do intercede for us as we’ll be meeting more regularly as time goes on. Further, our team is growing! We’re up to 16 families now and look to add more next month.
Eat Local!
Living on mission requires that we do life in our community. We build relationships not to just make friends, but to share the gospel and make disciples. One easy way to meet people is to eat at local restaurants. Each month, we’ll highlight a different place to eat. This month: Giuseppe’s Italian Market and Subs located at 8 N Broad St E. Angier, NC 27501.
The owner’s name is Belinda. Take time this month to stop by and say hello. Introduce yourself, then talk about Jesus and church planting. And, if you’re looking for a sweet treat, they have homemade tiramisu!
Resource of the Month
At the close of each newsletter, I promote a resource to help us prepare to plant. This month is Church Planting Is For Wimps by Mike McKinley.
Blessings to you. Coram Deo.