Originally sent to distribution list on 6.16.24. 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.
We are now under two months away from our covenant service on August 3, and promoted launch the following Sunday. As we prepare for the season ahead, here are a few notable items to keep you up to date.
Next Preview Service | Sunday, June 29
We’ve had two great services at Jack Marley Park. The Lord has been kind to grant us favor with the town of Angier, great weather, and an encouraging attendance both times. But, next up is our third service and we’re moving inside!
On June 29 we’ll hold a preview service at Willow Spring High School (1704 Old Honeycutt Rd Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526). The indoor space will give us a break from the heat, and will give a sneak peak for our August launch. It’s our intention for this space to be our temporary home for the following year.
Preaching Opportunities
I’ll be filling a few more pulpits before August. I’m grateful for these kind invitations extended from our partner churches as we look to forge relationships for the future.
Please pray for these preaching appointments. They should be my last external pulpit visits before we launch Coram Deo (we’re running out of Sundays!).
- June 22 | LifePoint Church in Willow Spring
- July 6 | Redeemer Church in Apex
- July 13 | Shelter Church in Cary
Note: On July 20 I’ll be at Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay to participate in their sending service of five of our core team couples. The following Sunday, July 27 our core team will gather for the last time at Fairview Baptist Church for a special sending ceremony.
Giving
Thank you for your continued financial support. If you or someone you know would like to make a contribution, please use our online giving link via Church Center or send your gift directly to:
Coram Deo Baptist Church
PO Box 308
Angier, NC 27501
Our church account is now at $87,200. This is amazing! Thank you to all who have given. These funds are mission critical to provide the financial base we need to launch in August. Our goal would be $100k in the coming weeks. Such an amount will provide an adequate foundation for us to begin our ministry. Thank you in advance.
Core Team Training
Things are going very well. Thus far we’ve studied material, shared stories, gotten to know one another, and solidified a draft of our church covenant. This month we’re discussing leadership, our church constitution, and reading 40 Questions on Elders and Deacons by Ben Merkle. We’ve been meeting at Piney Grove Chapel in Angier which has adequate space for our large core team and many kids! The church has been very supportive to offer their facility, encouragement and financial gifts.
Elder Candidates
Thank you for praying that God would raise up elders among us. At this point we’ve identified two men among the core team members of Fairview who meet the qualifications for elder and desire the office (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). These men are Bob Hedrick and Sterling Tharrington.
At this time, these men are being assessed by the current elder body at Fairview. Given a favorable assessment, the elders will recommend Bob and Sterling join me in making a three man elder team upon covenant Sunday, August 3.
Please continue to pray for the Lord to raise up more elders at Coram Deo. A growing church needs a growing leader body. It would be our desire to install at least one more elder in 2026, and more to later follow to relieve those first installed.
Southern Baptist Annual Meeting (June 9-10)
Last week Ashley and I, and Haley King traveled to Dallas as messengers from Fairview Baptist (next year it’ll be Coram Deo!). This year’s meeting was refreshingly non-dramatic. One could say it was more celebratory than confrontational. Praise God. For a quick summary of this year’s meeting, refer to this well written article at Baptist Press.
Supporting Churches
The Lord in his kindness has raised up two more supporting churches. We thank their pastors for a commitment to church planting and generosity.
These churches are:
- Redeemer Church | Cary, NC | Pastor Justin Carmona
- Hamilton Baptist | Hamilton, VA | Pastor Steven Carne
Financial gifts from churches like these help to purchase critical supplies leading to our launch. Later this week we look to be the proud owner of a covered trailer to move supplies in and out of our launch site.
Praying
These continue to be our prayer requests each month. Your prayers strengthen our efforts and move us along in this journey. Thank you. I’ve updated the content from last month.
Property Search | We look to secure Willow Spring High School as our launch site for August. We praise God for his favor with this school and the opportunity provided. Thank you for your prayers that have made this possible. Though we have a temporary space for gathering, we continue the search for land to build a permanent facility. Pray the Lord would provide, and grant us wisdom and clarity in the search.
Music Leader | We have been blessed with great leadership for our first two preview services at Jack Marley Park. Unfortunately those brothers are not available for June 29, and will likely serve in their respective home churches come August. Please pray the Lord would provide a male musician who is an experienced leader of music ministry teams. We need to fill June 29, and most importantly secure someone for the month of August and moving forward.
Document Formation | Pray for wisdom as I continue 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. A draft of our church covenant has been created, and is under review of our core team.
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 is one of our favorite coffee shops around: Thank a Latte | 61 S Broad St E. Angier, NC 27501
This spot has become a regular favorite for many. There you’ll find moms and their kiddos, business professionals, college students, and many on our core and launch teams. All are there to grab some of the best coffee around. Even as the coffee snob that I am, I have recently discovered this spot to have one of the best dirty chai lattes!
Resource of the Month
At the close of each newsletter, I promote a resource to help us prepare to plant. This month we’re promoting: Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp. Its aim is to raise awareness to the dangers of pastoral ministry. The book is as helpful to the lay person as it is for the pastor. I can’t commend it enough.
First published back in 2012, it was republished this year with a new cover and endorsements. It was time, considering three of the five 2012 endorsers are no longer in ministry. I’ve read it twice, and am reading now for a third time. Thank you Pillar Network for giving away free copies at this year’s SBC annual meeting.
Blessings to you. Coram Deo.