Originally sent to distribution list on 5.16.24. 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.
Here’s an update for May.
Next Preview Service | Sunday, June 1
We coordinated with the town of Angier to hold a second service at Jack Marley Park on Sunday, June 1. It will be a very similar service to that of Easter, we pray, with more people and even smoother systems. I’ll be preaching Psalm 122. Join us if you can, and invite a friend!
First Indoor Service | June 29
Save an extenuating circumstance, we’ve likely narrowed down our facility search to a couple of local schools. We hope to secure one of those soon to hold an indoor service on June 29. We’d like to be indoors to fight the heat, and give a preview of what is to come. We’ll have more details to share next month.
Preaching Opportunities
Before we launch in August, I’ll be preaching two more Sundays at partner churches. This coming Lord’s Day, May 18 at Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina; and later on July 13 at Shelter Church in Cary. Please pray for these preaching appointments. They’ll likely be my last external pulpit visits before we launch Coram Deo.
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 $66,859. These funds are mission critical to provide the financial base we need to launch in August. Pray we reach near $100k by launch date this August. Such an amount will provide an adequate foundation for us to begin our ministry. Thank you in advance.
Core Team Training
We’ve solidified our core team with 45 adults and 31 kids! We began training May 1 on the topics of the church and its members. We’ll read Mark Dever’s The Church throughout the month and meet in person the next two Sundays. Pray for us as we think through church membership, the ordinances, and our covenant together.
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 | Since last newsletter I was able to visit Carolina Charter and Willow Spring High School. Both are favorable to us, but need to work out some finer administrative details before a contract can be written. Pray for those details and for the Lord to make it clear which facility should be our launch site! (And we’re looking for land!)
Elder Addition | Pastors should not work alone, and churches need a team of shepherds. Pray for God to raise up another elder to join me in pastoral ministry. As Coram Deo seeks to be led by a plurality of elders, we’d love to see 2-3 additional elders by year end.
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. Having our website line is a big help. That was a group effort for sure.
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: Napper Tandy’s Restaurant | 27 S Broad St E. Angier, NC 27501.
Angier is growing, Angier is changing. Napper Tandy’s is proof. It’s an Irish pub with very good food, and a fan favorite of folks new to North Carolina. Located in the heart of town, you can get a Reuben and walk to the park. Give it a try!
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 a new release: Tim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt Smethurst. I’m just excited to read it as I am to recommend it. I’m on chapter 1. Get a copy and let me know your thoughts!
Blessings to you. Coram Deo.
PS. Earlier this month our family was able to take a cruise to the Caribbean. We were glad to relax and spend some time as a family. Here’s a picture from Cozumel, right after a delicious lunch!
