Let the good times roll!!!

Something has changed! It is as if the whole atmosphere of the church and the work seem to have been turned a 180 degrees. It's not as though it's perfect, but there is a realness to it all, as if people have become much more genuine. Every service we have continues to be powerful and encouraging, and even the ministry is wonderful. Yesterday afternoon I led the bible study at a members house and after we were all eating together and it dawned on me, and I said to myself "this is the church." To see a group of people young and old laughing and sharing stories and eating together, and pursuing the call that Jesus made to us, it was beautiful. God has transformed lives, and His goodness is beginning to overflow from the lives of people He has touched. I was listening to a mother who was asking Christopher, better known as Toph here, who is the worship leader, to get a copy of the lyrics of some of the songs we have been singing. She had been singing what she new to her friends, and they were touched by the song, so she wanted to get all the lyrics. I also taught, and everyone understood! Which is a big deal for me since I can actually teach to a non english speaking group and have them walk away with something.

We also began a bible study in another persons house who was very seriously sick, and still cant make it up the five flights of stairs in the church. Toph led that bible study, and her family joined in and actually listened. That woman has quite the story since she literally died a few times in the hospital. Her heart had stopped I think around 4 times, for extended periods of time, but had been revived each time. I went and visited her many times in the hospital to pray for her, and that has really gone a long way in developing my relationship with the family and her. All of her 3 sons greet me each time they see me, and I think a seed has been planted and I hope to be able to share the gospel with them soon.

This week is the end of the time that Mackie was given to separate himself from the church and the Youth Mobilization team. I am nervous because to be honest I still have strong negative feelings about what happened.
Forgiveness is so necessary because regardless of what has been done, I am a sinner as well and need Gods grace just as much, but the reality of that has proven to be challenging. What Mackie did in the eyes of a Canadian is absolutely disgusting, and could be criminally charged. But since it's a weakness more prone to men here, people have been very forgiving and understanding. I on the other hand can't do that, and it's going to make this a very challenging process. Please pray for me in this situation.

Some not so good news is that fundraising for my car has not gone so well. I have one seriously committed donor which is great, but please pray with me as this is something I really hope to get soon.

I will send another update soon to give more details about Mackie coming back and I will note that he is not doing any ministry or has any leadership.

Please join me in prayer for the church and the fundraising for a car.

Thank you for your love and support!

Brett

Challenges and fruit

It has been a challenging time for us all here, but also very fruitful. God really challenged me to step up and put my faith in Him and lead the church, and He has continued to pour out His understanding upon me and strength to continue.

Last Sunday God made His presence known to the people. Actually, since Mackie has left the services have been totally different, and for the good. Gods presence has been overwhelming and people have really experienced healing. After I preached and as we began to worship I started to see real manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which is something I have not seen for quite some time to be honest. Anne, Joshua's wife was also in the service, and helped me in the service and prayed for people. It was a wild service from what I have become used to, and I hope the God will continue revealing Himself each week like He did.

We also started a bible study in a members house, and had two of my original youth repent last week. God has blessed me so much that I can't dwell on the weight of my responsibility! I really feel new, and as if the tanks have been filled to the very top! God has renewed me and my heart and showed me a path for the church. Right now we are going to continue focusing on our discipleship program and try and start more bible studies in the area.

What I am going to start focusing on in my support is raising money to get a car. I have been praying hard and I really feel this is the time to get a car. I have set a budget for around 3500$ as the least I would like to spend, and I am hoping and praying to get around 7000$. After doing a lot of research I think I would like to get a small car more designed for the city, and either a japanese made or korean. The church is set right now, and with the rent paid it will not require any extra help, so I have decided to take this time to focus on fundraising for the car. I am happy to say that my brother will be visiting me this November for a few months, and it would be really nice if I could have it by then. So I am setting my goal for this November. Please pray with me that God will provide all that I need. I also would like to ask all my supporters and prayer partners to join in as well if capable to give. I will be setting up a separate account for this, as it is a special item.

Thank you all for your prayers as always! Join me in praising God for His faithfulness, and even though He took me to the very tip of my understanding and capability, He still leads me through it all and now I have become even stronger because of it!

Brett

Leadership Challenges

I have been avoiding writing this email, in fact, I have put it off for days. However, I need to let you know about a situation has a serious impact on our church community. Also, I need to ask you to pray with me, my team leader Joshua and for our church.

Last week one of my fellow church pastors was confronted and confessed to inappropriate behaviour with one of our interns. The Pastor has stepped down and is now under the direct care and mentoring of an experienced pastor from another church. This affects so many people and I've just been shocked, hurt and angry as I feel betrayed by a fellow leader.

* Note, there will be an official announcement from my team leader in the coming days and I may send it all my prayer partners.

This all means for me that I will now have to take the bulk of the church responsibilities on my shoulders. Joshua has been helping and has really made a big difference by leading, but his direct role is temporary. Your probably saying, "How on earth is Brett going to manage being a full time student and carrying a church?" Well that's just what I am asking myself and, to be perfectly honest, I am nervous. I was already working really hard to manage school and church, it will mean even more work.

So, I am considering reducing my classes next semester, but I will wait on God and listen for Him. I feel a lot like Moses right now, when God told him to go back to Egypt. I really want to make excuses and ask God to send someone else, but for me the point of the story is that its not about Moses, it's about what God is going to do.

It feels like we have been through so much already, but God has provided and guided us through. One thing I have learned in the Philippines is that, the prerequisite to blessing is hardship and suffering, so if you ask me, God has something big in store!

Please pray with us now:

Pray for healing for our entire team and church as this effects so many people.

Pray that God will take this terrible situation and turn it around for His glory.

• Pray that my fellow pastor will be fully restored.
  
• Pray that God will flood me with His wisdom and I can be a great leader in our church.
  
Pray that Joshua will have the strength to persevere through all this and continue leading the church as long as he can.

• Finally please pray that God raises up more strong men and women for God to become the next leaders of this church.

Thank you all for your love and support! It is comforting to know that when I am in a dark time, I can make a call to prayer and have so many people care and respond!

Brett