Three P's of Partnership

This past weekend we had the priviledge of hosting a team of leaders from Murray Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville Florida.  We had a great time as we served together, helped get them acquainted with the city and worshipped together.

 

This team were here not only to serve, as we did some Guerilla Gardening and community clean up, but to learn about the city and our ministry so that they may lead future teams.  

Perhaps the most exciting part of the their time with us was the opportunity to have them join one of our Fellowship groups for worship.  It was a great opportunity for our friends from Florida to meet people from literally around the globe, to hear so many different accents as they fellowshipped and to all come together in worship.  

For our people, it was a great example that although we may be small we are part of a much bigger family.  It also provides such a great example of minstry and mission that people would give of their time, energy and resourses to travel all the way here to come along side us to help us serve and minister in our community.  This is a powerful witness to a young group with seekers and many new and young believers.  

We took the time during our Fellowship meeting to not just celebrate, but to formalize this new partnership with the signing of a covenant.  In that covenant we specifically communicated and committed to the very things we exercised on this first trip:

1) Prayer-it is such an encouragement to a new church plant to know that they are being held up in prayer.  A prayer team is specifically praying for Hamilton.  Prayer is the foundation for any ministry and through it we see God work.

2) Provision- Financial provision is a very real and practical support to any church plant.  Beyond just the money, however, a financial commitment no matter the size, communicates something important about commitment.

3) People- beyond prayer and provision, having people come, whether a short term mission team or even longer term opportunities for individuals of families, is also important.  For the supporting church it helps to place names and faces, sights, sounds and smells to the prayers and support.  It becomes more personal and more important.  For the church plant, it is a shot in the arm of encouragement and importantly allows for a burst of ministry strength and energy as we try to reach a community.

We are very pleased and excited as we move forward with this new partnership.  

And for those who have partnered with us in the past, or continue to walk with us in different ways, a huge thank you for your continued support as well.  

This last photograph is of a quick caricature done of Pastor Doug Axtell of Murray Hill by Oliver Guevara of The Hamilton Fellowships at the end of our worship time.