August 24th kicks off a three-day fast for our church as we prepare to see God move in our community and church in the fall!!!

To help you out here’s some Prayer and Fasting Info. It’s a PDF which should answer most of your questions about what fasting is and is not, as well as a list of specific prayer goals for our church. The list is also repeated below.

If you’ve never fasted before PLEASE READ THE GUIDE and consider starting at some level THIS WEEK! And if you’ve never been to a prayer meeting with other people before, this is the time to start! We’re not looking for super-faith warriors only, we’re looking for people ready to take the next step in their faith. This is it!

No excuses! Big faith! Let’s move forward in faith and join together in unity around the following topics:

LOVE JESUS

LOVE PEOPLE

SERVE THE CITY

Let’s see community and church transformed!

To help you out, or in case you missed last Sunday, here’s the Prayer and Fasting Info we handed out. It’s a PDF which should answer most of your questions about what fasting is and is not, as well as a list of specific prayer goals for our church. The list is also repeated below.

If you’ve never fasted before PLEASE READ THE GUIDE and consider starting at some level THIS WEEK! And if you’ve never been to a prayer meeting with other people before, this is the time to start! We’re not looking for super-faith warriors only, we’re looking for people ready to take the next step in their faith. This is it!

So read the guide, decided on your fast, pray during each meal, and plan on joining us Saturday at 5pm at the YMCA for our closing prayer meeting. We’ll have New Life Kids set up and a movie on, so parents will be rotating every few minutes to watch the kids. No excuses! Big faith!

Church Prayer Goals

LOVE JESUS

• For every person in our church to have a passionate, white-hot love for Jesus Christ.
• For everyone to seek to grow in holiness and intimacy with God every day of their lives, allowing him to expose false idols in our lives.
• For false idols to be exposed in the lives of those who don’t know Jesus, specifically the idols of trusting in moral goodness, security of money, and pride in personal abilities.
• Pray for the salvation of everyone in our area! Pray for their lives to be rescued and restored by Jesus!
• Pray for our kids to love Jesus from an early age, that we would see salvations in New Life Kids with regularity!
• Pray for middle and high school students to give their lives to Jesus and withstand the pressures and temptations of their environment.

LOVE PEOPLE

• Pray we would be a spiritual family, not just an organization.
• Pray we would love and care for each other like a real family, bearing one another’s burdens in love.
• Pray for the strengthening of families and marriages in our community.
• Pray against divorce in our community and our church. Pray for broken marriages to be reconciled by the power of the Gospel.
• Success in evangelism, specifically for these people: (list your friends here)

SERVE THE CITY

• Pray for the staff and students of our adopted school, Odessa Elementary. Pray for all of our schools in the area!
• Pray for the staff of the YMCA, that they would be blessed!
• Pray for the growth and success of our plants in Boston and Miami.
• Pray for the churches in our local area, that we would all see souls saved!

See you Saturday at the prayer meeting, 5pm at the YMCA!

Join us February 2-4 for a three-day fast as we look to align our hearts with God’s, suppress the noise and hear the still small voice of God, kill sin, pray better, love better and give better.

We’ll be fasting on February 2-4, breaking the fast after praying the night of the 4th. We’ll be praying for the following things:

Church Prayer Goals

• Unity around the Gospel, and the mission to bring truth, grace, and changing power of the Gospel to our city.
• Wisdom and protection for our pastor
• For God’s Kingdom to come on Earth, even as it is in Heaven.
• For leaders to rise up in our midst to proclaim, teach, and lead our city to God.
• For spiritual hunger in everyone in our church
• Pray against people in our community trusting in their good deeds, bank account, and self-sufficiency.

Personal Prayer Goals

• To grow in holiness and freedom from sin.
• For greater desire for God.
• Success in evangelism, particularly in reaching our to 1)_____________ 2)_____________ 3)_____________ 4)_____________ 5)_____________
• Additional personal goal _____________________________________________
• Additional personal goal _____________________________________________
• Additional personal goal _____________________________________________

Prayer Times

The Bells will be hosting nightly prayer meetings from 7-8pm at their house during the fast. Contact info@trinitynewlife.com for details and directions.

I know this is tragic, but it’s hitting me harder than normal. Maybe it’s the fact they’re my age. Maybe it’s the fact one has four young children. It’s certainly the fact that one’s wife is nine months pregnant and just went into labor with their first child. My stomach is sick. I want to throw up. As a friend of mine asked on Twitter, “WTF is wrong with people?”

But now we get to the problem. I know what’s wrong with people. Sin. Sin causes them to shoot the cops. Sin caused their previous crime. Sin caused this whole situation. Sin broke our hearts, our relationship with God, even creation itself. Sin is at the root of this whole massively tragic tale. Sin.

They were white cops and they are black suspects, but this is not a race issue. This is a sin issue. This is an eternity issue. I can only hope these two men knew Jesus, that they loved their God and are now seated with him. I pray this man’s wife feels God, and her husband’s, tangible presence as she delivers their first child. I don’t even know if that’s theologically right, but I want it to be.

But what of the suspects? Many are already calling for them to be gunned down in the same manner, but we must pray justice to be done. I am thankful this takes place in a state with the death penalty . I don’t think it’s a deterrent, but I do think it’s a means of justice. I know not all will share this thought. I don’t know if I will share it hours from now.

Yet what of their sin? I wonder, have they ever heard the call to repent and put faith in Christ? Did anyone reach through their circumstance to share the hope and power of Christ? They are 100% responsible for their sin and its consequences, as we all are, but what if they’d repented, been discipled?

We are not planting a church to play nice. We are not planting a church because I like the sound of my own voice, or because you needed something new and different and cool. We are planting a church because sin is rampant and there is only one solution. Education, law, government, Republicans and Democrats couldn’t have prevented this situation, nor will they prevent it in the future. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ will transform and renew someone down to their core nature. We must be compelled in every fiber of our being to take this Gospel to those who need it.

Because we never know which side of the gun we may find those we didn’t share the Gospel with.

But more than anything, churches need PRAYER!

In light of this, I’m throwing down a challenge to have at least one person praying and fasting for TNLC every day from now until April 11th. A list of starting prayer points (please add more as God leads you) can be found here on our TNLC website.

Before you freak out about fasting and what is and how you do it, check out the helpful links below. If you’ve never fasted before, of any kind, this is the perfect opportunity!

1. Prayer and Fasting
2. Types of Fasting
3. 6 Practical Steps for Fasting

Remaining dates

1. March 5
2. April 8
   

Which ones are you crossing off the list?! Need to join with us on a date already taken? No problem! Leave a comment below and we’ll sign you up as well.

Join with us today!

If you’ve never fasted before, here’s a helpful resource of types of fasting

Breakfast: Love Jesus

• Pray we’d be a church passionately in love with Jesus Christ
• Pray we’d be completely motivated to action out of our love for Jesus
• Pray we’d be constant in sharing our love for Jesus, asking God every day to bring people across our path who we can share Jesus with (Philemon 6)
• Pray we’d be intentional about making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
• Pray we’d be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy because of our salvation in Christ (1 Peter 1:8, 9)

Lunch: Love People

• Please pray that everyone in TNLC would bear one another’s burdens in love (Galatians 6:2)
• Pray we’d continually work to pay our outstanding debt to love one another (Romans 13:8)
• Pray Jesus would be revealed to those around us by the way we love each other (John 17:20, 21)
• Pray we’d establish New Life Groups where people live out community founded on and shaped by the gospel (Acts 2:42)
• Pray we’d love one other enough to sacrifice for them and meet their needs (Acts 2:45)

Dinner: Serve the City

• Pray that we’d have a heart to seek the peace and prosperity of the city (Jeremiah 29:7)
• Pray we’d know how to meet the specific needs of our community
• Pray we’d be salt to our city (Matthew 5:13)
• Pray we’d be a city of light within the city (Matthew 5:14-16)

Upcoming Services

• Pray for our February 14th service, that over 60 people would attend
• Pray they’d hear God calling them to align their lives with Him first, then align their relationships with Him
• Pray for our strategic planning time February 19-20, that we’d hear God’s plans and will for us
• Pray for our February 28th service and guest speaker Adrian Crawford. Pray people would be called into God’s kingdom, and others would receive a greater heart and love for those who don’t know Jesus.

If you haven’t already found an avenue to do so, and since Trinity New Life Church won’t be meeting this weekend, we wanted to direct you to three places you can give to help relief efforts:

• Compassion International
• World Vision
• Samaritans Purse

Please continue to be in prayer for the nation, and be encouraged by some of the amazing stories already coming out of Haiti. God bless.

The missing mission team of four women from King’s Park International Church was located, and all are doing fine

Moments ago, Pastor Brent Garrard of In Focus Church contacted someone in the Augusta, Georgia, area who has communications into Port-au-Prince. Connections were made, and Wayne Graham spoke with his wife Linda in Haiti.

Linda reported that she and the other team members — Kellee Metty, Lisa Lewis, and Dr. Julie Zervos — are all “doing great.” They’re ministering in a soccer field and caring for people injured or left homeless by the 7.0 earthquake that rocked the island nation yesterday. Linda even helped to deliver two babies last night!

Thank you for your prayers!

Please continue to pray for healing, love, mercy, provision and God’s grace to be upon everyone in Haiti, and consider donating through any of the avenues that are readily available.

As 2009 comes to a close, many look to make year-end contributions to charitable organizations. We’d like encourage you to make an eternal impact with your finances through the ministry of Trinity New Life Church. Here’s an example of how your finances are used to impact people:

At our recent December 13 service, 20% of the offering collected at the end of service was donated to Metropolitan Ministries, a local service organization, helping them provide for families in need over the holidays.

While this was taking place in our sanctuary, two children in New Life Kids told their teacher how much they loved their first experience, and were so interested in “that Jesus,” because they’d never heard His name before and couldn’t wait to come back. While buying a book or helping to pay rent may not seem significant, it’s the type of giving that creates the environment and opportunity for life change.

Please help us continue to impact the lives of others by contributing all or in part towards the the following items:

• $5,000: Start-up cost (media, sound equipment, etc.)
• $2,000: Community events to serve and love our city
• $1,500: 3 month facility rental fee
• $1,300: Video camera to increase our creative media ability
• $300: 60 Bibles for new believers
• $100: 40 guides for new believers to learn how to share their faith
• $20 per month as a TNLC partner

All contributions to TNLC are income tax deductible. Donations can be made online before January 1 by visiting www.EveryNation.org/Trinity. Checks can be made out to Trinity New Life Church and mailed to 1629 Crossvine Court, Trinity, FL 34655 and must be postmarked by December 31, 2009.

Thank you so much for your partnership in making an eternal impact!

Blessings,
Clayton Bell, Lead Pastor

To 10:30 a.m.!

In the process of updating our rental agreement with the YMCA, we were also able to agree to a new service time! This is a great move for Trinity New Life Church- it makes thing easier on families to get home for naps, you get back more of your afternoon after church, and it’s a lot easier to go have lunch together after.

We’re so excited about the move, and hope to see you on January 10th at 10:30 for our next preview service!

Sorry we’ve fallen off in our updates lately, it’s been a little crazy but we’re back, needing more prayer than ever! Here’s the scoop-

PRAISE- Because of your prayers…

• We had over 75 people at our first preview service on November 8th! It went great, everyone was so excited.
• 5 people indicated they’d like to be a part of the launch team moving forward.
• Close to 15 people visiting the YMCA last Sunday came to our cookout after their workout
• 7 football players gave their lives to Jesus before our last football game of the season, and they demanded we keep going with our Fight Club Bible study
• THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS! They’re working!

PRAYER- Please continue to lift up the following items

• Our December 13th preview service. Let’s keep the momentum going!
• New Launch Team members and lives to be changed. It’s Jesus or nothing, peeps!
• The health of the Bells. I (Clayton) have been having back problems, Caroline has been going through some rough teeth issues (which is making her sleeping less than ideal), and poor Kelly is trying to care for all of us!
• A new car- No, not for me. I’m good. But our worship leader, Afrika, is without, biking to and from work. Would you join us in asking God to provide her with a car? (And if you might have a car, email me!)

Thanks for every single prayer- they’re moving heaven! And, as always, if you have a request for us, just email it back. We’d be proud to pray for you!

RSS readers click here if you can’t see the video.

• Mitchell Football- Not only are the Mustangs 5-0 for the first time, but the players who attended our first Bible study all heard the cross preached for the first time as well! All were eager to hear more about Jesus and how to live for Him, and we provided two of them with their first Bibles ever. Ever! Please pray for their salvation, and that a revival will sweep through the team!
• Launch Team- Where might you find more people to help plant a church? A garage sale, maybe? That’s just where we met a family who were super-excited to find out about TNLC, and came to the launch team meeting the next day! Please pray God would continue to open doors from all over to build HIS church!
• Preview service- Our first preview service is just weeks away on November 8th. We’re putting things together fast and furious, but pray that God brings it all in!
• Life Transformation- As much as we’re praying for people to help, it’s not saved Christians we’re building for- it’s those who are far from God and need to meet Him! Please pray that life transformation, that salvation, would mark each and every aspect of TNLC. We’re not doing this for us, we’re doing it for THEM!

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re as encouraged as we are about what’s happening to build God’s church.

See you next week, prayer warriors!

These smoke-gray shirts are pre-shrunk, 100% cotton Anvil shirts, and they are dead sexy! With the large symbol on the front, you feel like a superhero when you put it on. Well, at least I do. So here’s how you get them-

• Join the Launch Team- Hey, I’m shameless. Come help us make history!
• Live in the area and agree to wear the shirt out in public and tell people about the church when they ask you where you got such an amazing shirt!
• Help serve during one of our preview services- You don’t have to be local to qualify for this. Anyone who comes to help gets a free shirt! You don’t have to wait for an official team to come down, you can just visit. Let us know if this is you!
• Partner with us for at least $20 per month- Look, it’s going to take at least $30,000 to get this bad boy up and running; can’t you spare $5 a week? $5 a week to change history, change lives? You’re more than welcome to partner with us for more per month, but if you agree to send in $20 a month, one of these bad boys might just show up on your door!

Alright, there are your options! Which one are you taking?

What a whirlwind few days since our last update. Here are the highlights:

• Local Pastors- I (Clayton) have been blessed to meet with several local pastors who have been overwhelmingly supportive of Trinity New Life Church. I have found the area to be dominated by kingdom-minded pastors, not petty, territory-based men. I pray you experience the same thing. Please pray blessing would return 100 fold to Next Level Church and Baypointe Church!
• Strategic Planning- Our weekend with David Houston was a fantastic success! Thank you for your prayers, I can’t wait to see all of the God-inspired ideas unfold over the upcoming months!
• Mitchell Football- The Mustangs are 4-0 and off to their best start in school history! This Friday starts our first Bible study with the team in addition to the (mandatory) leadership training I do each week. Pray for the salvation of these young men, their coaches, and their families!

Prayer requests

• First Launch Service- November 8 is quickly approaching, and we’ve got miles to go before we can rest! Please pray for everything to come together to honor God.
• Launch Team- After our planning we have a better idea of what it’s going to take to pull off TNLC, and we need more people to do it. Help!
• Provision- We’re trying to raise $30,000 to facilitate the start-up and launch of TNLC. Open the floodgates, Lord!

That’s it! Lift us up and help us open doors- the souls of many people depend on it!

Sorry I’ve been so bad at getting these out- will you ever forgive me?! Just a few quick prayer updates this week.

• Strategic Planning- We’ve got a big three days ahead of us! Please pray for our meetings on September 25-27 as we seek God’s will for TNLC over the next 12 months. We’ll be working on outreaches, community service, sermon series, children’s church, worship, etc. Please pray God would reveal His will for us!
• Preview services- Our first one is coming up November 8th. Pray we’d reach those not in a church and not already serving Jesus!
• Launch Team- We’re always looking for a few good men, women, and children to help us launch TNLC. Pray God would bring the right people to build the right team to launch His church!
• Provision- We’re seeing God come through in amazing ways, but big dreams require big provision. Please pray God would bring it! And, hey, maybe you’re the answer to part of that prayer…

That’s it until next week. Thank you for your prayers, we couldn’t make it without them. You all are fantastic!

November 8th is the first preview service for Trinity New Life Church, and it’s official that it will be held at the YMCA. We’ve been in talks for a while now to rent the facility, but today was the day I signed on the dotted line.

We couldn’t be happier about partnering with the YMCA. Perfect people, perfect location. They’re a first-rate organization, a key fixture in the community, and their facility is wonderfully situated to host the entire family on a Sunday morning. Plus, the potential to partner with their community activities helps us to fulfill the “Serve the City” element of our mission.

So consider this your first (but not last) official invitation to the first service of Trinity New Life Church, November 8th, at 11:15 a.m., at the James P. Gills YMCA.

See you there!

• Salvation- Not a new topic! Pray that lives are transformed, made new, chains broken, and hearts healed! Pray TNLC would be marked not by church transfers, but people being born again into a new life with Jesus!
• Mitchell High School- Mitchell High School opened their season with a win last Friday over arch-rival River Ridge (my alma mater). I’ve had a great time getting to know the players, even beginning to have opportunities to pray with them. Please pray it leads to a student bible study soon!
• Mitchell, part 2- I’m trying to sit down with their principal this week to ask how TNLC can be a blessing to the school. The principal’s an old friend, so please pray for favor during our meeting and that we’ll be a huge blessing to the school!
• Launch Team- We has a great time together yesterday as a family at our pool party, so please pray that we’d continue to grow closer together and grow larger! We need another 15 people to commit to helping us launch this work of God in the Trinity area!
• Strategy & planning- Please being praying for our strategic planning weekend with David Houston, Director of Church Planting for Every Nation? We’ll be planning sermons, outreaches, and much more for the next 12 months of TNLC, and we want to hear God’s voice as to His will for our church!

Last but not least, our monthly day of prayer and fasting is coming up on Monday, September 14th. Please make plans to join us, however you can. What do our plans matter if God’s power and presence doesn’t go before us? We need Him to lead us and move on hearts!

Love you, thanks for your prayers, talk to you soon!

• YMCA- We received a very favorable offer back from the YMCA! Thank you for all of your prayers on this matter, they were powerful and effective! We’re still dotting Is and crossing Ts, so keep us in your prayer. Our initial contract will have us in there from October through December, a perfect courtship for both parties. Praise God!
• The Landlord- not only has God opened a door at the YMCA, but He’s also providing the means to pay for it. Read the awesome story here.
• Launch Team- We had two new people come and visit TNLC this past week, so we’re creeping closer to our 20-member goal by this Sunday. Our team is having a pool party Monday instead of meeting Sunday morning, so please pray God would continue to knit our hearts together as a spiritual  family!
• Strategy & planning- While it’s still a few weeks away, would you please being praying for our strategic planning weekend with David Houston, Director of Church Planting for Every Nation? We’ll be planning sermons, outreaches, and much more for the next 12 months of TNLC, and we want to hear God’s voice as to His will for our church!
• Life Transformation- I’m going to be a broken record about this, just get used to it! Pray that lives are transformed, made new, chains broken, and hearts healed! Pray TNLC would be marked not by church transfers, but people being born again into a new life with Jesus!

Love you all, thanks for your prayer. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know how we can pray for you!

• YMCA- We’re still waiting to hear back from the YMCA regarding a rental proposal, so please pray we’d be able to get in touch with them and hear a favorable offer!
• Grow the Launch Team- Please pray God would continue to add people to our spiritual family who are eager to help us launch Trinity New Life Church for the glory of God! Do you know anyone who might be interested in helping?
• Baptisms- At our meeting this last Sunday, three people asked to be baptized. Praise God for moving on hearts to follow and obey him!
• Salvations- We’re so excited to have people wanting to be baptized already, so please pray our church would always be marked by lives being transformed by Jesus!
• Men- No slight to the ladies (whom we love), but we want to be a church where men are the ones leading their families to church and not being drug there by their wife/girlfriend. Pray we’d be a church where men outnumber the women!
• Mitchell Football Team- Our first game is this Thursday- pray we’d be a blessing for the team, the coaches, and the whole school. And pray we’d win! Why not?

No more, no less prayer request. Thanks for praying with us!

Would you leave us a note to let us know you’re praying with us?

• Third time’s the charm- this past Sunday was our third Launch Team meeting, and I just love people who are coming together to launch TNLC. Please pray God would continue to build us together, and build our numbers. We’re believing for 20 people to be on the team by September 7th.
• Meeting with the YMCA- Last Wednesday I had a great meeting with a rep from the YMCA. We’d love to begin a partnership with them, so pray they’d return a favorable rental contract.
• We’re a real boy, Gepetto!- Last week we received our approved articles of incorporation, making Trinity New Life Church, Inc. a real, legal church!
• Lookin’ good!- If you haven’t noticed the changes by now, look around and enjoy the new look of Trinity New Life Church thanks to our good friends at Moore Consulting Group. Shirts coming soon. You know you want one!
• Personal request- Kelly and I are putting together a personal prayer team, so if you’re interested in being on it, please let us know.
• The Main Thing- The rest is just details if we aren’t seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. Please pray we’d see salvations, transformations, and new birth by the power of God. We must kick a dent in Hell! We want Jesus to be glorified in the Tampa area! Whoo hoo!

Ok, that’s it for this week. Thank you SOOOOO much for praying with us, and let us know how we can pray for you!

Just a reminder that Friday, August 14, is the monthly day of prayer and fasting for TNLC. As you join with us, please use the points below as a starting point to guide you in your prayers:

• Meeting Location- I met with officials from a local YMCA to explore the possibility of us meeting in their facility. They do a tremendous job reaching into the community, and have a wonderful facility, so please pray for favor as we wait for a rental proposal from them.
• Mitchell High School- Please pray our church would be a blessing to them as we facilitating weekly bible studies and leadership trainings. Pray that Coach Brian Wachtel would be blessed in coaching and life, as he’s got a new baby coming this month!
• 20 Team members- We’ve currently got a team of 12 committed adults on our launch team. Please join us in praying for God to add eight more people by the beginning of September!
• Salvations- While we’re still building the church in anticipation of a November preview service, we don’t want to wait to see God to move! Please pray that each member of our launch team would see the gospel transform the lives of the people around them.
• Men- Recent I (Clayton) experienced my first time watching a UFC fight at a local restaurant. As I sat there in a place filled with men, I was struck with how little this resembles most churches. Pray that TNLC would be a place to see many men come to faith in Jesus Christ!
• Provision- Please pray specifically for three financial areas: 1)Funds to facilitate outreaches, 2)Funds to rent a facility when the time comes, and 3)Funds to purchase the equipment to put on an excellent Sunday morning experience.

But don’t stop there! Please leave a comment and let us know what YOUR prayer for Trinity New Life Church is.

Thank you so much for your love and support!

Thanks to the brilliant and kind folks over at Moore Consulting Group, Trinity New Life Church finally has an identity in graphic form!

I’m in love with this logo. And while Trinity is a clearly a Christian word, it’s in the name of the church because it’s the name of the city where we’re planting the church, and I wanted the focus of the logo to be “new life,” the simplest explanation of the gospel in my opinion.

The logo also communicates the reason why TNLC exists: to love Jesus, love people and serve the city. “Love Jesus” is represented by the roots going down deep into the soil, as our love for Jesus is the source and motivation for everything we do as individuals and as a church. As a result of those roots going down deep, two leaves are produced-“Love People” and “Serve the City.” We don’t love and serve others to get Jesus to love us, but do so out of our love for Him and His love for us.

In the coming days I’ll post a few desktops in case you’d like to stare at it’s coolness all day long, but for now, here’s a few backgrounds for my iPhone-lovin’ peeps. Just right-click on the images to download the full-sized version.

• Launch Team- Yesterday we hosted our second meeting of the TNLC Launch Team! While the meeting was a little smaller due to schedule conflicts this week, it also saw three new people show up! We’ve got such a great team of people, and we’re looking to add to them. More on that below.
• Mitchell High School- Last week I had the chance to sit down with the head coach and former high school teammate of mine, Brian Wachtel. After a fantastic convo about his desire to build men for the rest of their lives and not just win games, he’s arraigned for me to teach a weekly leadership class for the entire JV and varsity teams, host a weekly bible study for players, and also host a weekly coaches’ bible study! Praise God!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Over the next week, please pray for the following items:

• YMCA- This Wednesday I’m meeting with officials from a local YMCA to explore the possibility of us meeting in their facility. They do a tremendous job reaching into the community, and have a wonderful facility, so please pray for favor and wisdom over the meeting!
• 20 Team members- As I mentioned above, we’ve currently got a team of 12 committed adults on our launch team. Please join us in praying for God to add eight more people by the beginning of September!
• Salvations- While we’re still building the church in anticipation of a November preview service, we don’t want to wait to see God to move! Please pray that each member of our launch team would see the gospel transform the lives of the people around them.
• Men- Last Saturday was my (Clayton) first time watching a UFC fight at a local restaurant. As I sat there in a place filled with men, I was struck with how little this resembles most churches. Pray that TNLC would be a place to see many men come to faith in Jesus Christ!
• Fasting- This Friday, August 14, is our second day of prayer and fasting. I’ll send an email out on Thursday as a reminder, but don’t forget to put this important date on your calendar as we look forward to a March 14 weekly launch of TNLC.

That’s all for this week! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to endure and pray with us, and to play a part in what God’s doing to change people through Trinity New Life Church.

Oh, and if you have a prayer request, don’t hold back. Let us know!

Last night, you didn’t need to look far or hard to see history being made. Last night, Trinity New Life Church met for the very first time. Last night 13 adults and 6 kids gathered together to launch a move of God in the Tampa bay area. Here are a few photos:

God is building His church, and we are simply blessed to be partnering with him. Thank you, Jesus.

It’s not too late to be a part of history. Why not join us and be part of something amazing?

Feel free to pray like crazy.

Hope to see you there!

• Our move went really well, thank you so much for praying. We’re finally settled in, and hosting our first house guest tonight!
• Conducting a funeral: many of you know I was asked to facilitate the funeral of a high school friend’s father last week. While it was a sad and scary experience to do my first funeral, it provided an opportunity to meet and reconnect with many people, and talk with some those who were very interested in being a part of TNLC. It’s what we’re here to do- love and minister to the hurt and broken of this city.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Over the next week, please pray for the following items:

• Moving- While our move was a success this past week, another TNLC member is moving this week. Please pray for Stephanie Huffman’s move to go smoothly!
• First meeting of the Launch Team- This Sunday, August 2, is the first meeting of TNLC! We’re so excited about this beginning, so join with us in praying for 20 people to come. Do you know anyone you’d like to invite?
• Transformation- Pray for our neighbors, our coworkers, everyone one that we encounter to be transformed by Jesus Christ!
• Facility- I (Clayton) have been able to connect with some local churches in the area, and one just moved out of a facility that would be a FANTASTIC location. Pray for wisdom and favor as we navigate this relationship.
• Provision- Please pray specifically for three financial areas: 1)Funds to facilitate outreaches, 2)Funds to rent a facility when the time comes, and 3)Funds to purchase the equipment to put on an excellent Sunday morning experience.

That’s all for this week! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to endure and pray with us, and to play a part in what God’s doing to change people through Trinity New Life Church.

Oh, and if you have a prayer request, don’t hold back. Let us know!

The time has come- August 2nd will be the first meeting for those interested in being a part of Trinity New Life Church!

On August 2nd we’ll have our first informational meeting/dinner about TNLC. We’ll spend the first part of the evening eating together and getting to know each other. After the food and fun, we’ll spend some time talking about what it will look like to launch TNLC, and what it will look like to be a part of the launch team.

We’ll provide the main course (hamburgers and hot dogs) and would just like everyone to chip in on a side, drink or dessert. We’ll provide directions and parking instructions once you RSVP. Also, please let us know if you’re bringing kids (who are welcome) who will be eating.

Not in the area? You can still play a part!

• Tell a friend in the Tampa area about the church plant and interest meeting- Just fill out this form and we’ll contact them about the meeting. You know you know someone in the area!
• Pray for the meeting- We can never have enough prayers on our behalf!
• Repost this on your blog- Even if you don’t know someone to invite, perhaps one of your blog readers does. Let’s use our social networks for the glory of God!

God is going to do something incredible, and I hope you’ll join us in being a part of this amazing adventure!

• Our final Sunday at ENT was a great time, full of so many emotions! Thank you for your prayers for my message, I believe Jesus was made the hero and God’s word changed hearts and lives. If you’d like to listen to it, you can find it here.
• Every Nation has chosen to highlight our church plant as part of their July prayer focus. What a great spiritual family to be a part of!
• God is continuing to bring individuals to us who are interested in launching TNLC. Thank God for his favor!
• Last week a company agreed to partner with us by providing us with a logo and branding elements. This is HUGE!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Over the next month, please pray for the following items:

• Moving- Kelly and I are moving this Saturday, and team members Stephanie Huffman and Afrika Minus will be moving into the area over the next 30 days. Please pray for the finances, safety and timing of all of these moves!
• Building and Unity of the Launch Team- Soon and very soon we’ll be having our first meeting for those interested in helping us launch TNLC. Nearly 30 people have expressed some level of interest in participating, so here are the specific prayer points:
  • Pray that 40 trained and committed adults would be a part of the TNLC launch team.
  • Pray that we’d be unified around our passion to Love Jesus, Love People and Serve the City.
  • Pray that we’d have a diverse team that can fill multiple roles in the early life of the church.
  • Pray for a worship team! A good heart can make up for a lot of things, but lack of musical talent isn’t one of them!
• Transformation- Pray for our neighbors, our coworkers, everyone one that we encounter to be transformed by Jesus Christ! We’re not going down to plant a “cool, new church,” but to see people’s lives transformed. Pray this would mark our church!
• Provision- Please pray specifically for three financial areas: 1)Funds to facilitate outreaches, 2)Funds to rent a facility when the time comes, and 3)Funds to purchase the equipment to put on an excellent Sunday morning experience.
• Creativity- Please pray we’d be creative in our outreaches to the community around us. Pray that we’d understand God’s heart for the area and be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with.

That’s all for this month! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to endure and pray with us, and to play a part in what God’s doing to change people through Trinity New Life Church.

Though it’s a long ways away, we’re planning on launching Trinity New Life Church on a weekly basis on March 14, 2010. Wow, it gets a little more real every time I type it!

To prepare for that momentous day in the history of our church (and all of the equally-important days in between!) we’re going to begin a monthly tradition of prayer and fasting on the 14th of every month. I’ll post a few specific prayer topics on the 13th of this month, but I wanted to let you know so it could be on your calendar for next Tuesday.

All of the planning and strategy won’t make a bit of difference if God is not before us, with us, and among us. Or, as our father in the faith, Moses, said:

Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”- Exodus 33:15, 16.

Will you be praying and fasting with us?

If you didn’t see this Monday’s update, be sure to click on over to be encouraged by our praise reports and stay up-to-date with the prayer requests.

Thanks for hanging in there with us!

But let’s get to the good stuff- What powerful work your prayers have been doing over the last two weeks! We are SOOO thankful for you guys, you’re making it happen! OK, I can’t wait any longer, let’s get to the praise reports!

PRAISE REPORT

• Kelly and I had a spectacular time at the EN NAC 09. They really honored and publicized the 10 upcoming church plants in the US (which is only 10% of the over 100 churches being planted by EN worldwide!), including an incredible prayer time Friday night. We’re part of a wonderful spiritual family who is encouraging and supporting us so strongly!
• Launch team- OK, I don’t even know how to explain the awesome-ness on this one. In the past two weeks we’ve talked to a couple in Tampa who’ve been waiting for an EN church plant, a couple from our Tallahassee church who moved to Tampa a year ago but happened to be in church today and we talked with them, and another member of the Tallahassee church who recently moved to Tampa. I don’t know how God does it, but he’s orchestrating an amazing team. He’s so amazing!

PRAYER REQUESTS- Let’s keep the good times rolling!

• Day of fasting- I’m going to give you a heads-up now: July 14th will be a day of fasting for TNLC. We’re planning on launching TNLC on a weekly basis March 14, 2010, so I’m planning on fasting every 14th until March. I hope you join us! More details next Monday, put it on the calendar now!
• Moving- Paul and Kerry Grasmanis are moving this week to the Tampa area (Land O Lakes), so please cover them. We’re starting to pack, so pray for, um…peaceful martial conversations.
• Message- I’m preaching at ENT this week, my last Sunday on staff. Please pray for God’s word to go forth with power and transformation!
• Finances- Two big meetings this week, and one call back for support. Please pray for God’s favor and provision!
• Unity- This is God’s team He’s assembling to plant the church, and pray we’d be unified in Jesus with the same DNA. Pray we’d be a spiritual family as TNLC!
• Transformation- We are planting a church to see people transformed by Jesus. Pray that would mark everyone in our church!

Whew, that’s it for now! Only one more weekly update from Tallahassee…and now I need to go pack something!

Sorry about the double-post/email thingy yesterday. I was working out some kinks on the BRAND-NEW TrinityNewLife.com! If you get bored, stop by and let us know what you think!

Praise Report

• Paul and Kerry Grasmanis sold their house AND bought a house in the area last week. Their house had been on the market for 6 months!
• Kelly and I are signing a lease on a home tonight! Please pray there are no snags, that we’d find favor with the landlord and our neighbors!

Prayer Request

• Launch team- Please pray that we’d have 40 adults who’d be committed to launching this church with us. We’re believing for the right people with the right heart and the right gifts to make an impact for Jesus Christ in the Tampa area!
• Conference- Kelly and I are traveling tomorrow to DC for the Every Nation Churches’ annual conference. I’ll have multiple opportunities to share about Trinity New Life Church, so please pray for favor as we talk with other leaders! It’s also the longest we’ve been away from our daughter, so pray my wife and daughter will be OK!
• Presentation- I (Clayton) am leading a breakout session at the conference, so please pray I’d be able to show people how to glorify Jesus through social media.
• Provision- There’s no way to get around the fact it takes money to rent a facility, host an outreach, or buy equipment. Please pray God’s provision for our church, AND that we’d be wise and responsible with every dollar.
• Transformation- In honor of Fathers’ Day, please pray we’d be a church that sees men, fathers, and husbands come to know Jesus and faithfully serve him. We love the ladies, but we want to see strong men serve God!

That’s it for this week! Thank you so much for your prayers, we’re so thankful for all of you. Please let us know if there’s any way we can be praying for you as well!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We’re so thankful to have you along with us on the journey. For this upcoming week, please pray for:

• Launch team- Please pray that we’d have 40 adults who’d be committed to launching this church with us. We’re believing for the right people with the right heart and the right gifts to make an impact for Jesus Christ in the Tampa area!
• Conference- Next week Kelly and I will be traveling to DC for the Every Nation Churches’ annual conference. I’ll have multiple opportunities to share about Trinity New Life Church, so please pray for favor as we talk with other leaders! It’s also the longest we’ve been away from our daughter, so pray my wife and daughter will be OK!
• Provision- There’s no way to get around the fact it takes money to rent a facility, host an outreach, or buy equipment. Please pray God’s provision for our church, AND that we’d be wise and responsible with every dollar.
• Planning- We’re always seeking God’s planning and wisdom for Trinity New Life. We want His will to be done, not just a fun show and tell every week. God, give us wisdom!
• Transformation- If you only pray one thing for us, I would ask for this: pray we’d be totally addicted to seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. We’re don’t want to plant a cool church, a fun church, a new church, or a family church- we must plant a Christ-centered church! Only Jesus Christ can change lives, and this is our whole motivation!

That’s it for this week! Thank you so much for your prayers, we’re so thankful for all of you. Please let us know if there’s any way we can be praying for you as well!

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. -Psalm 127:1a