The Leadership Team discussed over the past two meetings the need for our church to have a daily presence in Columbiana.  Problem is, we have a funding shortfall and bringing on new expenses would not be a good idea because, as pointed out by the team, God wants us to be faithful in giving people what we owe them.  So our prayers have been for God to provide a place and the funding.

God answered in a big way and He didn’t waste time doing it.  Our new office space is on Union Street in Columbiana in the same building that houses the Lazy Bean, the local coffee shop.  There are two offices, a reception area and a receptionist office.  There’s also a loft we will be converting into an office for our youth pastor Ry Torhan.  The rent is very low and includes all utilities.  And, the leadership team has secured donations to cover the first six months of rent!

This is an answer to prayer that shows that we’re on the right track.  God wants us to be (here goes a buzz word) incarnational.  Jesus did ministry in the world and we are to be an extension of what he did.  It’s about joining God on his mission to redeem the world – to bring it back to what he intended it to be all along.  He doesn’t want people to be enslaved by alcohol or drugs so our first ministry objective is to set up holding an AA meeting in our new digs led by people in our church who’ve experienced addiction.  God doesn’t want people to be hungry so we’re getting donations to provide a bakery giveaway one day a week to whoever in town needs it.  We’re excited about other opportunities that this new space will afford so that we can live life to the fullest extent by being what Jesus called his people to be.

Thank you, God, for confirming our intentions for the community of believers through providing this opportunity to us.

The day has finally come.  Columbiana, OH is between Cleveland and Pittsburgh, somewhat closer to the Steel City.  Some Gaters (people who attend The Gate) are Steelers fans and some are Browns fans.  For those of you not from  North East Ohio or Western PA, fans around here are for the most part avid fans of one of these rivals.

Our church has a tradition of wearing our various Browns/Steelers jerseys on Sundays when these teams face off.  If you don’t cheer for either one, feel free to wear your team’s jersey.  Many potential church-goers feel that they will fit in at a church only if they agree with everything that the majority believe.  Churches have a tendency to emphasize theological or religious differences at the expense of discovering the magnificence of a God who desperately loves them.  Discovering biblical truth is foundational to advancing on your spiritual journey – and we take seriously God’s command to study His Word – but, if you don’t agree with us, you’re still welcome to gather with us on Sunday mornings or for LifeGroups during the week where you can ask questions and take your time coming to a more informed decision about Jesus.  Christians don’t agree on everything, so how can we expect anyone else to?

We wear our jerseys twice a year (three if the Browns meet the Steelers in the playoffs . . . okay, not likely) to celebrate our decision to be more than willing to hang around people who don’t agree with us on everything.  It’s a great reminder that no matter how fierce our differences may be in the world, we can still worship an awesome God together.

The Strength Team had their first performance last night at Heartland Christian School.  About 30 people went forward for prayer.

The Strength Team is a group of very strong men who combine incredible feats of strength with their explanation of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for them in their lives.  They rip phone books, blow up hot water bottles and crush stacks of concrete block with their bare hands.  Powerful stuff, indeed.  What is even more powerful is their sold-out desire for Jesus to be truly known.

They’ll be in Columbiana each evening a 7 pm from Wednesday, Oct 14 through Sunday, October 18.  A suggested donation at the door is only $2.  There are drawings for free prizes, so you won’t want to miss out.

Check out their web site: www.strengthteam.com