About a year ago, Cathy and I began to sense that God was making some major changes in our lives. With our daughters raised and gone, we felt God asking us to take a new step of faith. It was rather unsettling, sensing that God had something different for us; we had grown comfortable in our home, our church, and in Las Vegas. We had no idea what that change was going to be, but we quietly began praying and seeking God’s Will as He gently tugged on our hearts.
We visited Boise last fall for what we thought was a visit to check out Boise State University for our youngest daughter, Emily. The last thing on our minds was packing up, leaving the rest of our family in Las Vegas and moving to plant a brand new church! It caught us completely by surprise; but God used that initial trip to plant a seed in our hearts for the people and community of the Treasure Valley. Honestly, we didn’t know what to do with our desires at that time. Neither Cathy nor I discussed it openly with each other. We both thought it was just a silly idea in the back of our minds. But as we prayed and committed to seek God’s will, the desire continued to grow intensely. When we moved Emily into the BSU dorms in January, we drove the entire ten hours home talking excitedly about the strong pull we both had for the community. We still didn’t know what to do about it, honestly it confused us greatly. We knew we had a wonderful church family in Las Vegas that loved us dearly and that we loved ministering to.
Beginning last January we prayed, fasted, and sought the prayer support of close friends, pastors and family to help us discover what God’s next steps would be for us. Immediately after Easter, I sensed God very clearly telling me: Dave-go plant a church in the Treasure Valley!
Why? Idaho is currently the third fastest growing state in the United States. The Treasure Valley is the fastest growing area in the state and is expected to grow by 40% in the next ten years, to over one million plus. According to the Southern Baptists, nearly 90% of the people in the Treasure Valley do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Statistics continue to prove that new church planting is the quickest and most effective way to reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In an exploratory trip to Boise last Fall, Cathy and I met with several pastors, most notably Bruce Young of First Baptist Church, Mark Traylor of East Wind Community Church, and Jim Steinert of Second Baptist Church. God had already been preparing them for our meeting. Each shared that they, along with some other pastors, had been praying about planting a new church! God bound our hearts together and each pastor committed their support. They next question was where would we plant a new church? I met with business people and pastors and every single one agreed the place with the greatest opportunities and need was Eagle! I went back to my church in Las Vegas and shared God’s new call for my life and began making plans to move to the Treasure Valley.
We rented a house in Eagle and moved in it on June 23rd. We have had our house on the market in Las Vegas since April. Knowing that we are trying to sell it during the worst housing market downturn ever in that area we decided to move to Idaho on faith leaving our home in God’s hands. We have it listed as a short sale and we are praying that God sells it before we lose it, but whichever way it goes, we are at peace. We trust that God is in control. We raised partial support before we left Las Vegas and we are living on that and our savings until we get the River started and it is able to support us.
We are excited about the opportunities to further the kingdom of God here in Eagle. God continues to open doors, but we cannot do this alone. We are asking you to partner with us, as your pastors have, through prayer and support.
Specifically:
· We need your prayers! If you will pray for us we will send you a weekly “Prayer Mail” email. It generally comes out the end of every week.
· We need your financial support. Church planting costs money! There are many needs that are unmet right now and there are even bigger needs in the near future. Here are several ways you can help meet those needs. You may support us on a monthly basis or you may choose to donate towards specific needs; i.e. office expenses, advertising, health insurance, rental space… If you are interested in financially supporting The River let me know and I will show you how.
· One of the greatest ways you can support us to join us! Again there are several options available to you: You may choose to make a commitment to help us in the start up phase. You may choose to make a one or two year commitment to The River or you may choose to make the River your new church home!
· We need God’s people to fill vital leadership roles for The River. Specifically we need leadership over connections/small groups, Worship/Youth, Children, and Administration. These are all key and vital roles that need to be filled if we are going to effectively reach non churched people and minister to the whole person and their family.
God bless you!
Serving our Savior,
Dave and Cathy Griewe
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Taking Risks
I'm a risk taker. When I was younger I would take on any kind of risk, no matter how dangerous (or stupid) it might seem to be. Now that I have a few years under my belt, my risks are more calculated and a lot less physically dangerous! It seems, I may have grown up, at least a little bit! Actually, the risks I enjoy taking today are predominately God inspired. I am not the kind of person who enjoys the status quo or just getting along, or just getting by. That's boring to me. I love trying to figure out what kind of risks God wants me to take, and then taking them.
Planting a new church in Eagle, ID is one of those HUGE risks that God has led me to take. It was a risk to leave my Church in Las Vegas along with a regular paycheck. It was a risk to talk to people about supporting us as missionaries to plant a new church. And it was a risk to move to to a community we had never lived in before with the purpose of planting a church with the vision of reaching unchurched people with the Good News of Jesus. BUT we are here. With some financial support, our personal savings, and a call from God to "Go therefore into all the world..." Meaning we are to go into Eagle to tell people who are far from God about a God who loves them so much He sent His Son to die for them!
This is risky business! What if fail? What if we run out of money? What if we never get started? the first step is always the hardest... But we have done the work God's Word says to do when making risky decisions: I researched the Treasure Valley to see if a new church aimed at reaching unchurched people was needed, the answer is ABSOLUTELY! I analyzed what it will cost me in time, money, emotions, energy and effort. And we decided the risk was worth the rewards of seeing people become Christ followers and grow in their new faith. I developed a strategy; seeking wise counsel, anticipated problems, and we have prayed and prayed from the very first moment. And God gave us a plan. We announced our intentions to our home church in Las Vegas, to our friends, and family and anyone else who would listen, as a statement of faith saying we believe God wants us to plant a new church in Eagle! And now we are taking steps of faith. We left our home in Las Vegas and rented a home in Eagle. I have met with some godly pastors who totally support us planting a new church, and now we are completely trusting God for the results.
There is something absolutely freeing about living by faith, knowing that there is nothing I can do that will make this church successful. It is God, He is the One who makes us able to do all that we do (2 Cor. 3:5 NCV). That's true freedom!
Planting a new church in Eagle, ID is one of those HUGE risks that God has led me to take. It was a risk to leave my Church in Las Vegas along with a regular paycheck. It was a risk to talk to people about supporting us as missionaries to plant a new church. And it was a risk to move to to a community we had never lived in before with the purpose of planting a church with the vision of reaching unchurched people with the Good News of Jesus. BUT we are here. With some financial support, our personal savings, and a call from God to "Go therefore into all the world..." Meaning we are to go into Eagle to tell people who are far from God about a God who loves them so much He sent His Son to die for them!
This is risky business! What if fail? What if we run out of money? What if we never get started? the first step is always the hardest... But we have done the work God's Word says to do when making risky decisions: I researched the Treasure Valley to see if a new church aimed at reaching unchurched people was needed, the answer is ABSOLUTELY! I analyzed what it will cost me in time, money, emotions, energy and effort. And we decided the risk was worth the rewards of seeing people become Christ followers and grow in their new faith. I developed a strategy; seeking wise counsel, anticipated problems, and we have prayed and prayed from the very first moment. And God gave us a plan. We announced our intentions to our home church in Las Vegas, to our friends, and family and anyone else who would listen, as a statement of faith saying we believe God wants us to plant a new church in Eagle! And now we are taking steps of faith. We left our home in Las Vegas and rented a home in Eagle. I have met with some godly pastors who totally support us planting a new church, and now we are completely trusting God for the results.
There is something absolutely freeing about living by faith, knowing that there is nothing I can do that will make this church successful. It is God, He is the One who makes us able to do all that we do (2 Cor. 3:5 NCV). That's true freedom!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Prayer Mail 8-22-08
Dear Friends,
"Whenever we pray for you, we always begin by giving thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard how much you trust the Lord, and how much you love his people."
Colossians 1:3-4 (TLB)
When I read this passage this week it reminded me of your prayers and support. Thank you for holding us up every day in prayer. We are excited about the opportunities that God is providing us.
Yesterday we did a garage sale to meet the neighbors and get rid of stuff. It went great. The weather was sunny, in the low 80's and we met and talked to many people in our neighborhood and used that opportunity to talk about The River. A couple of people took information and two people left their information for me to contact them further! All in all it was a great day!
We are very excited and blessed that Cathy has found a job right here in Eagle. She is a Lead Teacher for her class at The Horizons Academy and Preschool. She began her training last Wednesday and Monday will be her first full week of teaching. It is a great opportunity for her to do what she does best; nurture children and their parents! She has a unique knack of weaving her faith into all of her relationships and she does a great job of "mentioning" our church to almost everyone she comes into contact with. It really is her niche for ministry.
I had several great meetings with people this past week as I continue to lay the foundation for The River. One of the more important meetings I had this week was with Phil Eastman. Phil happens to be my daughter's boyfriend and his father is my coach! Make sense? Anyhow Phil and I have talked on and off for months about his possible involvement with The River. He is a truly solid young man and a deeply committed Christian. His desire is to develop a Christian band and travel to churches, camps, and retreats sharing Christ. We talked about him putting a band together to be The River Worship band while at the same time using this opportunity to grow his band and see if God would use this to launch them into a ministry outside the church. It's a great idea. I am excited for him and for The River. It is as ministry should be, helping one another for the Glory of God. We also talked about him possibly developing a youth ministry for us at the same time. Please pray for God's will here and for complete clarity as Phil seeks to put together a band of committed Christians and qualified musicians.
I am speaking at First Baptist Church of Boise tomorrow (August 24) at all four of their services. Pray for God to speak through me to challenge people to take risks for God.
I am still planning to begin a bible study at Rembrandt's Coffee Shop the end of September. I am planning 4 preview services before our Grand Opening: November 24 and either December 22, or Christmas Eve; January 26, and February 23 and then continuing Sunday services until April 12 (Easter), when we will have our Grand Opening service. One of the issues is location. I thought I would be able to rent the Hilton Garden Inn, however they just told me that they only rent their conference space to groups who have a block of rooms at their hotel. I went to the Chamber of Commerce to ask about meeting space and they pointed me towards a place called the Kandor Building. I have a call into the owner, I have no idea what the space is like or if it will work or not. Please pray for God to supernaturally provide a great space for us (that we can afford) to begin our Sunday Services.
Financial support for June was $4,251, July was $3,648, and so far for the month of August we have received $2,863. I am hopeful that we will receive another $1,200 to $1,400 before the end of the month. So far that is the total income for personal support and church expenses. As you can see it does not cover the needs. I am praying that, as I get the bible study off the ground, and we have some mature Christians join us from First Baptist Boise, Eastwind Community Church, and others, we will begin receiving offerings in October.
I have put together a budget covering August – December of this year. You may email me for a copy to send to you to look over and prayerfully consider where you might give an additional offering above whatever support you may already be committed to.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Serving Him in Grace,
Dave Griewe1-208-570-3732www.RiverChristianChurch.com
It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.
"Whenever we pray for you, we always begin by giving thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard how much you trust the Lord, and how much you love his people."
Colossians 1:3-4 (TLB)
When I read this passage this week it reminded me of your prayers and support. Thank you for holding us up every day in prayer. We are excited about the opportunities that God is providing us.
Yesterday we did a garage sale to meet the neighbors and get rid of stuff. It went great. The weather was sunny, in the low 80's and we met and talked to many people in our neighborhood and used that opportunity to talk about The River. A couple of people took information and two people left their information for me to contact them further! All in all it was a great day!
We are very excited and blessed that Cathy has found a job right here in Eagle. She is a Lead Teacher for her class at The Horizons Academy and Preschool. She began her training last Wednesday and Monday will be her first full week of teaching. It is a great opportunity for her to do what she does best; nurture children and their parents! She has a unique knack of weaving her faith into all of her relationships and she does a great job of "mentioning" our church to almost everyone she comes into contact with. It really is her niche for ministry.
I had several great meetings with people this past week as I continue to lay the foundation for The River. One of the more important meetings I had this week was with Phil Eastman. Phil happens to be my daughter's boyfriend and his father is my coach! Make sense? Anyhow Phil and I have talked on and off for months about his possible involvement with The River. He is a truly solid young man and a deeply committed Christian. His desire is to develop a Christian band and travel to churches, camps, and retreats sharing Christ. We talked about him putting a band together to be The River Worship band while at the same time using this opportunity to grow his band and see if God would use this to launch them into a ministry outside the church. It's a great idea. I am excited for him and for The River. It is as ministry should be, helping one another for the Glory of God. We also talked about him possibly developing a youth ministry for us at the same time. Please pray for God's will here and for complete clarity as Phil seeks to put together a band of committed Christians and qualified musicians.
I am speaking at First Baptist Church of Boise tomorrow (August 24) at all four of their services. Pray for God to speak through me to challenge people to take risks for God.
I am still planning to begin a bible study at Rembrandt's Coffee Shop the end of September. I am planning 4 preview services before our Grand Opening: November 24 and either December 22, or Christmas Eve; January 26, and February 23 and then continuing Sunday services until April 12 (Easter), when we will have our Grand Opening service. One of the issues is location. I thought I would be able to rent the Hilton Garden Inn, however they just told me that they only rent their conference space to groups who have a block of rooms at their hotel. I went to the Chamber of Commerce to ask about meeting space and they pointed me towards a place called the Kandor Building. I have a call into the owner, I have no idea what the space is like or if it will work or not. Please pray for God to supernaturally provide a great space for us (that we can afford) to begin our Sunday Services.
Financial support for June was $4,251, July was $3,648, and so far for the month of August we have received $2,863. I am hopeful that we will receive another $1,200 to $1,400 before the end of the month. So far that is the total income for personal support and church expenses. As you can see it does not cover the needs. I am praying that, as I get the bible study off the ground, and we have some mature Christians join us from First Baptist Boise, Eastwind Community Church, and others, we will begin receiving offerings in October.
I have put together a budget covering August – December of this year. You may email me for a copy to send to you to look over and prayerfully consider where you might give an additional offering above whatever support you may already be committed to.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Serving Him in Grace,
Dave Griewe1-208-570-3732www.RiverChristianChurch.com
It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.
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