As you know a while back I posted a comment about New Monasticism and starting a community house in Toledo. Well since that point much has happened. First, I received a new position at Church where I will responsible to guide Crossroads into a more missional posture and DNA. This is a God send as the community house will be a huge part of our ministry in the city. Secondly, I am just back from running The Wild Goose Festival kids area. It was a brilliant time and I am looking forward to running things again next year. I was inspired as I connected with and witnessed multiple New Monastic communities that were present. Thirdly, Kelly and I are finally putting our house up for sale. Once the house to is sold we are headed on words to Toledo. We can't wait to get into the city. To be with the people in the Old West End Neighborhood. To learn, to love, to live together.
Some interesting connections have happened since we started this journey and briefly I want to list a few here. The way that God is leading through this process has given me great hope for the future of our community. Here is what has happened...
- new missions position at Crossroads
- friendship with Sam Melden - Food for Thought (www.freelunchtoledo.com)
- friendship with Don Schiever - pastor at New Harvest Church
- friendship with Steve North - director of mens ministries at the Cherry Street Mission, founding pastor of Lifeline a communal/missional church that meets in his house in the Old West End. He is also the mastermind of 4.5 immersion, immersing students into poverty as a learning experience. (http://www.facebook.com/4.5toledo), (www.lifelinetoledo.com)
- friendship with Ken Leslie - creator of One Matters - runs Tent City and founder of the Toledo Streets Paper a micro-lending organization. (www.1matters.org)
- deeper involvement in New Tribe Fellowship - a socially, economically and culturally diverse group of people practicing authentic community, loving and serving each other in the name of Jesus. We are here to provide a community for Arab folks from both a Christian and Muslim background. Showing the the love of Jesus in authentic and intentional community.
- connection with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove author of New Monasticism, Wisdom of Stability, Common Prayer and a few others. He has provided great insight into the development of our community and it is likely I will participate in the School of Conversion he runs. (www.newmonasticism.org)
Through this journey, thus far, God has opened to door and I have met some great neighbors. I am excited to see where we are headed next. For now please pray for the sale of our house and for wisdom into this next season. I will be sure to keep you updated on what's to come. If you are inspired to be a part of what we are hoping to do in Toledo please connect with me anytime because i'd love to hear your story and to see how you can be a part. For now grace and peace.
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