I apologize about taking so long to write
another update. It’s been a full summer, and below I’ve given just a couple
glimpses of what’s happening at New Hope and here in Bangor. Thank you for your
interest in reading, and for all your prayers!
Sermon Series: For the past couple months, I’ve been preaching through the story of
David in 1 Samuel. We’ve come to some challenging passages, but it’s also been
a great opportunity to address how to read the Old Testament (and any difficult
passages in the Bible). Each Sunday, we spend time addressing the immediate
passage in its own context, then how it points to Jesus, and then what that
means for us. So in the story of David and Goliath, we saw the family and
political dynamics at work in that time and place, and then saw how Jesus (the
“Son of David”) is also our representative champion who defeats sin and
the devil through his sacrifice—and how we participate in His victory by faith,
like the Israelite army no longer had to be afraid after David had killed
Goliath.
Youth night: One of our leaders observed that the youth in the church don’t have much
connection, so in July we started a once-a-month youth night. I am co-leading
with another couple in the church, and encouraging other adults to join at
times, hopefully allowing for informal mentoring relationships. We start by
eating together, then do a group lesson (watching a popular advertisement, and
then discussing its messages through the lens of Scripture—learning a Christian
worldview), and then play games. It’s been exciting to see the response from
the youth, to see them engaging with one another and the leaders, and to see
the parents’ appreciation of this opportunity for their children. Please
continue to pray for mentoring relationships to develop between adults and
youth, as well as for friends and visitors who come—that they may experience
the hospitality of the gospel and come to know Jesus.
Street Pastors: For the past few months, a management team (of which I am a member) of leaders
and members from various churches in the area has been meeting to bring a
ministry called “Street Pastors” to Bangor (see streetpastors.org for the
organization; bangormaineusa.streetpastors.org for the in-the-works local
website). This organization began in the U.K., and local chapters train and
send out lay “pastors” to extend the love of Christ on the streets—being a
listening and caring presence during the high-crime times. Cities in the U.K. have
seen crime rates drop dramatically with Street Pastors’ presence, as people
experience God’s love through Christians meeting them where they are. In our
first “patrol” a couple weeks ago (a group goes out every Friday between 8pm
and 1am), it was amazing to see God at work. There have been many opportunities
to listen to what people have to share, pray with them, be a presence that
prevents conflicts that otherwise might have escalated, provide for basic
physical needs and/or direct people to resources and social services agencies,
and to share the gospel in deed and word. One of the most amazing parts was to
see Christians from many different congregations presenting a united witness.
One of the men who had gone summarized it something like this: “An Anglican, a
Methodist, a Congregationalist, a Reformed believer, an Adventist, and a
Baptist walk into downtown Bangor…It sounds like the start of a joke, but it’s
not—it actually happened last Friday!” In fact, one man was so blown away by
seeing congregations working together that he just (completely unsolicited)
offered a monetary donation on the spot. Please continue to pray for Christian
unity (in the midst of the diversity of more peripheral convictions held by believers
who are involved). God is at work!
Soccer: In
August, I began my second season coaching girls’ JV soccer at John Bapst—a
local private high school. Coaching keeps my schedule full, but I find it
refreshing and enjoyable. It’s a great opportunity to build bridges within the
community, and at our first team dinner, I was able to connect with one parent
in particular about a challenging church situation. This past week, I also met with my captains
for dinner to talk about leadership, and the team/season in general. It was
neat to see them noticing teammates who are more on the margins—and thinking of
how to integrate them. We also talked about leadership as investment in others’
improvement as well as one’s own. I could tell that the captains were genuinely
excited as they observed improvement by one of the girls in particular. A
couple weeks into the season, and it’s been a great time.
Babies: Over the course of five months this summer, there were four babies born
at New Hope. We’re grateful for all healthy deliveries, and the increase in
noise is well worth it!
It is a privilege to continue to be able
to live in Bangor and work alongside those at New Hope. Thank you for your
encouragement and support.
In our Lord,
Jonathan
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