1. Open your home. Share a meal. Listen to their story. Make a friend. In almost every culture around the globe, the mark of hospitality is inviting someone into your home to share a meal.
2. Pray for them. Pray with them. Trust God to show up. Many refugees come from religious backgrounds and will be blessed by you caring enough to pray.
3. Respond to invitations. Eat in their home. Attend their celebrations. Get to know their culture. They’re identity will shift from refugee to neighbor to friend.
4. Advocate for their rights. Speak publicly. Share the facts. Write to government leaders. Change often  require persistence and sacrifice.

Due to the president’s executive action barring the entrance of refugees, a great deal of misinformation and “alternative facts” seem to be floating around.

4 myths about Trump’s executive action & refugee resettlement: Continue reading →

Friends- thank you so much for you continuing prayers and support with our ministry endeavors in Burlington.  This is the online version of our fall update, so it’s longer than a typical post.  You can also download a pdf version here: fall 2015 update.  We appreciate your partnership in moving the message of Jesus forward.  Continue reading →

Many of Burlington’s homeless will spend winter searching for shelter- their chronic addictions often prevent them from entering shelters.  This is one way we can help them stay warm in our sub-freezing temperatures.  At Burlington City Church’s Community Brunch on November 22 we’ll have a sleeping bag exchange where neighbors can drop off and pick up sleeping bags.

You can send sleeping bags to the following address: Burlington City Church, 406 North Ave., Burlington, VT 05401

I’m wired to think big vision and strategic steps.  I often think forward, contemplating what might be the next mountain to climb or battle to fight.  In the process of thinking about the big picture, I can often miss the seemingly small yet eternally significant victories along the way- especially when I’m facing external challenges, struggling with internal discouragement, or things are moving slow. Continue reading →

Years ago as I my wedding to Christin was approaching a good friend and fellow staff member humbly but firmly challenged me: be very careful not to sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry.   Around the same time another close friend and pastor shared what may sound like very simple advice: keep dating your wife.  Many times over these past fourteen years of being a husband and pastor, God brought these conversations to the forefront of my mind… Primarily because as a laser beam focused, 100 mph guy, I need the divine reminders.

• My wife is always my most important team member.  Continue reading →

This past November I walked through the back door from a Sunday afternoon hike with the kids and shared a simple observation with Christin: “I am discouraged.”  I didn’t mean the discouragement that comes from a tough week, a tense conversation, or even riding the ministry roller coaster of starting a church.  I meant real discouragement: the type that lingers in your soul for months and makes you feel like you don’t have anything left in the your spiritual, emotional, or mental tanks. Continue reading →

What a busy summer!  New baby, active kids, growing church, renovating a facility, hosting teen basketball tournament & kids camp, and now school has started.   You can download our entire newsletter here:  fall 2014 update. 

Continue reading →