New York, New York

(Please see video below; some of you will recognize Sam Powell, Cynthia Powell, Larry Craig, Jim Brown, Teresa Brown of "Upside Down," and Oneitchi from Africa missionary lore)

Hardy & Healthy. To people familiar with the New York City church in our ICOC family, those two words come as no surprise in describing the 3000-ish disciples of that great church. Lynne and I just returned from a weekend in NY--New Brunswick New Jersey to be specific--where we served as keynote speakers for their annual married retreat, this year entitled “Fireproof.” While we were there, we had the joy of getting to re-know Sam and Cynthia Powell, who quarterback their staff leadership team. Moreover it was a thrill to get to know the NYC elders (a shout out to the Kellys from the Craigs!) and their thoughtful, engaged marrieds ministry. We also had a chance to reconnect with Ryan McCullough, who works for the Central Jersey church as a campus intern and was converted here in Seattle while a student at Lakeside HS. Lynne and I spoke to their staff on Friday evening, then to the marrieds on Saturday and Sunday.Our conversations there were so “normal”: deep, respectful, open, inquiring, and warm.

Planted in 1983 by Steve and Lisa Johnson (currently leading the Portland congregation) and a handful of disciples from all over the US, the NY church lit a candle for the world in the 80’s and 90’s, sending leaders, missions money, and mission teams all over the region, to Africa, and to the Caribbean. They pioneered arts ministry and the so-called Daytimers ministry for those (again, often artists) who work at night, and produced ineffably moving muscials like Upside Down and Slingshot which still encourage us today.

Like most of us, the last few years have been hard on NY. Most recently, confusion and chaos have, thanks to dedicated elders and other leaders who kept their spiritual heads, segued into respectful reform that has the NY church on the move again in every way. The maturity is palpable and the congregation grew by 250 last year. Pray for them, even as we ask them to pray for us. My personal hope and prayer is that our two churches will forge close ties in the near future--how else to placate Kelly and Whitaker (Mr. Hell’s Kitchen), right?

I said, am I right? Are you talkin’ to me? Are you talkin’ to me?
Ah, fuhgeddabowdit.

Our Singles Ministry is Growing

By Jay Kelly

I'm very proud of the brothers and sisters in our singles ministry here in the Seattle Church of Christ. John Novak is an engineer in Belltown who was met by the disciples at the Seattle Art Museum. George Hwang is a physical therapist in West Seattle and was brought to church by Chelsea Zhang.

Northwest Staff Retreat

Northwest Staff Retreat, Victoria, BC
By Jay Kelly

Martin Luther King Day with HOPE Worldwide
by Jay Kelly

On Monday, January 19th, we celebrated Martin Luther King Day in a very special way. The Red Cross and HOPE Worldwide worked side by side with hundreds of member of the Seattle Church of Christ to help inform the community about the causes of house fires. We distributed Red Cross tip sheets on fire prevention and emergency plans in case of a fire.

Here is a short video with clips from our day of service.

Rocky Mountain High

This past week, Danni and I got to attend the National Campus Minister's Planning Conference and we bring you greetings from beautiful Boulder, Colorado. About 30 Campus ministers and some spouses attended a three day planning conference where we discussed the state of campus ministries around the country, planned for the ICMC and in general, encouraged each other to grow in our ministry and personal lives. I can't tell you what a blessing it was to attend a meeting with a group of leaders who are passionate about taking the campus ministry work around the country higher. There are times when the spiritual tank of inspiration gets low and we need additional sources of inspiration. Fortunately, we are a part of a unified Kingdom where inspiration, input and discipling flow freely. I don't exactly know how it happened, but I left Seattle a bit discouraged and came back refreshed. Maybe it was a change in altitude, or perhaps it was a change in attitude.

Danni and I got to spend time with two of our best friends, Troy and Kim Criss from Gainesville Florida. We exchanged Christmas presents with them and I have to admit, Danni and I came out the winners: We gave them coffee and smoked salmon, they gave us Florida Gators gear. Thanks Troy and Kim for your love and friendship, go Gators! We also got to hear inspiring messages from some of the different campus leaders around the Kingdom. Danni and I were inspired to dream big dreams again, and to be courageous enough to pray desperate prayers to God again. Most importantly, we heard from Mike Taliaferro, who challenged us to find a balance with our personal lives and enjoy marriage and raising our children. I want to thank all the brothers and sisters who shared their hearts to inspire the leaders. We are truly blessed to have this great Kingdom.

On the second day of the conference, I got a special treat, and that was Ryan Flynn arrived. As you know, Ryan was hired as the campus minster at Colorado University in Boulder. Boulder is the perfect place for him as its a five minute drive from campus to the Rocky Mountain Foothills. Ryan wasn't the only ex-UW student there, Marcus Wallace (Tacoma), Jeff Henderson, and Nate Bigbee (both on staff in San Antonio), were there as well. Jeff and Nate are doing great in the ministry and wanted to let everyone here know they are having fun, but miss Seattle.




On the last day of the conference, Danni and I had an afternoon date/quiet time where we drove up into the Rockies to pray and enjoy all that God had created and indeed it was good. We tried to capture the view from up there, but pictures don't describe the panoramic feel from just the foothills of the Rockies. A few miles high, the air was thin and as we prayed for a renewed commitment to our marriage, our parenting and our ministry I was sure that God could hear us because we were that much closer (this is just my opinion)!



Maybe God didn't hear us any better, but it felt amazing just being there. I guess that's why they call it, "Rocky Mountain High".

We want to continue thank the amazing church we have here in Seattle and encourage one another to take it even higher in '09. Our prayer is that not only campus ministries, but all demographics of our U.S. Churches would be successful this year!

Love,
Alex and Danni

City Men's Mid-Week, "Wednesday Night Live" Skit

By Jay Kelly

We're trying something new for the City Men's Mid-Week Service. Each Bible Talk group will have their chance to host "Wednesday Night Live.' The host BT will have creative freedom to inspire and instruct us with skits, songs, improv, testimonies, drama, comedy or whatever works for them. We're infusing mid-week with zeal, ownership and creativity. Each host group's presentation will be followed by an inspirational video and a discipleship group theme. We're planning our own spiritual Oscar Night and will have red carpet awards for those who have used their gifts in life-changing ways. Our Mission Town Leaders tried to set an example with their sharing and skit, "Creature in the Closet."



Click Here to see it on YouTube

Mingles Bring in the New Year

... Or Click here to see Video Blog on YouTube