Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Prayer Letter February 2014

Dear Prayer Team, 

I am sorry for the delay in communication. I am consistently amazed at how God is moving and stirring in our midst and so much has happened that it is hard to know where to begin and what all to share. 

Last November I shared that we were looking for a second car because of the rough winters and my work being about 20-30 minutes from home depending on the weather. We did not want to take out an interest loan for this car, but needed to make payments. Days after asking you all to pray we had the car. It has been such a huge blessing to us and we are making payments to a private owner. The same week we got the car it became to cold for Stacy to be walking Aurora to school with the baby. All I can say is God can...

In the course of moving to Oshkosh God spoke clearly that we were to come to this city. God has confirmed this even more so in our hearts with each passing day, we know we belong here and that Jesus has placed us here to minister to this city. As we have been in the city God has bonded us ever closer to the church plant we have connected to, New City Church, and we are truly of one heart and mind. We consider it an honor to plant with them here in Oshkosh and to be a part of all that Jesus is doing in and through them. As the Lord has connected us to New City he has also allowed another relationship to fade away. When we moved to Oshkosh we were developing a relationship with the Christian and Missionary Alliance to plant a church in the city. For whatever reason this relationship has not flourished and the possibility of further partnership was ended this past week. I wish I could give you an explanation for this news, but truthfully, I do not have an answer. In the past, this news might have shaken our faith. However, we are so sure of our calling to this city and in the God who called us here that we can truly say we have peace about the sittuation. 

Of course this leaves the question of planting a church. My answer would be that we are. We are planting New City Church. We are involved involved in many different aspects within the Church including: Missional communities, prayer, greeting, set up and tear down, preaching, children's ministry, etc. Jesus is moving mightily through this plant and we are humbled to be a part of what he is doing. We are seeing those who are far from God begin to join us in both Missional communities and Sunday morning services, addictions are being broken, the broken are finding healing, and the lost are being found, praise be to Jesus our King.

As I come to a close I want to address what this means for us and for those of you who have committed to us. With the parterniship not working out with the CMA we do not have nearly enough funds to plant on our own, but since Jesus has made it clear to us that we are to be part of planting New City Church this is not a problem. For those who have given financially I want to personally assure you that your money is being well stewarded. It is because of so many of you that we have been able to get to Oshkosh and walk this faith journey and for that we are so very grateful. Additionally, any support that is currently raised or that will continue to be given is being set aside for the time when God calls me out of the market place into full-time vocational ministry as we believe God is not nearly done with our church planting journey in Oshkosh. If you do feel led to continue to give at this time, please do not send the gifts to the CMA, but to the address below.

I thank you all for your continued prayers for our family and the city of Oshkosh. 

Prayer Request
As most of you know to support our family I am currently managing an Arby's, it is my tent making if you will. Although it has provided opportunity to be on mission in the work place, Stacy and I both know that it is not Jesus' ultimate call on my life. With that said, Jesus has used it to provide for us and for that we are very grateful. However, we are seeking that I would work within the city of Oshkosh and ask that you join us in that prayer. 
Additionally, please be in prayer as we continue to foster relationship with New City Church for its welfare and that Jesus will continue to unite us.
Pray for us as we have had some situations with our daughter Aurora that have taken their toll on us.
Please be in prayer about supporting us as The Lord prepares the time when we take next steps in moving out of the market place.
When moving we borrowed several trucks. One of these trucks had a custom paint job and someone accidentally swung the trailer it was pulling into its side. Because of the custom paint it is $3,000 in damage, please pray for supernatural provision in this area.
Lastly, pray that we would get the next stage of our house finished, we have dreams of using our homes for the Gospel and it needs some work to make this dreams become a reality.

Our Address: 
Jeremiah McDuffie
1625 Georgia St. 
Oshkosh, WI. 54902