Dear Friends,
We are writing to share with you what God is doing in our lives and to ask you to pray about partnering with us. As many of you know, we have been searching for God’s place for us since last August. In His good and perfect time the Lord has revealed to us that place, Oshkosh, WI. Our call to Oshkosh has been so clear that neither Stacy nor I have any doubt that God has directed us to this city.
In early May of this year, I had a conversation with a man in Wisconsin, Jeff Brown, and it was clear that our hearts were drawn together. However, Jeff was only looking for church planters at the time and I had not allowed the Spirit to present this possibility to me before this conversation. After praying for several weeks Jeff and I talked again. As we closed our conversation I asked Jeff if we could pray and I prayed over three cities in Wisconsin that the Spirit had laid on my heart; the cities of Eau Claire, Kenosha, and Oshkosh. After I was done praying Jeff could not believe that I had prayed over those three cities as I had never been to Wisconsin, yet we were praying over the same three cities that Jeff and his office were praying over that God would bring church planters to plant churches. We both instantly knew God was doing something bigger than us and we began to pray more fervently. Soon after talking with Jeff, Stacy asked me if the Spirit was placing a specific city on my heart and I told her “Oshkosh.” Without telling Jeff what I had told Stacy, I contacted him to see where he felt was most ready for a church plant and Oshkosh was his clear answer. We were directed toward Oshkosh again the same day as I had posted on facebook for friends to pray for us as we were considering planting a church in Wisconsin. I was almost immediately contacted by a woman who I had not shared even the slightest comment with in years, and she shared with me how she and her husband almost planted a church in WI, but moved in another direction, the city was Oshkosh. After a trip to Oshkosh the Lord has affirmed that Oshkosh is where he is sending us.
Stacy and I find the prospect of church planting again both exciting and terrifying. However, we both know the Lord has spoken to us and the Spirit has confirmed that we are to move in this direction. As we move forward we are asking you for four things. First, and most importantly, we are seeking to raise up a prayer team of 200 people. We both consider this to be the most vital piece to what God has called us to. If you will be praying for us please let us know so we can add you to our prayer request newsletter. The second thing we would ask is that you would pray and ask the Spirit if he would have you relocate to the city of Oshkosh to be a part of this move of God. We know this is a huge ask, but we believe God has others who would join us in this endeavor. Perhaps it would be you and your family. The third thing we would challenge you to do is to begin to see if you or a group from your church could come to Oshkosh to do mission work for a week or two at a time to help us reach out to the community in the next year or two. Lastly, although we are already developing some strong partnerships we also need to raise financial support and challenge you to sacrificially give to the mission of God in Oshkosh where only 6 % of the 160,000 people in the metropolitan area have a relationship with the Lord. To help us get off the ground we need to raise $5,000. If just 50 people give $100 we will meet our goal. We are also looking for monthly partners who would be willing to help the church plant financially for its first two years. We ask that you please pray and ask the Spirit what the Lord would have you give.
If you feel led to give or want to make contact with us the easiest way right now would be to mail a check to Jeremiah McDuffie 116 Stoney Farm Dr. Eastanollee, GA.30538. However, you can also mail a check to WGLD W6107 Aerotech Dr. Appleton, WI. 54914. (This is the best option for monthly giving and tax deductible gifts). Be sure to designate the funds to Jeremiah and Stacy McDuffie church plant.
We will be praying for you as you seek the Spirit’s direction in these matters.
In the Love and Grace of Christ Jesus, Jeremiah and Stacy McDuffie
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