We are 1 year old.
At the end of 2020 Janet and I sat around a kitchen table with 3 other couples, Robin and Brian, Corey and Melissa, and Rick and Heather, and we talked jumping off a cliff together. We were going to start a church. We had 3 problems: First, None of us had ever done it, second, we had no money and third, we had no where to meet. What seemed impossible then is about to celebrate it’s one year anniversary. Sunday, February 6, Hope Community will celebrate an incredible year of God directed and God blessed ministry. In recognition of our one year anniversary we are giving away t-shirts and I was blown away that we are ordering over 300. 300 people call Hope their church . How is it possible to go from 8 people around a table to 300 in 1 year? There is only one answer. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32. Since day 1 we have done our very best to make much of Jesus and to bring his hope to everyone around us.
Little did we know around that kitchen table, but God was preparing people in Princeton to join with us. There were many people looking for something new., many who who were hurt by a former church, some who dropped out of church and others who were sensing their need of a change in their lives. The Holy Spirit was at work, behind the scenes, bringing it all together. We had all the firsts last year. First Easter service, First Christmas, first baby/child dedications(12 kids), first baptisms(8), and unfortunately our first funeral. Through it all God has continued to add to our number.
One thing that we have sought to do from day 1 is to be a church FOR our community. Many churches tell you what their against but we want to be for Princeton. We want Princeton to thrive and grow and to see people positively impacted with the hope of Jesus so, that’s why we sponsored 2 free pool days (unfortunately one got cancelled due to tragedy), sponsored a huge football tailgate on rival weekend, giving food away and donating to the concession stand, sponsored the Princeton High School Tennis Team, gave money to help restore Greeks, served free popsicles at the Heritage Days festival, gave a truckload of can goods to the salvation army and provided Christmas gifts to the residents of the Waters and River Oaks nursing homes. We believe God has placed us here to do good works and to show others the love of Jesus.
In 2022 we believe that the best is yet to come. Here are just some of the things we have coming up.
We are partnering with and supporting the Lance family as missionaries to South Africa
We are starting Hope Gives, a monthly outreach that will give up to $1,000 to individuals or groups that are in need or serving the needs of Princeton.
Lastly, we are continuing to stay open to God’s leading in looking for our new home. We need a base of operations, somewhere to put down roots.
This is how God works: He calls people to participate in what He’s doing and then he blesses it as we are faithful to His vision. Here’s to year #2
