Well, we officially passed the one-year mark in the great Northwest. And, it’s been quite a year. Our initial destination was Portland, but we ended up in Vancouver, Washington where rents are cheaper. It’s one of Portland’s many suburbs and just across the Columbia River. Portland is still our main target, but God has altered our plans for now and allowed us to reach into the Vancouver area as well. We feel as Paul must have when God told him to avoid Asia and go to Macedonia instead. God obviously knows more than we do.
The first three months were spent getting to know the area as well as obtaining all the necessary Federal, State and City approvals, licenses, documents and permits to operate a church in a “foreign” land. As we waited for the necessary approvals, Nick, Jessica and Zion started knocking on doors around the neighborhood and inviting our neighbors to Sunday morning church in our home. We also started handing out cards to everyone we met. Simultaneously, Dale started volunteering in the warehouse of the Clark County Foodbank to learn first-hand of the needs in the community.
None of us knew what to expect but three people actually showed up that first Sunday morning in February. Oh, we of little faith. Although the soil is very hard here, by God’s grace we’ve continued to grow, and now consider ourselves a church of nearly 20 adults. Our congregants are also adding to our growth as they too have started inviting others. Today, our prayer request is for a larger space. Nick and Jessica’s home is becoming cramped as we grow.
Since that first Sunday, we’ve also experienced some additional changes. Nick and Jessica have added to our church growth themselves with the birth of Olive, who was born on June 6. The little Munchkin has been a blessing as Zion, now two, loves being the “big brother” and having a new playmate around. As we’ve grown, we’ve also added a Saturday Morning Men’s Group and a Wednesday Evening Women’s Bible Study. Additionally, we’ve implemented our first ministry, Financial Counseling, since there seems to be a significant need for fiscal education and responsibility in the community.
In addition, Nick has finally completed his studies and will receive his Doctor of Ministry degree at the end of this month. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Zac and the Hope Chapel Leadership for encouraging all the Hope pastors to continue in their education. It’s been a real blessing having a strong biblical foundation with the many questions and requests we’re continually being asked.
The spiritual-soil in the entire Northwest is very hard. Most people are very liberal in their beliefs and isolated in their relationships. We’re also experiencing very little sense of community and are making great efforts to be the family that so many seem to crave. The good news is that this has allowed us to host both Easter and Thanksgiving dinners for our new church family and friends.
Once again, we’d like to thank all of you for your generous support and prayers. We could not fulfill God’s call to plant a church in the Northwest without the love, financial support and prayers of our faithful Hope Chapel family and friends.
May God continue to bless you all this holiday season!
God Bless,
Nick, Jessica, Zion, Olive, Stephanie, and Dale
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