October, 2009

Dear Ministry Partner,

It is with a great deal of joy, excitement and anticipation that I write you this letter this month. We continue to see God work in unbelievable ways. I can honestly say that I have never ministered during a time where there has been more uncertainty, unstableness, and for that matter, unpredictability; yet through it all, the hand of God, the power of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit are very evident.

I just returned from a trip to Tanzania, and during that time, I read Bill Hybel's book AX-I-OM. It is a great book sharing powerful leadership proverbs. Whenever I can get a practical book like this, I just devour it and meditate on it. I have found that as I become healthier as a spiritual leader and more mature in my faith, my time in God's word, and my time with proper extracurricular reading, cannot be minimized. It is necessary; and as I challenge our staff, we have to give out of wells/cisterns that are full and not empty.

Presently, The River Community Church is on a six week all-church journey titled "Reset". We are looking at resetting our calibrations, our views of Christ and truth. It is an extensive study in the book of Luke, and people's lives are being challenged and changed.

Next fall, we will be part of planting another church in the Ann Arbor area. It will be called "The Green Room". This new and exciting way of "doing church" will specifically target the arts community and how to reach those people who have an artistic flair, who look at and question God in a whole lot of ways that are different than some people.

There is not a single day that goes by where there is not some type of crisis situation that teens and/or families are struggling through. I am aware of right now - and we are ministering to - a family that had a house fire, several situations where people are out of work, individuals are learning that they have cancer, individuals are committing suicide, and the list goes on and on and on. I am not getting discouraged; in fact, as I said at the beginning of this letter, we are sensing and experiencing the power and presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit in anointed ways.

It is a great time to be alive, to trust God, to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people. In times of uncertainty, it is not time for the church and ministries to shirk back, but to take bold steps forward.

Thank you for making this possible. Thank you for partnering with us. Your prayers, your financial support and your encouragement are needed, encouraged and appreciated.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Terry Prisk