New York City Planter's Story

My last post linked to photos from the team planting in New York City this fall. Here's a glimpse at the spiritual story of lead planter Chris Travis, in his recently-published own words.

Upper Manhattan Church Plant

Some photos from from the upcoming new church launch in New York City, taken from the rough draft of the church's website.

Buffalo Project Update

Here's an update I recently received from our team leader in Buffalo. So many good things in it that I that I would share it in raw form below. I've been meeting with this team (mostly by phone) every Thursday to work on their legal and administrative start-up details. I like what I'm hearing and seeing.

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Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you know that our website was launched last night at House Church. We are really excited about it, and would love to hear your impressions so we can fine tune it before we start advertising beyond our band of faithful House Church members. www.villagechurchbflo.com

Audra and I met several of our neighbors this weekend too, the weather in Buffalo was perfect for 2 days in a row! These are people that we have waved to and exchanged brief pleasantries with up to this point. This weekend was different, as all our kids were playing across 4 yards in from of our houses and all the parents were there too, really good conversations and connections. Aynsley (my 4 yr old daughter) was inviting everyone to House Church, I was humbled and encouraged by her excitement, and the reception that our neighbors had to the idea. None of them are walking with Jesus, not one. I ask you to pray with me for David and Amber, Kelly, Meg and Steve, Liz and Steve, Jim and Caroline, and Mike and Ginny. There are also 6 kids in the 4 houses in a row, so pray for them too.

I also have an open conversation with a Catholic school in our neighborhood, that would be an awesome place to meet this fall. Nardin Academy is in the middle of our target, and they seem very open to the idea of working with us. They are meeting as a leadership team this week to discuss the possibility, so please be in prayer for that as well.

The office space that we made an offer on doesn't seem to be working out... I am playing email/phone tag with the landlord, but he doesn't seem very excited about our proposal. I will keep you in the loop.

I really appreciate you guys being on our team, and look forward to an amazing year.

--
Jeremy Hazelton
Lead Pastor, The Buffalo Project

Mission to the City

A friend of mine recently wrote: "God lives in the mountains and the beaches, but he is even more visible in the city."

I agree wholeheartedly.

Although I love the ocean and find spiritual renewal there, I also love New York City. Every time I am there I see something new that I don't completely understand. It reminds me how small I am, how big God is, and how much more there is to do on his mission.

The world is no longer best understood by national boundaries. It is understood by its major, global impact cities. More people live in cities than ever before. And it is not just the poor or ethnic minorities. (That day is long gone.) It is now the preferred dwelling of many in the creative class, those who come up with the ideas that shape the future of the world.

America is an urban nation. More than two thirds of Americans live on the three percent of land that contains our cities. Yet cities get a bad rap: they’re dirty, poor, unhealthy, crime ridden, expensive, environmentally unfriendly… Or are they?

Recent studies are showing another view of reality: cities are actually the healthiest, greenest, and richest (in cultural and economic terms) places to live. New Yorkers, for instance, live longer than other Americans; heart disease and cancer rates are lower in Gotham than in the nation as a whole. More than half of America’s income is earned in twenty-two metropolitan areas. And city dwellers use, on average, 40 percent less energy than suburbanites. (see Triumph of the City by Edward Glaeser.)

Church planting in these urban centers is the future (really the present) of our mission to the world.

It has been said that salvation history started in a garden (Genesis 1-3) and will end in a city (Revelation 21-22). We are heading for the Holy City, the city of hope.

True North State of Mind

Rapper Jay-Z has a recent hit called "Empire State of Mind," which is very modern tribute to New York City (think Frank Sinatra if had been born in Harlem and 50 years later).

If this is just outside your realm of musical knowledge, see Tori for details!

But if you know the song at all, you might appreciate the video at this link, which was used two Sundays ago at the premeire of a new facility for True North Community Church on Long Island, New York. It is easily the largest church we have ever seen spring to life on densely populated Long Island.

Yo, enjoy.