So much has happened since our last update, and I will try my best to fill you in on all that has been happening!
Sharon and KJ were able to attend the national SBC meeting in June. We are so grateful that NAMB covered our room, and for your gifts that covered travel expenses. We were encouraged and loved seeing many friends old and new. We spent some time working the NAMB booth, participated in the business of the convention, being a voice for One Church, and for NC. After the convention, our friends and partners from Mission Dei Church in Raleigh cancelled their flight and rode home with us. That was a true blessing. I am so grateful for their support and friendship.
The women that I (Sharon) have been meeting with for Bible Study on Wednesdays have been so busy this summer that those meetings have been sporadic, but we have made a point to keep in touch through play dates, and texted messages and prayer requests. We are all very excited for life to slow down so we can get back to digging into God’s word weekly.
KJ has finished another semester of school. We are so thankful for the Keesee scholarship that covers all of his tuition. I truly feel it is helpful to KJ to have people teaching and pouring into him as he pours out into others.
The boys have started back to school this month, and our first two days were spent learning about N.C. history/facts. We visited the river lighthouse in Edenton when we were there for appointments, and the next day we went to visit the Cape Hatteras lighthouse and museum. The boys also took a quiz to see what they knew about N.C. symbols. We discovered that Elijah has a lot to learn about NC’s sport, stock car racing! Friends from a partner church of one of our partner churches is working on the possibility of helping us buy new curriculum that will be needed to finish out this year, and at an expense of over $1,000, if it works out, it will be a huge blessing, so please pray that God is able to provide for that.
We are so grateful for all that prayed for our RV to get going. It has officially left the island!! KJs family came down to try one more thing and were able to get it running and off they went. We are sure it was only the grace of God that allowed them to get safely to Stem as it sounds like it was an adventure of a drive! What a blessing for the Crums to let us park it in their yard for as long as we did, but I’m sure they’re glad to see it gone.
Sharon and KJ will both be going on mission in September. KJ is going with the IMB to Peru to make connections for One Church with those in another country that One Church can be praying for and ministering to. Sharon will be going with NC WMU to Vermont to help serve in any way needed as those from the Baptist Churches of New England put on a conference to support women that are serving churches in that area. Sharon is excited to get to serve women there, and also take some of her stained glass as door prizes to show love!
This fall, One Church is planning to transition from Bible Study to a worship service. Please pray for our core group as we grow and find our places of service in this transition. We also are making plans for a baptism service that will hopefully come together soon.
The women of One Church will be holding a Baby Shower for Adrienne Crum in early October. If you’re interested in helping with that or learning more about it, please reach out to Sharon.
KJ and Sharon recently met with Wayne Proctor from the Chowan Baptist association for lunch and we were able to share about what God is doing in Avon.
We have a few specific prayer requests as we move forward:
As hurricane season ramps up, some of the locals feel that we are due a big one this year, so please pray for safety and wise decisions for One Church and for our family.
Be in prayer for Sharon and KJ and their upcoming trips. Sharon has raised approximately 200.00 for her trip and still needs about 150 more just for travel. One Church would also love to be able to buy books for those attending, but this would require us to raise about 750.00 extra. We are grateful to those that have given so far!
Be praying for teachers and students on the Island as school is starting back up this month.
Sharon and KJ have “adopted” a new “neighbor niece” as one of our neighbors has had their granddaughter move in with them. Pray we show her the love of Jesus well and can support them as they go through this transition.
Please continue to pray for the Troopers of District A1 of the NC State Highway Patrol, and for the Avon Volunteer Fire department, and for KJ as he provides Chaplain services to both.
Pray for the Crum Family and their new addition coming this fall.
As costs have increased for daily needs like groceries, rent, utilities, and gas, and we are trying to be more active in ministry to the community, and providing to help meet needs around us, funds have sometimes gotten tight. We are so grateful to our partners that are giving sacrificially so that we can be here, and we trust that God has a plan. We are asking that if you know of a church that has interest in partnering with a NAMB church plant, you would let us know so that we reach out to them. Also, if your WMU, or groups within your church would like to know specific needs they could take up a love offering for, please contact us. We’d love to share those with you in more detail.
As we start the transition into a service, we’ve asked you to pray for those of us attending currently, but also pray for those God is working on in our area that need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be changed. And start praying now for the place that God has to be a permanent home for One Church. The fire department is very gracious in allowing us to use their space, but we know that long term, we will need our own space as we grow.
We are so grateful to you for your partnership with One Church, and we could not be here without your financial support, prayer support, and encouragement. Every time someone new walks through the door to our Bible study, and we are able to share the Gospel with them, and help them grow in their faith, that’s because of you!