Sharing This Sunday at Trinity Fellowship

I drove by a church yesterday and noticed the marquee. It said: "Free Ticket to Heaven. Details Inside." As I thought about someone who may take a serious interest, I couldn't help but also notice that there were no cars in the parking lot and the doors were more than likely locked - being a Friday morning. I guess the person(s) who put up the letters imagined someone looking at the service times on Sunday and writing it down in their calendar?

Barna wrote an article in 2006: "Spirituality May Be Hot in America, But 76 Million Adults Never Attend Church." In the article he presents statistics from various people with differing spiritual backgrounds. Despite the variety, the main point is that a majority of people are going about their day on Sunday as if it were any other day of the week.

This fuels the passion we want to communicate as we challenge the churches where we are sharing the vision of Java Journey. We are not in a westernized "competition" with local parishes (sp?) or even coffee shops. We hope to compliment both endeavors, espcially the former.

In short, ministry opportunities have a daily - even hourly frequency. One building on one day at one location for an hour or so will not satisfy the demand presented with such a frequency.

Which would you rather say when you have an opportunity on a certain Wednesday of the week: "I'll pray for you and I'll like to encourage you to come with me to my church this Sunday. I'll pick you up." Or: "You have time for a cup of coffee right now? I'm buying." Which scenario do you think has a beater chance?

That's part of what we want to provide through Java Journey. We'll be there "any other day of the week."

Lease Application Submitted

The next step will be our meeting with the landlord and the realty company to sign the lease. In NC, that involves the meeting with an attorney. That's how it happened when we bought our house. For us, NC is unique as any other time we closed on a property, it was just the parties, Realtors and title company present.

The terms were changed a bit since we received the lower price on the space. We will begin, July 1st and will receive only 2 months free. The lease will be for 18 months.

Thanks for those who take the time and interest to read and pray.

Bless you!

Ready to roll up some sleeves

We're hoping to sign the lease this week. We've already got a youth group coming for 4 days in July from Greensboro. They might possibly bring a licensed electrician and plumber.

Thanks for your prayers.

July 1!

The landlord agreed to allow our lease to begin July 1st. We will get 3 months free since there is much work to do.

I've scanned a picture of the rough plans (click on it to view a larger version). The biggest project will be building the handicap unisex bathroom. Another big challenge will be running drains and supply, as well as 220v power from the back of the store to the "service" area.

The youth group from Trinity Covenant Church in Greensboro will be in Hickory for 4 days in July to help us.

Continue to pray that we will find a licensed plumber and electrician to help us out pro bono.

So-Kay

The bigger space has more potential. We'll just beef up the PR that we need lots of help.

Please pray that we find a licensed electrician and a licensed plumber who will work pro bono so that we may get the space ready for launching.

Thank you.

WHHHaaaaaaaatttttttt?

The commercial realtor called Friday informing me that the landlord had a change of heart. He wants to rent the smaller space to someone in retail. But he will allow us to have the larger space under the same terms. Hmmmmmm.... There is much more work to be done on the larger space costing more money, but it does hold greater potential.

What is God up to on this? I guess we're going to find out. There is so much meaning to the "journey" part of "java!"

Stay tuned.