August was a month that reminded us that growth is both a gift and a responsibility.

We welcomed more first-time guests than during any other month in the past two years, and we served more children than ever before. Our kids ministry is experiencing some real growing pains, but those are growing pains we are incredibly thankful for. God continues to bring families into our life, and we are working hard to faithfully disciple and care for the children He is entrusting to us. With so many new guests, we hosted our largest new member class (Next Steps) to date and will be receiving multiple new members and having baptisms in the coming months. 

We also spent the entire month worshiping together in The Lodge, our newly renovated community space. Simplifying our gatherings and being in a smaller, more intimate environment was a genuine gift to our church family. It reminded us that the church isn't a building or a production... it is God's people gathered around His Word and one another.

One of the highlights of the month was building 10 beds for children in the child welfare system. As we continue focusing our local mission efforts on foster children and families, we are grateful for tangible opportunities like this to serve vulnerable kids in our community.

Personally, I also had the opportunity to attend the Send Network Vision Summit in Alpharetta, Georgia. It was an encouraging time of being reminded of the need for healthy multiplying churches across North America. Our family is enjoying the rhythms and routines of the school year. Our foster son started headstart and our bio son started homeschool (kindergarten). 

Now we are preparing for our second annual Church Family Meeting. There is much to celebrate from this past year as we approach our 2nd birthday and some significant decisions ahead as we look toward the next season of ministry.

God has been gracious to The Vine. Thank you for continuing to pray, give, encourage, and partner with us as we seek to be a gospel-rooted community connecting others to Jesus.

Please pray for:

• Our kids ministry: for more equipped leaders and wisdom as we serve a growing number of children.
• Our Church Family Meeting: for wisdom, unity, and faith as we make important decisions about the future.
• Our new guests: that relationships would grow through genuine hospitality and those God is bringing to us would become deeply rooted in Christ and His church.

Grace & peace,

TW

3 John 2