Can you say, 'Coeur d’Alene, Idaho'?

Marlene and I just returned from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This may seem like a strange and exotic sounding name for a town. Actually it is a French term. Around here we pronounce the name of this city “Core-Dah-Lane”, however, for all you French speakers, this pronunciation may not sound quite right. The meaning of this name is said to be ‘the heart of the awl’ which at face value may not shed much light on the subject. However, as the story goes, French fur traders came into the area in the late 1700’s and when they began trading with the native peoples who lived in this beautiful place they said in their quaint way, “these people have the heart of the awl” which I guess in our present day speech means, “these guys are sharp as a tack when it come to doing business!”

Anyway the main reason I brought up this subject was to say it was great to join with Terry and Wendy Virgo from England and other friends from here in the Great Northwest at Prairie Avenue Christian Center, a church there led by our good friend, Ted Hoit. We had a couple of days together as a group of leaders, receiving great teaching from Terry and praying together. Wendy had a morning together with the ladies, which got rave reviews. We also ate some good food… always an extra bonus! Then on Sunday morning Prairie Avenue Christian Center was welcomed into the Newfrontiers family of churches. We are really grateful for God’s goodness reflected in how he joins our hearts together with those He chooses in fulfilling His great mission to bless the nations.

Great Time in New England!

Last weekend Marlene and I had the privilege of Participating in Celebration Northeast held at Gordon College near Boston, MA. This was a great event for all the family attended by all the churches related to Newfrontiers in the Northeastern part of the USA.

I think one of the most moving and memorable moments during the Celebration was when we all prayed for two couples and their children who are making plans to make the move to two different nations in the Middle East where there are many who have never heard the Good News of God’s great Salvation through His Son, Jesus.

This was a historic moment for us. Clearly there is an increase among us of those taking specific steps toward going to other nations out from our own numbers here in the USA. I am convinced that this is just the beginning of a new dimension of our church planting vision. We have a great desire to see new churches planted right across our own nation. We are so thankful for those who have recently made moves to other cities here such as Chicago and Charlotte, NC. We are equally grateful for those God is releasing to go to other nations to see churches planted among the many who have never heard of the love and grace of Jesus Christ.