Below is the January Newsletter from ONEchapel. Take some time to read it and learn about the heart and vision of the church!
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Hello ONEchapel friends,
It’s hard to believe it’s been one month today since we made our announcement to plant a brand new church in Austin, TX called ONEchapel. This is our first email newsletter update for all of you who are praying for us and supporting this new venture. Aimee and I pray that you are entering this New Year, as we are, with the joy and faith that only God can give!
As 2010 begins for the Parsley family and ONEchapel, we have great expectations for what the Lord is going to do! We are incredibly grateful for the faithfulness that God has shown us as we enter this season of transition. We have also been overwhelmed by the love and encouragement of so many friends who have pledged their support and prayers for us as we embark on this amazing adventure called church planting! Thank you.
During the last several weeks I have been engaged in preparing for our New Life Church Christmas Eve services called “Wonderland.” It was a wonderful experience for the entire New Life family as well as many guests who came from all over the city. We had somewhere near 14,000 people who joined us in threes services as we worshiped, laughed, celebrated and honored the miracle of the Christ child who came into our world to bring us life.
On Sunday, December 27th, I spoke in all three services at New Life Church for the last time before we leave for Austin, Texas. I spoke on “Courageous Footprints” from Joshua 1 and challenged us all to go into this New Year with a commitment to taking bold steps and claiming the territory God has waiting for us. If you want to catch it, here’s the link http://www.newlifechurch.o
Aimee and I have been working towards solidifying our schedule for the next month as we work out our timeline for moving down to Austin. We are finalizing the sale of our house, (as many of you know—a miracle) which is scheduled to close on February 1st. We certainly feel like we are in the great “in-between” as we finish up here in Colorado Springs and prepare for our move sometime in late February. The following are some prayer points, updates and calendar events you won’t want to miss.
FAMILY
Aimee is narrowing down the search for the online school that our kids will use for home-schooling during this next semester. This type of program is relatively costly but we feel like this is an important season for our kids to continue the great education they’ve received at TCA, here in Colorado Springs, and we want them to feel secure and steady as their world shifts to a new environment and atmosphere. Pray for our whole family to navigate this change with confidence, courage and peace—mommy’s heart needs this most.
INTEREST MEETING
We are hosting an “interest meeting” here in Colorado Springs for those who would like to hear more about the progress and vision of ONEchapel. It will take place on Sunday afternoon, January 10th at 4:00pm in the Theatre at New Life Church. We’ll bring people together who want to pray for us, support us and/or are considering joining us in launching ONEchapel in Austin, TX.
LAUNCH TEAM
Several families from New Life Church and from Austin have already contacted us and expressed desire to pray about joining the Launch Team of ONEchapel. We believe God is drawing people to be part of something special in Austin and so we ask you to pray that God will lead the people who He wants to be on the team. As you may or may not know, it is quite an adventure to plant a church and there are many pitfalls and challenges for all who join in. So, pray that the Father will draw the right people.
LEAD TEAM
There is already a Lead Team that has been forming to go with us. Greg and Belinda Sanders are from Fort Collins, CO and are going to come with us to be our worship leaders. They have two boys: Christian (11) and Thatcher (6). Landon Arnold, who is a long-time “New Lifer” and a graduate of the New Life School of Worship will be going with us to help with all kinds of things including marketing, administration and worship leading. I am excited about Brent and Maria Parsley who are also joining us in the role of overseeing Children and Student Ministries. It is really special to have one of my brothers coming with his sweet family, Aurora (4), Ewan (2) and Reese (1). Spero and Jennifer Stavros who are long-term family friends, round out the Lead Team with their four kids: Matthew (15), Danielle (13), Alexa (10) and Samuel (3). They will be heading up administration. Several others are praying about coming, so we’re excited that God is putting together a fabulous team. Pray for Greg and Belinda’s and Brent and Maria’s houses to sell, for each family’s transition, and for Landon who is leaving everything he has ever known to go with us.
FINANCES
We are currently raising money for the launch of ONEchapel. There is a very loose budget for our first year of operation on the website www.ONEchapel.com. To help raise funds, I will be connecting with people throughout the spring to ask for their help in starting ONEchapel, speaking at churches and sharing the vision with anyone who will listen. Pray for open hearts, open ears and strategic appointments! I have a tremendous confidence in God’s provision for our family and for the church. If you want to help us financially, you can give online at www.ONEchapel.com. You will have to create a login and password to give through our sending church, New Life, but soon enough, we will be up and running to receive donations ourselves where we will also be raising personal, monthly support for our family.
FIRST AUSTIN GATHERING
We are having our first “interest” meeting in Austin with people who have heard that we’re coming and have expressed an interest in hearing more about ONEchapel. It will be Thursday, January 21st at 7:00pm in the Ashton building in the 2nd Street district in downtown Austin (101 Colorado Street, Austin, TX 78701). We’ll be meeting in the “Clubhouse” right next to concierge desk. We know there are believers in Austin that God is calling to be part of something new who will join us as we connect with the other established churches already there to build God’s kingdom in that city. We want all who will hear the call to come. Please pray for a Spirit-led encounter for this first gathering in Austin.
UPCOMING DATES
January 10th: Colorado Springs “interest meeting” at New Life Church
January 17th: ONEchapel prayer meeting at 7pm at Parsley’s house – 1313 Hazeline Lake Dr C/S 80921
February 1st: Parsley’s house closes and they move in with their friends, the Jones’ (pray for them!).
February 1st: ONEchapel prayer meeting at 6pm at New Life Church (location TBD).
February 15th: ONEchapel prayer meeting at 6pm at New Life Church (location TBD).
February 21st: Parsley’s sending out service at New Life Church with reception following each service.
February 22nd: The Parsley’s pull out of town and move to Austin, TX.
February 25th: 2nd Austin gathering with people who are drawn to ONEchapel.
March 25th: 3rd Austin gathering with people who are drawn to ONEchapel.
As always, get the latest updates by joining us on facebook.com/onechapel and twitter@onechapel.
Thank you for taking time to read this and pray with us as we discover our part to play in God’s kingdom in Austin, TX. We’ll be sending out updates every couple of weeks because we value your support in walking with us on this faith-filled journey! HOOK ‘EM HORNS!
With gratitude and faith!
Ross Parsley
ONEchapel
Austin, TX
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