FAMILY 
Ian, our oldest, will be going into third grade this fall. He passed the swimming test at the pool so he spends all his time in the “deep end” with the big kids. He still likes soccer, but is thinking about trying football this fall. Luke (aka laughing Luke) just turned six and will be going into 1st grade this fall! He also loves swimming and playing in the neighborhood with other kids. Maddie is a handful~ in the best of ways. With two older brothers, she’s as comfortable in a wrestling match as she is playing with her dolls. They all of course love the summer time and are looking forward to some time at the beach and visiting the grandparents!
INTRODUCING: BRIDGETOWN FELLOWSHIP
As you know, Stef and I are passionate about the local church and church planting. As much as we engage with training (Elijah House, Missions, Community Development, etc) we believe effective discipleship in these ministries function best when birthed out of, and connected to, a local church. It has been amazing to see people of different cultures commit to live life together here at Bridgetown. Through trust and reconciliation new ministries are being birthed together with the wealth of wisdom from different cultures and perspectives. It has been both a blessing and challenge as the strongholds that divide the body of Christ are deep.
Here is an encouraging note that I received from a member here at Bridgetown Fellowship. At the time of this note he was in a three-month recovery program. Now he’s serving here at the church in numerous capacities: “I thank you and Stef for being the first and only positive, REAL, role models in my life. You guys showed me how to love, live, learn, laugh and grow according to the word of God; and then introduced me to others who do the same. God used you guys to save my life! Thank you again!”
We have been working with and training a team of 15-20 people for the past 6 months in preparation for a public launch (date TBD) and we are believing God will birth out of this team a ministry of healing and reconciliation for Coatesville and beyond!
COMMUNITY NIGHT
Through our community nights over the past year we have been reaching out to over 70 kids on a weekly basis. Every week Pre-K through Adults would pour into the building in droves, eat dinner and move into one of the classrooms where we would do our best to impact their lives and thinking. As we have been developing cross-cultural relationships and leadership it has dramatically affected our strategy toward evangelism and ministry. We started listening more to the wisdom of people here in Coatesville; the African American voices, Hispanics and those who have great insight on what our community needs and how to work together. So we again have transitioned community strategy from large numbers of kids to working with a limited number of kids and their families, on initiatives with measurable outcomes; initiatives that empower and, hopefully create deep and lasting life change and hope!
Here is what Tamika, a onetime Community Night attendee, now turned volunteer and Bridgetown Fellowship church member says. “We are fortunate enough to be able to sit and enjoy a wonderful meal with our family and friends; talk, share stories about our day. I also enjoy children and I am now a part of teaching, mentoring and loving children from kindergarten to fifth grade. It’s an encouragement that while I’m involved with these children, my own children are here in different classes being nurtured in the same way.”
ELIJAH HOUSE
Stefanie just finished up facilitating two courses this spring (Elijah House Basic I and Basic II) with people attending from 5 different churches! The graduation ceremony once again was filled with testimonies of healed hearts and mended relationships to family, authority and friends. She has continued to train leaders, sending them out with new tools to transform their own Churches and communities! Please pray for us as the next Basic I school in Coatesville starts on September 9th. If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please e-mail Stef at: stefaniesteve@yahoo.com
PRAYER AND PRAISE REPORTS:
PRAYER: Please pray for our family this summer; for Ian, Luke and Madeline…
PRAISE: Our oldest son Ian asked to get baptized! We’re excited about his desire and the discussions that followed
PRAYER: Stef continues to love on our neighborhood, and is watching two neighbors’ kids (in addition to our three) throughout the summer…Pray for strength, Please!
PRAISE: We recently had a Chilean family join the church who are gifted evangelists and worship leaders!
PRAYER: Please pray for the church plant, Bridgetown Fellowship. Pray that the launch team would grow in unity and vision throughout the summer.
PRAYER: Steve will be going with a team back to Zambia, Africa from Aug 11th-26th. He’ll be working with the community development leaders and a church planter. Pray that God would use the team in a mighty way for His gospel.
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayer and financial support! You are an amazing blessing to our family and the ministry He has called us too~ we pray you have a great summer!
For online updates check out:
http://wilsonsjournal.blogspot.com/
Much Love,
Steve, Stefanie, Ian, Luke and Maddie
Ian, our oldest, will be going into third grade this fall. He passed the swimming test at the pool so he spends all his time in the “deep end” with the big kids. He still likes soccer, but is thinking about trying football this fall. Luke (aka laughing Luke) just turned six and will be going into 1st grade this fall! He also loves swimming and playing in the neighborhood with other kids. Maddie is a handful~ in the best of ways. With two older brothers, she’s as comfortable in a wrestling match as she is playing with her dolls. They all of course love the summer time and are looking forward to some time at the beach and visiting the grandparents!
INTRODUCING: BRIDGETOWN FELLOWSHIP
As you know, Stef and I are passionate about the local church and church planting. As much as we engage with training (Elijah House, Missions, Community Development, etc) we believe effective discipleship in these ministries function best when birthed out of, and connected to, a local church. It has been amazing to see people of different cultures commit to live life together here at Bridgetown. Through trust and reconciliation new ministries are being birthed together with the wealth of wisdom from different cultures and perspectives. It has been both a blessing and challenge as the strongholds that divide the body of Christ are deep.
Here is an encouraging note that I received from a member here at Bridgetown Fellowship. At the time of this note he was in a three-month recovery program. Now he’s serving here at the church in numerous capacities: “I thank you and Stef for being the first and only positive, REAL, role models in my life. You guys showed me how to love, live, learn, laugh and grow according to the word of God; and then introduced me to others who do the same. God used you guys to save my life! Thank you again!”
We have been working with and training a team of 15-20 people for the past 6 months in preparation for a public launch (date TBD) and we are believing God will birth out of this team a ministry of healing and reconciliation for Coatesville and beyond!
COMMUNITY NIGHT
Through our community nights over the past year we have been reaching out to over 70 kids on a weekly basis. Every week Pre-K through Adults would pour into the building in droves, eat dinner and move into one of the classrooms where we would do our best to impact their lives and thinking. As we have been developing cross-cultural relationships and leadership it has dramatically affected our strategy toward evangelism and ministry. We started listening more to the wisdom of people here in Coatesville; the African American voices, Hispanics and those who have great insight on what our community needs and how to work together. So we again have transitioned community strategy from large numbers of kids to working with a limited number of kids and their families, on initiatives with measurable outcomes; initiatives that empower and, hopefully create deep and lasting life change and hope!
Here is what Tamika, a onetime Community Night attendee, now turned volunteer and Bridgetown Fellowship church member says. “We are fortunate enough to be able to sit and enjoy a wonderful meal with our family and friends; talk, share stories about our day. I also enjoy children and I am now a part of teaching, mentoring and loving children from kindergarten to fifth grade. It’s an encouragement that while I’m involved with these children, my own children are here in different classes being nurtured in the same way.”
ELIJAH HOUSE
Stefanie just finished up facilitating two courses this spring (Elijah House Basic I and Basic II) with people attending from 5 different churches! The graduation ceremony once again was filled with testimonies of healed hearts and mended relationships to family, authority and friends. She has continued to train leaders, sending them out with new tools to transform their own Churches and communities! Please pray for us as the next Basic I school in Coatesville starts on September 9th. If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please e-mail Stef at: stefaniesteve@yahoo.com
PRAYER AND PRAISE REPORTS:
PRAYER: Please pray for our family this summer; for Ian, Luke and Madeline…
PRAISE: Our oldest son Ian asked to get baptized! We’re excited about his desire and the discussions that followed
PRAYER: Stef continues to love on our neighborhood, and is watching two neighbors’ kids (in addition to our three) throughout the summer…Pray for strength, Please!
PRAISE: We recently had a Chilean family join the church who are gifted evangelists and worship leaders!
PRAYER: Please pray for the church plant, Bridgetown Fellowship. Pray that the launch team would grow in unity and vision throughout the summer.
PRAYER: Steve will be going with a team back to Zambia, Africa from Aug 11th-26th. He’ll be working with the community development leaders and a church planter. Pray that God would use the team in a mighty way for His gospel.
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayer and financial support! You are an amazing blessing to our family and the ministry He has called us too~ we pray you have a great summer!
For online updates check out:
http://wilsonsjournal.blogspot.com/
Much Love,
Steve, Stefanie, Ian, Luke and Maddie
