The Branches Update

As The Branches Community Church continues to move forward we find that much of our energies are spent investing in relationships. We gather for a men's Bible study every Monday and are enjoying reading through the Bible together and sharing time with other men. Each Tuesday, several of our families make their way to the Farmers Market in downtown Escondido and then over to Round Table Pizza where we gather with others and enjoy a meal together. It is becoming routine for us, and community is being built. It seems as though we add one or two new people each week to our Tuesday gatherings and word is beginning to spread that a new church is starting soon. Sometimes we wish it would go faster but we remind ourselves that relationships, true relationships, take time.

James is currently looking for space (read that as "free" space) for us to meet on Sunday afternoons for another gathering time as we attempt to build momentum for the winter "launch" date. Our plan is to sing a song or two and have a time of teaching and vision casting for the new church.

We have been very blessed to have Alice, James' sister, helping us with the tedious details of applying for our EIN and our 501c3 (read that as government red tape). Alice continues to plug away at the paperwork and we are on track to have our tax exempt status sometime in the future.

We are pleased to report that your prayers have been answered and Nathan & Kimberly Harris have found employment! Nathan works in nearby Vista, at New Haven as a childcare counselor, and Kimberly is working at Studio 158, a salon in downtown Escondido. You can read a little more about it at Nathan's blog… http://nathanhasasong.blogspot.com/2010/08/411.html

As we prepare for our official launch, we are trying to collect church equipment. If you, or your church has equipment that is no longer being used we would gladly put it to good use. Here is a list of some of the things that we are still in need of… [microphones, mic stands, microphone cables, music stands, lcd projectors, video screen(s), projector cart, software to run laptop, keyboard, stools, batteries, video camera(s), coffee cups, folding tables, brochures, ladder, umbrellas, extension cords, table covers, pens…]

If you are interested in donating items, or would like more information you may contact James at 760,670.6233 or Kris at 760.807.9507. If you are interested in helping financially, checks may be written to our parent church: Brookville Road Community Church. 7480 W. US 52 • New Palestine, IN 46163 and write "Branches Community Church" in the memo.

If you would, take just a moment to pray for some quick requests:

*Pray that God would help us to develop meaningful relationships with those we come into contact in the community.

*Pray that people would yield their lives to Jesus Christ as they see and hear the gospel proclaimed.

*Pray for the Lord's favor on our parent church and sister churches within the Brookville Road Community Church Network.

Thank you so much for your interest and support for The Branches Community Church!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 ESV

The Branches Update

As The Branches Community Church continues to move forward we find that much of our energies are spent investing in relationships. We gather for a men's Bible study every Monday and are enjoying reading through the Bible together and sharing time with other men. Each Tuesday, several of our families make their way to the Farmers Market in downtown Escondido and then over to Round Table Pizza where we gather with others and enjoy a meal together. It is becoming routine for us, and community is being built. It seems as though we add one or two new people each week to our Tuesday gatherings and word is beginning to spread that a new church is starting soon. Sometimes we wish it would go faster but we remind ourselves that relationships, true relationships, take time.

James is currently looking for space (read that as "free" space) for us to meet on Sunday afternoons for another gathering time as we attempt to build momentum for the winter "launch" date. Our plan is to sing a song or two and have a time of teaching and vision casting for the new church.

We have been very blessed to have Alice, James' sister, helping us with the tedious details of applying for our EIN and our 501c3 (read that as government red tape). Alice continues to plug away at the paperwork and we are on track to have our tax exempt status sometime in the future.

We are pleased to report that your prayers have been answered and Nathan & Kimberly Harris have found employment! Nathan works in nearby Vista, at New Haven as a childcare counselor, and Kimberly is working at Studio 158, a salon in downtown Escondido. You can read a little more about it at Nathan's blog… http://nathanhasasong.blogspot.com/2010/08/411.html

As we prepare for our official launch, we are trying to collect church equipment. If you, or your church has equipment that is no longer being used we would gladly put it to good use. Here is a list of some of the things that we are still in need of… [microphones, mic stands, microphone cables, music stands, lcd projectors, video screen(s), projector cart, software to run laptop, keyboard, stools, batteries, video camera(s), coffee cups, folding tables, brochures, ladder, umbrellas, extension cords, table covers, pens…]

If you are interested in donating items, or would like more information you may contact James at 760,670.6233 or Kris at 760.807.9507. If you are interested in helping financially, checks may be written to our parent church: Brookville Road Community Church. 7480 W. US 52 • New Palestine, IN 46163 and write "Branches Community Church" in the memo.

If you would, take just a moment to pray for some quick requests:

*Pray that God would help us to develop meaningful relationships with those we come into contact in the community.

*Pray that people would yield their lives to Jesus Christ as they see and hear the gospel proclaimed.

*Pray for the Lord's favor on our parent church and sister churches within the Brookville Road Community Church Network.

Thank you so much for your interest and support for The Branches Community Church!

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 ESV

Body Boarding

The other day our family took a little trip over to Del Mar and I tried out my new body board. I had a blast, and am looking forward to our next excursion to the ocean.

Body Boarding

The other day our family took a little trip over to Del Mar and I tried out my new body board. I had a blast, and am looking forward to our next excursion to the ocean.

Oh Dear

I think I heard the question, "Can we get a dog?" about 100 times today. Shelby even offered me all of her Christmas money if I would just get a her a dog... Oh dear, I'm doomed.

Oh Dear

I think I heard the question, "Can we get a dog?" about 100 times today. Shelby even offered me all of her Christmas money if I would just get a her a dog... Oh dear, I'm doomed.

New Routine

We have been in our new home for about a week and a half now and we are starting to settle in. Moving to a new place means a lot of upheaval, and that includes a shift in your daily routine. Starting a new church and not having a defined schedule means that I need to be proactive in getting something productive accomplished. Over the past week I have been working on developing a new daily routine. It looks like this: 7AM wake up and do devotions while still laying in bed! (Finding a comfortable position for daily devotions is key :) After devotions I greet Tammy and Shelby who got up at 3AM (just kidding, I have no idea what time they get up, but they are always up before me.) I eat a light breakfast and then I stretch (because I'm old) and take a jog around our neighborhood. Once I have completed my run, I shower and then get dressed and head out the door to our local Starbucks. At Starbucks I have the opportunity to interact with folks while I am working on messages. In the afternoon I spend some time with Tammy and Shelby and we explore parts of Southern California they haven't seen yet. The evenings have been a good opportunity to hang out with others or get some "handy-man" tasks accomplished around our new home.

My routine won't always look this way; over time and with the demands of a large congregation once again, there will need to be a shift in my time and responsibilities. But for now this is how I've been spending my day.

New Routine

We have been in our new home for about a week and a half now and we are starting to settle in. Moving to a new place means a lot of upheaval, and that includes a shift in your daily routine. Starting a new church and not having a defined schedule means that I need to be proactive in getting something productive accomplished. Over the past week I have been working on developing a new daily routine. It looks like this: 7AM wake up and do devotions while still laying in bed! (Finding a comfortable position for daily devotions is key :) After devotions I greet Tammy and Shelby who got up at 3AM (just kidding, I have no idea what time they get up, but they are always up before me.) I eat a light breakfast and then I stretch (because I'm old) and take a jog around our neighborhood. Once I have completed my run, I shower and then get dressed and head out the door to our local Starbucks. At Starbucks I have the opportunity to interact with folks while I am working on messages. In the afternoon I spend some time with Tammy and Shelby and we explore parts of Southern California they haven't seen yet. The evenings have been a good opportunity to hang out with others or get some "handy-man" tasks accomplished around our new home.

My routine won't always look this way; over time and with the demands of a large congregation once again, there will need to be a shift in my time and responsibilities. But for now this is how I've been spending my day.