The Basic Idea and the reason we named our ministry "The Basic Idea" is that when we know how loved we are by our Heavenly Father, it changes everything. Of all the basic ideas out there, this one seems to me the most profound and powerful.
A friend commented recently that though Steve Jobs wanted to make a dent in the universe, he really only managed to make a dent in the computer world, but when God changes a life, a marriage, a family, a church...well, that is truly denting the universe.
Wherever we go and recently it has been to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, and here in Georgia, we are discovering pastor/leader couples and "just regular folks" couples who want more from life than an average or below family. They want an abundant marriage, a family where love abounds, and churches that can come alongside them and others to help them get to the relationships they crave!
And, they are everywhere!
We are pumped to be in this ministry and to see God regularly changing us and many others, giving us hope that not only is abundant love attainable but also it is sustainable in the power of the Holy Spirit Who indwells each believer.
Several of the couples trained at our church in marriage ministry skills are coming alongside TBI to become "Encourager Couples". E-Couples is our designation for those who want to volunteer through TBI and help us with Activating Marriage Mentoring, Building Marriage Ministries, Creating Marriage Conferences, Developing Teams of Dedicated Volunteers, and Equipping Other E-Couples.
March 15-18, 2012, in Pennsylvania - Darrell and Pam Flowe accompanied us to the Tuscarora Conference Center and helped by leading small groups and presenting marriage principles during the training times. That was the first time we had a couple present at a conference. They did an awesome job! Many others have served with us to lead small groups and encourage couples on location.
March 18-22, 2012, in Tennessee - Bob and Jeanne Ward served as an Encourager Couple, while Jim and Jean Price apprenticed under our friends Andy and Paulette Ainsworth from California. Matt and Bev Thomas, Carol, and I rounded out the field of leaders at Whitestone Inn for the Contagious Hope Retreat. Eighteen couples attended, mostly pastors and denominational leaders, and it was fantastic.
Steve and Donna Taylor are preparing to leave for Kenya in a few months, but in the meantime are leading couples small groups on their own and with us. What a joy to watch as God prepares them for the huge transition to ministry in another country.
Jeff and Heather Love helped us for the last several months lead an Intimate Encounters small group in Alpharetta. We could not have done it without them and the couples were blessed to experience the real life story and influence of the Loves' love.
Much more could be said, but the day is calling! Thank you for reading and please continue to pray for God to do "exceedingly abundantly above everything we've ever asked or imagined".
No comments:
Post a Comment