By the people, for the people, with the people

Maryellen says, it's not that it matters where we do ministry, we do not need a ministry center, ministry just needs to be at the center of our heart.
This weekend I had the honor of ministering with some Navajo friends. Guitar, Harmonica, Voices singing the songs of the land to the glory of the Creator. Songs written from a native heart that loves Jesus. I was invited to play percussion with them at the local Christian television station.

Update

Gateway of the Rock,
at On the Rock Coffee House and Pizza Parlor????
Our eldest son wants to take over the business part of the venture, getting some equipment from his former employers and renting the building they were formally using - the smaller one mentioned in the past post. His parole officer gave it a go ahead. The building owner is willing to rent the building to him. A friend of his bought into the idea with $1000. More start up money is needed. Gateway of the Rock (the ministry) will need some sort of jump start. We are praying hard through this. We want only what the LORD wills.
Pastor Art longs for a place to minister, to disciple, to teach. Our son wants to be able to contribute to the ministry and to build a future for himself - some sense of security.
I pray for wisdom, provision and Shalom.
Maryellen

You probably heard (read) this one before...

We are really praying for wisdom and trying to sort this whole thing out. We feel as if the LORD is telling us to get going, but we aren’t sure just where and how we are supposed to go. May we ask you for some advice and perhaps a little help here?
Reading down the Gateway of the Rock blog site, you see our proposed mission and goals, our vision for the ministry of Gateway of the Rock, and you might be able to pick on both our excitement and our discouragement in these matters.
In April we looked at a building. Except for needeing another restroom, it seemed perfect for our needs. It was being leased for $1800 a month, with $1000 deposit. It is still available. Then the donut business that our son Arthur III bakes for was shutting it’s main store. It had another, smaller shop, not too far from the building we had looked at. It was already established although business wasn’t very good. We talked to the owners about joining ventures with them, using the building for our coffee house and church services etc. We would have had to change some of our initial goals because the building was smaller. But it seemed like a feasible idea.
We just had lunch with the owner of that business. Their lease is up there September 1.
They really just want us to take over the business. They would help us with rent in turn for the privilege of storing some of their equipment there until they can sell it on E-Bay.
Currently the rent there is $900 a month, which we suspect would go up when we took over the lease.
So, as we pray through this, we’re thinking about the original building. From these friends we could get the furniture (tables and chairs), espresso, coffee machine, refrigerators, basically all the equipment we would need to start up - free with the understanding that we’d buy it eventually. Plus there is plenty of space in that building to store their stuff - for minimal rent.
We are wondering:
Could we get a loan from the denomination to cover the initial expenses, setting up a simple kitchen, painting a new sign, beginning inventory? We understand some money is available for start up at 3% interest. How much would we need? $15,000? More, less???
Could we get a start up - restart grant from the denomination - I think it is $300 a month for 6 months?
Could we find people willing to pledge support? (100 people at $20 a month?)
We need to open a Ministry Account and look into our 501 tax exempt status - we haven’t taken in or spent any ministry money for over two years.
Is there anyone out there willing to help, since we can not do this on our own? We’ve actually been in contact recently with 3 individuals who are educated in business related fields and looking to do ministry. Personally, we have no savings and very bad credit. And actually, this is a long shot - but if it is of the LORD than let His will be done.
If you have taken the time to read this, than please take the time to pray for us, and leave a comment, or email us at artandme@juno.com or send up a snail mail message at PO Box 412, Shiprock, NM 87420 - even if it is to say, you guys are being real foolish here.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Amen, LORD, yes and Amen.

The purpose, the way and the means...

This past weekend, Pastor Art was invited to come teach and play some music at an event out on the reservation where musicians, songwriters, preachers, teachers and dancers were gathering to address the many facets of worship from a uniquely Navajo point of view.
There was more teaching then anything else, and the Holy Spirit was working through the two days, in such a way, that the same verses kept coming up again and again. Genesis 1, Genesis 11, 2 Samual 6, Acts 17.
True worship glorifies God.
Not, you've been taught wrong, just you've not been taught enough.
Among other things, it was a sweet time of fellowship and confirmation.
Sunday morning we went to another event on the reservation, sponsered by Four Corners Community Church, featuring Robin Mark - a song writer, worship leader from Belfast Ireland.
This too was all about Worship - what's it all about? Worship! And God judges man's worship by his heart.
It was one of those times, where one just has to let out a deep, satisfied sigh and pray...OK Lord, now what?
This whole weekend has made us more excited and more determined to see the ministry take off. Gateway of the Rock at Rocky's Roost.
Rocky's Roost is a donut shop that also sells the best beef jerky this side of the Mississippi. It is open from 6:00am to 2:00 pm, Monday thru Saturday. It is a branch of a place that is about to go out of business. Business is not that good in this little shop, but to God's Glory, that will change soon.
Through Gateway of the Rock - a ministry of Open Bible Standard Churches, the shop will extend it's hours. Through the ministry, regular coffee and ice tea will always be free, although specialty coffees will also be available at a price. Christian Music will be playing, there will ba a consignment shop of local artists' wares. There will be evening Bible Studies, and a Sunday morning Worship and Word service. On Saturdays, as long as weather permits, there will be a fiesta of sorts in the parking lot, with live music, stands selling crafts, and jerky and salsa, fry bread, etc. At least, that is the plan as it is unfolding. We will stick to the mission statement and most of the goals stated in the post below. Some of the goals will have to be adjusted because the building is smaller than the one we were looking at. God bless Jim and Linda who currently have the business, and are willing to let us join with them in this venture.
in His Service
meb.

They Call It Market Place Evangelism

Although the afore mentioned property would be perfect for what we see, we are currently looking into another possibility. This one may be more within our reach and the people who currently hold the property are interested in our plan. It is smaller. A fairly good location.
Set up as a donut shop. We are not looking at "going into business". We are looking for a coffee house, gift shop sort of thing that will bring enough money to support itself while we do ministry out of it. Still thinking - Coffee and Tea always free. A place where people can rest their weary feet and hear the good news. A place where people can buy and sell their art, get refreshment...I don't know, a sort of Christian "Cheers" where everyone knows your name.
Isaiah 32:2
"...a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land."
maryellen

Who was it that said...

"Inspiration without expression leads to depression"

Open Bible Standard

We received an interesting report for our district superintendent about the purposed restructuring of the denomination in the not too distant future.
Some questions have been raised as to why even have denominations.
It all boils down to accountability, with a little peer networking thrown in. It did us good to spend time last month with other Open Bible Pastors and their spouses.
But, at least financially speaking...if we procede with this vision, the denomination will be offering very little if any assistance.
The property is still available, but under a different realty company. We'll have to contact them this week to see if the terms have changed. One nice thing though. They cleaned up the grounds, plowed up and cleared the two acres in the back. We invision fruit trees and a fountain, and nice spot for outdoor weddings and worship services.
Maryellen