Building The Kingdom Together

I have been praying that the Lord would allow me to have a collaborating partnership with a man who has a Kingdom mindset. The Lord answered my prayer by sending Buff McNickle and the Grace Falls family into our lives at exactly the right time. He is truly an answer to our prayers.

Although I am indigenous to the city of Philadelphia, growing up in the projects of North Philadelphia, it was not until I met my wife that my heart began to understand God’s heart for diversity.

When I first heard Buff McNickle’s vision I knew that God had placed him in my life. We began to pray about serving the Lord together and when I went to visit him in Atlantic City, I knew that we would be working together in some capacity for Kingdom impact.

Whenever I stand next to him I am convinced that when people see a little black guy stand next to this brother from Alabama they will see a clear tangible expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Buff has helped me to see that God is already on mission and we just need to join Him where He is already at work.

The following is one example of us living out the gospel and being intentional where we exist. Recently we had a group of students from University of Mobile come to Philly to serve our city. We had a gathering and invited several of our neighbors over for dinner. We ended up having 18 children in our basement and 12 adults sitting around the table having conversations with each other. The group included black, white, Hatian, Jamacian, bi-ethnic, and Canadian. Two of our other neighbors, Egyptian and Albanian were unable to attend. We are blessed to live on a block that is rich with ethnic diversity.

We covet your prayers for on-going contact with these and other neighbors. We had the Grace Falls family join us in hosting a community gathering at our house this past Sunday. It was once again incredible to see the hand of God move. Rhonda, my wife has started a Friday morning gathering for coffee and getting to know the ladies on our block. She already has 10 coming and gathering.  Pray that they will come and be open to gospel conversations. Also, as we seek to host several missions teams this summer, please pray for receptive hearts.

I am learning to see things from a Kingdom perspective and not a traditional church perspective. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” We are convinced that if we plant the gospel and make disciples then Jesus Christ will build His church.

I am reminded of the children of Israel when Moses led them to the Red Sea. They were surrounded by the Egyptians and did not know which way to turn and they were afraid. Exodus 14:13-15 states “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” The Lord had affirmed in my heart that He will fight for us. That we fight from victory, not for victory as we move on.

Pastor Alonzo Johnson

Spring Planting!

In mid-May, a team of five from First Baptist Church of Albertville, Alabama came to New Jersey. Their church has committed to partnering with the ministry of Grace Falls and we are excited by the creative ways they have chosen to participate!

The purpose of their trip was to plant community gardens on our property and at one of the local Serenity Houses. The Serenity House is a residence for adults who are recovering from addiction and are taking steps to acclimate into society, as they learn to lead a more healthy lifestyle, volunteer to help others, and strive to find employment. The gardens will help them to care for another living thing, as they benefit from the fruits (or veggies) that develop under their watchful care. We hope that these gardens will also provide the Grace Falls family an opportunity to share in the experience with them and to form a bond of trust and friendship.

This team also found time to help a young family who began to attend Grace Falls following the Community Easter Egg Hunt in March. Their bathroom needed serious repairs, as the result of a leaking pipe. The team provided the materials, labor and knowledge needed for such a project. This sweet, young couple, along with their 5-year-old daughter, were truly blessed by this act of kindness.

The entire Grace Falls family also enjoyed the fact that FBC of Albertville's Minister of Worship and Associate Pastor Chuck Johnston was on the team. Following the weekly Open Table family dinner, Chuck led the group in casual, fun songs, as well as songs of praise and worship. His talents, story telling and guidance to worship were greatly appreciated by all in attendance.

We are thankful that this team provided to this community and we are eager to see what will blossom, whether it be from the soil or the heart of someone willing to lean in.

[flickr_set id="72157653334076405"]

Starting Point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXoc4C9l6n4 Everything has a beginning. Every person, every idea, every journey starts somewhere. Whether it's one small step in a new direction or a major event, from that point forward nothing is ever the same.

It's not always comfortable. It's not always easy. But it's a start.

Plan to join the conversation during our Sunday morning Gatherings at 10 am, beginning June 7.

Grace Falls Partners - Meet The Johnsons

It didn't take long for me to realize that I need help. I realized in just a short time of church planting how lonely, how hard, and how intense the spiritual warfare is when you seek to be on mission for God. I asked many of you to pray with me that God would send a partner to be like the partners that the Apostle Paul had on his missionary journeys.

I asked our friends to pray that God would send me a Timothy, John Mark, or a James. What I was asking for was for a partner to physically be here and walk out this journey of church planting here. Somebody that can relate to the struggle and the adversity that Satan can throw your way.

I laugh now as I think of how I thought my prayers might be answered and how I thought God could do it. Yet, just like so many other things on this journey, I can make my plans but God orders the steps. His ways truly are higher than my ways. This is where I get the privilege to introduce you to what I believe is not only God’s answer to our prayer but as it is with everything that God does he does it  better than I could have ever asked for.

I met Alonzo and his lovely wife Rhonda at a dinner hosted by the North American Mission Board last year. Alonzo is a native of Philadelphia and there is no one I know nor have met so far that loves and knows this city better than he does.

Alonzo has an incredible story of redemption from a earlier life of a crack addiction that led to a broken dream of being the next Major League Baseball superstar to a life that is radically changed because of the transforming work of the gospel. Now he is a loving husband, father, and the next church-planting superstar in Philly.

Alonzo and Rhonda both have a similar calling and commitment to planting the gospel here and around Philadelphia with the goal of making disciples who make disciples so that they can plant the gospel. We know that this is how God will build His church. This calling and a commitment to God’s leading has led us to a partnership to plant the Gospel in North Philadelphia so that God can build His church there.

This is our first opportunity to launch the Grace Falls Church Planting Network. It has been clear to both the Johnsons and the McNickle’s that God is and has been working in and around us long before we met. God’s timing is perfect and we know that this is His will. We will work alongside Alonzo & Rhonda as they plant the gospel there in North Philadelphia. We will coach, assist, and provide support in a variety of ways as they plant a church there.

Our first event as partners will be this Sunday morning as Grace Falls Church goes to Northeast Bible Fellowship to support their Memorial weekend neighborhood barbecue as they strive to connect with their neighbors on Sunday afternoon starting at three.

Join us in celebrating this great news and praying for God’s will to be done.

Focusing On God – May 22-30

Join us as we focus on praying the Names and Attributes of God during the month of May.

FR, 5/22: Focus on the truth that GOD IS WRATHFUL; the right and necessary reaction evil. Read [biblegateway passage="Nahum 1:2-8 " display="Nahum 1:2-8 "]

SA, 5/23, Focus on the truth that GOD IS FULL OF GRACE. Read [biblegateway passage="Ephesians 1:5-8 "]

SU, 5/24, Focus on the truth that GOD IS OUR COMFORTER. Read [biblegateway passage="2 Corinthians 1:3-4" display="2 Corinthians 1:3-4"]

MO, 5/25, Focus on the truth that GOD IS EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty. Read [biblegateway passage="Genesis 49:22-26" display="Genesis 49:22-26"]

TU, 5/26, Focus on the truth that GOD IS FATHER. Read [biblegateway passage="Romans 8:15-17 " display="Romans 8:15-17 "]

WE, 5/27, Focus on the truth that GOD IS THE CHURCH’S HEAD. Read [biblegateway passage="Ephesians 1:22-23 " display="Ephesians 1:22-23 "]

TH, 5/28, Focus on the truth that GOD IS OUR INTERCESSOR. Read [biblegateway passage="Hebrews 4:14-16 " display="Hebrews 4:14-16 "]

FR, 5/29: Focus on the truth that GOD IS ADONAI, Master or Lord. Read [biblegateway passage="2 Samuel 7:18-20  " display="2 Samuel 7:18-20 "]

SA, 5/30, Focus on the truth that GOD IS ELOHIM, Strength or Power. Read [biblegateway passage="Genesis 17:7,8 " display="Genesis 17:7,8 "]

May 31:  It was a privilege to meditate on the attributes of God as we prayed together. Join us today at Grace Falls Church at 10AM as we begin the new study, STARTING POINT.

Focusing On God – May 15-21

Join us as we focus on praying the Names and Attributes of God during the month of May.

FR, 5/15: Focus on the truth that GOD IS OMNISCIENT, all-knowing.

Read [biblegateway passage="Psalm 139:1-6 " display="Psalm 139:1-6 "]

SA, 5/16, Focus on the truth that GOD IS OMNIPRESENT. God is everywhere.

Read [biblegateway passage="Psalm 139:7-12 " display="Psalm 139:7-12 "]

SU, 5/17, Focus on the truth that GOD IS MERCIFUL.

Read [biblegateway passage="Deuteronomy 4:29-31" display="Deuteronomy 4:29-31"]

MO, 5/18, Focus on the truth that GOD IS SOVEREIGN.

Read [biblegateway passage="1 Chronicles 29:11-13 " display="1 Chronicles 29:11-13 "]

TU, 5/19, Focus on the truth that GOD IS JEHOVAH-NISSI, God our banner.

Read [biblegateway passage="1 Corinthians 15:57, Exodus 17:8-15 " display="1 Corinthians 15:57, Exodus 17:8-15 "]

WE, 5/20, Focus on the truth that GOD IS WISE.

Read [biblegateway passage="Proverbs 3:19-20 " display="Proverbs 3:19-20 "]

TH, 5/21, Focus on the truth that GOD IS FAITHFUL.

Read [biblegateway passage="Psalm 89:1-8 " display="Psalm 89:1-8 "]