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Our previous update talked about church planting in Longmont, Colorado, and a church planting residency at The Table. If you missed it, you can read it here.
Wow. It’s been a crazy six weeks since our last update! Some of those weeks we’ve felt like we’re simply putting one foot in front of the other with all that needs to happen for us to move and get settled into Longmont. But the last few weeks have brought with them a quicker pace, and MUCH excitement! Here’s a brief update:
WE’RE MOVING…in 3 days! Since our moving date had been contingent on fundraising progress and Caitlyn's job, it was a “moving target” for most of the summer. Keep reading to see how these things have come together…
Caitlyn found a (great!) job…in Longmont. She'll be working at a brand-new hospital in the Labor and Delivery/NICU unit on a short-term contract. It’s a PERFECT transition job!
Landed short-term housing…also in Longmont. Some new friends from The Table will be out of town for the fall and generously offered us their home. Again, a PERFECT transition situation! Our aim is to learn the area and buy a home in Longmont sometime this fall/winter.
Saying good-bye…is never easy. Our evenings this summer have been filled with countless meals with wonderful friends. While it’s been both sad and sweet, we’re grateful for the extended time to say good-bye. There’s no doubt a part of us will remain in Southwest Florida, and we’re thankful that we get to take so much of it with us to Longmont.
In all this, we're grateful, excited, anxious, and filled with hope - and we're constantly being reminded that God will give us what we need, when we need it. This is the thread that has been/is being woven into every single aspect of our story! It’s been difficult to believe this all the time (or even some of the time), but even when everything seems crazy and uncertain, this truth gives us just enough hope and peace for hanging in there.
Support Update:
OK. You might want to be sitting down for this…we are currently 75% of the way to our annual fundraising goal! We asked you to pray for God to overwhelm us with support, and, well, consider us overwhelmed! You might recall, our (very bold) goal was to be 75% funded by August 1st, so that we could start the residency in September. Because of a growing and generous support team, we're on track to begin the residency September 1st and move west this weekend! Beyond the percentages, we’ve seen our financial and prayer support teams grow FAR BEYOND anything we could have projected – and that’s what gets us most excited! Church planting is a true team effort, and this is especially true when planting in the critically under-churched west. So we continue to pray for God to motivate and excite people to join our support team. And as our support team grows, opportunities for greater impact in Longmont (and Boulder County) grow with it!
We’re making incredible progress, but there is still ground to cover in order to reach our annual goal. We still need to raise $22,000 to be FULLY funded. Through recurring monthly donations, that's close to $1,800/mo. This is not a small sum, but it's something we can hit with just a little bit of varied support. Here's one example of how monthly support could get us there with just a few new donors:
As you can see, there is not an amount too large or too small; nor method too creative. Whether a one-time, monthly, or annual donation, ANY bit of support makes a big difference! You can read more about financial support, our annual goal and budget, and other common questions in our Financial Support Packet.We're getting close to our goal, but we need your help to fully get there. Will you prayerfully consider financially supporting us in this church planting endeavor?
If you'd like to begin financial support, we ask that you:
If possible, please let us know by September 1st if you're interested in joining our financial support team. This enables us to plan accordingly for the first year of our residency. We also understand that you may be interested but still have questions, or maybe some of this is just a little foreign. Please let us know if you're on the fence, interested in more information, or would just like to chat more. You can reply to this email or give Justin a call (217-823-0328) anytime.
While living in Longmont, we'll be doing a 3 year residency at The Table, in Lafayette, CO. The residency will begin September 1st, and is designed to 1)develop the leadership skills and abilities unique to church planting, 2)familiarize us with the local context and community, and 3) help us discern vision and strategy specific to Longmont. Read more about our residency here: Church Planting Resident FAQ
Please pray for God to...
Provide the necessary financial support to be FULLY funded
Give us a restful and enjoyable journey west (and preferably zero vehicle issues!)
Give us endurance and energy for final good-byes, a cross-country move, and new beginnings
Prepare us for the new friendships, connections, and opportunities awaiting us in Longmont and at The Table
We're deeply grateful for each of you, and the support so many of you have already extended. Thank you for following along!
Justin & Caitlyn Chappell
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What about adoption?
We hope to pick up where we left off with the adoption process after we get settled in Longmont. We'll keep you updated through this newsletter. You can read our last update here.
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory."Psalm 73:23-24
