Dear Friends,
We are writing to you with near overwhelming excitement about an opportunity that we have to participate in an experience that will change our lives and help shape our approach to ministry.
Melissa and I have developed a heart for our local community of Cleveland Heights and intend to start an Christ-oriented missional community here. We hope to see God's Kingdom move in this city in new ways and touch the hearts of the many young adults we've met who may not know Christ. To this end we are looking to expand our horizons regarding what we think a church could look like in a city like ours.
We have been invited by Church Doctor Ministries to participate in the Pilgrimage Gathering at the St Thomas Church, Sheffield, UK June 1 – 9, 2011. This is an immersion experience unlike any other. It is an opportunity to encounter God, be immersed in the life of the pilgrimage center in Sheffield, evaluate the ministry taking place there, and apply the learning here in North America. The program will combine worship, teaching, processing, outreach, and practical mission application in ministry.
Participating in this experience will equip us to help other pastors, ministry leaders, and churches discover how to best live out the mission of making disciples and reaching more people for Jesus Christ. We are living in challenging times and there is not a better time than right now to equip Christians to fulfill the Great Commission.
An important ministry endeavor like this is never done alone and not without the support of friends and family that share in a passion for a transformed and renewed church in America. Please consider this my personal invitation to you to join the “Heffelfinger Support Team.”
We are putting this team together to not only help with some of the costs of this immersion experience but to also become a part of a special prayer team. This prayer team will not only pray for us during the time we are traveling and attending the Pilgrimage Gathering but also pray that God, through this experience, will use us to help bring about revival and transformation in both our lives and yours, as well as those we touch.
All members of the support team will be invited over to our home for a gathering after we return from the trip so that we can share our appreciation and the experience with you. Any member wanting to receive email updates from us about the trip can provide their email address and we will add you to a mailing list for updates on how we are using this experience in our ministry work.
The costs associated with attending the Pilgrimage Gathering including, travel, lodging, and fees associated the gathering experience total around $7000 for the two of us. We are personally committing $2000. We are seeking to raise an additional $5000 to cover the remaining costs of the trip. I have made arrangements with Church Doctor Ministries for all contributions to be made directly to them so that they may be considered tax deductible. You will just need to write, “Sheffield – Heffelfinger” in the memo line of your check. Please send any contribution you feel called to give directly to Church Doctor Ministries using the donate button at either of our blogs.
In these tough economic times I know it may be difficult for you to support us financially. Please know you are invited first and foremost to join this team as a prayer partner in ministry – we know God will provide in all other ways for us.
Should you have questions or would like more information please feel free to contact us directly at adamheffelfinger@gmail.com or melissapaoloni@gmail.com .
God bless,
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