Recent Group Prayers

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  Prayer for the Right "Tent Making" Job

  Julie and I are pursuing our new ministry of urban church planting without knowing how we will make our living. Please pray that God would open the right doors for me (Keith). I have applied to teach at a wonderful university in the Houston area. It would be a GREAT way to make a living while ministering to young adults in a global culture. Please pray that if God wills, He would open these doors. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Him for the generosity of our Grace Community Bible Church Family for continuing to support us during this transitional period. Thank you!

  04/07/08 02:54PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 2 comments

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  Urban Church Planting Summit 2009

  Imagine urban church planters and strategists coming together to promote the creation of communities of spiritual and social transformation across North America's global cities! That is exactly what a group of us has been doing. Our goal is an Urban Church Planting Summit 2009 right here in Houston. Next month we will be presenting our proposal to Leadership Network for possible sponsorship. No, this isn't "the main thing" I've been doing. My major focus is still on urban church planting in the City of Houston. But my involvement in this amazing world of urban church planting has brought me into contact with a diverse group of like-minded dreamers and strategists -- and suddenly we're working together to create a first-of-its-kind summit for fellow travelers. Please pray for me as I do my part in imagining this event and preparing the presentation. This event could be HUGE, both in size and in strategic impact. And our presentation in May is coming up fast! Thanks!

  04/08/08 03:32PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  The Right Ministry Partnership

  I am feeling a special urgency around the issue of ministry partnerships. Over the past year, God has allowed me to meet some wonderful people in some wonderful ministries. I believe that the time is fast approaching for me to formalize my role as a lay catalyst by associating myself officially with one of those organizations. Today, Thursday, April 10, I will be contacting some key leaders with that goal in mind. Please pray for me today and over the next week -- this will not happen in one phone call -- that God would open the right door for the right ministry partnership. Thank you.

  04/10/08 08:32AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Location for Urban Church Planting Summit

  As I mentioned in an earlier prayer request, we are planning an Urban Church Planting Summit in Houston for 2009. We are approaching Houston Baptist University about the availability of their beautiful Morris Cultural Arts Center. Please pray that it would be available during HBU's Spring Break, March 16-20, 2009. And pray, too, that the price would be good...very, VERY good! Thanks.

  04/10/08 08:32PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Urban Summit Needs Project Manager and Event Planner

  The Urban Church Planting Summit is going to be a MAJOR project. Please pray that God would provide us with the project management and event planning professionals we need. And pray, too, that God would provide them early enough to allow them to influence our presentation to Leadership Network on May 19. Thank you.

  04/11/08 07:59AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Refining the Focus of the Urban Summit

  Work continues on the presentation for the Urban Church Planting Summit. Please pray specifically that the committee would be sensitive to God's leading regarding the precise focus of the Summit -- its scope and subject matter. Thank you.

  04/16/08 09:17AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Employment and Partnerships: An Update

  As I leave suburban ministry and go into the city, I've asked for your prayers that I would find the right job and the right ministry partnerships. Well, things are moving slowly -- very slowly -- on both fronts. Please pray that I would be patient and discerning and above all trusting as I seek to follow God in these two vitally important areas. Thank you for praying!

  04/16/08 09:21AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  A Terrible Tragedy

  Today, Friday, April 18, a family I have known for over twenty years lost their oldest son to a tragic death. I do not know the precise circumstances. This young man knew the Lord, as do his parents and siblings. Please pray for the family and for all of those who will be with them to provide love and comfort through the coming days.

  04/18/08 04:41PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Strategic Partnerships: Planters Before Partners?

  God is bringing me into contact with some wonderful prospective church planters -- amazing young adults that I would be HONORED to get behind and support! The problem is that I'm getting Planters before Partners, meaning that my relationships with young adults are developing faster than my relationships with the organizations that will help shape and support the movement. (It's not too surprising, I guess, that the 20-somethings are moving faster than the 50-somethings.) Identifying and developing the right organizational partnerships has been a vital prayer need from Day 1. And it is getting MORE vital with each passing day. But progress has been slow. Please pray that we would begin to see progress as we reach out to these organizations. And pray, too, that I would continue to have the faith and confidence in God to reach out to these incredible young adults...even in advance of established organizational partnerships.

  04/19/08 08:29AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  The Tragic Death: Update on Visitation and Funeral

  The family we've been praying for -- the one that suffered the horrific loss of their oldest son last Friday -- will be gathering tonight (Wednesday) for a time of visitation with friends. I have been asked to speak, and especially to share the Gospel. The funeral service will be held tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers.

  04/23/08 05:31AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Progress on Partnerships!

  We are seeing some progress on possible partner churches -- two very exciting possibilities in two IDEAL areas of Houston! It's too soon to go public on the details, but please be praying that God would open doors for us during this critically important time.

  04/24/08 05:50PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  MAJOR Church Planting Meeting for the City of Houston

  Please pray for "Pentecost Houston: Church Planting Challenge for the City of Houston," a one-day, by-invitation gathering called by Tom Billings, Executive Director of the Union Baptist Association (UBA). The Challenge: "What can we do to significantly accelerate the rate and level at which UBA congregations effectively penetrate lostness in the city by evangelizing new believers, discipling them in the faith, and forming them into reproducing congregations/churches?" This working meeting will be held Tuesday, April 29th, at Houston’s First Baptist Church. It could be a turning point in urban church planting in Houston. Thanks for praying. I will keep you posted.

  04/28/08 10:13AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Leadership Network Presentation: The Final Stretch

  In just over two weeks we will be making a crucial presentation to the Leadership Network Church Planting Learning Community in Dallas. Please pray for our team as we craft our message, that it would reflect God's heart for the urban poor, minorities and immigrants of the great city of Houston, and that those who hear it would respond as God leads.

  05/02/08 01:47PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Partnerships: Some Important Developments

  A number of possible partnerships are developing, with some of the most exciting entering a crucial phase of development. The first half of May could be very exciting! Please pray that God would guide all parties as we seek His will. (I can't wait to share the specifics, but I just can't do it yet.)

  05/02/08 01:52PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Employment Update

  As most of you know, I have applied to teach at Houston Baptist University. It would be a joy and a privilege to teach at HBU -- and a wonderful complement to my volunteer work in urban ministry among young adults! Since I am one of (literally) thousands of applicants, I thought I should expand my search. Two other positions at area universities are being advertised, so I am preparing my applications. Thanks for praying.

  05/02/08 01:59PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 1 comments

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  Employment Update, May 13

  Some recent developments: I've learned that HBU's Honors College has its classes covered for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, and that unfilled positions will likely remain open until the 2009/2010 academic year. I'm not hearing anything from the Department of Christianity and Philosophy, but I suppose that their situation might be similar. I have also applied for a one year position at the University of St. Thomas, where I did my degrees in Philosophy, which of course would be a real honor. A position at another area university has been filled -- they just forgot to tell their website. So, it won't surprise you to learn that my job search is broadening. I am interviewing Thursday for a "contract" position in the consulting world that sounds very interesting. And today I will be contacting a recruiter I met recently to get his advice and help. Thank you so much for your prayers. I appreciate your love and concern very much!

  05/13/08 07:24AM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Partnership Update: Exciting News!

  May 13 and 14 have been REALLY good days! On Tuesday, May 13, I met with Pastor Rufus Smith of City of Refuge Church near the Third Ward to begin helping them develop their long-range plan, particularly their vision for multi-ethnic urban church planting. On Wednesday, May 14, I met with Pastor Bryant Lee of Higher Expectation Church in a low-income section of Humble to help him envision and implement a strategy for mobilizing young adults from an area college to mentor at risk kids in an area junior high school. Conversations with Humble ISD are already underway. Watch my blog for more details. These are two of the exciting opportunities I've been hinting at for awhile. Others just as exciting are still developing. Stay tuned...and thank you so much for praying!

  05/14/08 07:51PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments

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  Job Opportunity...Please Pray

  On Thursday, May 15, I'm having lunch with the president of a leading project management consultancy to discuss the possibility of working for his firm as a workshop facilitator. This would be a wonderful opportunity that I would enjoy immensely. Thanks for praying.

  05/14/08 07:59PM by Keith Bower in Keith Bower's Urban Church Planting Team | 0 comments