July 9th, 2001
Wow - Life's been busy...great...but busy! It's been a while since I
updated everybody on how we're doing with the plans for the new church!
Here's some exciting stuff in July so far!:
* July 1st was fun - All moved into our new home, I got to preach at
Beaverton Christian Church to kick off a series on holiness. You can hear
the message, "The Battle is Real," online at www.bcc.org. It includes a fun
remembrance of the backyard battles when I was a kid and the day to day
battle in our minds & thoughts! Many of our Launch Team were there in their
new "Our Place" shirts spreading the news about the new church! Just in the
past week our Launch Team has grown by approximately 12-15 people, taking it
probably up and over the 40 mark! We're hoping for 100-200 by our Launch
date in October!! Pray for the Team and those who are yet to come!
* 4th of July was a blast! We were in the Hillsboro 4th of July parade
(which I believe is both the largest 4th parade in Oregon and even the
largest small-town 4th parade in America!) We decorated a flatbed truck
with red, white & blue decorations and loaded it with a drum set & drummer,
Ken Bussell (minister of music & administration) on lead guitar and me on
the guitar & belting out rockin' Third Day songs and whoopin' everybody up
about the new church, while many from the Launch Team and beyond walked
around the float passing out candy & flyers! And I saw quite a few friends
from BCC and other places out in the crowd - it was too much fun!! I just
got in and already got an e-mail from a new friend who said "I was at the
parade in Hillsboro, and I got your flyer..and I came to your web site. You
have made me from not really wanting to go to church to begging my family to
go to your upcoming one!!!" So Cool! After the parade we had a BBQ and
then I performed a wedding for a couple who will be living in the Orenco
Station area, and then off to see the Hillsboro Fireworks in the evening
with the whole crew! Even my boys, Zechariah & Noah, made some new friends
(Hi Shawn!...and Todd - you rock!)
* Some of my website has been updated, especially on the church page! Go to
www.stevebrooke.com and click on "the church" if you haven't been there
recently! Thanks Tom!
* My motorcycle is back in operational order and enjoying the incredible
summers here! Sunny and warm but not humid, it's perfect for riding - and
I'm finding new friends to ride with too! Yes, mom I promise I'm being
safe!
* I got to be an assessor in another church planting assessment center here
in the Northwest and I'm really excited about some of the people who are
coming through here who God is leading on to wild new frontiers in ministry!
* On Friday, July 6th two friends, Justin & Mitchell, and I camped out at
Mount Hood...and starting out at 2am Saturday, July 7th, we mounaineered up
Mount Hood (with my snowboard & boots in my pack)! After 8-10 hours, we
summitted Hood - I still can't believe I made it - I'm so glad I had friends
there to spur me on - Dude it was awesome! From the top (over 10,000
feet!), we could see every mountain you could possibly see - Jefferson,
Three Sisters, Rainier, St. Helens, and more! On the way down, I clipped on
my board, reminded myself how to carve in the ungroomed stuff, and took the
longest board ride of my life back down the mountain!! I was whooped - but
the best kind of whooped!!
* We have heard (unofficially) that our second request to use the school
building has been accepted, but are still waiting for the official word so
that we and the principal can pursue finding a custodian in the Hillsboro
school district who will agree to helping make it possible for us to meet
there....so please keep praying for us and our location!!
* This week I'm performing kid songs at BCC's Bible Camp and making all
kinds of new friends!
* This Thursday, July 12th at 8:30am and midnight, Trinity Broadcasting
Network will be broadcasting a studio performance of BCC's choir,
testimonies & message! In this show, I am interviewed by BCC's senior
minister, Clark Tanner, about our new church! Check it out if you can!
I hope God is blessing your lives as you have blessed mine!
Steve
Remember,
Interested in being a part of this new and exciting church? Our Place is
your place, so come on over! Email steve@steverooke.com to set up a time to
get together and find out more about how you can help our new church get
started!
Want to add someone or yourself to Steve's email prayer partners? Or to be
a part of his Launch Team? Or to get his updates? Email
steve@stevebrooke.com and just tell him your interest!
Want to send a gift to support the life, family & ministry of Steve Brooke?
Email steve@steverooke.com to receive a gift card & envelope and/or send a
check made out to NWCEA (that's North Willamette Christian Evangelistic
Association) and addressed to Portland Project (Steve Brooke) c/o NWCEA 444
N. Holly St. Canby OR 97013!
Want to send a gift to help with start-up costs for this exciting new
church? Email steve@stevebrooke.com or make checks out to Our Place
Christian Church and send to Our Place Christian Church at 13600 SW Allen in
Beaverton, OR 97005!