2008 is here, soon to be known as the year MHC|Downtown launches. Momentum for the launch is gathering and we will be posting regular updates to this blog space on a weekly basis, so please stay tuned. Speaking of updates, here they are for the week of January 7th, 2008:

We Must Pray: Starting this Thursday morning- Come to Kneel

‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.’ And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him’(Zech. 8:20-22).

Zechariah is speaking of how the advancement of the Church will occur. It would happen only as people gathered together in extraordinary prayer, seeking the Lord and asking him to manifest himself in a real and powerful way.

As time draws closer to the beginning of the new Downtown campus much building renovation still is left to be done but most importantly, renovation of the heart and a unity of the people through prayer is essential.

So, with that, beginning this Thursday, January 10 from 7am-8am @ the Downtown Campus and continuing every Thursday from this point on, we are asking God’s people to gather in extraordinary prayer. We will beseech God to help his Church, show mercy to mankind, pour out his spirit in our city, and advance his kingdom.

Earlier this week I was talking with a new acquaintance of mine at Ballard who about a year ago was walking past our building on Western Ave with her fiancé. At the time it was Tabella but the Lord gave them a nudge to stop and pray over that place. They fervently prayed for close to half-an-hour over the building that God would someday use this place to glorify his name and advance his kingdom! Friends, prayer is powerful and God desires hearts that earnestly seek him and his will. May we come together in unity asking Jesus to bring peace in our hearts and in our city through him.

Construction of the Cornerstone:

This week we will be having work parties each night!

The next wave of construction and demo is integral. On a major wall installation in the main auditorium, we will be hanging sheet rock, mud/taping, and priming the wall. Additionally, there is a wall downstairs that needs demoed to connect the Children’s Ministry wing. All are welcomed to help, but those who have the specialized talent with hanging drywall are highly encouraged to help. Here are the dates and times.

January 7-11, 6-10pm
Please RSVP with Eric Eberlein
eric@marshillchurch.org

Thank you for your faithfulness. AMEN!

Thank you to all those who contributed food and clothes to the homeless and needy this past Christmas. New Horizons, Matt Talbot Center, and Millionaire’s Club were grateful for our partnership along with hundreds of folks who are desperate for warm clothes, toiletries, and food this time of year.

It was exciting to see hundreds of people attend the Community Christmas event along with many people from the community and neighborhood. It was encouraging to hear that many people from Belltown already showed up on Sunday thinking that we had launched the campus! At this writing we are still on track to launch in late February or early March. Continue to be in prayer.