What Jesus has done...

Mystery Fall Update

Hello from Joplin!
I hope this newsletter finds you doing well! Things are well here in Southwest Missouri. We have had a busy but nice summer! It has been a fairly mild here and the heat has not hit us with the full force it usually does. I am excited to be a full time pastor as I have officially transitioned from CIY to Mystery this month. A summer highlight for me was preaching three weeks in a row at Mystery this July. It was a great opportunity, and I am really enjoying being able to preach more often as I pastor here. If you are interested in any of the messages from our services, please check out our podcast. You can access it via our website or on itunes. If you happen to listen to a message I preach, I would love your feedback as I am always looking for how I can improve! I am excited about the fall here in Joplin and am looking forward to what Jesus has in store for Mystery!

So, What is God Doing?
God is doing some awesome things, both in my heart and in the heart of Mystery. I guess I’ll start with me. Jesus has used Mystery to continue to change me. The years I’ve spent doing ministry have been good, and there are some incredible things that I’ve seen Jesus do in people’s hearts and lives, but I’ve never really been a pastor to people. For most of my ministry, I’ve tried to keep people at a safe distance. Through Mystery, Jesus is changing me into a person who comes along side people to point them to Him rather than someone who keeps them at arm’s length so things don’t get too messy. I’m learning a better perspective on leading worship. I still want the music to be well done and relevant – but even more than that I’m learning the importance of shepherding the hearts of those who are helping to lead and play music. Are they worshipping Jesus? Not just on stage for the four or five songs we may do on a Sunday, but are they worshipping Him throughout their week? Do the lyrics of the songs mean anything to them as they live their lives Monday through Saturday? As we have continue to grow as worshippers, we see evidence of Jesus moving in the hearts of our church family - specifically in our Sunday morning gatherings.

Coming alongside people does indeed get messy though! We want to be a church that seeks the good of the city for the glory of Christ…and so we have seen people of the city begin to come to our church. Some of these people are quite poor as Joplin has many people who live below the poverty line. Joplin is also a city full of addictions – gambling, alcohol, meth, etc. We live in a city that is full of hurting people, people who need to know the truth and grace that is in Jesus. We have an incredible opportunity to share the gospel with people, but we need wisdom and compassion in order to best help. In all honesty, this has been something that has forced me into places that I am not comfortable. Scriptures talk a lot about the poor…and they cannot be ignored because they make us uncomfortable! Thank you for your prayers for me and for Mystery as we seek to truly help people first and foremost through the gospel of Jesus

Another one of the things Jesus has allowed Mystery to be a part of is a monthly event called ArtWalk. On the third Thursday of each month, our building downtown becomes an art gallery as it is filled with local Art, live music, and great food. Not many churches have an opportunity to love and serve the city each month in the way we do! People come to see the art, eat the food, and listen to the music and we have a great chance to meet them, and a huge opportunity to live out and share the gospel! Many of the artists who come are blown away by how the people of our church love and care for them. One of the ladies from our church prepares food for the event every week and the rumor is that our gallery has the best food in the ArtWalk…it doesn’t surprise me a bit!

Thank You!
Finally, I wanted to say thank you for your support of the work here in Joplin. You are such a huge encouragement and blessing! Thank you for your prayers for us, and thank you for your financial support! Jesus is growing a church, and changing a city through what you are doing! If you would like to talk or have questions, please feel free to email me at nate@mysterychurch.com, or call at 417.781.7771.

What In the World is Going On?

I can't believe the weather we're having here in SWMO right now. The high today is only supposed to be 83. This is not the middle of July weather for us! It has been wonderful.

This month has been so busy! I finished up leading CIY MOVE in Durango, CO, celebrated the 4th with Erin's mom and dad, and then came back to Joplin where I have preached the last two weeks. This week will be the third Sunday I have preached in a row. I've never done anything like that before. I have really been stretched. I came back from CO excited to sing and lead music...but in Jesus' providence I haven't been able to do that yet. Not leading has allowed me time to think through the fall, and allowed me to focus on what really matters and what Christ has called me to: Making Disciples. In all that I do, the goal is to point people to Jesus. At the outset of going "full-time" with Mystery...I cannot lose sight of that calling. No matter what I'm doing, I have to be centered on Christ and His cross while pointing others to do the same. What does that look like in regards to "leading worship"? That is what I've been thinking about recently.

Mystery has been doing some exciting things this summer. Since our move to downtown, we've been able to be a part of Main Street Joplin's Discover Downtown Third Thursday. We have hosted an art walk each 3rd Thursday of the month since May. It has been really cool to be able to have artists come and show their work in our building. This month we had a band from Joplin - Big Canoe - come and play while people enjoyed the art. Big canoe was great, and it was great to have them play in our building. I hope to be able to play a few songs in August for Art Walk. It would be a lot of fun!

I am really looking forward to the fall and what is in store for Mystery!

A Late Report on the Boomtown Days Half Marathon

So this is a very late report on the Half Marathon that Erin and I ran on June 13th. I meant to get to this before we left for CIY MOVE in Durango, CO...but didn't get to it, and I'm always amazed at how busy you get when you're running a conference. When down time does come, you just want to take a nap! Things are going well here in CO. Erin and I were talking as we walked from the cafeteria to the auditorium, and we realized that when I go back to Joplin, I won't be going to CIY to work. That feels weird! I'll go there to get my things...including a 250 lb. fire hydrant...but other than that, I'm done. Now, I am leading one more conference in Bolivar, MO...but as far as office work goes, I'm done. It's just a little strange.

OK, about the run. It was brutal. I gotta be honest with you. The first 10 miles weren't too bad. But I knew I was in trouble when we came to the 11th mile marker, and I thought it was the 12th. Wishful thinking! In all honesty, I'm really glad we did it. It was hard, but it was worth it. I've managed to keep running a little here in Durango...not every day, but enough to maintain I hope! Erin is a great runner. I managed to stay with her until the last 200 yards. It was at that point she kicked it into another gear, and I pretty much had nothing left. I was doing good to keep my feet moving! Erin finished her run in 1:54:41 and I finished in 1:55:12. I was glad to be under 2 hours. I ran about an 8:46 pace. When I crossed the finish line the people running the race made me stip so they could cut the little timer chip off my shoe. The lady handing out the medals was all over her job, but the lady handing out the water was not. As soon as I crossed the finish line she started walking away from me. If I could have chased her down I would have.

One of my first thoughts when finishing was, "Holy cow, I don't even want to think about running a full marathon." There is NO WAY I could have ran another 13.1 miles! But even with the half, there are a lot of good lessons I learned from training and running. Hebrews 12 has a lot more meaning, that's for sure.

Erin asked if I would ever want to run a full marathon - on the way home from the half marathon - so it was a little soon for me to answer. I'm still not sure...we'll see. I do want to keep running...so you never know.

Goodbye CIY

Welp, I just had my official farewell party here at CIY. It was really great, thanks to everyone at CIY. I must admit, it was a little awkward. I think those things always are a little. I am grateful for what I've learned and been able to be a part of here at CIY. There are A LOT of great people here! It has been a great 6 years, and I am glad that I'll still be in the area and stop in from time to time.

The transition to pastoring at Mystery full time feels so close now! I am excited about what is ahead! We're studying the book of Jonah for July, where I will be preaching 3 weeks in a row...doing chapter 2, 3, and 4! That will be the first time I've ever done anything like that!

Steev and I met this past Sunday after church. We dreamed, and planned, and prayed. It was a great time together. I was encouraged mostly by the praying. I was reminded of the importance of Steev and I praying together - specifically for the sheep we have been entrusted with!

I head to Durango, CO a week from tomorrow! The summer is upon us! I am looking forward to getting on the road. Durango is a GREAT place. It's beautiful there...cool mornings in the mountains, beautiful sunshine, and a great campus to do MOVE.

So thanks to CIY! I love you guys!

So...I'm Running.

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. (That's for you mom...I think you may be the only person reading this...maybe I should just call you!) It has been some crazy times here in SW MO! We had a serious storm a week and a half ago. Roofs were ripped off of houses, barns blown down, RV picked up and slammed into homes. It was crazy. Our home did ok - we only lost about 15 shingles. I was able to replace them pretty easily with some of the shingles that were left over from the shed that my dad and I built last month. (I say dad and I built...mostly dad though!) The shed was stalwart through the storm...because dad built it. Had I been the one to do it, we would have a burn pile in the middle of the back yard right now. Things are now getting back to normal. Erin texted me today notifying me that the redneck swimming pool was going up today. So we're fitting right in with the culture. We've got a campfire pit, a shed with deer antlers, and a plastic pool in the back yard!

Now, on to the title of this post. Erin and I are training for a half marathon on June 13th. I started running about 4 weeks ago, and this morning was I think the first morning where I wasn't concentrating the whole time on keeping my feet moving. I was actually able to think about some other things while I ran. I actually even prayed for a while while running...it was great. The weather has been absolutely amazing this week. The morning are nice and cool, the afternoons are warm and sunny. It's almost like being in Colorado - well, without any mountains, or trout streams. But today was a good morning...I never thought I'd say it, but I actually enjoyed the run. Erin is doing great with the running too. She's amazing. She started training about a month before I did...so she kicks my tail pretty good. Plus she pushes the stroller with two kids in it most days. She's amazing. We ran 6.5 miles on Sunday. She ran it a full two minutes faster than me. We ran separately though...if we ran together I'd stay with her by talking to her and distracting her making her slow down! I'm fairly confident that I can finish the half marathon...I may not be fast, but I'll finish!

Fund raising is going ok for us I think. Thanks to those of you who might be reading this and are supporting what we're doing! We're about halfway to where we think we need to be as far as our monthly commitments. Jesus continues to prove himself, and confirm to both Erin and I that this is what he wants us to do, and this is where he wants us. You set out on this journey thinking of all these things Jesus is going to do through you, and in the process you realize that Jesus himself is doing more in and on you than he is through you! He is indeed faithful to finish what he starts! I am so excited about what is happening in my heart, in my family's heart, and in the hearts of the people of Mystery!

Jenka

Last Sunday was a great Sunday. The highlight of the day was when we baptized a guy named Jenka. Jenka is from Russia. He's been coming to Mystery for a little while, and through the course of him coming to Mystery, hearing the gospel, and getting involved in the Mystery community he has been given new life by Jesus. I aked Jenka if I could share his testimony on here, and he was gracious enough to let me do that...so here is Jenka's testimony of what Jesus has done in his life. Keep his Russian accent in mind, and be encouraged by what he shares:

Jesus Christ is a powerful and attentive God, who has enough strength for all and remembers each. He is bright gleaming light at the end of dark tunnel that I have to go through to reach Heaven. This tunnel is lined with traps created by sin, and if I look away from this bright and distant light I will fall into any of these dangerous traps. This light, however, gives me hope, and shows the way. It lights up those traps and keeps me safe. I am grateful to Jesus for taking my sins and consuming them giving me fresh start and forgiveness. I have hard time carrying my own burdens, let alone other people’s weight.

I am very happy to share with the world that I have found Jesus Christ, and what a huge difference he made in my life. I have spent first 33 years of my life living in endless pursuit of next big thing that somebody has or claimed to have. I spent most of my time living in the future, regretting and despising the past. Little I realized that present is beautiful and worth every second of my life and every bit of my strength and desire to have. Constant disappointment in either not accomplishing of my goals or goals that I deemed were mine, disappointment of reaching some goals and finding emptiness at the finish line have been an entire life for me. I realize now how poorly I have treated people I loved. How little credit I gave them for all they have done for me. This hatred and dissatisfaction of others came from feeling of my own inadequacy and worthlessness.

Now I finally have peace of mind and warmth in my heart. Distant but ever present thought stinging in the back of my scull of whether I am doing right thing and what it leads to is gone. I have realized that there are things in life that I can enjoy and cherish, that used to appear dull and undesirable before. I love the fact that God has made this life imperfect. This fragile and intricate imperfection is what makes life beautiful and worth living. I enjoy process of self discovery and seeing things around me as they are. I don’t know what is the plan and where is my place, but I have no fear or anxiety about finding it out as I know I am part of a plan that was designed especially for me. The life journey has started and it will be interesting and awesome, it will satisfy desire for adventure and love.

From Jenka to Jesus Christ: THANK YOU