Our First Letter (December 2007):
September 2007 marked our celebration of five years of marriage and ministry together. As this holiday season is upon us, we look back and are thankful for what God has done in our lives. We are also looking ahead with anticipation to what God has for our future.
Courtney has always had a love for literature. She has been studying to become a high school English teacher and is in her senior year at The University of Akron. She is looking forward to student teaching in the fall of 2008.
Aaron has always had a passion for music and youth ministry. He traveled for seven years in a Christian band called Candle Rain, serving numerous churches across the Midwest. More recently, Aaron has served as a full-time youth pastor for six years and has also been able to lead worship periodically.
This coming year will bring a major change in our ministry together. In January we will become “local missionaries” to Lyndhurst, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Aaron’s gifts of reaching out to others and leading worship will soon be combined. He will be on staff for a new church plant called Vision Christian Church, serving as the Pastor of Creative Arts. As well as being a part of the local community, he will be the worship director for the church. Vision Christian Church will begin services in September of this coming year.
Business Week has recently ranked Lyndhurst number 28 out of the “50 Best Places to Raise Your Kids in the United States in 2007.” On a spiritual level, however, it is in need. On a normal Sunday morning in Cleveland and its suburbs, only 3 out of every 10,000 people will attend a Protestant type church. That means that in an area of 1.3 million, less than 50,000 people have a church that they call home. Less than 50,000 people may know about God.
There is a definite need in Lyndhurst for a church that is relevant to young families. Aaron and I have been drawn to this opportunity. We have the confidence that God is guiding, working, leading our steps, and is covering us in His grace.
The Vision Christian Church plant is a part of a larger organization called Kingdom Synergy Project (KSP). This organization is made up of a network of pastors that provide management and accountability. The pastors are from local Ohio churches: RiverTree Christian Church in North Canton, Northwest Avenue Church of Christ in Tallmadge, and Discover Christian Church in Dublin (Columbus).
We would truly appreciate your prayers as we transition.
Specifically, you could pray for:
- Vision Christian Church – it is awe-inspiring and humbling to be a part of the formation of a church.
- The city of Lyndhurst – we desire for the community to see Christ’s love and grace.
- The next two years of our support-based missions – we are nervous, yet trusting in God’s provision.
Vision Christian Church and its staff will be completely supported by pledges until it is able to support itself (possibly two years from now). Please consider financially partnering with us as we begin the church plant. We would love for you to join us in reaching out to Lyndhurst!
Our goal is to raise $60,000 for 2008. This amount is to cover Aaron’s salary, our health care, his office needs (including a computer and cell phone), investing in the people of Lyndhurst (such as visitations and meetings), and daily expenses (everything else!) We would truly appreciate your support through prayers and/or monetary gifts, as both are greatly needed.
All donations are tax-deductible and routed through Kingdom Synergy Project. Your gifts will directly support us in our ministry to the people of Lyndhurst. Thank you for your love and support!
May you & yours have a blessed holiday season!
Much love and thanks,
Aaron & Courtney
Support Information:
Checks payable to: Vision Christian Church
Memo line: Aaron & Courtney Rae
Mailing address:
KSP-RND, The Lyndhurst Project
166 Jefferson St. SE
Hartville, OH 44632
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