I have been taking my sons to a popular pizza joint, because that is where people who are as-of-yet-uncommitted to Christ are hanging out – neighbors and students from the city college. (Not to mention, the calzones are delicious, and I enjoy the company of the people there!) If Jesus had lived in East Hollywood instead of Galilee, he would have dined there… often. Here are excerpts from my first conversations with people at the pizza place:

• “Phil, I’ve been sober a few months. Now I want to get back with my wife and daughter.”
• “I just found out my girlfriend is pregnant. I’m really stunned by this news.”
• “I moved to LA a few months ago and don’t have many friends yet.”

Are you seeing some open doors here for sharing the power of Christ in a life? People are seeking, just not always in our church buildings. Why not follow in the footsteps of our Savior, who got out of the synagogue and into people’s lives and homes? Let’s be where the people are. We’re asking ourselves, “Where are God’s treasured, missing ones hanging out in this community? And will they see us there next week?” -Phil

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A great time to build friendships is when parents pick up their kids at our son’s school.  Today I’m thinking in particular about a Thai-Laotian family we’re getting to know.  The parents graciously opened up their apartment to us so that our sons can have “play dates” after school.  They have had a difficult life, to say the least, but they are the kind of people Jesus chooses to transform the world.  They are devoted to their two children and working hard to gain a better life for their family.  The mom especially is receptive to our friendship.  Please pray for our Way of Life Village as we get to know this family and seek ways to share the love and hope of Jesus with them.  -Phil

Categories: stuff to pray for
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This month the Hollywood Church of Christ prayed over their members Ed and Katie (and their son), and tithed them to join our family in East Hollywood. We already functioned as a mini-village of missionaries in so many ways, but now that our Way of Life Village officially” is together, we’re ready to launch this new church planting adventure! To get started, we had a team building retreat to review our vision and strategy, and God called us to depend on him through prayer. Last week my Kairos church planting coach Larry Deal and his wife Leslie spent two days with our team to encourage us in the work.  -Phil

Categories: stuff to pray for
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