July Newsletter

"Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
1 Peter 2:10

​Timeline Update
Over the past two months our team has focused on making the move here, finding places to live, and finding jobs. It’s been incredible watching our team love and support each other through our moves here. We’ve all taken on the burden of moving each other into our homes, moving furniture, unpacking boxes, and painting walls. We’ve also seen our team continually pray for each other through the struggles that come from moving and looking for new jobs.

In addition, Cody has been hard at work meeting with other pastors and community leaders. In particular, we have found a friend in Rolling Hills Church in Penn Hills. They are a revitalization in the area and are exciting about partnering with Missio Dei to reach the greater Monroeville area on the east side of Pittsburgh.

As this time of transition comes to an end, we are looking to focus on building out our relational networks through hospitality and intentional relationship development. Even now, it’s encouraging to hear the names of coworkers and neighbors being brought to God in prayer, and to hear how our team is already engaging their networks with the Gospel.
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Finally, going into the Fall, we are looking to leverage our expanded networks by beginning community groups. TJ and Cody are currently working together to finalize our plans for community groups in preparation for their launch in the Fall.

​Giving Update
We have been so thankful for your willingness to give to the mission of Missio Dei Community Church. We have currently raised around half of this year’s (July 2018-June 2019) budget in giving and commitments. As you continue to give, we will be able to support the various outreach ministries we have planned for this budget year to prepare for launch.

We now have set up our own bank account for Missio Dei Community Church. This means that you can now send checks directly to us. Simply address the check to Missio Dei Community Church and send it to our dedicated mailbox at P.O. Box 94, Monroeville, PA 15146. For those who prefer to give online, we are looking to have that up and going as soon as possible.

​Monroeville Community Church
As many of you know, we have been working over the past several months with Monroeville Community Church in Monroeville for the possibility of doing a replant. We see this as an opportunity to receive the baton from MCC and carry it into the future, continuing and building on the ministry they started in their community. We’ve had a lot of great relationships with the people at MCC and look forward to continuing to work with them.

However, at this time, the congregation is not ready to make the commitment to follow through with a replant. This does not mean that it won’t happen, just that they are not ready to make that decision yet.

Thankfully, our team is in good spirits. We did not come to Pittsburgh for the replant, we came because we believe God was calling us to start Missio Dei Community Church in Monroeville, an area where roughly 94% of residents have no relationship with any evangelical church. We have a plethora of options for meeting locations come time to launch next year, so we are still excited to see what God is going to do!

The Team in Action

1. On June 29-30th, our team worked tirelessly to move Cody and Jess into their new home. Our team moved a lot of boxes and furniture, but they also became expert painters, electricians, and handymen and women, all in efforts to help make the Bockelkamp’s house, a home.
2. On July 15th, several of our guys headed to the Bethel Park area to assist Living Faith Community Church and SendRelief help victims of a severe flood in that area. Our guys worked hard to remove debris, clean up mud, tear down walls, all in face masks and surrounded by lots of mold.
3.  On July 22nd, Cody had the opportunity to preach at Rolling Hills Church. Cody preached on Acts 17:1-15. 
4. We would also like to than the Sutton's for providing our team with customized tumblers! They are amazing!

1. Pray for Chad, Devine, Robin, Fred, Courtney, and many others our team has met and actively pursuing for the Gospel!
2. Pray for TJ as he seeks employment in Pittsburgh.
3. Pray for Monroeville Community Church
4. Pray for continued unity on our team.
5. Pray that God would begin to stir the hearts of the people in Pittsburgh.
6. Pray that the Lord would send us people who can lead worship.
7. Pray that the Lord would send us older people to join our team.
8. Pray that the Lord would send more married couples to join our team.
9. Pray that the Lord would provide for the financial needs of Missio Dei.

​Is God Calling you to Pittsburgh?
We are looking for a diverse group of godly men and women to join us in Pittsburgh. We are literally asking you to drop what you are doing and move your life into the unknown with us in a new city. The truth is, you can be that Gospel light in the workplace that someone would never have without you. You can be a gospel light to neighbors we will never meet.

If you think God might be calling you to move your life to Pittsburgh with us, I’d encourage you to visit https://www.missiodeicc.com/join-our-launch-team.html.

Become a Bridge Partner
We are seeking 446 people to become the backbone of our support here in Pittsburgh. With only the change you would use to buy a few cups of coffee, the 446 of us can raise over $100,000 each year to support the planting of a new church.

If you have $20 to spare each month and would love to partner with us to reach Pittsburgh, I’d invite you to become a Bridge Partner by signing up at https://www.missiodeicc.com/about.html.