An Update

[Tony] Hey everyone! Thought I would give everyone an update on whats going on and been going on at Ekklesiah. We are in another season of transition here as of late. Our brother Dan Kennedy and his new wife Sarah have started their life together, which means, unfortunately, that Dan has moved out of Ekklesiah. But, when God closes one door, He opens another. Ryan Nyquist and Kaleb Greene are finished with their summer gigs as camp counselors at Big Sandy Camp and have officially moved into Dan's old room. Ryan had lived with us for a few months over the winter and early spring, and Kaleb had spent a lot of time with us before camp as well, so the house is nothing too new for them. Now, among job searching, preparing for classes coming up, and re-uniting with friends, Kaleb and Ryan have simply been spending time acclamating to the life of ministry here.
We have had a series of house meetings over the last couple of weeks to discuss this transition of new brothers coming in and going out. We spent a good deal of time talking through, discussing and finally writing the beginning of what will become a written and semi-formal vision for Ekklesiah. We agreed that our ministry here is threefold. The first area of concentration is in the development of a Christ-like community of brothers who are trying to live and love like Jesus. The second area of concentration is then to take that fellowship we have formed with each other to our outside community. To work for justice. To serve our neighbors. To build up our neighborhood. And to be leaders and raise up others to leadership. Finally, our third area of concentration will be our service and commitment to the Church body and its ministries. This is exciting for everyone in the house as we are taking those huge steps towards true intentional community, as we become more united in our understanding of our purpose and direction.
James has been busy with his work with 180, the Crossroads High School Ministry. In July he took 30+ students to CHIC (Covenant High In Christ), an evangelical covenant high school youth conference in Tennessee. Earlier this month, James also spent a week as a speaker at Covenant Pines. On top of those things, James has been preparing for another school year of 180 that will be amping up here very quickly. Also, he will be continuing his own schooling at Bethel Seminary.
Nathanial has been a blessing to Ekklesiah over the past few summer months, as he remains steadfast in his ministry here in Dayton's Bluff. Nathanial also is preparing for the upcoming school year with great anticipation and excitement to dive into his work with Academia De Ceasar Chavez in St. Paul.
Stash continues to be a blessing to all of us in the house. His heart is compassionate and deep and we are constantly reminded of how much we truly have to learn from him. Stash has become a familiar face at the Gallery (and it seems he is loved there just as much if not more than he is here)and remains a integral part of the mission we share at Ekklesiah.
As for me, the majority of my time out of work is spent here at Ekklesiah. This is the place that I feel is the place I have been called to ministry and it brings me great joy to be here. On top of the house, I have been spending time working with the Justice Team at the Gallery. Also, I am preparing, with great excitement, for the upcoming school year as I will also be starting at Bethel in pursuit of the same master's program as James. For the next three years my Monday nights will be spent at Bethel Seminary pursuing a degree in Community Ministry Leadership.
Together, all of us here at Ekklesiah have been simply spending time together. We celebrate often. Worship with music and prayer and service often. Teach each other. Learn from each other. And we try always to be open to those who wish to share in how God moves in our fellowship each day. This fall will bring a barrage of exciting events that are already in planning, but for now, we are simply celebrating the life, death and resurrections that are part of our lives every day.