 We are excited to share some updates from our first two(ish) months after moving to Colorado. Jesus has been faithful to make His shepherd care tangible through His clear providence and provision. Below is a brief celebration of Jesus’ faithfulness. Pictured is The Dwelling house, taken from half way up the hill behind the house (some call it a mountain as it goes to @ 7602 ft). The property extends down to the fields and up to the top of the hill/ mountain. Thank you! Thanks be to God!! Jesus has provided through people & churches who see the vision of what He has called us to do and responded in partnership. We thank Jesus for everyone who has responded in faith through prayer, visiting, encouragement, and financial support for God’s work to launch The Dwelling and plant a new church in SW Colorado! We are @ 12% short of our “end of August” fundraising goal. If Jesus moves you to participate financially, please contact us. Transition and Transition... Transition has dominated the last few months. Mitchell transitioned back to the EPC (his pastoral home, originally ordained in the EPC in 2009). Pictured below is the EPC Presbytery of the West praying over Mitchell and our ministry in SW Colorado.  Cora graduated from the University of Texas (Hook ‘em!) and has now begun her 2-year ministry residency at Austin Stone Church. Pictured below is Cora with Bevo and three of her best friends.  June Lisa and Ben moved to CO (Mitchell moved in late May). Lisa immediately began working on projects (and does not seem to stop). Pictured below is Lisa putting in flooring. Lisa is gifted in home projects. Mitchell not so much... but we love working together by sharing our different strengths and project roles.   Mitchell traveled to Indonesia for most of June as a part of his work with the YYPH (Light of Hope Foundation). Tucker was in Indonesia for a summer teaching internship, too. This picture is Tucker learning the art of weaving a Songket. Pictured below: Some of the original Core Group Members for Christ Chapel, Manado (planted in January, 2016). Mitchell loves reconnecting Indonesian ministry partners and participating in God's work through the YYPH.   July Lauren and Cora visited Colorado and worked so hard we considered changing their title from “children” to “free labor.” Seriously, all of our children have helped tremendously. Lauren is pictured here at hole 9 on the 18-hole disc golf course she helped design and build. We have had long days getting the property up to standard for hosting . Even with a few big projects to complete, we were able to host our first group at The Dwelling (Pictured below).   August Our first two families are coming to The Dwelling, one from TX and the other from Kazakhstan (Yes, the country in central Asia)! Our goal is 6-8 stays in 2025 so we can learn what we do not know and grow in understanding how to best serve our guests and accomplish our ministry goals. Ben begins his senior year at Durango High School this month. Please pray for him! Ben is pictured here with a trout he caught at a reservoir near The Dwelling. Ben loves fishing.  Mitchell and Lisa continue to cultivate relationships in the community. We are praying for conversions of those who do not know Jesus and wisdom to discern whom Jesus has called to join the church plant core group. We are also praying for good friends! We are encouraged by initial connections, focusing on building trust through showing up faithfully and following up personally. We also see some fruit from sharing with people why Jesus has called us to SW Colorado. Mitchell is pictured here with his friend Matt. Three Things We have Learned 1- It is difficult to sleep or rest with LOTS of unfinished projects and plans. Whether in the mountains or not, we must be intentional to disconnect from work, pausing what seems to be unending to embrace biblical rhythms of rest and renewal. 2- An effective metric for success is ensuring we are showing up fully present and following up personally. Numbers are not an effective metric for success in foundational work of new initiatives. Showing up and following up builds necessary trust to move forward. 3- God's work happens in God's time. We cannot rush planting or building season, manufacture weather for rapid growth, or control productivity. James 5:7-8 reminds us that our life of discipleship is God's work and patience establishes our hearts in God's promises. Jesus will return, and until then we work... and wait. The harvest will come, and it will be plentiful. Jesus will provide co-laborers and produce fruit in His time. "The One who calls is faithful, and He will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Proverbs 19:21 Prayer Requests Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but the Lord's purpose will prevail. 1- We are in foundation stages for The Dwelling and the church plant. Please pray with us for wisdom... wisdom.... wisdom.... and wisdom. 2- Please pray with us for the right balance of patience and urgency in relationships, trusting God and His timing. Specifically, we are praying for conversions for people curious about Christ, for discernment on who Jesus has called to be in our core group, for friendships, and kingdom fruitfulness in SW Colorado in and through what we do. 3- Please pray for Jesus to be glorified in the ministries of those who come to stay at the Dwelling, and for us to have discernment in how to best serve and host our guests for their personal restoration and towards their fruitful participation in God’s mission of redemptive restoration. 4- Please pray for us in setting up administrative structures, websites, important processes, and other critical details for both The Dwelling and the church plant. 5- Please pray for Ben transitioning into Durango High School and for him to connect with godly students who will sharpen and shape his faith for the glory of Jesus. Also, our other three children can use prayer too- Tucker will begin his Jr. year at Texas A & M, Cora has begun her ministry residency at Austin Stone, and Lauren continues to establish herself in adulthood in Houston and still works for Cannon Design. 6- Please pray for Mitchell's thesis writing and finishing his research. His deadline is three months away (it seems like a long time, but it is not). Also for His work with the YYPH. Do you want to know more about how you can partner with God's work in SW Colorado? Please reply to this email or text Mitchell. Our New Address 3495 County Road 502, Bayfield, CO 81122 Pictured below, the newest permanent member of the Dwelling... Ben's dog, Moose!  Comments are closed.
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AuthorMitchell celebrates twenty-six years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four fantastic children. Archives
January 2026
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