What I'm reading, Who I'm meeting, Where we're going... This week I'm just going to start off by rambling a bit about where we're at in life. We've been in Springfield for two weeks - it seems so much longer than that already! One thing I have been grateful for is the opportunity to read again - by which I mean read something other than a text book that I will have to write something academic about. So I've spent some time reading, which I trust will prove beneficial to my spiritual and intellectual growth and hopefully in some way equip me for the ministry at hand. Here's my current reading list: Erasing Hell by Francis Chan Love Wins by Rob Bell The Dawkins Delusion by Alister McGrath The Holy Spirit and You by Dennis Bennet Jesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright Also, Stephanie and I are being very aggressive in meeting people - I don't mean aggressive as in cornering people or yelling so loud they have to hear us! (although I wonder if that might work...hmm, just kidding!). What this means is we've been very intentional and proactive in introducing ourselves all over the place and seeking out places in Springfield where we can meet and connect with college students, young couples and families. For Stephanie this is easy street - that girl can befriend anyone. I on the other hand, quiet and shy, have really been stretching myself. But we've made connections with a young Orthodox family, a couple expecting their first baby in a couple weeks, a dude with a sweet beard at a local coffee shop, several of our neighbors in the apartment complex we live in and one guy living on the streets downtown. Oh, and I almost forgot - we found this awesome art gallery/tattoo parlor run by a couple Christian guys trying to glorify God in their art and minister to people while they do it! Finally, where we're going... I've been praying about this, asking God for a vision. I've been seeking out other campus ministers, outreach centers and places where marriage and family are being promoted and strengthened. I'm listening for the heartbeat of God in this city. I'm listening for the flow of life being pumped and propelled throughout this place. I'm listening for the wounds, the hurts, the fears. What I'm hearing is that there is frustration, confusion and possibility. Currently there is a huge debate about protecting the civil and human rights of the GLBT community here in Springfield. Currently there are thousands of university students flooding the city from all over the world, many who don't know Jesus Christ. Currently there are hundreds of single parents, unmarried parents, struggling married parents - all trying to get by. Some have the support of families and a faith community. Many do not. At the same time there are churches that are alive. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. There are ministries, in and outside of the church offering support to parents and couples. There are campus ministers working in the trenches to share God's love with students. God show me where you need me to be. Grant me the ability to hear you. Give me discernment. Grant me the grace to be obedient to your call. Make All Saints a safe place for people who are broken, who are hurting, who are lost. Let them be found by you. Show us the ministries we are to offer. Give us the resources we need. Above all Father, be glorified in this place. Amen.

Receiving a Vision for Springfield We're pretty well settled in and now it's time to get to work, right? Well, sort of. I've been tasked in to largely seek out needs and develop new ministries that will extend the life of All Saints Anglican Church and the Kingdom of God to the greater Springfield, Mo area. So right now I get up and drive to my church office...and sit. I start and end the day with prayer. I meet people from the church. And ask myself, is this really going to work? There are no programs to run. There are no classes to teach. There are no Bible studies to lead. There aren't really even any projects to work on. So what then, what is there to do? That's the question I'm asking God. God, give me a vision for the city of Springfield and how this church can grow your Kingdom here. Give me a vision for how we can partner with existing ministries for the sake of the people here. Give me a vision for the new ministries that haven't even been dreamed of yet. Give me a vision for and a heart to love and minister to the broken, the lost and the hopeless. Give me the patience to wait on You, an attentiveness to listen to You and an obedience to follow and do what you reveal. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon this place. Let your Kingdom Come. Maranatha!

The Lord WILL build up Zion and his glory WILL appear. ~Psalm 102:16~ My family has been in Springfield, MO for nearly a week now. We've gotten settled into our apartment and are getting to know a new town. We've got the basics covered: groceries, auto service, post office, etc. Two nights ago we spent some time exploring the historic downtown part of Springfield - found some great places to eat at, a couple historic theaters and a neat art gallery/tattoo parlor called Transformations Gallery & Tattoo run by a couple Christian guys. Now looking ahead the biggest thing on my mind is: what the heck is next!!!! We're here, after months and months of preparation and finishing education and an internship. Now we're waiting on the Lord to see what kind of direction comes next. Technically my role at All Saints , in addition to preaching, sacramental celebration and pastoral care, is to develop ministries to college students, married couples and families. But nothings in place yet. At times this is very overwhelming! I wonder what I've gotten myself into. Then it's helpful to remember that it's God who has gotten me where I am and God will continue to guide and direct if I remain humble and obedient. The verse from Psalm 102 spoke to my heart during Morning Prayer this morning - especially the word "will." The reality is God's promises are true. His word is true. And he will accomplish all that he purposes. Thanks be to God! Grace & Peace, Micah

New Blog

Welcome to my new blog. My name is Micah Chisholm and I am a soon to be deacon in Christ's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I am a pastor on the staff of All Saints Anglican Church in Springfield, MO. I am a husband and a father. I am a wounded person seeking to bring hope and healing to other wounded persons. I believe in the mercy of God. This blog is a place where I intend to post about life and ministry in the Ozarks. It will be a place for families and friends to stay connected and for new friends to be made. It is a place to share questions (mysteries), insights from Scripture (meditations) and dreams and plans (musings). I invite you to share in my journey...