2 weeks

had the hardest time trying to get this thing to post.....

We are two weeks into our Sunday night gatherings. Last night there were about 16 of us in the "sanctuary". It was nice. We are going through the book of Acts. SO MUCH information. Gotta narrow it down some. I am excited though. There were some new faces which is always nice.

Things are going pretty well. Got our first bill from the Hospital today for Lilly's surgery...lets say faith is what this will be all about. haha

Please continue to pray foor the Church and its Mission to Joplin. Pray for the people Jesus desires to reach and share his hope with.

I am in St. Louis again for some time with fellow church planters. No tickets on the way up this time :) I did some how forget my suitcase...yes you are free to make fun of me on that... If there hadn't been an impromptu puppet show brake out in my living room as i was loading my car I would definately have remembered my clothes!!

it's about what we do with all the little things.


Steev

2 Weeks

We are two weeks into our Sunday night gatherings. Last night there were about 16 of us in the "sanctuary". It was nice. We are going through the book of Acts. SO MUCH information. Gotta narrow it down some. I am excited though. There were some new faces which is always nice.

Things are going pretty well. Got our first bill from the Hospital today for Lilly's surgery...lets say faith is what this will be all about. haha

Please continue to pray foor the Church and its Mission to Joplin. Pray for the people Jesus desires to reach and share his hope with.

I am in St. Louis again for some time with fellow church planters. No tickets on the way up this time :) I did some how forget my suitcase...yes you are free to make fun of me on that... If there hadn't been an impromptu puppet show brake out in my living room as i was loading my car I would definately have remembered my clothes!!

it's about what we do with all the little things.


Steev

Bible Study

Looking like Fools

Video Link

Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland undergoing some "spiritualgative" reporting by Stephen Colbert.

I like humor and I like satire. This is most likely why i enjoy Stephen Colbert so much. He has a way of showing us what we are. all of us. There is something about toying with hypocrisy and ignorance that results in eye opening laughter. The abilty to see our faults, laugh at them and then seriously reflect on them is something that is genuinely human and potentially profoundly Christian.
There are definate times in my life when Jesus is a lot like Mr. Cobert. He just sits back listening to me whine and moan about my self. He watches me live and work out my beliefs and interact with people all with a slight smirk on his knowling face. And then at just the right moment he exposes me. sometimes to myself in private. Sometimes blantanly in public for all the world to see. I think sometimes I make him embarassed. Sometimes i make him very sad. Other times I think he just shakes his head and laughs.
We need to learn to laugh more. We need to learn to look more deeply at our lives. We need to weed out the hypocrisy and the arrogance of thinking we are better than we are. What we do and who we are reflelts who Jesus is in the eyes of a watching world. If we are no more than a joke we have failed. If we are fools for Christ then we can count all this to Gods glory.
This video clip was a good reminder to me. A reminder to laugh. A reminder that Christian trinkets do not make me a Christ follower, mandating laws do not change hearts and if you are going to scream about something know what you are screaming about. Proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin-not more laws. Proclaim freedom and hope- not more restrictions. Preach a new heart and transformed mind not a political party.
This hurts my heart, reveals my own hypocricy and stings.

Thats "truthlious" to the core.

Steev

Technology

Well here i sit in the hospital waiting to see myu little girl after surgery. seems technology is moving into Joplin quickly. FREE WIRELESS! I heard yesterday that the local McDonalds are now Hot spots as well. Hmmm. Joplin-you've come a long way baby. i have seen an increase in usage over the years by teens (the largest growing segment of population). I Have witnessed an increase in the effects of cable, internet and now wireless in everyone ones lives. When i moved here there was a definate lag in styles, knowledge and trends but in just the last year or two it has been cut in half or more as technology and information become so much more accessable. This new "glocal" invironment is even coming into smaller markets now such as Joplin further showing how our lives will come closer and closer together and the lines of urban and suburban will draw closer together creating all new cultures and changing dramaticly the current culture groups. Interesting. I wonder what the effects of all this new technology will be on people in the area. specificlly how will it effect the church as a whole. I wonder will we embrace and use this-redeeming it for Christ or run and hide from it adding technology to our "don't do it" christian bubble list.

Steev

Reminder

If you have received a support letter or email. this is your reminder that it is sitting on your desk or in your inbox waiting for a response. Please prayerfully considering supporting this church plant and our family. if you need another copy please email Steev at:
steev@mysterychurch.com

God Bless.

The Inges

Last Week

Well Well. Another week is upon us. I can't beleive I have been at this for Six weeks now. Sheesh. Seems like forever some days and others its like 2 days maybe. its FLYING by. So last week was an exciting week.
Lots happening and when i say exciting I do not mean great, I mean just that- exciting.
SInce starting this crazy journey my wife's car has been in the shop, my car is going in the shop, many extra expenses have come our way, sick kids, etc etc. Now my wonderful wife Ashley is having medical tests and my youngest daugher experienced a very painful hernia at the "should not be having hernias age" of only a year and half. OUCH!!!

Suffering.
Paul talks of suffering for the gospel in many of his letters to the church. Many Christians would have you think that to join Christ in his mission is to become healthy, wealthy and worry free. You will live like a pimp enjoying your riches while the goddless world stays at bay. You will have no concerns, troubles or hard times. Jesus makes it all better right? Well according to Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, and according to my own personal experience, when you have set out to truely follow after Jesus and the things of heaven Satan shows up and Hell breaks loose.

God is concerned about his people.
The Bible says he even disciplines those he loves. The devil may send much upon man but it is nothing that God has not allowed. Sobering thoughts. Jesus allows the effects of sin to enter my life and the lives of those i love. God permits suffering for the purpose of building us up in reliance of him and the pursuit of righteousness.
As i drove home from the hospital thinking about my little girl and my wife and all the concerns pushing in on my world I'll admitt, I was frustrated. I was tempted to ask "why?". Why if we are doing his will, planting a church and seeking to serve and save the lost would Jesus be ok with all this, even allow it? But a funny thing happened. Just as quickly as i begin to think upon all that was "wrong" the Spirit reminded me of this...Why? Because He Loves me. Because Jesus is in control even in the rough times. Because his glory comes before my comfort. Because he is sovereign in my joy and in my pain. Jesus desires our total commitment and obediance. Not some or part or what we dont like, but ALL. He will ask us to give up everything in the way of worshipping and serving him. He will cause us to lean so far into his divinty that we in our humanity can no longer stand upon our own feet. Jesus LOVES US so much that he will allow us to be tempted and to suffer and to be wronged for the express purpose of teaching us about his grace, his mercy and his control. "You are not God" he reminds us.
I should want for God to remove all these things (and i do) but i could also learn to suffer. I should learn to loose myself. I should be willing to take my child up the mountain of sacrifice. I should find peace beyond all understanding and perseverence in all things. In these moments I can truely understand, wholey worship and faithfully reveal the Mystery which is Jesus Christ. I can related to both his suffering sacrifice as well as the plites of man. I can accurately portray what it is to live as Christ and to gain in death.

May you learn to suffer well. And may you lean into Jesus and find Joy.
Grace and Peace

-Steev

p.s. As an update, my wife is doing well and we are debating our next steps, My daughter will be having surgery this week to repair her insides oh and my truck's check engine light went off! SWEET!

What is this Mystery?

Mystery is from the Father, Revealed in the Son, Understood through the Spirit and proclaimed by
the Church.

As a church Mystery is the continuation of Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles. We are here to reveal that
which was kept hidden for ages and generations (Col 1:26) and is now made known. Through the Gospel we are heirs and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:6).

We are servants of the gospel. Responsible for the proclamation of God’s ultimate plan of reconciliation through the atoning sacrifice of his only son Jesus.

The Greek word “mysterion” was used by the pagan mystery religions of Paul’s day. It was used to describe something that was hidden and obscured, available only to the initiated and elite. Paul, as he did in Athens with the “unknown god”, took this term, understood by the people of the day and redeemed it for Christ. As any good missionary would do, he revealed and explained the mystery. Instead of suppressing a false truth, he illuminated the real truth.

As a church we desire to do the same thing. To reveal The Truth to a world saturated in falsehood. To build a community encouraged in heart and united in love with complete understanding of the mystery of God, namely Christ. (Col 2:2,3)

Mystery, today as much as in Paul’s time, speaks to the people and religions of our day. It makes God’s Mission known and still embraces the unknown. Mystery nurtures faith, accepts questions and provides an answer. It is the kingdom and reign of God, both hidden and revealed, a parable and a paradox.

The mystery is Jesus, the head of the church, made known.
It’s the knowledge of this treasure, this wisdom and it’s glorious riches.

Business Cards

Got my new business cards done and ordered. Should be here soon. Maybe then i can stop writing on all sorts of random paper and things i keep handing out. Nothing says join our church or donate like my email scratched out on a Starbucks napkin.
Not like a fancy card says much more either i guess...


Steev

**Giving**

The Average Church plant costs over $200,000.00. We currently have very limited funding. Our goal is through individuals like yourself we can raise enough supporet to proceed forward into the fall. This will allow us to continue seeking larger funding from outside sources to keep from becoming a long term burden to you.

Its easy to think you can't possible do enough with your limited resources, but thats not true. We want to spread this load across many and so are asking you to simply, prayfully yet genersously do a small part which will add to the whole and attain a very achieveable goal.

We need to Raise $25,000.00 to get us into fall 2006. So we are asking freinds, family and concerned individuals to make a donation to the cause. Here is what we are asking of you.

1. Pray: For God to lead you in your giving, for Jesus to stretch your faith to new levels and for God to provide for and protect this stage of his mission.
2. Give: generously and joyfully as you are lead.

We have the following goals:

10 people who will give a $250 lump sum
15 people who will give a $500 lump sum
15 people who will give a $1000 lump sum

That’s only $25,000.00. A small dent in the overall need but a huge junk of what we need personally to get this thing of the ground. The Bible says that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Taken here it means 40 individual people sacrificing can be that initial strength and provision.

Ways to Give:

Old School-
Mail a check payable to "Mystery Church" for one of the above amounts (250,500,1000) to:
Mystery Church
1002 Country side dr
Webb City, MO 64870

New School-
Click the button below and make a credit/debit/paypal donation to Mystery. You do not have to have a Paypal account. All you need is a credit or debit card. Just enter one of the amounts (250, 500, 1000) in the amount window and and follow the instructions.

To donate further or to be set up to give monthly contact MYSTERY GIVING

MY$TERY

We now have our Federal Tax ID Number and State Filled FIctitous Name. "So" you might say, but this is important. It means we are now recognized as a new church and that we can begin receiving donations.

We opened our checking account and you can now support financially the work God is doing in Joplin through Mystery. All gifts are tax deductable and will be accompanied by a end of year gift reciept letter for tax purposes, which is what many where waiting to hear. YES!

More funding options and information will be coming shortly. Just wanted everyone to know were are now legit and continuing to move forward.

Thanks for your prayers


-Steev

STRATEGY

As I am Always getting people asking mme whats going on and whens it all start i thought i would share the first two stages of our planting strategy so people know where we are at and where we are heading. This gives you a pretty good idea.


Mystery Starting Strategy
(Currently In Latter Stages of Phase One)

1. Preparation Phase: April –June 2006
a. Develop Planting Plan & Strategy
b. Identify Target
c. Cultivate Support (financial and prayer)
i. Determine Need
ii. Determine Potential Sources
iii. Set up Meetings
d. Define Vision, Mission & Values
i. Pray and Search Scripture to clarify and articulate God’s Leading of His new church
ii. Prepare Presentation of Values, Vision & Mission for Potential Supporters and Team Members
e. Launch basic website

2. Strategy & Recruitment Phase: June-Oct. 2006
a. Continue to pray for and cultivate support
i. Meet with people, churches and organizations to raise funding
ii. Organize groups and individuals who will prayerfully support this church plant. Keep them updated on needs and progress
b. Leadership Interviews
i. Conduct personal interviews with potential Core Group Leaders.
1. Share vision, values and mission.
2. One on one meetings to assess character & compatibility
c. Recruit core team
i. Interview Potential Core team members.
1. Share vision, values and mission.
2. One on one meetings to asses character & compatibility
ii. Gather, Train, and Lead a core team
iii. Equip team and prepare them for mission: leading of small groups, evangelism, and teaching of classes and Bible studies

iv. Begin Regular weekly core team meetings in August
d. Share Vision Publicly
i. Begin to preach and teach the mission, vision and values of Mystery through core group, churches, and personal meetings

I will continue to post updates and information as we progressrevealinng more of our timeline. I will also be posting our vision, values and mission in the coming weeks.

-Steev

PRAYER

Please Continue to Pray.

This aint gona be easy...

I am in St. Louis this week. Monday-Wed. Meeting with people, sharing the vision, enjoying friends, gaining wisdom, being encouraged and getting discouraged! This is tough stuff. We have jumped in head first without even thinking about if we new how to swim. This is where some might make some "God is your life vest" lame reference, but i wont. i know Jesus has called us to lay ourselves down and pick up HIS CROSS and not our own idols. Its tough. I know God is good. I know that all that he asks of us he provides.
Those are hard thoughts when your car is overheating in the parking lot of Panera 300 miles away from home, you left your laptop charger at the house you are staying at, mac battery is at t-minus...minutes left, you got a speeding ticket cause the lam-o at walmart made you an hour and half late for your trip (not my led foot off course), hard when you are wondering where your paycheck will come from.
Hard to see a silver lining. Its hard to have faith when the enemy is attacking. Hard to live a life in a sinful broken world were everything is falling a part and your own sin is so prevalent. Jesus says in John 10 that he has come to give us life...a full life and its true. As long as we are at work in this fallen world there will be much trouble, but through him we can experience it all with differnt eyes- real life. joy. peace and patience in the midst of the "suffering". We can lean into his divinity and not our weakness. He is good, and this is hard.

Jesus maybe you be glorified and exhauled in all of this and thanks for the new ipod... it helped!

REVEAL • LIVE • ENJOY


Steev

Family

Here is our family. The Inges. Steev & Ashley, Kids Abigail, Ethan and baby boss Lilly. Behold those crazy enough to obey God and plant a church. These are the faces of those you support and are praying for.

thanks

THe Inges

Prayer

Please be Praying for the following:

City & People God will send
Discernment, Insight and creativity
Funds for remainder of 2006
Funds for next 2 years
Future leaders
Future Core Group

Pray is the single greatest thing we need right now and everyone can afford that. Please spend some time on your knees this week when you can. If you would like to be added to our Prayer People list shoot us me an email here: steev@mysterychurch.com

Steev..

Creation

One of my personal values is creation. Creating, creation, dreaming, thinking, designing. all those things. its part of God's image on us all-to create. I like it. i enjoy creating and making. i dont give myslef nearly the time it deserves these days. this week though i spent some time putting thoughts on paper, playing in photoshop etc. been working on logos, web stuff etc. this is the cover of mystery's funding packet. i really like it. Thought i would share it with you.

Thank You

A very Special "THANK YOU" goes out to all my friends and family at the Bridge. Your Love and support is amazing, inspiring and encouraging.

Steev

Count Down

I continue to work on the ground work for the new church. Building a foundation. Thinking through the things that need to be done (there's a lot!) Designing logos and making plans. It overwhelming actually, but sorta fun. Well some of it is fun. Lots of people asking when we are going to start gathering. When are we gonna meet, sing, share and read. That will come. sonner than later. Gotta do it right. Gotta take somme time and not ruch too much. Maybe its part of the weeding out process. Seperating the impatient and what not. Maybe i am just a slacker....

We will being meeting for prayer and Bible study sometime in June. Until then please be praying for the new churches needs, the people of Joplin that it will reach and the lives Jesus will impact through it.

Grace and Peace

Steev

Here We Go...

Well we are two weeks into planting a new church. Scarry...exciting...nervous...anxious...all of the above. Faith is doing. Answering a call. Responding to Grace. Stepping out. Moving forward. Being Sure of what you hope for and certain of the unseen.