Leadership Training 2009 Ann Arbor is now officially at a close, and New Life Church is collectively looking to what lies ahead. At our Closing Ceremonies, lead pastor Steve Hayes cast the vision for the next year at New Life Church: a year of Freedom. As children of God’s promises to Israel (Romans 9:8), we are claiming the vision of Isaiah 49:8-21 (specifically verse 9). The vision is broken into three specifics:
Freedom for the Lost
Freedom for the Broken
Freedom for the Addicted
That’s a tall order, but I think this has been the heartbeat of our church for some time. We want to see God deliver students from bondage in unprecedented ways on this campus. We’re specifically praying for 500 students in small groups and two full church services every week (~1100 people). We know those are goals that we can’t reach through mere human effort, but then again, neither are the 3 Freedoms.
In light of this, Steve shared that the good news regarding this vision is that we can’t fail because our effort could never possibly achieve this. We’re simply believing God for extraordinary things. I eagerly anticipate this coming week of praying and fasting with the staff, dreaming big dreams for our campus. I’d love for you to join us in praying audaciously for the University of Michigan.
To cap off a declaration for the vision for New Life Church, I’ve decided to leave you with a picture of what true Freedom looks like. These words were written in response to this year’s vision by a woman very special to me, and I think they capture the spirit, desires, and experiences of our saints in great beauty:
“Undulations of a Day”
The rotten debris of my pieces
have been picked up by Glory,
refastened by Grace,
& spurred by Wonder.
These slanted slabs of future glory
bruise misshapen master-
pieces, dented & bubbling
with autonomy.
Chunks of anarchy collide,
leaves scathed wakes
ridden with promising intention,
cruel deception, & misplaced perfection.
(The shame blurs the sunshine.)
Whether I choose sight or flight,
the Son shines.
The Son lifts my face
—solitary, saddened—
& gathers the sky.
The bits of the pieces
converge in a chaotic semblance
set in eternity:
“the Father is glorified
& all are redeemed.”
The sky scatters into gleaming scenes
until, at last, sight retracts into belief.
What wonders lie ahead?
faith prompts her to ask,
hope beckons her to believe.
She hands over her pieces
to Him who wields wisely
& watches as her
framework of death
gives
way
to redemptive glory.
Life-giving dependency
aligns with
everlasting victory
in a sloped sequence
known to every day.
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