Monday, October 31, 2005

really BIG announcement

Hey everybody,

It's been some time since my last blog, largely due to what I am about to share with you. We have been very busy working through the process of the most important decision we've ever made, so here goes...

We are on the verge of a major change in our ministry. I am letting you know first because I will need the prayers and support of our friends and partners through this important transition to an exciting new assignment. It is my hope that perhaps, this step will help our paths to cross in the near future.

In January 2006, I will relinquish my responsibilities at Church On The Move. We will immediately begin to establish two new ministry undertakings that God has been preparing us for the last several years.

I am indebted to my Pastor, Willie George, who has given me one opportunity after another to develop the gifts God has given me to get me to this point. Having served along side him over the course of two decades, I cannot begin to recount all that I have learned under his exceptional leadership. During this decision process, he has given us valuable counsel and unwavering support. In fact, he is sending his son, Gabriel George to join me as one of my key team members in these efforts. Gabriel has served as a department head over creative services at Church On The Move for several years.

Here are the two assignments that I will embark on, beginning in January.

The first part of this transition has been stirring for a good season of time. Several years ago, Pastor George and some of our key ministry leaders brought up the prospect of planting a sister church to Church On The Move in Dallas, Texas. They had no idea that 2 years before, God had spoken to me about this, making it clear to me that a day would come when I would pastor a church in Dallas. I had not shared this with anyone but my wife, Cathy, but that day I told Pastor George. We all knew that God was up to something, even if the details were a little fuzzy at the time. One thing we did know is that the timing wasn’t immediate, so we committed it to prayer and further consideration.

Well, over the past summer, we have all sensed God’s release to move forward with these plans. We have a target launch time set for September of 2006 and will immediately begin to raise up our core staff and volunteer ministry team for a church plant in north Dallas. It brings me great strength to know I am not alone in this venture. Knowing my Pastor and my home church not only believe in us, but are supporting us in the planning, funding, as well as sending support staff and lay people is incredibly heartening! We made the announcement to our church this weekend and we already have a number of people who have committed to relocate to Dallas to be a part!

The second part of this transition will be the introduction of a new ministry tasked to serve and equip local churches and their youth ministries. Thrive Communications will offer a broad range of ministry services and tools designed to propel local church ministries to new levels of growth and impact. Beginning in January, I have cleared my schedule to speak at the churches, events and conferences fulltime. We will also offer other strategic services including seminars, coaching and consulting, graphic design and product resources in hopes of complimenting local churches and ministries.

It is important for me to know that I have friends like you standing with me. I am going to ask you pray for us. Will you? I genuinely believe your prayers will help provide strength, wisdom and the resources we must have to succeed.

Finally, if I can serve you in the months ahead, we would be pleased to assist you in any way possible. Please feel free to call me directly at 918-439-8303 or email me at bbartel@churchonthemove.com. I look forward to talking to you again soon! I will share more details in the November edition of Thrive.

Thanks and God bless,



Blaine Bartel