New England Prayer and Vision Tour

Hey, everyone!

Thanks for taking time to listen as I share briefly about a truly significant event in the life of our district.

You probably have a lot of questions. But hold them until after I tell you a litle about the trip.

What are we Doing?
We’re calling this The New England Prayer and Vision Tour. We’re doing this because Jesus said, ”The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.”

As you already know, there are tens of millions of people within the borders of our District. Most of them enjoy no Wesleyan witness nor have opportunity to learn about Jesus and His saving and sanctifying grace.

Jesus told us to, “Go, therefore, and make disciples.”

We’ll be planting as many new Wesleyan churches as we can in the years to come. This trip will focus us on where we’re planting and the need that calls for our ardent prayers and support.

Without doubt, most (if not all) of you will participate in reaching New England by praying, giving, and going to help plant new Wesleyan churches!

Why should you sign up?
I’ve been thinking, “While this is about scouting out the land, and praying for God to give us the cities and towns of New England, it’s also about a tremendous opportunity to network with some powerful people in the cause of winning souls.

As we travel, we’ll chat, and question, and listen to each other. I believe that we’ll find the very keys we need to unlock some of our own ministry challenges in our local churches. I’m going because there may never be another chance like this to interact with God and others at this level.

What will it cost?
At this point, it will cost you gas to get to Albany, 5-6 meals on the trip, plus lodging for one night. I’ll know lodging costs once I know numbers. If you bunk in with others, you can cut down on lodging fees even more. Once I have the hotel, you’ll need to call and make your reservation.

Where are we going?
Take out a map after you hang up and follow it south from Albany past Poughkeepsie and Newburgh and run into Connecticut. This is an awesome state. Then chase your finger into Rhode Island. See Providence? Journey northeast toward Boston, MA. We may or may not have time to visit NH on this trip. We’ll see historic places and fast-growing communities along the way. We might get to linger at the grave of Orange Scott in Springfield. We’ll visit the Boston Commons and hopefully walk the grounds of Yale University or Harvard. There’s just so much to see in such a short span. But most importantly, we’ll see thousands of people who don’t know Jesus. That’s really why we’re doing this!

Who is Going and Why?
Pastor Paul and Susan will be there. Jo Anne Lyon (our GS and ECG Director) is going. DS’s from other districts will be on the bus. Chris Conrad from ECG HQ is committed. Dr. Ryan Kozey from The Infinity Alliance has given a thumbs up to the trip. Pastors and spouses are determined to go. Laymen are saying yes. And some or maybe all of the DBA will go. E&CG Directors from other districts (like Phil Struckmeyer from West Michigan) will be on the bus. They’re all going because they see the New England Need and are committed to pray and give so that we can take the land for God!

I believe the Holy Spirit has raised us up to for just such a time as this and I can’t think of a more important event spiritually and missionally than this tour.

Where will we leave from and return to?
The plan is to leave from Albany Int’l Airport on Monday, March 8th and return there late on Tuesday, March 9th. You may park in paid parking or drive in and be dropped off. Glenn Bozak has offered Niskayuna’s parking lot, BUT you’d need to get a ride to airport, which might be tough.

What Do I need from You?

1. I need you to email me at deanc.brown@mac.com or call me and let me know you’re coming. Don’t wait!
2. Invite others to go with you.
3. I need for you join my Committee of 50:

*I need a tech person to bring their laptop to run Google Earth
*I need someone to help locate and communicate with a hotel in the Boston area
* I need someone to draft a prayer guide for the trip.
*I need for you to get in touch with me and tell me what you think I need to know about New England (growth areas, historic information, growth hot-spots among the other churches, and people I should be talking to - anything!

4. Bring your camera and camcorders.

I look forward to seeing you on the bus!