Summer Update, 2012

Hello friends of Ignite!   It's hard to believe our family has been in Moorhead for two years already.  In many ways it feels like we were saying teary goodbyes in Fosston just yesterday.  Yet, the changes in Ignite Church have been so tremendous, it seems like we could have been here ten years already.  Without a doubt, we have realized God truly was at work here in Moorhead, preparing the way for Ignite, long before we even knew what church planting meant.  We praise Him for giving us the chance to be involved in His work in two amazing places.  Our start in Fosston laid such a meaningful foundation for us and our family.  We were so encouraged and nourished into the role of leadership there.  And now we continue to be blown away by the chance to see life transformations from the perspective of lead pastor and wife.  We are so thankful for each of you who have encouraged us, spoke wisdom into our lives, prayed for us, given us resources, as well as financial support.  None of this would have been possible without God's hand and your involvement.  Thank you, thank you.  It's impossible to give an update that does justice to the hundreds of events - large and small - that have taken place during this "Journey of Ignite", but please continue to read for a small glimpse of what God has been doing lately.   (Below you will find interviews with two couples from Ignite, a summary of what's been happening, a brief video, as well as a link to listen to sermons online!)

Faces of Ignite #3

We are so very blessed by the people who call Ignite home.  Continue reading to learn a little more about some of these awesome people and what God has been doing in their lives...

Brandon and Amy Smith ...

1)Tell us a little about yourselves. Where do you work? What hobbies do you have?

We work for Cru, the US ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Brandon -- hunting, fishing, camping, sports

Amy -- cooking, time with family and friends, decorating our home, but most recently buying baby clothes/items for our first child that we are expecting towards the end of the year

2) How did you hear about Ignite Church?
Pastor Steve spoke at our ministry's weekly meeting and we met Steve and Natalie before the church started. 

3)What areas are you involved in at Ignite?
Brandon -- part of a small group, led a small group, overseer

Amy -- part of a small group, help out with nursery/childcare as needed

4) What has God been teaching you/doing in your lives lately?
Brandon -- I've been learning my need to keep my mind focused on worshipful things instead of worrying things throughout my day. Trying to think about things according to Philippians 4:8 "whatever is true, noble, right, pure lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Think about such things."

Amy -- The Lord has really been showing my areas in my life that I hold too tightly onto.  He has been patiently and graciously helping me release my grip from things that ultimately don't matter.  I have also been spending time in Hebrews 11 learning from some founding fathers of the faith what it looks like to live with such faith.  He has been teaching me that this faith comes from reverent fear of Him and knowledge of His character.  

5) Anything else you might like to share with people around the state who pray for/ give financially to Ignite?

It is easy to see how Ignite Church has been a blessing to the city of Moorhead. Its been really fun to see lots of new faces each week - especially knowing many of them do not have a relationship with Christ... yet.  It's refreshing to have a church in a city that often gets overlooked being next to Fargo, especially a church that preaches from the Word and is all about the Great Commission. 

State of Ignite

May 19th, Ignite Church held its first "State of Ignite" meeting, for anyone who wanted to attend.  The evening started with prayer, a dinner together, a time of worship, and Dirk Bichsel sharing his exciting "Impact the World" story about his recent trip to Africa.  After that, we reviewed the new budget for the year, as well as the vision and mission of Ignite.  Steve also shared a summary of what's been happening over the past 16 months.  Here's what he said...

*Since opening our doors in Feb. of 2011, Ignite has seen over 40 people make decisions to follow Jesus either through first-time decision or returning to the faith.

*As of tomorrow (May 20th) Ignite will have baptized 14 people. *7 people have gone out on foreign mission trips to Haiti, East Asia and Tanzania.

*4 people are prayerfully considering full-time ministry

*25 individuals or families responded to the tithing challenge

*To date Ignite has given away over $6000 to help those in need and bless others

*Ignite Groups have volunteered over 300 hours of service

*Ignite already has over $5000 in savings to parent another church

* Over 50 people are currently serving in the various ministries of Ignite

*Attendance and Giving to Ignite continues to grow dramatically!

 
Praise God for what He has done and continues to do!

Faces of Ignite #2

Tyler and Ariel Lewin...

1)Tell us a little about yourselves.  Where do you work?  What hobbies do
you have?
TYLER IS A STUDENT AT NDSU WORKING TOWARDS A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEGREE. HIS HOBBIES INCLUDE: VIDEO GAMING, LEARNING NEW INSTRUMENTS, AND PLAYING AROUND THE ON ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE. TYLER IS A VERY ENERGETIC AND CREATIVE PERSON. ARIEL IS CURRENTLY WORKING AS A PHONE REP, BARISTA, AND FERRIS WHEEL OPERATOR.  HER HOBBIES INCLUDE HORSE BACK RIDING AND TRAINING, LEARNING NEW LANGUAGES, AND READING CHRISTIAN ROMANCE NOVELS. ARIEL IS  A VERY BUSY, OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE AND ORGANIZED PERSON WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT TO EACH OTHER.

2) How did you hear about Ignite Church?
WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IGNITE THROUGH  STEVE HINMAN WHEN EATING A SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE CHINA KING WITH MY PARENTS AND A FEW OTHER CHURCH FRIENDS. WE DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT FURTHER AT A PICNIC STEVE AND NATALIE HOSTED IN THE PARK.

3) In what areas do you serve at Ignite?
 TYLER SERVES BY PLAYING DRUMS, BASS, KEYBOARD, AND SINGING ON THE WORSHIP TEAM AS WELL AS PREPARING ENGAGING POWERPOINT SLIDES FOR THE SONGS AND SERMON NOTES. ARIEL SERVES ON THE HOSPITALITY TEAM AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WELCOMING GUESTS BY SERVING THEM DELICIOUS GOURMET COFFEE AND SPECIALTY LATTES. BASICALLY SHE TAKES INVENTORY EVERY WEEK OF THE SUPPLY NEEDS AND SCHEDULES THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS TO BE SURE WE CAN EFFICIENTLY SERVE OUR GUESTS.

4) What has God been doing in your lives lately?
TYLER AND I HAVE GROWN MUCH CLOSER AND MORE COMMITTED IN OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP AS A RESULT OF OUR GROWING COMMITMENT TO SERVE THE LORD. WE MATURE A LITTLE MORE EACH WEEK AT IGNITE. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF EACH WEEKS SERMON POINTS, AS WELL AS SMALL GROUP AND SERVICE PROJECTS ALONG WITH OUR PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED INVOLVEMENT Have BENEFITED OUR GROWTH DRAMATICALLY. WE FEEL SO BLESSED TO BE A  PART OF SOMETHING GOD CLEARLY HAS A HAND IN. WE COULD DISCERN FROM THE BEGINNING OF OUR INVOLVEMENT THE COMMITMENT AND THE PASSION TO OBEDIENCE STEVE AND NATALIE HAVE TO THEIR CALLING. WE ARE CONSTANTLY INSPIRED AND CHALLENGED TO GROW SPIRITUALLY.

5) Anything else you might like to share with people around the state who
pray for/ give financially to Ignite?
THE LORD IS DOING INCREDIBLE THINGS HERE IN FARGO-MOORHEAD. YOU ARE INVESTING YOUR PRAYER AND FINANCES IN TO A FRUITFUL PLACE. LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE BEING RENEWED! TY AND I FELT VERY LOST FOR A COUPLE YEARS WITH MUCH STRAIN FELT IN OUR RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE OF A DISAGREEMENT AS TO WHERE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO SERVE AND BE FED. BEING A VERY ANALYTICAL AND SKEPTICAL PERSON I ASKED STEVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR GOALS AND ABOUT THEOLOGY, WEIGHING THE SINCERITY OF THE KRIERS, AND MAKING SURE WE WEREN'T GETTING INVOLVE IN SOME CULT!   :)
CLEARLY, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DOCTRINE WAS SOUND! I WAS
VERY EXCITED TO LEARN OF STEVE'S PASSION FOR MEN'S MINISTRY; I WAS SO
HAPPY TO FIND A PLACE THAT PREACHED THE WORD AS IT'S WRITTEN AND LEFT
A LITTLE ROOM FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. I NO LONGER FEEL ALL ALONE, NOT
JUST BECAUSE TYLER AND I HAVE GROWN CLOSER, BUT BECAUSE OF THE  STRONG
COMMUNITY BUILT WITH THE VOLUNTEERS I SERVE WITH AND THE SMALL GROUP
IN WHICH I WAS SO LUCKY TO DEVELOP - ENCOURAGING FRIENDSHIPS WITH MANY
LOVELY LADIES!

What is Ignite Church? A video by Lane

This spring, a member of Ignite put a video together for one of her classes at MSUM.  Here's Ignite from her perspective, as well as those she interviewed.  For those who support Ignite from a distance, we hope you enjoy this peak into what Sunday mornings are like at the Safari!

http://youtu.be/Er7h0pa7L7o 

Listen to Sermons Online!

Another area of growth! (This time in the realm of technology.)  :)

Miss a Sunday?  The audio is now available online! 

http://ignite-church.com/#/audio-content