Subscribe to Every Post:Bitter/Sweet
First, I have some news that is bitter/sweet. Sal Cavarretta found a new position in Phoenix, AZ. It is a position he feels passionate about – family ministry. He will oversee children’s ministry, parenting, marriage, etc. Sal is very excited and is looking forward to joining a staff team of a 1200 attender church. It is bittersweet because it is good for him and good for the kingdom of God at large but bad for us (we will miss the Cavarretta family greatly).
Sal and I have been friends for a long time, and I will miss all of them a lot, but I know deep in my heart that Sal finding this job is a win for God’s kingdom. I know all the experiences he has had here will make him that much more effective there. The church in Phoenix wants Sal to implement and build many of the same ministries he built here at Grace. Sal vehemently would not let me publicly acknowledge him in our corporate service, but if you would like to wish him well and tell him thank you, please e-mail him at Sal@gracegathering.com.
We love and will miss you Cavarrettas! We pray that God will use you in mighty ways for his glory! It is not about us/Grace, but all about God and his kingdom!
Secondly, I want to say how encouraged I was these last two weeks as we heard many stories of what God is doing through our church family. I was blown away, to be honest.
The Barabbas Family was one in particular that really moved me. The mentors, Alex and Emily Lengacher, shared about how their house church had a significant impact in a girl’s life. Through their prayer and love God used them to help save a baby from being aborted. The girl went all the way to Detroit to have an abortion but then “for some reason” couldn’t do it. God used this community of believers (Barabbas) to impact her, and they actually ended up having a baby shower for this child and mother. Does it get much more powerful than that?
They also shared that they lead someone through a Seeking God study and then later baptized this individual in the backyard of a pool.
Lastly, Alex gave a personal account of how five years ago he considered church as a place you simply go and attend. He was introduced to a house church in Indianapolis where they lived and it was through the relationships in that community that his spiritual life took off. This is one story of 27 house churches that shared.
I love the reason this community of believers chose to name their church “The Barabbas Family.” If you want to read what it means, click here.
We are humbled by the way God is moving in our community.