Power & Weakness: August 2018 Update

His power is made perfect in my weakness.

Dear Friends,

First and foremost, I cannot thank you enough for partnering with me in ministry. I am blown away by how God has moved through each one of you and I count it my honor to serve both the Body of Christ and the world alongside you! 

When I began support-raising in March, I was terrified that I would fail. But what I've learned over the past 5 months is that none of this process relies on my own personal strength. Instead, support-raising has painfully highlighted my weaknesses: my anxiety, my desire to control everything, my fear of rejection. Time and time again, I have seen God use His people to encourage to my heart and provide the necessary finances for that month. In the moments where I feel like I cannot continue, He supplies me with supernatural stamina to carry on. This support-raising season has allowed me to truly experience firsthand the truth Jesus communicated to Paul:

"But [the Lord] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

So I'm following Paul's example and telling you that God's power is so much greater than we can ever know! I am so thankful for this season and I cannot imagine starting full-time ministry without this experiential understanding of God as the Provider. Sometimes He doesn't give me what I think I need and sometimes it seems like the situation is impossible, but I am learning to trust that His ways are better. 

And now finally, after 5 months of prayer and walking in obedience, I am 85% funded and have started the Worship Residency! This first week has been wonderful. I love the team that I will be working with and I am so excited to learn from the Austin Stone Worship leadership.

This past weekend, I served with the production team to set-up Austin Stone's Downtown Campus. Every Saturday afternoon, the production team transforms Austin High School's gymnasium into a space where church will meet the following day. This includes building the stage, setting up the extensive sound system and lights, putting out hundreds of chairs and so much more. I am amazed that this happens every single weekend! I love that Austin Stone is so intentional about being in the city! On Sunday, I stayed through all 4 church services, helped with logistics and tear-down, and observed how the church operates. It was great and exhausting and I'm just so excited to be here!

As August continues, I'm looking forward to settling in, getting to know the ASW team, and serving the church. I will be writing blog posts about what I'm learning and sending out monthly newsletters like this one. Please know that I am praying for you! I am so grateful we're in this together! As always, feel free to reach out if you have any specific prayer requests or questions about what I'm doing!

In Christ, y'all!
Kellie