Dear CTKers,
I recently had the opportunity to discuss "the CTK story" with a representative from a major denomination's church planting office. Like many others I've talked to, they were surprised to hear how CTK has spread without some sort of "master plan". Instead of planning where we will go next, God has continually surprised us by bringing leaders to us who want to start a simple church dedicated to reaching out to others in their community. Whether in Africa, India, or in the latest case, Florida, we continue to go as far as relationships and agreement upon our mission will take us. Read below to find out more about our first worship center on the East Coast, starting up this summer.
Sincerely,
Director, CTK Network Resources |
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CTK expanding to Port Orange, Florida
Jen & Scott Kirschner |
Scott, an associate pastor in Atlanta, started reading the book at the suggestion of his pastor. Scott had been praying about returning to his roots in Florida to plant a church in Port Orange. When he recently felt God's prompting to go ahead and launch out in faith, Deliberate Simplicity really resonated with him as to the direction he wanted to lead a new gathering of believers. "With this new church I really wanted to be clear about who we are, what we believe, and where we are heading. I felt like what Dave Browning had put in writing was exactly where I'm at in ministry", said Scott.
He contacted Dave and began communicating about what God was doing in his life. The more Scott learned about CTK the more evident it became that God was bringing them together for something greater than what he could have imagined. After a time of prayer and fasting with the core group in Port Orange, Scott flew out to Washington to meet the CTK team. Scott said, "I felt this is what God was leading us to, but I wanted to meet Dave and the team in person to confirm this direction. After this meeting I have no doubt God brought us together. I love that being a part of the CTK network leaves the ownership of the ministry with the local pastor and yet offers the relational and administrative support that frees him up to equip the local church to make a lasting impact in their community."
It is awesome to see what God is doing in this new work. At the informational meeting about CTK Port Orange, the house was filled with over thirty people. The core group is really excited about the clarity and focus of this ministry and how they are driven by the mission to create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to the unchurched with love, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a purposeful life of discipleship. CTK Port Orange will launch their first Cafe Church Service in April. Look for more updates about how God is moving in the Southeast Region of the US.
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In March, CTK Arlington sent a team of short-term missionaries to Panama. Team leader Aleph Fackenthall gave this report of their trip: Whether they came from CTK Arlington with a vision to share God's love or they came with their professional skills to serve the less fortunate, this team made a difference in the lives of many Guaymi Indians in Panama. Christ's love was demonstrated to the poorest Guaymi families as the team provided a clean source of drinking water and met their dental, medical and clothing needs. Builders installed 9 water systems, medical and dental professionals treated over 400 patients, youth assisted in construction and interacted with the local children, while pastors shared the gospel. 
In April 2009, some brethren gathered in 
