Hey yall! Can you believe it? We are baaaaaaccckkk–after quite a long time without being able to write, we are back up to speed with our new and updated blog. Thank you to our dear friends and church members, Rebeca and Andres Dodero and liveconnexus.com! We have lots to talk about so here we go–
Remembering back to the word of the Lord in January, the Lord promised us that it would be “The Year of Release” and wow–we had no idea that powerful word included “yours truly”. Before I get ahead of myself, let me explain.
In March, we began a process of transition that is still unfolding. After speaking with our children, we realized that key components of the ministry were in need of change. Institute for the Arts has been a blessing to many young people through the years; however, there were many more potential students that wanted to come but could not because of several key factors–finances, travel visas, time off, etc, etc. After much prayer and counsel, we decided to suspend the school for one year in order to get it up online. So, beginning this coming January, we are working with “liveconnexus” and some local churches/worship leaders to get the school functional and available to the whole world beginning September 2012. That’s so exciting for us. Keep IFTA in your prayers. It will be a blessing, once we get it up and running.
In July, we made the hard decision to move off the 26 acres we had been on for the last 3 years. I don’t want to bore you with the details, but the owner chose not to put up a building and wanted to raise the rent instead. City Worship Centre is a made up of a faithful group people and they would have stayed in the tent, but Ps Joe and I felt it was time to make a move.
We are currently meeting in an office complex (Innerstep Business Park 14141 Hwy 290 W Austin, TX 78737) directly across from the property. It is a bit small but its warm in the winter and cool in the summer and we are greatful! We don’t anticipate being there long. Other exciting opportunities are being made available to us–more on that later.
In September, Ps Ryan and Tressa felt an urgency in their spirit to transition to the DFW metroplex area and are now apart of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX. We are very proud of them and miss them alot. We know God has great things in store for them. I know they would covet your prayers for their future as well.
And last but certainly not least, we had a big weekend last week. Friday night, we hosted a beautiful engagement party at our home and formally announced the engagement of our daughter, Allison, to a wonderful young man, Austin Vespa, from Lakeland Fl. And then on Sunday, we laid hands on Ps Jody and Vanessa and set them in as the Senior Pastors of City Worship Centre. Sunday was just a powerful day in the presence of the Lord and the culmination of many things.
“So, you ask, “what’s next?” We really don’t know completely–we are seeking the Lord with all our hearts but know that the apostolic ministry of worship and training has grown stronger with each passing year and now that the school will be online and the church will be well taken care of, we will be free to travel once again, doing crusades, worship conferences and imparting the heart of worship and the spirit of revival wherever the Lord will lead us.
Whew–Sorry to be long winded–just wanted to catch everyone up to speed and ask you for your prayers as we embark on this new phase of ministry. We have heard from many of you already. Thank you for your prayer and your support. We are once again walking on the water and that’s a good thing.
We love you all and will be updating the blog weekly. If you are looking for updated info on Ps Joe, myself and the WMI Traveling team, check us out at WMI Global. Check back often for pictures of the crusades, happenings at the church and even a little wedding news thrown in for good measure! (October 5, 2012 if you are in the area 🙂 )
Much love–Ps Joe and Becky and the gang
Excerpt