Thursday, April 27, 2006

It has been three weeks since we have blogged an update on what God is doing at Mosaic. We have been overwhelmed by God's grace and favor. Each month we have been blessed with new members who come to Mosaic seeking a deeper relationship with God. Everyone who comes to Mosaic seems to be on a very intentional journey with God. Every time someone comes, I can't wait to hear their story.

Our first Car Care was a wonderful day of ministry and building relationships. We serviced almost 20 cars and met many new friends. The mostly single women who participated in this ministry were very appreciative and as we noticed with their cars, the ministry was certainly needed. We also had one woman who visited Mosaic on Sunday. We believe this ministry is going to be very effective for the community.


Housing is a very serious topic for us right now. We have met with city and county officials, realtors, contractors, and will meet Friday with the Knoxville Housing Partnership. We are ready to launch out and purchase our first house. We have volunteers in the wing to help renovate the houses and we certainly have potential renters. We have selected two houses that meet our criteria and now we simply have to work out the financing.

We are currently walking with a few people to help them in their journey. Jobs, housing, and staying clean and sober are daily issues on the streets of Knoxville. Mosaic church has become a safe place of refuge for many people who need to encounter God. We feel blessed to be a part of someone's journey with God. We simply tell people that God loves them so much, that He has sent us to tell them and show them, that God loves them. Some are responding to the Father's love. We are experiencing miracles right before our eyes. Praise God!

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

We have seen an explosion in the five ministries that we believe God has called us to focus on. There are two foundational bedrocks that Mosaic Community Church is built on: we are a multi-ethnic, cross cultural community; and we are an externally focused community of believers. God has blessed us in both areas. We currently have four different ethnic groups attending Mosaic. It is beautiful to see the diversity and beauty of God's children. God has also provided many opportunities for us to care about people.

We have developed a strategic plan in the ministry of Mosaic Housing. Through investors, the city and county of Knoxville, volunteers from our partner churches, and God's favor we are moving into new territories. We hope to purchase two houses and one multi-unit building this year and completely renovate them. We want them to be available for those individuals God has allowed us to minister with as we walk together. We are always looking for investors to purchase the houses and we are always looking for volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, who can give their time to hands on renovation. Please visit our web site if you are interested and email us.

Another ministry that is blooming by the grace of God is our women's crisis ministry. We have embraced a local women's crisis center where we have one of our own ladies staying right now. Through that relationship and the providence of God, we have established relationships with most of the women at the center. Our ladies provide a meal two Wednesday nights a month and they eat with the ladies at the center and share life together. Mosaic's ladies provide an activity after supper or they gather together for time of spiritual and emotional encouragement. We also take a van on Sunday mornings to pick up any ladies who want to join us for our 10:30am worship gathering. Of course part of our ministry for the ladies is to provide housing when they graduate from the program.

Our Automotive Ministry begins this month, April 22nd. We provide oil changes, minor repairs, and honest assessments for low income individuals and families. We also provide a hospitality area with food and drinks while the people wait on their cars. Our Automotive ministry is located off of Magnolia and N Mary St. from 9:00am-1:00pm.

Our mentoring ministry is just beginning. God has opened a door for us in the area of mentoring children who have at least one parent in prison. Three of our members have gone through the interview process and we are simply waiting on a child to be placed with us. What an exciting opportunity we have to influence and shape the lives of God's precious children. With Mosaic and our partner churches we have almost twenty potential mentors at this point.

Our fifth ministry is in the earliest stages of development. It is a food ministry called Angel Food. It is a program that allows people to buy $75 worth of groceries for $25. We hope to have this ministry in place by late Spring.

Mosaic's mission is to rescue, restore, reconcile and rebuild people and communities by the transforming life of Jesus Christ. Two of our precious individuals in the Mosaic family are currently in a rehab center. The ministry of rescuing never ends, but we know it is the heart of God. Jesus said I have come to preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set the captives free. We are so grateful that Jesus did that for us, and feel it is an honor and a privilege to walk with others on their journey to physical, emotional, and spiritual freedom.