“We started with a small group of people, and just watching God slowly build a real community has been one of the sweetest evidences of His faithfulness. And not just in numbers, but in depth. We are seeing people opening their lives, growing in the Word, stepping into mission. People are sharing their faith regularly for the first time in their lives. We’ve already been able to send two missionary families to South Asia. We have Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims coming to our home groups and church activities and they are regularly hearing and seeing the gospel proclaimed. God has brought together a team of faithful, praying, hospitable Christians committed to reaching the nations by reaching our neighbors. We’ve also seen Him provide at just the right moments—connecting us to just the right relationships, providing vital resources, or giving clarity when we didn’t have it. There have been plenty of moments where things felt wildly uncertain, but looking back, it’s clear God has faithfully directed each step. One story that I love to share is that one day while doing outreach for our launch service, one of our team members gave an invitation to a lady at the front desk of a hotel. That lady ended up donating $15,000 in cash that she had saved for over two years while waiting to find her church home…crazy!”
“EVC’s support has made a tangible, everyday difference.
Financially, it’s given us the ability to focus on building a healthy foundation without feeling rushed or forced into decisions too early. Relationally, it’s reminded us we’re not doing this alone. We know that there are churches praying, encouraging, and invested in what God is doing here. Financial support has been especially important in this season. Many of the people God has placed in front of us are immigrants and refugees walking through significant transition and instability. That creates real openness to the gospel, but it also means the church isn’t being built on a financially stable base right now. What is really beautiful about this is that as we support migrants who don't have stability, we are seeing them become stable as the church helps to hold them up. One family who had significant financial needs a year ago, is now stable and contributing to the needs of the church in small but meaningful ways. You have given us a runway to slow down and care for the needs of our people! In turn, those people are becoming contributors to the mission! Right now, we sense God leading us to keep building depth before we build breadth. We want to see a core of people who are really formed by the gospel—living as family, growing in the Word, and stepping into mission together.
As we move forward, we’re praying for continued fruit among our neighbors—for real relationships, open doors, and people coming to know Jesus. Right now it looks like we will baptize 3-6 new converts on May 24. Pray for the gospel to take root here! In terms of partnership, continued prayer is huge. But also ongoing encouragement, wisdom, and support as we take those next steps.”
-Pastor Andrew Cheatham Refuge Church Irving
