Hello and Thank You from Steve and Karen Allison,
Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin formed the American crew that landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20,1969. When they finally arrived on the moon after months and months of preparation, Neil Armstrong famously said “the eagle has landed” and that’s how we feel. After months and months of preparation, we have landed.
Our home base was in Earlham, Iowa for the last 20 plus years and we watched our children grow up and move on from there. Then God made a way for us to begin planning a new adventure in a brand new place! At first, the idea of going from the safety of home off to a new place was a bit overwhelming; but God kept taking away fears and obstacles. The Lord provided servants to help with both emotional comfort and all the physical work of moving. God has clearly been in all of this.
Karen and I want to say thank you to all of you who helped us load trucks, unload trucks, and unpack. Ryan, Laura, Jacob, Seth, Nathan, Kellan Schmidt. Wayne and Cathy Lotz, Jerry Dufur, Roger and Connie Curry, Hannah Herrman, and Gail Horst. Your many hands helped guide us in for touchdown; and our new adventure begins.
So maybe you’re asking “why the space reference”? Because all of these transitions have been in the new COVID 19 world, or total new world feel. I find myself asking how does a church lead, grow, reach out, and show love in this new world? How do you encourage people to invite their friends to come to church or join a group in a world where gathering is at the root of spreading something bad? It feels a little bit like Apollo 13 that had limited resources and a big problem. They had to figure it out and make do with what they had right where they were and there were no excuses… only results.
This is where we have landed…all of us (church family). A new world that still needs salvation, a Savior, Helper, and Friend. God will help his church land in a new place in a new way. He will help us reach out in new ways, see in new ways, and love in new ways. Together as a church we can make Jesus famous in the greater Port Byron area. I believe that is why God has had me land here. To be a part of a new adventure in a new land to do great things for His kingdom.
My prayer is that you will be up for this new mission as well. I would love to hear from you. In the tradition of flight and space travel, radio communication, or whenever communication is made and heard… the proper response is “Roger That”. If you have read this and will join me (with the church family) on this mission, would text me right now? Simply text me “Roger That” at (515) 971-0861. Add your name so I can enter you into my contacts as we lift off on the mission of sharing Jesus in our community.
Blessings, Steve
