the stage is being built tomorrow

the stage is being built tomorrow for the beginning of Genesis 2 Revolution.  In case you haven’t heard about this, we are starting Sunday at 6pm and will begin reading the entire Word of God 24 hours a day until it is read…

it is drawing youth and old and it is drawing different people from all denominations…the central theme…the Word of God…and all that He wants to do over this city.  

If you have not signed up yet, please feel free to stop by the land and join us.  We would love to give those who would like an opportunity to particapate a window of 15 minutes to read right wherever the last person leaves off.  we look forward to seeing you there.

so, ok, getting back to the stage.  tomorrow morning a few of us and a local group of boy scouts are going to be helping us construction this 8′ x 4′ stage.  this is going to be so fun to see this thing go up.  it just reminds me so much of the days when the walls of Jerusalem were completed and Ezra stood on the stage and read the Word of God (Nehemiah 8).  pretty fun and amazing for us to get a chance to carry on this same work that the LORD did among His people many thousands of years ago.

 

tim 

the refuge and air 1/klove

here is an email i got from klove following an interview with them over the phone.  i just thought i would post it for all of you outside of the range of refuge so you can get an idea of what is happening out here…and for you in the okc region, let the city continue to march forward in the great things that He is doing

Here is the email i got and the info they gave me:

 

Hi Tim! FYI…we’ll be airing the story of The Refuge on K-LOVE (88.9 fm) and Air 1 (90.9 fm) on Monday 6/2.  (these are okc stations in case you are reading this outside of the region)

It’ll be in our news rotation, every 3 or 4 hours; and you’ll be able to hear the long-form of our interview when you download it from our website:

 

http://www.klove.com/news/ Look Under ‘ONLY ON K-LOVE’

 

Thanks again for talking with me about this project so obviously near-and-dear to God’s heart. Keep us posted on the open date and happenings at the Refuge. Many Blessings! ~Marya Morgan~

 

thanks for reading

refuge room layout

our area of focus in the city

For a google visual:  click here for the aerial view

What we have done so far:

1. Remodeling entire building (focusing primarily on the total exterior and interior upstairs
2. This is our parking lot.  Yes, ours.  What do i mean by that.  Well, we have a month to month lease with the owner of this land.  He has been very gracious to us and we are fully blessed to have access to this land.  We continue to mow, edge, and pick up trash throughout the week.
3. We painted the next door neighbors.  We changed it from a 1980’s orange to a 2008 Weimer Gray.
4. We mowed their owner of this land a few times.  We have edged this area.  We have trimmed some trees
5. This is the exit of the freeway.  We have edged and cleaned up this area.  It use to be overgrown.  Our desire is to where when you pull off of the freeway it feels different.  It feels clean and maintained.  This area was extraordinarily exciting for me because this was the furthest we had gotten away from the Refuge.
6. This is a planter in which one day we are going to plant something in and raise the flag.  What do i mean by flag.  Well, there are 3 flag poles and it will feel like raise the flag of victory once we have restored this area.
7. Our goal is powerwash their wood fence and restain it for them.  The reason is because we want to help them as they have been battling the homeless population.  We would ultimately love it if a few of the homeless people helped us clean their fence and join in this effort.
8. The same as 7.  Taco Bell and Sonic Burger are neighbors
9. This is our alley.  We are working with various persons within the city and leaders in the community to come up with a plan to close this alley that is still being used from drug deals and prostitution.  Our hopes is that one day soon this alley will be an outdoor patio area for those living in the refuge.
10. This alley is going to take some work.  This thing is filled with trash including razor blades and much more.  This is going to take a tractor and a dump truck.  One day hopefully.
11. We have been cleaning his windows on the outside area.  We are trying to really build a relationship with this owner.
12. We have made contact with this owner and he is open to us coming to him with ideas of helping that area.
13. That is the City Rescue Mission.  Many of our warriors are currently living over there until we get The Refuge Open.

prayer at the refuge

We are nearing the final push for The Refuge. We are closer than ever in the completion of Phase 1 (restoration of the crack house into a light house). We are gathering together to pray for God’s continual direction and provision as He continues to guide us through this journey.

You are welcome to come. This prayer meeting starts at 6pm and will be done at 7pm, but will be a time where we just open it up for people to walk the hallways and pray throughout the upstairs. We will also be providing a list of prayer needs as well as amazing praise reports of the great things He has done.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 27^th @ 6pm – 7pm

WHAT: Prayer for the Refuge

WHERE: 823 W. California Ave. Parking on the LOT next door

WHO: Anyone

We look forward to gathering all of those who have vested their time and energy into this work. If you are unable to meet with us in person but would like to commit to prayer here are the things that you could pray for:

1. Favor with the heating and air situation. We are having to install new heat/air mini splits (25) in each room. Once these are in, it will be such a blessing for those of us who will be moving in. The cost of each unit is about $700. Pray for God’s provision in this area.
2. Provision for the windows (these are not necessary to move in). We have been given a tremendous blessing by a local company to be able to purchase the windows at cost. Another significant factor is that someone is wanting to financial contribute to this area of the project. This contribution is going to be a tremendous jump start to the window project. Once we get windows into The Refuge, we will see a tremendous exterior upgrade, and the transformation will be even greater.
3. Favor with the city inspectors. The city officials have been extraordinarily patient with us and have been very helpful in pointing out necessary things to make the building safe. We would like to continue working with the city and meet or exceed their expectations of a building that was once being destroyed during the days before the Refuge. Many people say that it is funny that the city is making you do things now that it isn’t a crack house and you are wanting to make a difference on the street. The way i see it is that they moved in at the right time and they have been a blessing to the success of the building.
4. Favor with those community on the street. We have continued to see God pour out His Spirit on the people we have been building relationships with. Not only have people been getting saved, but lives are being restored, transformation is happening, and i am seeing tremendous strides in fruit with those who were once oppressed by drugs and alochol.
5. Favor with the missionaries. many of them have been moving in the direction of refuge. they have moved out of their old places and are waiting for the refuge to open. please pray that God would grant them endurance and faith.
6. Favor with the business. The Refuge desires to really see the businesses in the area blessed because we are there. Pray that God would open doors for us to bless them.
7. Favor with the finances. I know with times tough it is difficult to ask for continual finances, but if there is one thing that i know, where God guides, He provides. We have seen Him guide us from day 1, and i have faith to believe the work that He has begun, He is faith to complete it.
   
8. Favor with the final touches on the building. Things have come so far and we are so excited to see how far we have come.
   

“From Genesis to Revolution”

OK…i know this sounds crazy, but I believe the time has come for us to speak forth the Word of God.  As I was thinking through this with a few others, I was trying to think of what is one thing that can transform lives.  The only thing that could come to mind was the The Word and the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we are wanting to read the Word from Genesis to Revelation 24 hours a day until we have read the entire Word over the city.

When I speak of a “revolution”, I am not talking about a revolt on the streets claiming any rights.  When I say revolution, I am speaking of a stirring of the heart to be willing to join in this fight to push out the enemy and to take the ground back.  The Word of God, unlike any other book in the world, has influenced cultures, has toppled kingdoms, and has changed lives.  So, when i talk about a revolution, i am talking about a revolution in the heart of the people.  To where people turn from the sin, seek righteousness, and live a life full of God’s glory, in which we were created.

Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Now, i know what you are thinking…the reading of the Word took place after the wall was completed…and the refuge isn’t up and running yet.  But by faith, we are working in that direction…and so by faith, we are walking forward in this effort the LORD has begun knowing that He is faithful to complete it.

So, if you are interested in being apart of the “Genesis to Revolution” you can find out below all of the details.  Blessings.

What: The reading of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation over the City on a
sound system nonstop for 24 hours a day until it is completed.

When: Starting June 1, 2008, @ 6:00pm

It is estimated to take about 6 days to complete

Where: Refuge parking lot (next to the Refuge OKC)

823 W. California Ave

Oklahoma City, OK

Why: Because The Word of God had the ability to transform communities, cities and even nations.

Who:

· Anyone who declares in faith to be disciplers/lovers of Jesus Christ

· Anyone who loves the Word of God and realizes the power of God’s Word to transform cities.

· Anyone committed to knowing the King and making Him known.

· Anyone committed to walking in the fullness of the Kingdom of God

· Anyone who wants to be a partaker of taking back this city for Jesus

· Anyone who has been transformed by God’s grace.

· Who we don’t want:

o People filled with pride

o People filled with bitterness

o People who are uncomfortable with the frontlines of the inner city

Details:

· For each hour block of reading we need 1 person to get 3 of their friends who would want to be a part. This would mean that each person would commit to reading for 15 minutes out loud over an amplified microphone.

o The 1 person who is the lead person is to be the one responsible for communication to his group, and to the refuge contact.

o The 3 persons should be like minded and committed.

o The group of 4 should arrive all at the same time and stay the entire hour to support each other during this time. It may be a good idea to bring chairs and sit while the reading is happening.

o Each group of 4 should arrive 15 minutes early so they will know right where the person before them is reading from.

o It is highly important that the person who is up next take no more than 30 seconds to continue reading.

o If for some reason a group does not show, it is not necessary but would be highly appreciated if the previous group would keep reading until that group shows up.

o Please bring your Bibles! You may read from any version, any language, as long as it is the Holy Bible — The Word of God.

· Parking:

o People can park for free on the land or on the street (which is 2 hour parking). You can also park in front of the refuge.

· Signing Up:

o The times available are every hour from 6:00pm Sunday June 1 to 6:00pm Saturday June 6.

o Please do not commit to an hour block until you have the 3 other people committed. When you have your group, please email your name and phone number (and state that you are the main contact) and the three names of those who are joining you.

o To sign up please contact Crystal Partee at c.partee@bridgewaychurch.com or call (405)749-8044.

o If for some reason one of the people in your party cannot make it, please see if you have back up. Once you sign up for a block, we ask that you be responsible for filling that time.

o It is also appreciated that you give us 3 times slots that you would prefer or which work best for you, and/or are the most convenient. We will confirm the schedule by sending it to everyone who is involved.

We will be planning a worship celebration at the end of the time to celebrate the things that the LORD has done and the great things that He is going to do in this city.

what does the future look like for the refuge

well, some how, we have made our way into may and we are still going.  this is amazing that the LORD has sustained us this long.  i believe that we will be moving in here rather soon.  once that happens, i believe that all the missionaries will move in and begin to see what happens at the next stage of this journey.  i am excited to see how the LORD has sustained many of the warriors to stay strong as they have remained flexible for the uncertainty of the refuge.

what i believe is going to coming out of the refuge once we begin living together.  the LORD is going to start showing us how to really engage in the area of disicpleship as well as continuing to bring the light down the street.  i also see that we will really be able to spread out and begin serving other blocks.  i am not sure why the LORD is really wanting us to restore these areas but some of the ideas that i have that i really would like to see happen if the LORD wills:

1. we help wash and restain the fence of the taco bell and sonic burger.
2. we help clean out the alley behind those 2 businesses
3. we help wash windows in surrounding businesses
4. we will continue with painting numerous area and focusing on streets like Classen.  I really want to impact this area as many people pull off the freeway.  I think by bettering this area, we will impact for the better the business.  This will help improve for more customers which will be able to hire more employees.

the reason why i shared about employment is because that is going to be the focus of discipleship.  as we deal with the numerous homeless/prostitutes employment is going to be the key to practical change.  I know that the real change comes through Christ Jesus, but once He takes hold, I know that work is the key to regaining a discipline that is much needed.  for you see, there are hundreds of people just sitting waisting away.  they are wandering about with nowhere to go.

i can’t wait to see what the LORD will do in this area of the city as it continues to prove a difficult ground.  discipleship is probably the most difficult thing a believer can do.  it is difficult because it take time and wisdom.

i will keep you posted as things continue to develop

this coming summer

well, along with the weather beginning to warm up here in Oklahoma as we get closer to summer, it seems as if the summer is beginning to warm up for us at the refuge.  we are planning numerous things this summer which include several different groups that are coming out to serve in one way or the other.

one group is coming all the way from California for a week.  the thing that makes this group special to me is that they are like family to me as they are from our previous church.  they are coming out to spend a week on the refuge and do other sorts of ministry while here.  i am excited to show them the progress as well as where the LORD seems to be leading us in the near future.

another group is coming from about 2 hours away with 40 high schoolers.  we are going to be putting them up in the refuge to spend a week on the front lines.  they will be spending their days blessings other ministries in the area.

we also have a local youth group that is going to be taking 7 weeks (one day a week for 7 weeks) to serve at the refuge.  this is going to be exciting because for 5 of 7 weeks they are going to be serving at the “fuge”.  on the 6th week they are going to be doing outreach, and than on the 7th they are going to have a worship day where they are going to be inviting people from their church.  this is going to be awesome as it appears that many churches are being united around this building.  which if you remember the blog about the unity in this city is what is going to bring the transformation that we all know is coming.

that is just 3 groups of several others that will be making their way down to the refuge this coming summer.

where is time going

man, i am feeling overwhelmed. this refuge thing downtown has been impacting many around the city including me. as it appears to be speaking to many about the restoration that the LORD is wanting to do in this city, it is speaking to me the challenges of faith, patience, perseverance, and hope. these are very difficult to have when things/timing isn’t what you think it should be. To be waiting on the LORD is truly strengthening.

the things that we are waiting for. as many of you know, we have been steadily busy restoring the building. this is taking so much longer than i would have ever expected. we are making huge leaps from where it was last june, but we are desiring to move in there. when i say we, there are about 20 missionaries awaiting to move in and begin doing life together as a community of believers with the sole purpose of making disciples.

here is what we are waiting for before we can move in: heating/air…once we get this resolved we will be extraordinarily close to moving. other things that would need to follow close behind would be the remaining doors, the carpet (which has already been made available to install as soon as the halls are finished), some trim, and a few other small things. this sounds really close, but it feels so far off.

things we accomplished this last few weeks: we painted the building as well as the building next to us. we have really knocked the halls way out with tons of mud and sanding (thanks to hundreds of volunteers who have been down there). also, we mowed several fields in the surrounding area and cleaned up two blocks which were filled with trash. we are still focusing on a small area but it seems like the LORD is really beginning to open up other areas for us to take ground.

we have been trying to connect with many of the businesses in the area trying to bless them. we are also working on shutting down the alley in the back of the building. from time to time we still see drug deals and prostitution still going on. it is amazing that that stuff happens during the middle of the day. it is so crazy.