Stancil Family Update
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. - Romans 8:22-24
Moving Forward: Our Next Mission
Family and Friends,
Greetings from Lawrenceville, Georgia! Christ has risen! Expectation fills our hearts and minds as we remember the passion of Christ, especially from the perspective of Jesus’ disciples. The disciples watched Jesus willingly walk straight to his death on the cross. Fear and doubt quickly replaced their readiness to serve. They were full of shock and disbelief at what had just happened and unsure of what would happen next. We welcome the celebration of Easter in particular this year because we have experienced similar shock and disbelief concerning the events of our lives over the last couple of years. We have been unsure of what will happen next. We have been stuck in a moment. Christ’s resurrection brings the expectation that all his disciples will be raised and his creation will be renewed. The Christian hope in the resurrection opens our ears to hear the groans all around us for redemption, and it renews us in mission.
To give you a snapshot of our life, we have made our home in Lawrenceville for the last two years. Jonah is 3 ½ years old, and he loves sports, calendars, letters, numbers, and learning about the seasons and the weather. He is very excited about wearing shorts and short-sleeves as the weather gets warmer. We are also expecting a baby girl in July. We are all excited and thankful. We moved to Lawrenceville in 2007 to care for David’s mom. After she passed away in December 2007, we started to seek God’s next mission for us. Meanwhile, Mia has been working in nursing at Gwinnett Medical Center, and David has been substitute teaching with Gwinnett County Public Schools. He received his license to preach in October 2008. We are members at Ivy Creek Church where we are reminded of the hope of the gospel weekly. Mia serves by helping lead a women’s bible study and teach children’s Sunday school while David serves primarily in teaching adult Sunday school.
Our sanctifying God has used the last two years in Lawrenceville to test our faith and strengthen our call in ministry. We served David’s mom in the difficult last months of her physical life. We watched her life come to an end a mere two years after David’s dad had died. Shock, grief, and numbness muddled our momentum in ministry. We staggered forward burdened by the difficulty of resolving conflict and dealing with sin in our lives. We were grieving and needed a sense of direction from the Lord. Yet, we had to wait. During a period of remaining in grief and yet hoping for another mission, God directed us to the hope of the resurrection of Christ. Our unique experience of loss has opened our eyes to see the brevity and futility of life in this world. The entire world is crying out for new life. God has shown us that one place where the groaning of the world is audible to us is the city. Therefore, we have envisioned starting an urban church for the sake of bringing hope for new life. We have been seeking opportunities to fulfill that mission.
Introducing Brooklyn
The Church: An opportunity that God has brought our way is a position with Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, NY beginning September 1. David will be an assistant pastor participating in a two-year church planting internship. Resurrection Presbyterian Church began in 2005 in the neighborhood of Williamsburg. Many people attending Redeemer Presbyterian Church (Manhattan) as well as other Redeemer churches, were living in Brooklyn, and they were meeting in small groups throughout the borough. As they sought to introduce their friends to the vitality of the Christian faith, they realized there was a need for new churches in Brooklyn. Williamsburg was one neighborhood where church groups had been meeting. These groups began praying for a church to start in their neighborhood. Their prayers became a reality when they were connected with Vito Aiuto, the senior pastor at Resurrection.
The Network: Resurrection Presbyterian Church is a part of Brooklyn Church Project, a ministry organization formed in order to start many congregations in Brooklyn. If Brooklyn were a city (it is a borough of NYC), it would be the 4th largest in the US. Brooklyn is unique because it consists of many highly populated neighborhoods that are distinct from one another yet are close in proximity. The Brooklyn Church Project congregations intentionally seek to be neighborhood churches, populated primarily by those living and serving within a geographic area. This commitment originates in the incarnation of Christ. He lived among us and loved us as neighbors. Brooklyn Church Project consists of three congregations which include Resurrection Presbyterian Church, Park Slope Presbyterian Church (begun in 2004), and Flatbush Church Project (begun in 2008). The pastors of these congregations share resources, meet weekly for prayer, cast vision together, and mentor church planting efforts. Please take some time to look at the project’s website: www.brooklynchurchproject.com.
The Call: We traveled to Brooklyn in March and enjoyed our visit. We had the opportunity to meet with the pastors and families of the Brooklyn Church Project (two pastors and their families are friends of ours from seminary). While there, we were exposed to the charm and the challenges of life in New York City. There is much diversity in regard to people and experiences in Brooklyn. Brooklyn needs the hope of the gospel and we are excited that God has called us there. As an assistant pastor participating in the church planting internship, David will be connected to all the pastors of the Brooklyn Church Project and will study urban church planting and pastoral ministry with them. At Resurrection Presbyterian Church, he will have the responsibility of assimilating new people into the church, training community group leaders, counseling, preaching and teaching, and initiating new ministries. The goal of the next two years is to train and prepare to start a new congregation in Brooklyn.
Our Need: The gospel changes the world, and the world lives in Brooklyn. Therefore, we ask you to consider partnering with us in the mission of celebrating the gospel, in word and deed, in Brooklyn. First, we need your prayers. What we are seeking to do is greater than we are, and only God Himself can bring about such new life. Second, we need your financial support. We are seeking to raise $120,000 for the next two years by July 1. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us as we seek to minister in Brooklyn. Please take some time to look at the church’s website: http://resurrectionwilliamsburg.com. If you know anyone else who may be interested in partnering with us, please contact David at dwstancil@hotmail.com. We will follow up with you within the next few weeks. Please note that future correspondence from us will originate from the church. Thank you so much for being a part of our lives. We would like to pray for you and want to hear more about God’s work in you. We are grateful for your love and support.
May Christ’s resurrection bring you great hope,
David & Mia
