The DAWN Network   6/2006

The Lk10 Community grew out of the DAWN Associates Network.  Many of the goals and values are the same.  By reading the stories below, you will have a better feel for what Lk10 is about...

Dear Dawn Associates, 

Just yesterday I talked to another apostolic church planter who thought he was crazy. 

He had been living in a small town in Indiana (he just moved to Colorado - maybe a 10:2b answer!) and found a growing discontent with the traditional churches that he and his wife had attended.  He kept feeling impelled to start small groups that would function as churches but he didn't know of anyone else who was doing such a thing.  He thought there must be something wrong with him because he just couldn't fit in with all of the other Christians he knew who seemed quite content with "church as usual".   

It's always fun to reassure these folks that they are not crazy.  (Or, if they are crazy, they are not alone in their craziness!) This is one of the benefits of the growing Dawn Associate Network.  It's a way for "crazy" people to connect.  Just kidding!  Actually, it's a way for "John Knoxers" to connect and learn from one another.  People who are passionate about seeing Kingdom of God expand in their region or people group though the multiplication of simple churches.   

Several weeks ago I sent out an email asking "Are you a Dawn Associate?"  Below, I want to share a few of the responses I received in order to encourage you to know that you are not alone.  The Lord is "exballo-ing" church planters all over North America and beyond.  

Notice the themes that emerge in the emails below - 10:2b answers, the value of coaching, "John Knoxers", clarity about "assignment", how the Dawn Invitation serves as a "filter", etc.  In future Dawn Updates we'll develop these themes in greater detail.  In the meantime, send me your stories of what God is doing where you are located.  

John 

John White
US Coordinator
Dawn Ministries

Ken Eastburn (Orange County, CA) 

John,
I have read the Dawn invitation and I can safely say that "yes, I want to be on the bus." I know that my assignment is Orange County, Southern California and beyond. I am very excited about what is happening in this movement. Just try and keep me off the bus. I don't think you could.   

God has been sending 102B answers at a rapid pace. Here are a few recent stories from our 102B answers blog: http://thewellocblogs.typepad.com/102b_answers/ Thank you for keeping me in the loop.  Press on, Ken 

Rob Ross  (Alberta, CAN).   

Hey John, I appreciate the information. It is exciting to hear what God is about. After the Nova Scotia conference our group in Calgary received word about the beginning of a spiritual awakening in Canada (North America) that could rival any we have seen before.  

Speaking of tsunami, we had 25 respond to the Dawn invitation and register for the consultation and coaching, then 48 showed up!! 

There was a prophetic word given by a fellow in Wales for Canada that this "wave" would begin in the Maritimes and specifically around the Bay of Fundy -- it was related in this prophets word to the highest tides in the world being there. 

Let me asure you the tidal wave has formed. I look forward to seeing how DAWN will be one of those buses that has an active part to play in God's plan for North America.  In His Service,  Rob Ross Oikos Ministries <>< www.oikosministries.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Chadd Schroeder  (Guadalajara, MEX) 

John: Great to hear from you.  I want to take the time to carefully read the latest version of the "Dawn Invitation" again but already know that I sense God wants me on this "bus"...have sensed it for some time....I must say I don't know that I feel like I'm a "John Knoxer" for Mexico--in that I am saying "give me Mexico or I die!"  I do believe that central Mexico is part of my assignment for now...  

 My wife and I continue to live in GDL, Mexico...we are mentoring/coaching two forming house churches with a Luke 10, "base of operation" kind of approach.  We generally spend two weekends a month with each of these emerging groups--mainly trying to pour ourselves into the people of peace around whom the groups are forming.  Besides these two "mission points", my wife, three girls and I are trying to live as a "vibrant family of Jesus" in our own neighborhood (24/7).   

I also presently have an intentional "coaching" relationship with 10 men.  5 of these men are missionary church planters who live and work in central Mexico with a DAWN vision.  3 of these men are Mexican planters who I see as responses to Luke 10 praying (at least 2 anyway).  2 of these men are missional leaders/ministers who are working to reach hispanics in West Texas.  6 of these coaching relationships are "face-to-face"--while 4 tend to be more virtual (email and regular phone sessions) although we are working in times to see one another periodically.  At a larger level, I stay connected with other church planters with a similar vision in New York, Mexico City, and several larger urban centers across central Mexico.  Like me, most of these workers have background in the Churches of Christ.  I am being coached by Kent Smith--have been blessed by this relationship as it has grown over the past 10-12 years.   

I just thought I would bring you up to speed on where I am in the story right now!  I don't mind being considered a "Coordinator" for Mexico but just want you to know my perspective...my belief that real "John Knoxers" need to be raised up by the Lord of the Harvest...that whenever that happens, they can have my place as "coordinator."  Again, thanks for your ministry--I am blessed by it.

Praying to the Lord of the Harvest, 

Chadd Schroeder

Guadalajara, Mexico  

Mike Cantrell  (Kansas) 

John,

We are still on the bus. 

Our hearts are with you.  We have had 5 group coaching meetings with over 100 people (total) in the southern half of the Great Plains Region to share our hearts and hear what their hearts are in relation to the movement.  All have wanted to connect and a definite network is emerging. 

In the Northern half of the region Bill and Julie (Ross) are working hard and it sounds like they are doing the same there and have connected with probably as many as we have down south.   GOD has brought a “Give me ____________ or I die” person in Oklahoma, Kansas and South Dakota. 

We think Kyle might be an answer to prayer for Nebraska—We’ll see.  So we are praying for the person in Nebraska and North Dakota.It is amazing how fast the work is growing.  Things are happening everywhere and we can’t keep up!  Praise GOD.  Thankfully, Tom Wymore has begun coaching me...    I am returning to intimacy with Christ and it is fueling the simple work of making disciples that flower into church plants! 

That’s what’s going on with us in a nutshell.

Many blessings,

Michael Cantrell

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