Team Wisconsin Update 11-14-07

So, what’s an O’Connor doing on the frontier of northern Wisconsin? For the past five years, planting a church. Kevin and Carol came to Rice Lake Red Cedar, then led the planting of a daughter church in Cumberland. They began meeting in a community center for a few weeks, then moved to a school building until they were able to purchase a store front property right on the main drag of downtown Cumberland. Since purchasing the property they have continued to build and improve the property for worship, nursery, offices and children’s meeting spaces. When they moved into the school, their ministry enlarged. When they moved into the store front property, their ministry enlarged. When they added a Saturday night service, their ministry enlarged. Reenie and I had a wonderful weekend with Kevin and Carol, their leadership and their congregation. The church is doing well and they are still praying for the opportunity of planting further west when the time is right.

Set Apart 07
Note: Early registration deadline for the convention is November 19. Pastors, any of you who are planning to send youth to Set Apart 07, please let Chopper Brown, our District Youth Director, know.

Transformation City
We appreciate your prayers for Pastor Jason and the TC church. The church was applying for an amendment to the zoning law that would allow them to meet in the cinema in their target area. Jason report that the case was denied, meaning they will need to find another location. Here’s what Jason writes: “By no means is our future tied to this decision and we are confident that God will open new doors and bring about a new situation where we can continue to grow as a church and impact the city around us. What is going on is very exciting, it is God breathed and God centered, and we will not allow this situation to steal our joy or our energy. Amen.”

The Getaway
The Ministers and Mates retreat is now The Getaway. Dr. Dave Holdren will be with us for this three day, two night event January 27-29, 2008. It’s a great team time for the Wisconsin leaders. We’re planning for a wonderful time together and praying for God’s powerful presence.

Connections
The past few days I’ve had the privilege of connecting with a new staff LDJ in north central Wisconsin, Gary Maness (new Sand Lake interim pastor), a birthday celebration for Lisa Treloar, Jeff Hoch (staff pastor at Sand Lake), Pastor Alan and Irene Tripp, and the Janesville, Beulah and West Allis boards.

Calendar:

November 16-17............ District Extension Class
(Mukwonago)
November 10-11............ Northern Lakes Visit
November 12.................. West Allis LBA Dialogue
November 18.................. Hancock Visit
November 19.................. Burr LBA Dialogue
November 25.................. Burr/Valley Visit
November 26.................. Northern Lakes LBA Dialogue
November 28.................. Evangelism and Church Growth Meeting
December 2………………Baker St. visit
December 4……………. Dialogues
December 5……………. Nicaragua Partnership meeting
December 6……………... LDJ
Pardeeville Board
December 9……………………... Darrow Rd visit
December 11……………………... Dialogues
December 13……………………... Hayward Bd
December 16……………………... Hales Corners
December 18……………………... Dialogues
December 23……………………... Drop in visit
December 27-31…………………. SetApart 07

Dan Bickel
Wisconsin District Superintendent