As we mentioned in OUR STORY, moving up to Northern California to serve at GraceWay church was more than just a move so that Melissa could accept the Worship Leader position offered to her. Throughout our long discernment process before leaving our home in Huntington Beach, we felt strongly that any leap of faith God would call us to would be to a smaller local church in an area where the harvest is great and the workers are few, and it would be an opportunity for both of us to take the next step in our ministry as a couple and our development as church leaders.

 

We believe God led us to such a multi-faceted opportunity at GraceWay, where we have the opportunity to share the love of God in one of the most post-Christian regions in America, where Melissa will grow in her leadership and gifts as a Worship Leader, and where I have the opportunity to step into a church leadership residency.​

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ANDREW’S RESIDENCY AT GRACEWAY

Over the next 2 years, I will be invested in a church leadership residency hosted by GraceWay, in preparation for the next season of ministry as I get ready to lead a new church plant or an existing church community with Melissa in the near future.

 

As a resident, I will continue my development as a future lead pastor through a combination of hands-on experience and relevant seminary-level coursework, and will apply what I am learning in present, real-world church ministry, gaining experience in greater levels of church leadership by partnering with the existing leadership team at GraceWay to replant the church in a difficult mission field as we share about Jesus with our local community.

 

HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH MELISSA AND ME

My heart’s desire is to be freed up and fully invested in my residency and relaunching this church for the next 2 years. After much prayer, encouragement from my closest and most trusted spiritual mentors and wrestling with my own pride, I am attempting to raise financial support for this endeavor.

 

My financial support goal is to raise $50,000 each year or $4,167 per month for the next two years through May of 2021.

 

Your financial support will help me to fully invest my time, energy and effort into becoming a highly qualified pastor, leader and church developer as I apply myself to study and connecting with church planters, building relationships in the community around us and outreach, as well as local church ministry with GraceWay as my covering, while being able to cover our family’s daily needs in this expensive area.

 

Our invitation to you is to prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with us in this ministry effort.

 

Your giving will be a dual investment in God’s Kingdom – in equipping me as a future church leader for wherever God would call Melissa and me as a ministry couple, and supporting our ministry as we help replant a local church and share about the amazing grace found in Jesus in the most unchurched part of the country.

 

THE FOCUS OF MY RESIDENCY

Over the next 2 years, I will be serving and partnering with the leadership team at GraceWay to replant the church in a variety of ways, as we work to reconnect with the local community, build bridges and reach those who have not heard the good news of the gospel or those for whom the good news doesn’t sound so good. My service and growth will be focused on the following areas:

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• Preaching and teaching

• Outreach

• Church planting strategy

• Directional clarity

• Contextual awareness

• Creating culture

• Staff Development

• Life Groups (mid-week home studies)

• Communication

• Sunday gatherings

 

I will also be studying:

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• Biblical analysis and interpretation

• Christian doctrine

• Systematic theology

• Missional engagement

• Leadership theory

• Team development

• Spiritual formation

 

I am happy to share more details or answer any questions you may have. You will find my email address at the bottom of this page or you can shoot me a message on our CONNECT page.

 

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

Following the advice of a friend, partner in ministry and urban missionary (thanks, Brian!), I have recently partnered with Mission Enablers International (MEI), a Christian non-profit focused on acting as a catalyst for developing a support base around those God has called into ministry. If you would like to learn more about MEI, you can visit their website by clicking HERE.

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Every financial contribution is tax-deductible, secure and accounted for through MEI.

 

To make a secure contribution electronically or by mail follow these simple steps:

 

Credit/debit card: 

• To set up a monthly or one-time contribution, use the button below

• Complete the short giving form

• Select “Giving Type” for “monthly” or “one time” support

• Make sure to type Andrew Barris – # AB3466  into the designated area for your “monthly” or “one time” support.

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Check by mail

• Please put my name and MEI account number in the memo line: Andrew Barris – # AB3466

• Mail your check to “Mission Enablers International” or “MEI” to the address below:

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MEI

P.O. Box 2127

Bentonville, AR 72712

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THANK YOU

We are thankful for your prayerful consideration of partnering with us financially.

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Melissa and I would appreciate you joining us in prayer that God would provide for us financially as we take this leap and do our best to answer the call He has placed on our life together.

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