I have been a pastor within the Church over the past 15 years, recently as High School Pastor at Pantano Christian Church here in Tucson. I believe, as Bill Hybels has said, that the Church is the hope of the world. I love God’s Church and am so honored to be a member of it. The Church in Tucson is the hope for Tucson, but we will not see that hope fully realized unless we are united in prayer for our city. It was Jesus who proclaimed that His house will be a house of prayer. Tucson needs the Church to pray!

I’ve been thrilled to see and hear of so many incredible prayer groups and events that are actively interceding on behalf of our city. I know they are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many, many powerful things happening as a result of fervent and faithful prayer. We should expect this. Imagine, though, if all of those great prayer efforts were in some way united for our city! So many of us have been praying for this day to happen. It’s not an impossible dream!

My heart is that prayer partnerships are promoted and cultivated within the Church. I’d love to see us continue to work together in developing a common prayer strategy for Tucson, mobilizing a united response for the spiritual transformation of our city. I know I’m not alone in my passion to see this happen. Are you there with me?

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Brian Goodall
Prayer Director, 4Tucson

5151 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 1600
Tucson, AZ 85711
520.745.4404 (o)
www.4tucson.com

Bernadette Gruber has been a State Coordinator for Gateways to Better Education for 6 years and has recently joined the 4Tucson staff as director of the Educational Domain.  She has a passion for equipping Christians to confidently live out their faith in the school, work, and public arena.  She has organized educational workshops and trainings for teachers and administrators in 9 school districts throughout Tucson.  In addition, she has facilitated Bible Studies focusing on how to connect our faith with our culture, which spread across various Christian denominations.  Bernadette had been a featured guest on Women to Women, America’s Fabric, Family Life Radio and KVOI.  She has presented constitutionally sound Bible lessons to hundreds of students in 3 major Tucson public school districts and was instrumental in establishing Arizona’s first Religious Freedom Day Proclamation signed by Governor Brewer in January 2011.

 An important part of her life is her husband and four children.  In her spare time she enjoys camping, skiing, and taxiing her children to their activities.  She can be reached at:  Bernadette@4Tucson.com or 520-576-8400.  

 

Ever said that?  I certainly have.  That statement is typically both true… and shortsighted.  Here’s the rest of the story.

“If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.”

That’s been the focus of my first full-time month as Director of the Church Domain.  I’m interested in building coalitions that last, collaborations that go beyond the surface, cooperation that makes a difference in our city.  Another way to put it is that the Father wants us to be part of the answer to His Son’s high impact, high priestly prayer – that His followers would be united and unified in ways that are visible to the watching world.

It isn’t every day that I feel like I get a clear, undeniable word from the Lord.  If that happens daily for you, outstanding.  Let’s do coffee soon.  But here are a couple unmistakable words from the Lord in this first month.  “Dave, you don’t have to have the whole picture and try to set things up that will still work 5 years from now.  Just take the next step.  I’ve got the whole-picture-thing covered.”  And here’s another: “Dave, don’t reach decisions prematurely.  I want lots of people having ownership in this, not a few who invite them to join us.”

For the “just the facts” people in the crowd:

• How about a group of five churches, ranging in size from under 100 to several thousand, whose pastors meet together regularly, who covenant to not allow transfers from each others churches without conversation and dialogue, and who send a common note to newcomers in the neighborhood welcoming them to any of their five churches?
• Direct communication from interested staff members of about 30 churches and about 10 parachurch organizations.
• Collaboration resulting in: two separate but similar meetings for pastors that will merge into one in 2012; a new ministry to homeless and a new ministry for men being put in contact with other already existing ministries with similar goals; a variety of coordinated prayer efforts, so that the same events reach more people; churches offering to help each and not caring who gets the credit
• Contact with over 150 individuals interested in seeing the body of Christ in Tucson becoming more unified and united
• People in coffee shops and school groups overhearing what we’re doing, becoming incredibly excited, and asking to get more involved

It’s a privilege of the very highest order to serve in this capacity.  I’m still focusing entirely on those who are expressing interest in getting in the game, rather than trying to convince anyone on the sideline.  So if you want in on all of this, contact one of us working 4Tucson.

Dave Drum

4Tucson Church Development Coordinator