Back from Ukraine and Jesus in Hartford

Loving God and Neighbor in a foreign land

To keep it short, I am back alive and we only had to run out of the van once and take cover as a drone flew overhead and anti-drone fire erupted. We met up with a team that has done almost 300 runs since the war began. We had six distribution sites; two in cities at refugee centers, one at an at-risk youth center for refugees and families, and three in villages. The format was very familiar… we pulled in, I preached, we handed out food or hygiene, bibles, tracks, and animal keychains. I mugged it up everywhere because joy during a war heals. The little fuzzy animals made grown men smile more than the food. In the end we handed out over 420 food kits, perhaps close to 100 accepted the over of Jesus, and they felt seen. I was handed a water bottle full of home made birch beer, which is really sweetened birch sap. It is a traditional drink in the country. It said to me I am a welcomed person and not a stranger. Thank you for sending me.

Bryan

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey Fam,

God held the rain until just after we were done (as He usually does). It was a good day.

Logistics

  • Served: 80

  • Last week's leaders: Kenny,

  • Next week's leaders: Ruth, Bryan

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

Gifts

  • Last week's: underwear

  • Next week's: socks

Looking Ahead

  • Thank you Wintonbury Church for providing the food!

Service (From Kenny)

Kelsey and I got to UHaul, picked up the truck, had a nice chat with our friends Will and Brendan, and loaded up the fan. Olivia from Wintonbrury dropped off all of the sandwiches which her life group made last night. She also brought chips, cookies, fruit, and granola. Wenda came by a little later with some water and granola as well. Thanks to Bryan for doing a lot of the legwork ahead of time! It made it easy. And thanks to Lisa for making and dropping off the coffee and creamer.

We got downtown at 11:30 . As we set up, it became quickly apparent that we had no sugar . Wenda and Kim went out, got some, and saved the day! Thankfully we didn't have too many people waiting.

We got into service a bit later than usual due to the coffee holdup (people refused to get any with no sugar ha), which was fine. Ed, JD, Kristie, Dustin gave readings and did great. The first reading from Acts talked about Paul calling out that the Greeks had a statue to "The Unknown God." I thought that was a good jumping off point for the message. So I asked the question "Do you know God?" The other readings actually flowed smoothly into forming the narrative of "Do you know God -> What does knowing God look like -> How do we know God -> What is the result of knowing God." I'm thankful for the Spirit's discernment throughout it all.

We had a good time of prayer and communion. During that time, Randall was a difficult day with his mental health. (a reminder) Mental Health is a disease and we need to understand how to respond to those suffering. An episode is not the time to try and engage it will only exacerbate the situation.

As the lunch line started, Ms. Wonderful was at the front (as always). She was very directly telling two people who tried to cut in front of her that the line was behind her. One of the ladies was saying something in tongues and said she was waiting in the library. I told her that's fine, we have enough for everyone, but these people were waiting here so you can go wait in line. She and Ms. Wonderful starting going back and forth and the unknown lady called her a name. I said that's enough and escorted her out, but not before she kept yelling at her stuff like "I curse the demons in you" and "I pray Jesus' blood over you." I just kept showing her the way out. (there will be times like this in any food distribution at any pantry. This is where we need to learn how to “help without hurting”)

So there were a few moments of confliction but overall it was okay. One guy Kenneth (he was the guy who yelled at Randall later) came up asking for prayer to be clean from alcohol. I asked if he wanted to go to detox and he said yes. I brought him to Benson. Benson said he would help him after service, and Kenneth said he would wait until the end of service to go, but he ran off sometime during the lunch section. I pray he finds the help he's looking for.

We finished well. It was a good day.

Blessings,

-Kenny

Community Church updates!

There were no meetings last week as I was away, but I was at River Ridge in Avon this week. I learned that two of the longtime residents had died while I was away. This is the second longest running community church and have been here for just over ten years and have walked with many of the residents as they transition from independent living to death.. This is the ultimate scope of the art of soul care; to prepare souls for death. Both of these women were full of the Spirit and of Faith and died with no regrets from what I knew. Join me in prayer for the family of Sylvia (bottom photo). I helped her after he husband died and knew them both well. Pray also for the family of Mary, who died peacefully in her sleep after 88 years of a life well lived. Pray also for me, Mary, and Elieen as we grieve the loss of our friends but not like the Gentiles do, without hope. It is hard to show up one day and find your friends are no longer at the table with you. Thankfully they are at the Table with Master of the Banquet.

The Street Church Collective Community

Arden Court Community Church

Brookdale/Chatfield Community Church

Compass  Community Church @ Farmington Station

Clairebridge Community Church @ Brookdale/ChatfieldS

Farmington Station Community Church

River Ridge Community Church

The Street Church, City Hall Hartford

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org

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108 Whitman Ave
West Hartford, CT 06107-1754

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Because of Jesus

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

A fairly light newsletter this week. One thing I (Kenny) am always struck by is how folks keep showing up to Street Church each week, no matter the weather, the leader, the preacher, or other commitments. The people I see in this picture are all people I’ve grown to know and love, whose hearts are so wrapped up in Jesus that it’s hard NOT to see Him in them.

They, and everyone who continues to show up, does it for only one reason whether they know it or not: Jesus. Last week Bryan was out as he prepared for his trip to Ukraine, so Geoff took the reins to lead, not knowing who would show up downtown. But he knew Jesus was going to be there, and that was more than enough. On top of that, he was greeted by an All-Star team to be there with him (every week we have one of those ). Here’s a brief summary from him below.

I’ll be there this week, and I can’t wait for how Jesus will show up and show out. Hope to see you there!

From Geoff:

It was good. Emerson and I loaded the van. She was a great help. Ed, Benson, Curtis, Chi chi, all were present, Chantelle brought boxes and boxes of pastries. Curtis helped with the readings, Jennifer preached on Our loving Father who is "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious" Exodus 34:6.

It began to rain off and on lightly then heavier as we were just wrapping up. Emerson and Brian Colón came back to U-Haul and held unpack.

2nd of the month attendance was relatively light.

Community Church updates!

Today we drive a few hours towards the latest drone strikes. I walked to the market last night with a friend who is Ukrainian and living in Poland. I am free to ask him questions and he is  free to given me honest answers. It is a good friendship.

What is it like?

This is new warfare.

Drones strike random places at random times.

People have stopped living in constant fear in most of the countries and life goes on.

I can attest to that.

Today, we enter a region where the Russians have and are targeting schools. Yesterday they hit a kindergarten. We will distribute hundreds of packages of food and hygiene products to war-homeless people. There are pastors, and a military Chaplin, s small business owner with me who work for a non-profit that started the week the war began.

It is all very familiar to me, except the war is here.

I will share the Gospel four times today at the distribution sites. Sometimes outside, sometimes in a building, numbers will vary…

But the message will not.

I would appreciate your prayers that i may be clear and strong and loving and kind

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart”

                                                                        Psalm 91:4

The Street Church Collective Community

Arden Court Community Church

Brookdale/Chatfield Community Church

Compass  Community Church @ Farmington Station

Clairebridge Community Church @ Brookdale/ChatfieldS

Farmington Station Community Church

River Ridge Community Church

The Street Church, City Hall Hartford

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org

Everyone is Welcome

“would you pray for me please?”

Our newest church was welcomed with open arms..

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 

Romans 15:7

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey Family,

It got cold again last week! Welcome to New England fake Spring

Logistics

Served: 85

Last week's leaders: Bryan, Deb, Bensen, and the Culpit Family and special appearance by Kenny and Kelsey

Next week's leaders: Kenny

Next week's preacher:Bryan

Gifts

Last week’s: Hygiene bags

Next week's: Snack Bags

Looking Ahead

CrU will be with us on the 28th with lunches

Miscellaneous

Food sign-ups for February, March, and beyond are here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040849A5AC2AA6F58-street#/

Service

The day started off with TC Cupit and his boys at storage with their Trail Life troop. For those who have never heard of Trail Life, it is a Christian-based ministry along the lines of Boy Scouts but with a strong emphasis on the faith and discipleship. Aiden, TC’s eldest son, was responsible for the organization of the food and packing did a fantastic job. Our truck was loaded with an hour to spare so the team they brought packed up the snack bags for next week.

We arrived downtown and more Trail Life folks showed up, including a man who served with me as a volunteer youth leader almost twenty years ago! He was there with his teenage son and I was so excited to see the line of faith being passed along that it took the sting out of just how old I am getting.

The Spirit fell as soon as the truck doors opened and everyone pitched in. I stood and watched it all until a woman named Gloria approached me and said she wanted to get help getting clean from a crack addiction. I praised God for his invitation at new life for her and Brother Benson and I prayed over her then he gave her information on next steps.

We had a speaker problem and a mic problem off the bat so we knew it was going to be a great day. We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, not our PA. Folks stepped it up as the read the Scriptures and the crowd had to lean in and listen. I preached on spiritual blindness and judgment on the church who claim to see using John 9:1-41.

I love watching everyone engaged with the readings and actively participating. I ended with a call for those who had gotten “spiritual cataracts” and wanted eyes to see Jesus in all his truth as well as there shortfalls….

Two people came up.

One, an older woman of color who wanted freedom from addiction

The other, a young white male who is getting baptized in a couple of weeks who was moved to give his life to Jesus and could not wait…. Jesus always ruins the plans of men and women!

As I had called everyone in to pray over them I simply called folks to turn and pray with those around them like I do and which they did.

We gathered up for communion and Kenny and my old friend served together and I felt all like a proud parent. The soup was welcomed as it was cold, as well as the lunches and snack packs. Folks stuck around drinking coffee and hot chocolate, we helped out people with clothes and underwear who were in need, especially one man just released from prison…..

Crystal was back along with his now spouse. For those of you who don’t know Crystal we met him some time ago when he came into our group homeless and hurting. He is trans and wants to be be referred to as “they, them” but early on I told him we use names not pronouns and it is really hard to not slip. When you are doing Gospel Ministry you attract those whom the Gospel is for. Many churches as good as they are try to attract church members. The “Crystals” in the world are very complicated and will cost you dearly by association. So it was with Jesus and all those who came to him.

On a sad closing note, our dear Maria, aka “Mommy” who sits behind the lunch table and hands out food each week called me yesterday letting me know her sister had died and she was traveling to Puerto Rico for the funeral. Please keep her and everyone in your prayers for comfort and traveling mercies.

love you all,

b

Community Church Updates

This past week I arrived at West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation like I always do on the third Tuesday of the month to find that they had forgotten it was the third Tuesday of the month and were engaged in some Saint Patrick’s Day shenanigans… and since I am always up for shenanigans but never buffoonery I just jumped right in and commandeered some local apparel as any good missionary does to enculturate.

I had brought the readings for the Feast Day of Patrick and had planned on sharing his story… and no one really knew it. No, he was not Irish, he was dragged there as a slave at first but escaped and went back… no he did not drink green beer or eat green bagels nor even green eggs and ham. He did lead the pagan king to Christ and led the nation to Jesus.

We had so much fun loving God and wearing our hats that made our head sweat that my Jewish friend only remembered she was Jewish just before he lips clamped down on communion….

It was my first sighting of a Puerto Rican Leprechaun… yes, they really do exist!


The Street Church Collective communities

Arden Court Community Church (Farmington)

Brookdale Chatfield Community Church (West Hartford)

Harbour Community Church (West Hartford)

Farmington Station Community Church-memory care Farmington)

Farmington Station Community Church-independent living  (Farmington)

River Ridge Community Church (Avon)

The Street Church (Hartford)

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church (West Hartford)

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org


Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org

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108 Whitman Ave
West Hartford, CT 06107-1754

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I Love A Parade

I am that guy at the parade who cheers for every one who goes by. If they are carrying a banner I will cheer them on by name. I will act like a complete Buffon for anything marchers may be tossing to the crowd….

and best of all, I run into the parade myself and take selfies with random people.

My kids find it annoying but I like to think it is a foretaste of heaven cheering us on home.      

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey Family,

It was a crazy-fun day downtown at the parade!

Logistics

  • Served: ~100… all the lunches were gone!

  • Last week's leaders: Bryan, Geoff, Deb

  • Next week's leaders: Bryan

  • Next week's preacher:Bryan

Gifts

  • Last week's: lunch and communion

  • Next week's: Underwear

Looking Ahead

  • Trail Life (like Jesus meets Boy Scouts) are packing and providing lunch

Miscellaneous

Food sign-ups for February, March, and beyond are here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040849A5AC2AA6F58-street#/

Service

Last Saturday was the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade downtown so we scaled back the day knowing it would have been impossible to hold a service with the parade going by. I had pulled together just what would fit in in our yard cart and hand truck, picked up Malaree and headed downtown to park at the Convention Center. Malaree’s back was not doing well (chronic condition) and I drove up to the barricade  blocking the street next to the library and explained to the officers who we were and what we were doing…

“I I know you guys really well. We all do. Pull right through and unload them find a spot in the library parking lot.”

I loved that….. not that “we” are “known”, but that our reason for doing what we do is known. Proverbs 31:23 reads “Her husband is respected at the city gate”…. The Church is known as the Bride of Christ and I want the Groom to be exalted.

We set up a small table for communion and a large table coffee, hot chocolate and snacks and served the lunches out of the cart. Lots of our friends came by and it was 50/50 “I knew you were going to be here” and “I came by wondering if you were going to be here.”

All the regulars saw the altar table set and asked for communion. We had some very sweet times of fellowship. We ran out of sandwiches and lunches and we had brought the full 100 with us. Folks got coffee and stuck around and had spiritual conversations. It was chilly so we warmed up anyone who wanted a hot drink and we drained them both to the end. Folks asked what we were doing, where out church was, and we heard over and over “that is beautiful” and a number of folks would not take “no” for an answer and stuffed money in my hand.

Isis and Liz joined me in the parade shenanigans. They are so special, it felt like family… and that was good, because we are.

love you all,

b

The Street Church Collective communities

Arden Court Community Church (Farmington)

Brookdale Chatfield Community Church (West Hartford)

Harbour Community Church (West Hartford)

Farmington Station Community Church-memory care Farmington)

Farmington Station Community Church-independent living  (Farmington)

River Ridge Community Church (Avon)

The Street Church (Hartford)

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church (West Hartford)

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Loving Life in The Spirit

 

 

Have you met Chris and her three-legged wonder dog yet? She has a gifting of prayer and hugs and a smile that makes you want to become friends and send a Christmas Card and her dog has three little legs and a heart the size of Texas

    

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey Family!

Amazing as always when hungry people gather to worship Jesus!

Logistics

Served: 100

Last week's leaders: Ruth, Bryan

Next week's leaders: Bryan

Next week's preacher: Saint Patrick!

Gifts

Last week's: Merch, wool socks

Next week's: nada

Service--

Fantastic Weather! Ruth has become a New Englander as she did not wear a coat and was going on about how warm it was... and it was only 50 degrees!!!

Ruth, her dad, and a mom with her son "Mighty Joe" joined us. Joe moved from shy/distracted/ uncomfortable to fully engaged and a total joy.  It was a reminder of the power of love and acceptance in this family. Love has transformational power.

Ruth's dad was with us too and it's cracks me up to see them working together. Ruth shared a bit of the depth of trust she has in her dad during her message. I will never be able to grasp what this family did by sending Ruth away from home, family, and country at such a vulnerable age to have a life in America… just as God has asked of Abram.

We loaded quickly thanks to Joe,  I swung around back to pick up wool socks and we still all arrived early. We were met by a huge group of 20 students from CrU, a Christian Ministry doing fantastic work on college campuses. Derrick, a student who is a regular with us on weekends had shared about Street Church at their weekly meeting about what is happening and there was a huge response. Please continue to pray for this bunch UCONN students. They are charging after God together and the love is spilling out all over the place.

One of the recently baptized (like, last week) folks returned last week and shared that God is giving them apartments and work!

Our friend Randell showed up again as promised when I saw him mid-week. I offered him a jacket to replace the one he lost in jail and he very politely declined it saying he did not like it. So glad he was able to choose and say no. This is a community where people are being transformed. My youngest daughter has not seen him since his transformation and she was speechless. “He was so nice and polite!”

Christine the “hugger" and her three-legged wonder dog made the rounds spreading the love. I noticed a number of the UCONN students holding him as they miss their dogs... what better mascot for Street Church than a beautiful dog with three legs! As out closing circle, Greg, aka “Brother Bensen” reminded these students how much encouragement they are giving by showing up; “when I was homeless and an addict I had no one come to help me and talk to me! You guys show up and love and it changes hearts and people and me!”

Ruth gave a powerful message on dedication and action to God based on loving trust of the Father, sharing from Scripture and her own account of leaving family and home and country at such a young age and setting out for a foreign land. It was anointed and moved us all. I gave a call after her and  two came forward to recommit lives to Jesus and wanting to walk in obedience.  We all gathered around them and prayed deep prayers and I and others were given prophetic words to pray over them. Our King is so kind to the brokenhearted!

Friends who we (I) was worried about for weeks were back.  One asked for prayer for because their  heart that hasbeen filled with a deep, palpable sorrow and sadness that they had never felt that before. I was deeply taken back as every time I ask how they a huge smile grows and they respond “I am good! I trust God and He has always been faithful!” They exude  trust and confidence. I called Ruth over to pray over them as she has walked in the same valley. Here is a place where fears and pain can be voiced and you are not condemned as being unfaithful.

The prayer time before communion was SOOOOO engaged! I am sure it helped having 20 college students bold in their faith milling about with us but it was a sight to behold. Everywhere you looked there were people conversing with the Living God. There is a movement happening in our midst and it is personable and real.

Lunch and giveaways went well and with so many the huge lunch line that moved along without any upheaval. Random folks dropped off donations of a big sack of candy, pastries from Panera, and a platter of wraps from the UCONN School of social work that is behind us. As always the lunch line grows during the service, but as long as they are quiet and respectful it is ok. Many came to Jesus because they were hungry too…

Come and see… the woman who came up to rededicate her life for Jesus was a first time visitor brought over from the library from a guy named Tony whom Lisa and I "graduated" high school with FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO. “Come and see” he told her

One of the regular ladies who is homeless and blind (can you imagine?)  shared that her friend who was was baptized two weeks ago will be away for awhile. She made the choice to go to rehab. To God be the glory.Look at God.

Be amazed family, be amazed and stay amazed in awe and wonder, not at me or any of us, or what we do or how God has formed us to do it, but at Him who is loving us so well, and his power and majesty.

Love you all to the moon and past it!

Bryan

        From the Community Churches

“Since we are living by the Spirit,

let us follow the Spirit’s leading

in every part of our lives.”

                               Galatians 5:25 NLT

I never thought I would be singing Bob Marley and the Wailers song, “Three Little Birds” with a blind Jewish lady in a memory care facility some day, but there I was doing just that.

Our services in memory facilities are a bit hard to describe. They are a combination of stand up comedy, tent-revival-preaching, liturgical/sacramental worship, charismatic experiences, Gospel sing-alongside, and ad-hoc pivots to whatever might happen or be said that day…. and just joy. Lot’s and lot’s of joy covered in a homie gravy of love.

Several staff come for communion and prayer because they work weekends and some just to see what the commotion is about. Visiting family members sit wide-eyed at the sight of it al...It doesn’t matter. It is for freedom Christ has set me free and I am simply trying to free others…

as a matter of fact there was a new resident who told me a number of times that he was a prisoner and had lost the team he came from…. this is after I looked over and he was giving me the bird, so I just told him it was ok, he was safe with us there. I don’t get it, but God promised to be with us always and that means always, even when our faculties fail us. It is about His promise to us, not our ability to do anything for him or ourselves.

I am not sure what happened but I was given some words to share and my friend Jen who helps me and I both shook and were covered with goosebumps when the words left my lips. There was a noticeable tremble through the residents too. We both tried to remember what was said in the parking lot before we left but could not for the life of us figure it out and that was ok… it was a word for them from Him.

God loves to give his children gifts, all of his children.  

Keep praying these folks up.

blessings,,

bryan

The Street Church Collective communities

Arden Court Community Church (Farmington)

Brookdale Chatfield Community Church (West Hartford)

Harbour Community Church (West Hartford)

Farmington Station Community Church-memory care Farmington)

Farmington Station Community Church-independent living  (Farmington)

River Ridge Community Church (Avon)

The Street Church (Hartford)

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church (West Hartford)

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org