Hello all!

It is the middle of October, and life couldn’t be going better. I have been enjoying my experiences in ministry in Chicago, IL. The church I work for is great, and their link is in the resources tab.

I spend much of my weeks exploring the neighborhood of Portage Park; meeting new people who are hungry for the Gospel. I also have been searching for space where we can begin to hold preview worship services, beginning on January 29th.

I love the people I have been working with. Most of my time is spent with Peter Schwich, another recent seminary graduate who will become the campus pastor once the site is up and running. I also get along swell with the rest of the staff, Lead Pastor Fred Nelson (no relation), Park Ridge Campus Pastor Carol Breimeier, North Avenue Campus Pastor Matt Stuhlmuller, and our Ministry Coordinator Rachel Quest. We have quite the team, and had a long planning session this afternoon to tackle the Advent and Christmas seasons. This weekend, we will have a hymn sing at Park Ridge, called Suds and Songs. Saturday, we will be at the Dunning Conservation area to plant trees, paint faces, and to build relationships with people in the community.

In my free time, I spend time with some friends, and take time to explore Chicago, watching the Cubs post-season push, and catching up on my reading list.

I will be preaching this weekend at our North Ave. location, and hope to have the sermon loaded under the sermon tab by early next week. I will also begin fund raising for our new church site.

Peace in Christ,

Dan Nelson