A Place to call Home...

Dear Friends and Family,

They say that home is where your heart is, our heart is in PHOENIX! Following 16 years of ministry to students at Mountain Park Community Church in Phoenix we left to become Senior Pastor at a church in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. While there, our hearts began to long to go "home" to Phoenix. We just love the desert, and the heat, and the people of the Valley of the Sun. Mostly we feel a burden for the lost and unchurched of the area. That is why I am writing to you today. Cindy and I have sensed a call to plant a new church in the Phoenix area and we are asking you to become a partner with us in this exciting adventure.

During the late Summer of 2006 I met with Robin Wood, my friend and partner in ministry at MPCC, to discuss and explore areas in the Valley to plant a new church. When we drove into LAVEEN, an area that had been primarily a farming community in the west valley while we lived there, I knew I was looking at my future home. There are new home developments on almost every corner and very few churches. When Robin and I began to visit schools where our church could meet we met the principle, Susan Jurkunas, of a new K-8 school, Trailside Point, that will open in 2007. During our conversation I described the type of church we wanted to plant, a church for the unchurched, a community of people living by faith, who have been changed by love, and offering hope to the world, as she looked at Robin and I she said: "Our community is going to need a church like that." It was one of those God moments that just confirm that the steps of faith you are taking are being directed by the Lord. Following our hour long conversation Susan got contract papers for us to sign that very day! Isn't God amazing?

There is an old saying that I have always believed that goes like this: "Opportunities often come disguised as hard work." We know that hard work awaits us but what a tremendous opportunity. When the Apostle Paul was writing to the young believers in Philippi, a church that he had planted, he wrote this to them: "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your PARTNERSHIP in the gospel from the first day until now." Philippians 1: 4-5

Recently as I was reading Scripture and praying through our decision the Lord directed me to this verse: "Pray that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ." Colossians 4: 2-3 That is what we need most of all from you...YOUR PRAYERS! Pray that God will indeed continue to open doors in Laveen as we move forward in planting THE BRIDGE Community Church.

Jon Bon Jovi sings in a recent hit song: "Who says you can't go home?" and to that I say "Right on!"

We thank God for your friendship and your partnership! You matter to us and to God!

Jeff Mugford & Cindy Mugford