MADRID!

I am excited to announce that for the final part of the Women’s Development Program, I will be going to Madrid, Spain from July 25^th-August 3^rd! Through this incredible year of learning about God and growing to know Him more, one mission still remains for all of us: to make Him known to every tribe, tongue, and nation (Acts 1:8, Revelation 5:9). While in Madrid, we will do just that in partnering with a local organization, LM2. We hope to further their long-term vision of establishing gospel movements among unreached peoples in key European cities.

 Every day, we will:

1.     Meet, worship, and train.
2.     Prayer walk through communities of immigrants, asking God to open hearts to the Gospel.
3.     Share the Gospel with immigrants through their personal testimony and the “creation to Christ” story.

A little about this area of Spain: Madrid is a key European city with a huge influx of people, many of whom come from closed countries (countries that are difficult to get into for Americans, especially Christians) where the name of Jesus isn’t even spoken. The main people groups living or vacationing in this region are Pakistanis and Saudis, as well as others. This is a huge opportunity for the gospel to be shared, with the hope that these people can take it back to their home countries.

 

Please join me in praying for this trip. We will be planting as many seeds of the gospel story as possible, but also obeying Jesus’ words in Luke 10:2, trusting that He is already calling many of them to Himself.

Financial need: 

The cost of the trip is $2,200. This covers everything for the trip. I am inviting you to give a one-time special gift to be a part of this ministry in Spain this summer. Suggested amounts are $50, $100, $150, or $200, but please give in the capacity that you feel led (more details on back).

A one-time donation can be made through this link:

https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=b1af4b

Please be in prayer for how the Lord would have you join in this ministry this summer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at (713) 446-9324.

**Please be sure to put “Callie Edmonds” in the “Reference Name” box

 

Raised to LIFE!

 Baptisms

Baptism, or "baptismo" is the Greek word meaning "to immerse". This spring our church has done a sermon series called Raised to Life, in which we dug into Ephesians 1, explicitly dealing with what the gospel is and how our lives are to reflect it. Understanding that, as those who are saved, we are not only saved from our sin and given eternal life (INCREDIBLE news), but are adopted as God's own sons and daughters. To be adopted. To be chosen. There is nothing we can say or do that will affect His love for us. We cannot earn it, nor lose it.

In response to this truth, Jesus modeled baptism as a picture of what has taken place in our lives. As a symbol of being dead to our own sin and shortcomings, and then being raised to life we are called to share our story with those closest to us. We know that there is nothing "saving" about the act of baptism, but we see the importance in sharing what Christ has done in our own hearts and lives for those around us, allowing them to encourage and support us as we walk this life-long journey of being a Christ follower.

It has been my absolute joy to see dear friends share their stories and to celebrate what Christ has uniquely done in their lives. These pictures are but a glimpse of the tears and celebration that I've gotten to be a part of.

 
 "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:1-14

Gathering and Growing

The first of a few updates to come...

West Campus Move

 
Our campus moved! This might not sound like much at first, but it has been one of the biggest parts of this spring for me--as far as work goes. In early part of this year, the decision was officially made to make the move from the centrally-located middle school we had been in, to a more permanent campus right in the heart of Westlake (hence, our name "West"). These are the hearts our church sought after for West. A crazy ride to say the least, but I have loved getting to be a part of the vision, design, and overall planning for all that this new location would be. Even through all of our careful planning, we knew that the people would not come without the Lord's movement. With constant prayer and a hopeful hearts, our leadership team walked forward in obedience. He was faithful! Easter Sunday was our first week to hold service in the Westlake Performing Arts Center (part of Westlake High School), and we had over 1000 come through our doors (about a 300% increase)! Packed to the back walls, new faces worshiped the King as active participants, rather than just attending a concert or show. As with any complete re-design and location change, there are still a lot of tweeks and ends to be tied up. I am thankful to have the opportunity to coach and lead the team that welcomes His children in and connects them to the body of Christ. Lives are being impacted by the gospel in mighty ways, and deep and lasting change is taking place! Please continue for patience as we build teams and continue to make this campus the best it can be for all who come through our doors.





 Some of my family were also able to come in for this weekend, which made it even more special! There's nothing like a visit from those you love to make you feel absolutely loved and supported. I am thankful for the laughter and time spent with each one of them!

 

  IF: Gathering
 This group of women. Not just another conference; to gather, equip, and unleash. The weekend of Feb. 7-8 was just the first step of a movement that calls for more. I had the opportunity to take a backstage view of all that this time entailed. My little logistics-loving mind soaked up every minute, seeing the leadership behind it all. Prayer soaked, these women believe wholeheartedly in the Lord's leadership and power to bridge areas that, for decades, have stripped the Christian community of its effectiveness. These women understand that Gospel centrality is key to fighting the sin of generations past and present, as well as challenging the status quo in all that life as a believer is meant to exemplify.

Passion for the passionate.

May is here! These past few months have been a whirlwind here in Austin...and I have loved every minute. My heart swells every time I get to walk (or bike) the streets of this city, as it is busting at the seems with creativity. These people are PASSIONATE! Whether believers in Christ or not, their Creator's mark of desiring a full and meaningful life is written all over them. They are not fooled by laziness or apathy.

But they are fooled by their own flesh. These people, like many of us at times, truly believe that they can find satisfaction in their own efforts and strength. Looking at their faces, I see the emptiness. My heart aches for them to know a full and meaningful life. Coming from all over this state, country, and world, these people are hungry. Hungry for something more than they currently possess.

The thing about hunger is that it gets worse as time goes on. Our very insides cry out from within us.

I feel tinges of it on the days I choose not to be filled by what is lasting. I'm the first to run to my checklists, accomplishments, and plans. And then anxiety, depressive thoughts, worthlessness creep in...a life so full, yet empty. I wish my hunger would cry out more. Or more quickly. That I would see and believe my desperate need for Him every hour of every day. Yet while I struggle with my own tendency to find fulfillment in the flesh, there's a difference. He has opened my heart to know the source to drink from. He whispers my name, and I come back and am filled. Imagine going not just hours, days, or months, but an entire lifetime without water.

I see the faces of those with empty stomachs and souls every day. I see their hunger growing, and my heart hurts. They are passionate, gifted, and hardworking, and so very empty. May they no longer look to appearance, creativity, passions, or performance to sustain.

 ^"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." - Romans 8:12-14

^"Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

As more posts come of all that God has walked me through this spring, keep this heartbeat in mind; that all that I experience and grow through has been and always will be for the purpose of knowing Him and making Him known. May those walking the same streets and sitting in the same seats as me, have the same tendencies, yet seeing through a completely different lens be pointed to the only One who fills.

Father, take the scales off of our eyes and draw us to the Source.