A Church Devoted to Prayer
Dear Friends,
In the last newsletter, I began sharing the values that will shape Newark Grace. We started with Scripture because God’s Word is the foundation of everything we believe and do. If you missed that, you can read it here.
Our second value is prayer.
Church planting comes with a long list of things to do: finding a meeting space, buying equipment, forming small groups, planning outreach, and building a team. These responsibilities matter. But none of them can give spiritual life to a dead heart, sustain a weary Christian, or form a group of people into a healthy church. Only God can do those things.
That is why prayer must be part of our foundation. As we say in our prospectus, we believe the church is sustained by the power and presence of God. Prayer is how we depend upon the Spirit, seek God’s direction, intercede for others, and bring our hearts into line with his will.
When We Gather
Acts 2:42 says that the first Christians “devoted themselves” to prayer. Prayer was woven into the ordinary life of the church.
When we gather, we will praise God, confess our sins, thank him for his grace, and bring our needs before him. We also want our prayers to stretch beyond our own congregation.
One Sunday each month, we plan to focus on a particular person, place, or gospel need. We may pray for a missionary by name, a school in Newark, an unreached people group, or another local church.
Specific prayer forms specific love. As we pray for a school, we grow in concern for its students and families. As we pray for missionaries, we remember the needs of the nations. As we pray for other churches, we learn to rejoice in what Christ is doing through them. These prayers remind us that his kingdom is far larger than Newark Grace.
Beyond Sunday
We want prayer to shape our ordinary relationships too.
In small groups, we will make time to share real needs and pray for one another by name. When we read Scripture together, we will ask God to help us believe and obey it. When someone is grieving, fighting sin, or facing a difficult decision, we want prayer to become a natural part of how we care for them.
I hope we learn to pray together around kitchen tables, in hospital rooms, over the phone, and in the church parking lot. Instead of only saying, “I’ll pray for you,” I want us to become comfortable saying, “Can we pray about that right now?”
Prayer will also shape our evangelism. We want to pray regularly for neighbors, relatives, coworkers, and friends who do not know Christ. We will ask God for open doors and clear words—and then invite someone for coffee, welcome a neighbor into our home, offer to read a Gospel together, or explain the hope we have in Jesus.
We pray because only God can save. We speak because God brings people to faith through the good news of Christ.
I do not want Newark Grace merely to call itself a praying church. I want our dependence upon God to be visible in our gatherings, decisions, relationships, and mission. Please pray that this dependence would begin with me and take root in us from our earliest days.
Would you ask God to make Newark Grace a church devoted to prayer?
Josh
P.S. Is there something specific we can be praying about for you? Let us know by responding to this email or filling out our prayer form here.
In the last newsletter, I began sharing the values that will shape Newark Grace. We started with Scripture because God’s Word is the foundation of everything we believe and do. If you missed that, you can read it here.
Our second value is prayer.
Church planting comes with a long list of things to do: finding a meeting space, buying equipment, forming small groups, planning outreach, and building a team. These responsibilities matter. But none of them can give spiritual life to a dead heart, sustain a weary Christian, or form a group of people into a healthy church. Only God can do those things.
That is why prayer must be part of our foundation. As we say in our prospectus, we believe the church is sustained by the power and presence of God. Prayer is how we depend upon the Spirit, seek God’s direction, intercede for others, and bring our hearts into line with his will.
When We Gather
Acts 2:42 says that the first Christians “devoted themselves” to prayer. Prayer was woven into the ordinary life of the church.
When we gather, we will praise God, confess our sins, thank him for his grace, and bring our needs before him. We also want our prayers to stretch beyond our own congregation.
One Sunday each month, we plan to focus on a particular person, place, or gospel need. We may pray for a missionary by name, a school in Newark, an unreached people group, or another local church.
Specific prayer forms specific love. As we pray for a school, we grow in concern for its students and families. As we pray for missionaries, we remember the needs of the nations. As we pray for other churches, we learn to rejoice in what Christ is doing through them. These prayers remind us that his kingdom is far larger than Newark Grace.
Beyond Sunday
We want prayer to shape our ordinary relationships too.
In small groups, we will make time to share real needs and pray for one another by name. When we read Scripture together, we will ask God to help us believe and obey it. When someone is grieving, fighting sin, or facing a difficult decision, we want prayer to become a natural part of how we care for them.
I hope we learn to pray together around kitchen tables, in hospital rooms, over the phone, and in the church parking lot. Instead of only saying, “I’ll pray for you,” I want us to become comfortable saying, “Can we pray about that right now?”
Prayer will also shape our evangelism. We want to pray regularly for neighbors, relatives, coworkers, and friends who do not know Christ. We will ask God for open doors and clear words—and then invite someone for coffee, welcome a neighbor into our home, offer to read a Gospel together, or explain the hope we have in Jesus.
We pray because only God can save. We speak because God brings people to faith through the good news of Christ.
I do not want Newark Grace merely to call itself a praying church. I want our dependence upon God to be visible in our gatherings, decisions, relationships, and mission. Please pray that this dependence would begin with me and take root in us from our earliest days.
Would you ask God to make Newark Grace a church devoted to prayer?
Josh
P.S. Is there something specific we can be praying about for you? Let us know by responding to this email or filling out our prayer form here.
Thank you for continuing to pray for Newark Grace. Here are a few specific ways you can pray with us this week:
Fruit from the Chocolate Walk. Last Friday, our team gave out around 200 chocolate-covered pretzels, invitation cards, and Jesus Loves Newark bracelets at the Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk. We were encouraged by the interest people expressed in a new church downtown. Please ask God to use those brief conversations and simple invitations to draw people to Christ and connect them with a faithful local church.
Rest for our family. On Saturday, Jen, Willow, and I will leave for a vacation with my parents. Please pray for safe travel, patience during Willow’s first long car ride, and unhurried time together as a family. The coming months will be full, so I am asking the Lord to use this week to renew me for the work ahead.
Our launch team. Several members of our team are walking through significant transitions—leaving their sending church, navigating changes within their families, finishing school, and carrying difficult personal concerns. Please pray that God would sustain them, deepen our unity, and keep our joy rooted in Christ. Ask him to help us care for one another well as we prepare to serve together.
Healthy partnerships. God has given us growing relationships with churches in our fellowship, other congregations, and community partners in Newark. We are also working with a local organization on a community event this December. Please pray for humility, trust, and clear communication. We want to listen well, serve our neighbors thoughtfully, and build relationships that will strengthen gospel ministry in Newark for years to come.
Practical preparations. We are still working through the details of opening Newark Grace’s bank account and selecting sound equipment that is clear, affordable, and portable. These tasks may seem ordinary, but faithful ministry requires wise stewardship in ordinary things. Please pray for patience with the paperwork, good counsel, and sound decisions that will serve the church well.
Fruit from the Chocolate Walk. Last Friday, our team gave out around 200 chocolate-covered pretzels, invitation cards, and Jesus Loves Newark bracelets at the Downtown Newark Chocolate Walk. We were encouraged by the interest people expressed in a new church downtown. Please ask God to use those brief conversations and simple invitations to draw people to Christ and connect them with a faithful local church.
Rest for our family. On Saturday, Jen, Willow, and I will leave for a vacation with my parents. Please pray for safe travel, patience during Willow’s first long car ride, and unhurried time together as a family. The coming months will be full, so I am asking the Lord to use this week to renew me for the work ahead.
Our launch team. Several members of our team are walking through significant transitions—leaving their sending church, navigating changes within their families, finishing school, and carrying difficult personal concerns. Please pray that God would sustain them, deepen our unity, and keep our joy rooted in Christ. Ask him to help us care for one another well as we prepare to serve together.
Healthy partnerships. God has given us growing relationships with churches in our fellowship, other congregations, and community partners in Newark. We are also working with a local organization on a community event this December. Please pray for humility, trust, and clear communication. We want to listen well, serve our neighbors thoughtfully, and build relationships that will strengthen gospel ministry in Newark for years to come.
Practical preparations. We are still working through the details of opening Newark Grace’s bank account and selecting sound equipment that is clear, affordable, and portable. These tasks may seem ordinary, but faithful ministry requires wise stewardship in ordinary things. Please pray for patience with the paperwork, good counsel, and sound decisions that will serve the church well.
We’re looking forward to a full season of gathering, serving, and connecting throughout Newark. Whether you’re interested in learning more about Newark Grace or simply want to serve alongside us, we would love to see you at one—or several—of these events.
Pastor Josh Preaching at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, October 18
Join us as Pastor Josh returns to preach at our sending church, Pataskala Grace, and shares more about what God is doing through Newark Grace.
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Friday, October 30 • 5:00–6:30 PM
Newark Grace will have a booth in Downtown Newark, where we’ll hand out treats and spend time with families from across the community. If you would like to serve with us, this is a simple and enjoyable opportunity to meet our neighbors and help us be a warm presence downtown.
Preview Services at Pataskala Grace
Sundays, November 8, 15, and 29; December 6 • 5:00 PM
3517 Headleys Mill Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062
We’ll gather in the main auditorium at Pataskala Grace for four preview services. These evenings will allow our launch team to begin worshiping and serving together as we practice the rhythms that will shape our Sunday gatherings: singing, prayer, Scripture reading, preaching, and fellowship. Guests are welcome, so come meet the team and learn more about Newark Grace.
Christmas Carols and Hot Cocoa on the Square
December • Date and Time TBA
We’re working with a local community partner to plan an evening of Christmas carols and hot cocoa on the Square in Downtown Newark. We hope this will be a warm, welcoming opportunity to celebrate Christmas, serve our city, and spend time with our neighbors. We’ll share more details as our plans come together.
Preview Services in Downtown Newark
Sundays, December 13, 20, and 27; January 3 • 10:00 AM
DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 N. 2nd Street, Newark, OH 43055
These will be our first Sunday services in Downtown Newark. Each gathering will include singing, prayer, Scripture reading, biblical preaching, and time to connect with one another. The preview services will help our team become familiar with the space and prepare to welcome our community before our official launch. Whether you are considering joining Newark Grace or simply want to encourage us during these early weeks, we would be glad to have you with us.
Launch Sunday
Sunday, January 10 • 10:00 AM
DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 N. 2nd Street, Newark, OH 43055
On Launch Sunday, Newark Grace will begin gathering weekly for public worship in Downtown Newark. We have been praying and preparing for this day for a long time, and we would love for you to celebrate with us. Come worship Christ, meet the people of Newark Grace, and hear more about our desire to help people place Jesus at the center of everything.
Pastor Josh Preaching at Pataskala Grace
Sunday, October 18
Join us as Pastor Josh returns to preach at our sending church, Pataskala Grace, and shares more about what God is doing through Newark Grace.
Trick-or-Treat on the Square
Friday, October 30 • 5:00–6:30 PM
Newark Grace will have a booth in Downtown Newark, where we’ll hand out treats and spend time with families from across the community. If you would like to serve with us, this is a simple and enjoyable opportunity to meet our neighbors and help us be a warm presence downtown.
Preview Services at Pataskala Grace
Sundays, November 8, 15, and 29; December 6 • 5:00 PM
3517 Headleys Mill Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062
We’ll gather in the main auditorium at Pataskala Grace for four preview services. These evenings will allow our launch team to begin worshiping and serving together as we practice the rhythms that will shape our Sunday gatherings: singing, prayer, Scripture reading, preaching, and fellowship. Guests are welcome, so come meet the team and learn more about Newark Grace.
Christmas Carols and Hot Cocoa on the Square
December • Date and Time TBA
We’re working with a local community partner to plan an evening of Christmas carols and hot cocoa on the Square in Downtown Newark. We hope this will be a warm, welcoming opportunity to celebrate Christmas, serve our city, and spend time with our neighbors. We’ll share more details as our plans come together.
Preview Services in Downtown Newark
Sundays, December 13, 20, and 27; January 3 • 10:00 AM
DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 N. 2nd Street, Newark, OH 43055
These will be our first Sunday services in Downtown Newark. Each gathering will include singing, prayer, Scripture reading, biblical preaching, and time to connect with one another. The preview services will help our team become familiar with the space and prepare to welcome our community before our official launch. Whether you are considering joining Newark Grace or simply want to encourage us during these early weeks, we would be glad to have you with us.
Launch Sunday
Sunday, January 10 • 10:00 AM
DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 N. 2nd Street, Newark, OH 43055
On Launch Sunday, Newark Grace will begin gathering weekly for public worship in Downtown Newark. We have been praying and preparing for this day for a long time, and we would love for you to celebrate with us. Come worship Christ, meet the people of Newark Grace, and hear more about our desire to help people place Jesus at the center of everything.
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