February Update

February 1, 2009

Dear Team,

Greetings from St. Louis! If you go to your computer and do a quick internet search on America’s most dangerous cities, you will consistently find St. Louis in the top five. When I talk to people who are not from St. Louis I am constantly reminded of people’s opinions of the city. Most people see inner-city St. Louis filled with racial tension and danger and they want to stay as far away as possible.

I am sure that there are a number of reasons why we are always among the top five most dangerous cities. I have joked in the past that we are #1—everyone always wants to be the best at something. In 2008, there was an average of one murder every other day. Violence seems to be at an all time high. And, unfortunately, the church seems to be closing its doors at an all time high as well.

I do not generally speak about the dangerous side of the city in our monthly letters. By nature, I am an optimistic person and I want to keep you informed about the best things happening in our lives. The reason I am telling you this is that we need your prayers. Notice I did not say want. We need your prayers. There are so many different ways that Satan is trying to tear down the harvest that we are preparing for our Lord.

This is a new and exciting year that holds in store many great and amazing things. I am a firm believer that some of those things will only happen if prayer warriors are interceding for us. This year also holds many challenges for us and Adria and I are very grateful for your prayers and support. During these tough economic times, our support has not wavered and that is something that humbles both of us.

Adria and I are here until God calls us elsewhere and it is an honor to serve Christ in this ministry. Pray for our church planting efforts—that God would raise up indigenous leaders from our community and that through these churches lives will be redeemed. Pray for the youth and children we work with to have a clear understanding of His saving grace and that they would desire a relationship with Him. Pray for our staff to multiply and be unified. And last, but not least, pray for our safety—both spiritual and physical. Thank you for interceding for us and supporting us financially.

All for our King,

Andrew & Adria Medlen