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It’s been exciting to see God continue to affirm the vision for ConnectDinners. This past month felt like a turning point. We’ve moved from planning into action, and our launch team’s energy has really grown as a result. We are not just acquiring things; we are seeing a movement begin to take shape. The prayers and encouragement of our supporters make a huge difference, and I’m happy to share our progress with you. 

Here are the key updates from the past month: 

  • Progress We Can Touch: We Have Equipment!
    • Tables & Chairs Have Arrived: I’m happy to report that our tables and chairs have been delivered. We are now equipped to seat up to 120 of our neighbors. Owning our own equipment gives us more flexibility and reduces our reliance on other churches. We specifically chose chairs that can be used on grass, which opens up possibilities for outdoor events.  
    • Mobility & Security with Our New Trailer: We also purchased a new 7'x16' enclosed trailer. This trailer will make a huge difference for our ministry. It lets us store our equipment securely and transport it efficiently, which will cut down our weekly setup and tear-down time. This is an important investment in our future. 
  • Vision in Action: The Team is Catching the Fire! 
    • A Breakthrough in Vision: We had a real breakthrough at a recent launch team meeting. After I shared a podcast about a church that prioritized building community first, something just clicked. The team’s focus shifted from the "nuts and bolts" to the heart of our mission. You could feel the passion in the room as we began brainstorming new ways to build community. One team member shared that this vision—creating a space for people who might not go to a traditional church—was the reason he joined the team, and everyone agreed. 
    • Ministry Ideas Flowing: This new energy has already led to some great, outward-focused ideas. The team wants to support the often-overlooked staff in our local schools—the custodians, kitchen staff, and office workers. We also reaffirmed our commitment to the "Loads of Love" laundromat ministry. As the team goes door-to-door, they also plan to identify homebound neighbors. This will allow us to find more ways to engage them, including preparing and delivering to-go plates on the nights of our dinners. The team recognized that preparing these meals beforehand would be a challenge, but they agreed that adding to our own discomfort to meet the needs of our neighbors is worth it. 
    • God Is Opening Doors: We're already seeing the results of this shift. 
      • School Bible Studies: This opportunity came to us in a remarkable way. One of our volunteers received an email from a local community leader who was "trying to get in contact with the new church" she had heard was coming to Hillyard. This leader works with an organization focused on student growth and was looking for someone to help facilitate a student-led Bible Study at Garry Middle School. Frank, one of our launch team members, excitedly stepped forward to lead this and is starting as soon as his background check is complete. We have already been asked to lead a similar group at a local elementary school! We are seeking volunteers that are eager to make a difference in the lives of our student neighbors. 
      • Laundromat Ministry: I met with the manager of a local laundromat to share the vision. He was surprised and supportive of the idea of us offering free coffee and paying for people's laundry. He is taking the request to the owner for final approval. This is another way we can engage our neighbors where they are, opening opportunities for conversation.  
  • Spreading the Word & Extending the Invitation  
    • Personal, Door-to-Door Outreach: Our launch team is sharing about the upcoming dinners by going door-to-door in the neighborhood, taking time to have real conversations and listen to the needs of our neighbors. We’re making it personal, rather than leaving a simple advertisement, team members are writing personal notes on all fliers left at each home. 
    • Getting the Word Out: We are making sure everyone has a chance to hear about our free community dinners by advertising widely. Our next three dinners are now listed on the community event calendars for Moody Radio, Shine 104.9, Spokane Public Radio, The Spokesman-Review, The Inlander, and Greater Spokane Inc. 
    • Partnering with Local Ministries: I also connected with Pastor Carlos Medina of Revival Culture Spokane, who runs a street ministry to the homeless. I extended a warm invitation to him, his team, and the people they serve to join us for our dinner this month.  
  • Financial Health & Stewardship 
    • District Funding Received: I'm delighted to report that we have received the committed funds from the NW District. This includes pastoral support and the first year's cost-of-living funding.  The Northwest District Church of the Nazarene has agreed to financially support our new church for the next five years on a declining gift based on the local cost of living.
    • Generous Donors: The generosity of our supporters continues to be a real blessing. We now have several families who are regularly tithing to Connect Church. I received a list of our donors from Spokane First Church of the Nazarene and mailed each of them a hand-written thank you note this week.  Connecting with and thanking our donors on a regular basis is important to me. 
    • Grant Status: Our application for the Hope Grant was submitted on September 25th. These applications are reviewed in batches, typically once every other month.  We are awaiting a reply to our application. 
    • Major Investments & Upcoming Expenses: Our two biggest purchases this month were the tables/chairs package and the cargo trailer. Looking ahead, our launch team will be renting equipment to steam clean the carpets in the entry, sanctuary and sanctuary extension at NW Connect this Monday to improve the appearance of our dinner space. We will also be investing in signage to display the nights of our dinners and other items to make our dinners feel more warm and inviting. 

We’ve had a lot of momentum this month. We're seeing the vision we've been praying for start to become a reality. Please keep praying for the passion of our launch team to grow and for these new doors God is opening. The launch is coming quickly, and we're building a foundation of true, Christ-centered community. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Pastor Victor Morrison