ConnectDinners Newsletter

Pastor's Report - September 2026
September 11, 2026

Dear Church Board,

The months of July and August brought both unexpected trials and profound spiritual milestones to ConnectDinners. As we navigated the mid-summer heat and the sudden crisis of local wildfires in Spokane, the Holy Spirit continued to build a resilient, compassionate family around our tables. We witnessed firsthand that our church is no longer just a gathering space—it is an anchor of hope and safety for our neighborhood. From practical crisis relief to transformative national leadership summits, God is refining our vision and preparing us for an exciting new chapter of weekly ministry.

Ministry Highlights & Wins

• Grace and Prayer Amidst Spokane Fires: During the recent local fire emergency, our scheduled Monday evening service faced unprecedented obstacles. Our primary chef was called away for emergency response duties, and our commercial prep kitchen at Spokane First Church of the Nazarene fell under an official evacuation order. Though we made the necessary decision to cancel the formal service, we knew many of our weekly neighbors rely on us and could not be notified in advance. Marcy and Pastor Michelle broke away from the fire station long enough to assemble simple take-away meals, while Pastor Maureen and Pastor Vern opened the doors of Connect Church to welcome arriving neighbors for prayer, care, and food. I am deeply grateful for our team stepping up to show Christ's love during a community crisis.
  
  
• Answered Prayer for Pastoral Schedule: Since the inception of ConnectDinners, one of my constant prayer requests has been for consistency in my personal work schedule. I am thrilled to report a direct answer to prayer: effective November 1st, I am transitioning to day shift with a new schedule that guarantees I do not work on Mondays. Starting in November, I will be present at ConnectDinners every single Monday night.
  
  
• My Story Monday Momentum: We have deeply enjoyed hearing the testimonies of how several people around our tables came to faith in Jesus Christ and how their lives have been transformed since. We are constantly seeking others who are willing to share their story. We are actively encouraging anyone ready to share their testimony to connect with Pastor Vic or Pastor Maureen so we can get them scheduled for upcoming "My Story Monday" gatherings.

Key Metrics

While complete weekly attendance logs for July and August were not recorded due to summer scheduling shifts, our overall community density remained consistent throughout the season.

*Note: Throughout July and August, our kitchen team consistently prepared 100 servings each week. These meals were routinely fully consumed at our tables or distributed as take-away boxes to guests in attendance. On rare occasions when surplus food remained, meals were delivered directly to neighbors on the street.

Challenges & Strategic Adjustments

• Strategic Shifts from the 2026 West Coast Dinner Church Summit: Laurie and I had the privilege of attending the 2026 West Coast Dinner Church Summit. The gathering was deeply encouraging, and we returned with two key strategic adjustments for our weekly execution:
  
  
  • Transitioning from Outside Volunteers to Community Ownership: When planting a new church, relying heavily on outside volunteers is necessary. However, ConnectDinners has grown to an average of 60 to 80 neighbors each week, with many returning week after week. Our goal moving forward is for our regular attendees to take ownership of the evening—seeing a practical need around the tables and stepping in to fill it naturally without requiring a rigid volunteer schedule. We will reserve formal volunteer scheduling (whether for church members or outside partners) exclusively for key leadership roles: trailer attendant, speaker, chef, music lead, and children's ministry lead.
    
    
  • Refining the "Jesus Story" Delivery: During the Summit, David presented a Jesus Story format that wove Scripture directly with thought-provoking discussion questions. I am adopting this approach for our gatherings to keep our focus entirely on Jesus and people's interactions with Him, rather than interjecting personal narrative.
    
    
  • Search for Grant Writing Support: To ensure long-term financial sustainability and fund our ongoing equipment and outreach needs, we are actively seeking an individual with grant writing experience to assist us with future grant applications and submissions.

Financial & Administrative Updates

• NWConnect Kitchen Remodel Status:

• • Design & Timeline Progress: Preliminary design phases—including demolition plans, floor layouts, and elevation drawings—are fully complete. The detailed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans are currently being finalized by the engineering team, with complete specifications anticipated by September.
    
    
  • Project Scope: The renovation will deliver an updated commercial "no-frying" kitchen. Key upgrades include modernized cooking equipment, new ventilation hoods, stainless steel prep stations, increased refrigeration and dishwashing capacity, and the addition of a new ADA-compliant restroom.
    
    
  • Next Steps: Leadership and the project team are actively reviewing the draft plans to refine the layout. Once this review is complete, the finalized specifications will be used to solicit formal bids from contractors.

Old Business & Ongoing Initiatives

• 2028 West Coast Dinner Church Summit Hosting: While at the 2026 West Coast Dinner Church Summit, I officially volunteered ConnectDinners as the host site for the 2028 Summit. Hosting this regional gathering would bring incredible encouragement to our local leaders and showcase how God is working through dinner church expressions across the Inland Northwest.
  
  

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Victor Morrison