~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Manhattan Project Newsletter January/February 2010 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Greetings from the city of New York, a colossal urban beehive exerting powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment. In the eyes of man, New York City is lacking very little. Yet, when this city is viewed through the eyes of a loving God, it is empty and a mission field like none other. We are so excited to be a small part of what God is doing here.

New York is such a large city and densely populated. We often discuss how to creatively spread the message of our church and the Gospel to our community. We have knocked thousands of doors by utilizing mission groups that have joined us in the summer. However, with the endless amount of multi- family homes and apartment buildings it is not possible to access everyone. We have stood on street corners and passed out flyers. We have hosted prayer stations in the subways. All of which we have seen fruit from. Yet, we are always praying about new ways to reach our community. God is so faithful, He answered our prayers in a way in which we would have never expected. Most of you know that the census bureau is conducting a 2010 census. They called our church requesting to use our building as a testing site for census employees in our neighborhood and the surrounding communities. So for about 4 weeks, we had hundreds of people come by our church each week seeking employment. Yet at the same time, they were exposed to a new and exciting church plant within their neighborhood. Ron was available to meet people and introduce himself as the pastor and even had opportunity to pass out tracts. What a blessing and at no financial expense to the church. Isn't God good? Please pray with us that we would see much fruit from this opportunity.

God blessed us with a new couple several months ago that have been a tremendous blessing to our church family. Aaron and Amy Benedict found out about our church when they brought their daughter, Marilyn to our VBS last summer. We discovered that they were also from Missouri and almost immediately we had a kindred spirit with them. Ron began discipleship with Aaron soon after discovering that they were both previously saved many years ago. We have seen tremendous growth in them and God is now using them to minister with us. They are helping us with worship and have been a huge asset to our children's ministry. We are so excited to see the numerical growth with new, young families coming to our church. But even more importantly, we are seeing spiritual growth as well.

We came to New York City with one major goal and that is reaching lost souls for Christ and discipling them in the truth. We rejoice in the fact that we have seen five souls saved over the last two months. One of which is Jose Rodriguez whom we have been praying for over the past year. He is the father of one of our precious children in the City Kids ministry. It has truly been exciting to see his growth and his faithfulness to service. We are looking forward to him being able to start discipleship.

We thank you for your prayers regarding the purchase of our building that we are currently meeting in. As stated in our last newsletter, we sent off a proposal of $350,000 to the American Baptist Churches of Metro New York (ABC). They reviewed our proposal, but due to lack of some information on their part, they were unable to move forward in accepting it. The leadership of the ABC meet only once every November. Because their paperwork was not complete, they have granted us an extension through November 2010. We will continue to meet in our building and will remain in constant prayer for the purchase of the property. Please continue to pray with us. We are trusting it all be done according to the Lord's will and His timing. We never want to end a newsletter without first thanking you for your faithful support, both prayerfully and financially. We are very aware that this ministry is possible because of the sacrifices that many of you are making. God is doing some amazing things in this city and we are thankful for the part that you are playing in making it happen. May God bless each and every single one of you!

In His service, Ron and Susan Taylor, Church Planting Missionaries to New York City