A Building

2Coats vision is to assist, organize and direct individuals in sharing time, talents, and gifts by compassionately engaging individuals towards God and one another. The potential for growth comes in many different areas of this organization. One area that would aid in growth would be the acquisition of a building, a point place from which we can organize, assist, and direct many individuals. Can we survive and last without a building, yes and we are doing a great job at this time doing so. This acquisition looks to the future development of the organization and its success in Grundy Center, Grundy county and beyond.

The story behind the building in Holland, Iowa. Earlier this year (2011) I had gotten a few calls from Gary Nibblink of The New Hope Fellowship in Holland. He expressed some concern that they would no longer be having services after the Easter holiday as their congregational numbers were becoming to low to support continuing services there. I did not have much of a desire to visit with him about the building at the time, wasn't quite sure if we had a use for it at the time. I did go visit with Gary and Clarence Henze at the building near the beginning of the lenten season with Jan Eberline and Stef Rohler. We sat and visited for a little bit of time. There wasn't much of a call at that time on my heart, and even after the meeting I didn't think this building would happen. It was to far from Grundy, needed work, and I didn't feel a desire to deal with the cost of the building or doing Sunday services there. I told Gary and Clarence that I would like to take the lenten season to think and pray. At the time I was also doing a 40+ day Daniel Fast and was hoping to find some discernment about the future of this building amongst other things. Nothing came. With a few weeks left in the fast until Easter, I got a call from Larry Doughn of the Colfax Center Church. He wanted to visit about the building, heard that 2Coats might be interested in using the building. We chatted a little bit over the phone, but did not get together and there wer several more weeks of time that passed without much thought of the building other than prayer. Then on June 12, I was at our Sunday service and was approached by a friend, Shelly Hovenga. She wanted to pray for me so we did. The following is what came through during that time of prayer...

People in need...something is in between them and me, like a wall or barrier...there is a noise...it is distracting them...I am to throw something to them but it seems so small..its ok that it is small though because it is from God...when its in the air it turns into fire and there are explosions of fruit when it hits the ground...there is a major source of white light, God's light exploding through the church in Holland...there is another door to go through, it is white, the handle was on the right...God says to go through it...he says, "You know my drumbeat, you beat the drum, learn to play it loud, He is going to give you drumsticks, you beat the drum...get their attention away from the distraction...

A few weeks later, I met Larry Doughn for lunch when I returned from Mexico. We discussed some vision and we planned to set up a meeting with The New Hope folks and Larry Hoop to discuss further the building when Larry D. returned from Rwanda, Africa. At this time I also got a phone message from Rick Nilles as he was looking to se if anything had been done with the building.

At that time I attended our annual SOS (Summer of Service) you conference at the Vineyard. After four days of intense risk taking teaching and practical application I was compelled to get the keys of the building and begin to lead anyone else interested in its use. I did so the following Friday in a meeting with Ken Lehew and Gary Nibblink of the New Hope Fellowship.

It is important to know that I did not discuss this decision with the 2Coats Board. I made this decision based on the above mentioned material.

And here we are. So where do we go? Here is a list of possibilities for the building...

1. Volunteer Center
2. Transitional Housing
3. Youth Center
4. Community Center
5. Saturday Night Prayer Services
6. Missions Center
7. Bakery
8. Garden and Canning Learning Center
9. Orchard
10. Wood Shop
11. Special Meetings/Conference
12. _
13. _
14. _
15. _

Balance Beam

I came to know Jesus in 2007. It wasn't an instant change, more of a process for me. One of questioning, seeking, asking, and knocking on many doors. God captured my heart after 50+ weeks in two celebrate recovery programs, after many Sunday mornings at the Vineyard, after witnessing the energy of youth worshipping the Lord, after the prayers of many loved ones who saw deep into my heart and caught a glimpse of what God had in store.

I remember one of the first books I read as a new Christian was called, The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus. If you have read this book or would like to read through my notes (CLICK HERE), you will get a better sense of who I am in Christ and how I hope to go all out for God. The last two books I have read were titled Unstoppable Force and Hearing God's Whispers and Having the Guts to do Something about it. As I read through the stories of the Bible and through these titles, God continues to shape my heart to take risks, to challenge the normal, to avoid the boring and mediocre and to experience the great things that He has in store. Even at the Vineyard we hear over and over again about stepping out in F-A-I-T-H which we spell as R-I-S-K and vice versa.

I watch Francis Chan in this balance beam video (CLICK HERE) and I get so fired up!! It is with this fire that we will run 2Coats on all levels. I would love to walk the balance beam with you, supporting one another, taking risks, avoiding the boring and the mundane, cannon balling right into the center of where He needs us to be, inspiring lives with the gifts that he has given us, and getting set up in a front row seat to watch Him move in people.

2Coats, Compassionate Engagement

The following is a listing and short explanation of how we hope to serve the Grundy Center area, surrounding county, and beyond. What we do will correspond to our Mission, Vision, and Values. It is important to know that there is no timing here. Some of these things are currently happening, others may be 30 years away. Very simply, this was the beginning of the calling on my heart, the seeds have been planted and I am looking forward to watching GOd move and seeing the harvest. Most importantly, we are going to need partners, and we are going to have to pray.

Community Outreach:

• community nights of prayer
• fall festivals, farmer's market dinners
• grocery bag invasions
• spring cleaning
• senior housing BBQ's
• caroling
• bible studies
• community suppers
• mobile food pantry coffee and doughnuts

Missions:

• coordinate international outreach using local resources.
• coordinate international mission trips
• coordinate nationwide outreach outside of our boundaries.
• lead trips every 2-3 months throughout the year.

Education:

• education = empowerment
• help individuals to make personal investments, a safe place to take online courses, help with online course completion
• personal education, parenting, nutrition, finances, etc.
• goal setting seminars

Community building:

• coffee house, dances, couples nights, adult proms
• meeting place for small groups, bible studies
• study lounge
• christian library
• coffee houses

Volunteer Coordination

• helping with home improvement needs: plumbing, electrical, house clean-up, snow removal
• serving the under-resourced
• sign up for needs, coordinate helpers
• furniture supply
• moving help

Youth Involvement:

• lock-ins, concerts, friday night activities
• prayer ministry, small groups, book readings
• debate and discussion nights, volunteer coordination
• open mic nights
• worship nights, prayer meetings

Transitional Housing, 2-4 apartments:

• single moms with a child
• rehabilitation
• eviction help

Financial Assistance:

• loans, free of interest, microcredit

The Story Behind Service

On November 28, 1994 I was a few days away from my 12th birthday. I was at a neighbor's house with a few friends and we were playing some video games. There was a pause in the video game and I turned to see what my friend was doing behind us. When I did there was a quick puff of air and instant pain. In an effort to shoot some air at me with his BB gun, my friend pulled the trigger and unloaded a bb and a pellet into my right eye. I lept onto the bed and soon did my best to run into the bathroom. I was instantly blind in my right eye and was rushed to the hospital. I would spend my 12th birthday there, going through a few surgeries that week, and several more in the months to follow. No progress. Loss of vision. Prosthesis.

Romans 8:28, He made good, even when I was a sinner. When I look back to those times I marvel at all of the help our family received. From receptionists who welcomed us for our daily office visits, to doctors who cancelled debts and were generous with their time, we were served well and unselfishly. I remember being laid up in the hospital, not being able to move, and having to be bathed by a nurse. I was totally helpless.

Moving deeper into my teen years I was able to understand exactly what those moments meant with regards to service and looking out for others, no matter what. As I came to know Jesus, I was impacted by the washing of the disciples feet in John 13. Service became part of who I was. By the time I traveled to Mexico as a senior in college, I was hooked and God began to unlock the Spiritual gift of service in me. I remember sitting on a hill in Mexico after our work week, feeling so complete after totally giving everything I had for five days.

And now, with 2Coats, service gets to be my job, my waking excitement, my life. I get to serve my wife and my kids, everyday plus the extra bonus to serve His children. I get to serve His people, those that are down, and out and lonely, and those that have everything this earth can offer but are missing out on His greatest gifts. I get to walk next to different people and hear their stories, let them know that someone is listening, and help them to be closer to Him. I want to share that love with you, that desire and passion I have with you.

I want to know why you serve. What is it inside of you that gets you moving in the morning to go wash someone else's dirty, mucky, calloused feet? I need to know how far you are willing to go, what risks you are willing to take. These are some of our defining moments in this organization.

It is important for you to know that I will give it all, and I mean everything, to serve the King and His people. I will do whatever it takes because I think that is what Jesus did, and that is what He taught his disciples to do. We are his disciples, we are his followers who have been commissioned to lay it all out for others. Reckless Obedience is what I am after, why I do what I do, and how I will lead this board.

August 25th Board Meeting Agenda

August 25th Board Meeting Agenda

1. This Month: Mobile Food Pantry, CNP, Lunch for HS students, Bulb Planting, Adopt a Resident?
2. The Next Three Months
3. This Year
4. Non-profit status: filing the 1023. Hope to be done within a week and sent in. Cost is $400 to apply
5. ByLaws Finalization
6. Election of Officers
7. Meeting at the New Building on August 29th, 7:30

August Update

Good day all,

I hope this finds you well. Get your calendars ready, August is going to be a great month of service to others!

First, some things to be praying about...

• for the progression of the non-profit status
• for continued vision for future outreach
• for election of board members
• for the courage to take risk in pursuing a building

Opportunities to Serve in August

Saturday, the 6th. Community Night of Prayer. Come pray for the community, community members, or get some ministry for yourself. Going to be a fun night...Time: 5:45 = Dinner; 6:00 = worship. Jon Rottink from Marshalltown and formally GC, will be leading worship!
We Need: you, and bring a friend or seven. Going to be a great time.

Week of August 15th. The Grundy Center Wellness Committee has a plot of land and then need help picking sweet corn. I will forward another e-mail about this, dates, times, and locations...get back to me if you can help.

Saturday, the 27th. Mobile Food Pantry Outreach. A great time to meet other community members from around the county, minister to them, pray, etc.
Time: 7:30 at my house. 907 F. Ave.

We Need: you, an idea as to what to serve that morning for food.

Sunday, the 28th. Inspirational Fall Kickoff
Time: 4:30-6:30
We Need:

• a grill
• a grill person
• salads
• desserts
• buns for hotdogs, hamburgers, and brats
• basic condiments
• silverware

Thanks again to all who have updated their information for me. If not, click here.

Thanks again.

Steve Hinderhofer

--
2Coats...Bridging the gap, between those that have, and those that need.

Mission.....Vision.....Values.....

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