A Full 2024
Well, it’s hard to believe that 2024 is gone already. I enjoy hanging with some men around a fire every Saturday morning. The time and temperatures are dark and cold right now, and it seems we ask that same question every year. Where did it go?
For years, I’ve used this medium to share God thoughts and God stories, usually highlighting prayer. This year I was determined to finish a book of God stories called By the Fire, a project I’d started and now feel the satisfaction of having in hand. It took a while, but I’m happy with how it landed. If you haven’t checked it out, it’s on Amazon.
Another wonderful growth space is our local “prayer room” expression at Northstar. It has grown in depth, hunger, and numbers as we offer it 3 times a week. It’s changing our congregation’s hope and expectation of God moving in our midst.
I enjoyed some local and international travel this year, too. In the spring, several of us visited Dallas to attend an Upper Room conference called TURN. Their heartfelt prayer/worship environment reminds me of the Cincinnati House of Prayer model and I see its influence in Cincinnati, especially at Northstar.
I was also able to return to the east African country of Kenya where I had ministered 40 years ago. The first 5 stories in my book are logged from that remarkable country. Much has changed; yet, amazingly, a whole lot remains the same. Our team enjoyed connecting with Back2Back ministries, Sustainable Medical Missions, and a church planting network among the Maasai tribal people. Who could’ve guessed that a church-planting movement in Kenya with over 200 churches had, for 20 years, roots in Cincinnati? All these links have a leadership connection living and serving in our local church, Northstar. Those two traveling experiences greatly stirred my heart this year; I hope for more.
I say it each year: though I serve across the city, much of what I do through KPI rotates in and around Northstar Church where I am a pastor, elder, and prayer leader. I enjoy what God is doing there. It’s become a strategic ministry and resource hub, a third space, a co-working environment for doing ministry around the city. I guess I’ve had a hand in that. My leadership of the School of Kingdom Ministry, now in its 10th year, has continued to be an excellent tool in building a leadership pathway and a ministry culture. I rarely state ministry stats, but here are a few captures for 2024. There are many others, but these will suffice:
1100 participating in Prophetic Prayer & Communion events (PPC)
80 people serving regularly on PPC evenings, from over a dozen churches
60 people trained through my Basic Prayer Training
45 people serving regularly on Sunday morning prayer teams
12 times I’ve formed teams to serve other ministries and companies
26 students in the School of Kingdom Ministry
Countless other pastoral care and prayer ministry appointments
Other ministry highlights:
I continue to serve as Prayer Advisor/Consultant taking appointments across the city and region
Greater Cincinnati Prayer Canopy leader
Spiritual emphasis speaker for CHCA elementary and junior schools
52 morning “fires” with men this year
Taught “Everyday Kingdom” 7-week discipleship class
Twice interviewed on the “With Him” podcast
Coordinator intercessory network for a national effort called 1792 Exchange
Resourcing persecuted believers in other countries through 360 Prayer Project as they service my role as prayer coordinator of 1792 Exchange
By the Fire was finally finished and published in the summer of 2024. Very well received and appreciated. Fun stories about word-of-mouth spread and interactions.
The care of my parents has stepped up a bit this year, which is every bit a part of my ministry as are the points above. Our kids are all doing well in their various endeavors. God has given great grace for it all.
Thank you for the continued encouragement given to us this year. I’m looking forward to 2025!
Blessings in the New Year!
Rusty