<div>Greetings, friends!

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<div>I am writing to let you know about an exciting opportunity to help advance the kingdom of Christ in our nation.

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<div>Now more than ever in our nation, there is a great need for good churches and faithful pastors.

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<div>As many of you know, the Lord put it on my heart early on in my conversion to be in the ministry. Over the years, that call developed into a pursuit of education and ordination into the gospel ministry. After completing seminary, I received two separate calls to pastor churches. That period was invaluable for my training and maturation.

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<div>After my last call in Ohio came to an end, we headed back up to western NY, where my wife, Emily, is from, to await what the Lord had next for us. Over the years, we came to understand who I was as a minister and what type of ministry would be best suited to both me and my family.

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<div>Many of you know that God converted me out of a life of abject immorality and addiction. That is part of my story; it is baked into my identity and is part of what has shaped me. I have lived the pain and the brokenness. I have been down to the bottom and then dug myself even lower. I have experienced life at its worst. Because of this, I have a heart for people struggling through the pain and brokenness that this life too often gives.

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<div>We spent a lot of time over the last year or so evaluating different calls. We determined when we came up here that we were not going to just take any call. We needed to have a call that was right for me, my ministry, our family, and our future. I need to have the freedom to be the man that God created me to be in ministry and also a place where I could plant my family, put down roots, and have a place to call home. Over the last 12 years or so, we’ve moved about six times, and it has not created any good stability in our home, especially for our children.

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<div>One thing we discerned over the last year is that there is a great need for good, faithful, biblical, conservative churches in western New York; there are not many. Most of the churches are either liberal or charismatic.

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<div>We live right in between Buffalo and Rochester. Batavia is the main hub between the two; it is also the place where we lived when we first came here. Batavia is a city that is filled with broken people. There’s a lot of homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness. There is also a need for a historical, biblical, confessional church—there are none.

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<div>The more we have continued to talk about it and pray about it, the more it has become increasingly clear that God brought us here to do a work there. I began to reach out to see what kind of doors would open in the city for us. Immediately, a church in the area was willing to open their doors to us to use the church. Further, I reached out to the local addiction recovery center, and they are open to me coming in and starting a recovery-based Bible study in one of their programs. Starting in November, I will be hosting it on a biweekly basis, providing a dedicated space for our midweek Bible study. The gathering will be open to members of our church, the broader community, and individuals involved in the program.

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<div>In short, my vision is this: Batavia needs a biblically conservative, historically Reformed church—a church committed to discipling people from every walk of life into the body of Christ. I long to see a place where those weary from life’s burdens, as well as those coming out of recovery programs, can find a true church home. My desire is to plant a congregation that stands firm in the truth of Scripture, and does not conform to the world.

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<div>After much prayer, conversation, and reflection on the current cultural climate, we have decided to plant a church for Christ here in western New York. We believe there is a unique openness to the gospel in this season, particularly among younger generations. Many millennials and members of Gen Z are seeking the truth and turning to the church in unexpected numbers. We feel that now is the time to act in faith.

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<div>Of course, planting a church requires resources. The congregation opening its doors to us has agreed to let us use their facilities free of charge for two months, and then for a very modest fee of $70 per week thereafter. The space is ideal—a beautiful historic sanctuary in the heart of Batavia, with a fellowship hall, kitchen, and classrooms. Additionally, we will need signage, a website, and resources for worship and music ministry.

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<div>We have established a fundraising goal of $10,000, which would provide for the church’s basic needs over a two-year period. Even $5,000 would likely sustain us for one year. While these are our goals, we intend to continue the work regardless; however, achieving financial sustainability will greatly strengthen our efforts. In the immediate future, we hope to launch a website, acquire supplies for worship and music ministry, and prepare for a $200 deposit required by the church in January 2026.

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<div>By God’s grace, we have already received a generous gift of $500 from the church we are currently attending, which allowed us to purchase a sign. This was a tremendous blessing and an encouraging confirmation of God’s provision.

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<div>Now, we are asking you, our friends and supporters, to prayerfully consider partnering with us in this work. Your partnership may take many forms: financial support, intercessory prayer, or even joining us in the work if the Lord so leads. Specifically, we are praying for families who share this vision, for musically gifted individuals to assist in worship, and for God to supply everything needed to sustain a lasting ministry.

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<div>We believe that God is at work in this region and in our nation, and we are eager to be part of His mission. Please prayerfully consider how you might join us in this kingdom endeavor.

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<div>I know that there will probably be questions about things. So please, directly contact me or Emily with any of those questions. We would be glad to talk via phone, text or DM. 

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<div>May Christ and His kingdom be advanced, and may His faithfulness be seen from generation to generation here in Western New York!

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Anonymous

Delora Evans

Andy Schick

Christine Boatwright

Jerry Childress

Erica Bialy

Jesse Kern

Melanie Haynie

David Pointec

Jeff Griffin

Siobhan Ryman

Dan and Julie Kolb

Christ Church Batavia Church Plant

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Christ Church Batavia Church Plant

Still $7,385 to go. Help us build momentum.