October 09

We apologize that what was supposed to be our August prayer letter quickly became the September update and now we are determined to get this to you before October passes us by.
Summer’s Over ☹
The summer went by much too quickly, but we had fun while it lasted. Lukas and Gabe joined the swim team and had fun learning all of the different strokes, as well as winning the team championship trophy. It was fun to watch the boys swim their hearts out and use up some excess energy.:) Hope and Joshua also took swim lessons and became great swimmers this summer. Having four strong swimmers made pool time much more relaxing for mom.

Besides leading the summer house church and discipling students, Joel also spent some time over at our new church office getting the space ready for our staff team to use, as well as the new huge loft space that our church was able to acquire in the deal.

_______________________________________________[Our new Office]

We plan to use this downtown Muncie space for music events and other outreach opportunities. We continue to use BSU facilities for most of our events, but this is a great space that we can have full control over.

____________________________[Living Room where we have some meeting
_____________________________when me can’t meet on campus]

She’s also the most enthusiastic running partner I’ve ever had. I now have one more reason to feel guilty when I don’t run in the morning – those big brown eyes can be so pitiful. Each of our kids adore the dog, but Hope is particularly attached – always asking where she is, insisting on being the one to feed her and let her outside, giving her very stern commands when necessary, but mostly giggling as Gabby licks her or chases her around the yard. We feel blessed, again.


Fall has Begun!

Fall is under way and we have been the traveling church for these first few weeks. Ball State had some scheduling conflicts with the ballroom we usually use, which makes it a challenge to keep our new students informed about where we will be meeting.

[The newly renovated ballroom in the student center – full of students for the Revolution’s Sunday service.]

But we’ve been excited to see the 250 students show up at our first service and still find their way around campus to our next few as well.

We are continuing a packed schedule of outreaches, house churches and leadership meetings. During these first few crucial weeks of the school year, we have been trying to connect with freshmen and older students who may be interested in church or have some spiritual curiosity before they let the business of

Important News

As you know, last school year Joel was working a couple jobs in addition to continuing in ministry here on campus. He has used this time to figure out what he would like to do from here. Joel’s favorite part of ministry has long been one-on-one discipleship time, particularly helping students work through spiritual and emotional issues that hold them back from doing and being all that God created them for. After much prayer and discussion and seeking of counsel, Joel applied to the graduate program at Indiana Wesleyan University to get his master’s of counseling degree.

This is a three-year program, at the end of which Joel hopes to have a dual degree in community and school counseling. During this time Joel will continue to work on the BSU campus, hopefully utilizing much of what he learns along the way to deepen his ministry to students. It has been an amazing process to watch God open doors that appeared to be shut to us.

_______________[The Chandler boys - ready for their first day of school.
________________Joshua is a 1st grader, Gabe is in 3rd & Lukas is in 5th.]

We would appreciate your prayers as we continue to juggle more than we feel capable of – Joel working in ministry and going to grad school, me working part-time at my after school program, and us raising four kids and attempting to honor God in all that we do.

We continue to be so grateful for you - our family, friends and partners in this ministry. Your prayers and support mean more to us than words can express. We don’t know exactly where God will lead us after this three-year period is up, but we are so thankful to be where we are right now. Thanks for being with us on the journey.

Bound in His Love,

Joel & Leah

Joel, Leah, Lukas, Gabe, Joshua & Hope Chandler * 904 W. Cowing Dr. * Muncie, IN 47303 * (765) 215-8467 * joelc@revoweb.net