most often we talk about the culture of church and faith and how to live out the life of Jesus that we want but seem so unable to do well. we also struggle, because while we are enamored with Jesus, we are often put off by some of His friends. Recently, some of His friends (another church) felt like we were not really His friends and they were mean to us. we asked the smallest favor that would have required nothing but permission, yet because we do not look like many churches, they chose to be mean and selfish. in the name of Jesus they were mean and selfish. it gave us new resolve to not be a normal church.

the refuge blog

leadership team

the refuge leadership team functions as a core team of shepherds for the refuge.  we desire to seek God's heart and direction for the refuge. it is a big responsibility to create a community that is not wrought with politics and power. the safe and challenging culture we hope to create in the bigger community is what we are intentional about on our team.  3 new people have recently joined our team--christa and paul romig-leavitt and amber lane.   although we asked them to be part of the team because of their hearts & belief in the vision of the refuge, we are thankful for the different perspectives that they each bring-under 30, married with young kids, a single woman's perspective.    the rest of the team, for those of who you don't know are:  mike herzog, john parks, linsey & kevin potter, sami bookout, karl and kathy. details are on the web. if you ever need prayer, have a refuge question or concern, please feel complete freedom to contact any one of us directly. 

coming in september: refuge infusion

life. community.
we-think-you-might-want-to-know's:

refuge kids & students

parents, look out for the june/july parents newsletter with more details, but we wanted to let everyone know of some exciting developments. 

lauren trevathan has joined us to help create the refuge students ministry for middle & high schoolers.   there will be many details to follow but we are so excited that our middle & high schoolers will have some better opportunities this fall to grow in their faith and connect with each other.  if you want to help be a part of this team, contact lauren@therefugeonline.org or call 303-875-0782.  water world is our next summer get-together, thursday july 26^th, meet at the refuge at 9:30 am.  cost is $25 but scholarships are available. rsvp to lauren by july 20^th. 

refuge kids

extreme makeover update

creative arts evening - august 26, 2007

coming up in august, an evening of creative arts at the refuge.  if you are interested in beng a part, click here.  submission deadline is coming up july 22 so turn in your stuff in the next few weeks.  questions, contact laura pearson at 303-250-8089 or email wordinart@therefugeonline.org

houses & places of refuge

for details on gatherings with others at the refuge in smaller settings, click here.  look forward to new houses & places of refuge in the fall.  summer groups are meeting on monday, tuesday, and wednesday evenings and wednesday mornings.

financial update

the refuge continues to always "make it" but just barely.  if you are reading this newsletter and believe in the work that the refuge is doing but can't be a part on a regular basis, know that your gifts & contributions make what we do possible.  feel free to send any donations to the refuge, po box 6805 - broomfield CO  80021.  we are thankful, all of you who pray and encourage us from afar!

thank you!

often, we so forget to say thank you to the many people that work their tails off to pull off different aspects of our community. please know how grateful we are for everyone's heart and time. a special thanks to:

bill ekdahl, who sets up & tears down each and every week

jeff johnson, who set up and tore down every week when we were at the event center and is really happy bill is here now!

peggy gordon, who faithfully makes all of our food & drinks work every week.   it's become part of our refuge culture & peggy works hard to make it happen.
tiffany & steve hunter, our sound & tech extraordinaires.  steve worked hard on installing speakers & sound stuff at miramonte lodge.

steve hunter, jack dagger, sage harmos, april wheeler, linsey, ben & josh potter, janelle cook, paul romig-leavitt, ben & andy knuth - for all of your hard work creating refuge worship.

tiffany hunter - our webmaster & communications queen.  honestly, she keeps the world going round at the refuge.

jordan stack, becky wright, julia escobar who are our teens who help every week in refuge kids. 

dawn hykan, who is coordinating food & childcare for the changes that heal study that is happening at colorado homeless families and for the volunteers who are helping make that happen, especially mary martens.
jeff bailey, for the countless number of hours he has invested into overseeing the extreme makeover project at marna's.  it has been incredible and we are so thankful.  there are many other people to thank who have helped but without jeff, honestly, this wouldn't have happened!

this month, here's our hope for all of us:

"...that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit.  then christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  and may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." ephesians 3:16-18