I would say I am not really angry any more. Many, many questions around Keith’s death and no honest answers than life is tumultuous and unpredictable… and God doesn’t stop it from being that way. He doesn’t like these things to happen to any of us. I cannot yet grasp Keith being gone.
Thank God for distractions and routine. Certain things still must be done… and it is nice to have them and to jump into them. I’ve been really diving into my bonsai. Here’s a couple pics of one tree that I recently worked on. I didn’t have any idea what to do with it, but after posting some pics over at the BonsaiTALK forum, I got some direction.
I haven’t really been posting that much here as I really am finding not much to say when I am by myself. I’ve connected with a number of pastors in town who I should have met with long ago. I am excited for future friendship, partnering, and support. Mike from Fellowship Bible Church (Evangelical Free), is the new youth pastor there, and has just spent the last four years working in urban ministry in Portland. Sam is the pastor of the Mennonite church in town, the River, which has been going for two years. Both are not afraid of Emergent and willing to talk.
About Nate
Currently, Nate is living in Bend, OR, working as the co-founder for VillageWorks (celebrating abundance | creative connectivity) and the singular Bend|OR advocate of BridgeWorks (an educational 501[c]3). He is connecting and holding space for an emerging community of people, young and old, who are seeking to grow into more sustainable and mature relationships… with self, community and God. The vision on his heart is one of giving people experience of village culture and practice.
Nate can be found connecting people through at The Hub, VillageWorks’ Central Oregon community connection center (www.rockthevillage.com) and making oven pancakes for the biggest regular “village” breakfast in Bend every Saturday morning at 9:30.
Nate went to Bethel College in St Paul, MN (’03), got his BA in Youth Ministry, completed his Masters in Divinity at Bethel Seminary (’06) with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Spiritual Formation at George Fox Seminary in Portland. His hope is to continue to pursue community spiritual formation within the framework of the neighborhood conversation and cross-cultural dialog.
Nate has been connecting people into more authentic community in Bend | OR since June ’07. Since day one of his arrival, Nate has been gifted with the chance to listen and learn about the culture and people of Central Oregon. Because of his passion for conversation and community, he has fallen in love with the people of this wonderful city and is committed to the growth of more intentional and transformational community.
Nate’s particular areas of interest are:
* conversational transformation
* spiritual formation
* relational mentoring and counseling
* small group strengthening
* men’s work (spiritual, emotional, and relational)
* “Village Knowledge” of homecraft, live food, etc
* Intergenerational community
* New visions of the gifts we offer to the community
* teaching for the 21st century, and more.
At this time Nate has not written any books, but hopes to some day have enough material to put into some type of publication. At this point, he is dedicated to building relationships in Bend, Central Oregon, and across the United States to connect people to what is happening in an emerging and evolving paradigm and with those who are seeking to follow God and live more authentically in the transforming presence of the divine.
