Small Group (re?)Launch

After one week and one meeting we decided to shift from Wednesday night meetings to Monday nights. We actually decided earlier last week that Monday's would work better. Monday seems to work better for a lot of the students we had the opportunity to talk to over the past couple weeks so we're expecting a better turnout. We did have a meeting this past Wednesday since we had initially advertised/told people that was going to be the night. Our boy Ryan Hamm was the only one to take advantage of Speedy's Sweet Sketi (aka Spaghetti) this week but we'll be cooking for more this Monday. We had a good time hanging out and getting to know Ryan, worshiping a little, and then sharing a little about what Aletheia is all about and where we're coming from. So years from now when Aletheia is back to cranking out the sweet tune-age and teaching up hundreds of college students and Floridians on Sunday morning, Hamm can look back and say he was there for the very start. And while the first meeting has come and gone we want to encourage anyone else reading this blog to jump on as soon as possible.

We know God is going to bless what we're doing because we're doing it for Him. We'll be training and equipping people with the knowledge and experience they need so that they're ready to get sent out into the world. So Monday Night at 6:30 PM we hope to see some more people come out and enjoy a free home-cooked meal (we're a legit home, we have a coffee table), some sweet music, and find out what we're all about at Aletheia Church.

Your friends,
Aletheia Tampa

So what are we doing here?

I’ve been here in Tampa, Florida for almost two weeks now and we have met a vast array of different people with all kinds of personalities and backgrounds. One thing that remains the same though is that they are all very intelligent. In fact, most of the people we talk through the Aletheia ministry are smart young adults. Anyone who can study and understand subjects like chemistry, civil engineering, psychology, biology, and any other numerous studies ending in “–ology” is way smarter than me. What we want to do at Aletheia is get people to apply that aptitude towards finding out who God is and what He has to say for Himself in the Bible. The trend for so many churches today, especially ones trying to appeal to our generation, has been to serve watered-down teaching, full of loose theology and dumbed-down messages. Somehow along the lines we were led to believe that we couldn’t possibly know and understand the truths of the Bible and God’s promises and plans for us. The Bible was written is three languages: Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic which are all still spoken today. We have the capability to go back to the original languages and text of the Scriptures and study out exactly what is meant by what we read. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” We are not left in the dark as to God’s desires and promises for our life. Instead He has, “granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” He attaches that divine power to all that He has given us. The word used for power has the origin of our word “dynamite” it’s from the Greek word dunamis. This is some explosive power that God has attached to everything that He has given us. When Jesus gives His last command in the Great Commission, He told us we were to be out amongst all nations and people “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” He wouldn’t make that command unless He was providing us the power and understanding of the matter as well as the instruction on what we are to be teaching. Likewise, a university wouldn’t hire me to teach organic chemistry and just send me in to instruct a class unless I had the ability to understand the material and had received instruction on the material myself. Let’s stop making excuses and concessions to understanding God’s Truth. God has granted us a pretty amazing opportunity to not just believe but to study why we believe what we believe. God has given us everything we need to know to get connected with Him and a pretty solid Handbook. On top of that, thanks to technology we have easy access to study tools that were only available to Bible scholars with extensive libraries. It’s all right at our fingertips.

If anyone has questions, they are free to come out to our small group and ask. We might not be able to answer right off-hand but we know where to look to get that guidance and will definitely make the effort to find the answers to those questions. I’m really excited to help lead this first small group in getting beyond the surface of the “dumbed-down” messages we hear today and finding the true depth of the Scriptures.

Till next time,
J.R. - Aletheia Tampa

randomness at 2am...

for what reason do three bachelors stay up til 2am? i have no idea... but here we are, all on our computers, peckin away at our keyboards and surfing the web. and where did that phrase come from? ill tell ya, ive surfed before...and there aint no water coming outta my computer right now.
we've had quite an exciting couple of days. we've made some awesome friends in our apartment complex and at two local churches.
this morning we visited watermark, in the scary part of tampa. at least, i was scared. there are some legit dudes at watermark, for real. much love to them for not shying around our Father's Word. they exposed the text and revealed some powerful stuff today. i was majorly impressed.
this evening we were able to enjoy late night at temple terrace. again, awesome opportunity to meet some really great people! and the music, forget about it. im not even from new york, but i say 'forget about it'... its the lack of sleep i think.
pray for us. please, continually be in prayer. we rely on God daily for everything from provisions for our apartment to our ability make great connections. God has shown up left and right. and His faithfulness is beyond reasoning. we remain in awe of our Great Father.

speedys recommendation: Seinfeld. Season 3. Disc 3. Episode 14. Watch it, love it, get yourself a pez dispenser-

Major Thanks

Today was more adjusting for us. We're doing a lot to get our apartment looking presentable. It's starting to feel like a real home here!

To the many amazing people that have supplied our apartment with such helpful supplies; THANK YOU!! You guys have made the transition for us much, much easier.

We've recently began some good friendships with several people here that seem to enjoy spending time with us. Please pray that the networking will continue and that God's love will pour out of the three of us.

Curious to know what we're listening to? If not, I'm still going to tell you...
The music of the week is: Top Gun Soundtrack. Get yourself some of that and listen to the first track ten times straight. It'll change your life-

keep it real,
Aletheia Tampa

P.S. were just kidding about the logo!!!

Well folks, it looks like the apartment is finally full! Speedy has made his appearance here in sunny, (albeit chilly...thank you cold front), Tampa! And although the apartment isn't exactly up to par as of yet, we certainly expect to begin having new friends over shortly.

Not long after Speedy showed up, the three of us went to another BCM meeting was a great chance to meet new people and make new friends.

As of now, now being 2:27am, our lives consist of sleep and homework. Well, the homework is Emilio.. and the sleeping is JR... so that leaves Speedy to roam the apartment looking for things to put away.

Point of the blog: please continue in prayer for us. There are many needs in this area and we are excited to dive in! Pray for unity in this house, as well as when we go out. Our first official "study" is only a few days away! Pray that people will come and enjoy themselves.

One last thing... we found these pictures and thought them a little familiar, but strange nonetheless. Feel free to check them out-

much love,

-Aletheia Tampa

So we were throwing around a new idea for the Tampa logo. Heres what we came up with, Were just trying to be relevant.

First Meeting Information

Alright, for all the people interested in coming out, we're gonna be getting a bunch of the students together and having a good time. The address here is 3604 Data Dr. Apt. 101 at Lakeview Oaks. 3604 is the second to last building in the very back right of the complex when you come in. We'll be providing a free meal, some music, and then we will just see what's up about getting connected with God and what the Bible says about. We're really excited, our first meeting will start on the 28th at 6:30, if you need directions or help with a ride call Emilio at (757)652-6951 or email him at emiliomarrero3@gmail.com. Sweet, well I cant wait to meet you guys and to really understand the life and beauty of God together.

BLog number 2

Okay, so it's been two weeks so far and things are moving. Finally the solitary confinement for Emilio is over and roomate J.R. has finally came down. The move in process was great, finally our apartment has more in it than camping supplies and blankets. We actually have a couch!!!!! So living arangments are doing great and we finally have an offical team down here. We went out sharing today for the first time. While walking around we got in some great conversations, people are easy to talk to and really don't mind people talking to them at all. We got around 5 e-mails from people interested in coming out and one of the girls who was a grad student prayed with us! So continue to pray for our time as we go out and that things really start up. We met a lot of Christians which was a great thing, but a lot of people on campus see Christians in a "Brother Micah" view. So there is a lot of work to be done, other Christians out here really have a heart for the gospel but are pretty timid. We are looking forward to seeing Speedy finally roll in and getting our small group started up. We tentatively have selected Wednesday nights at 6:30 for our meeting times starting January 28th. All your prayers and support are definitely appreciated and we will continue to keep you all up to pace with what's going on down here in Tampa.

I received these images from this unnamed source???? I have nooo clue where they came from I'm gonna do some investigative work for you guys though.