I’m sitting here in the Starbucks by my office because it is usually a good place to work when I need inspiration.  Sometimes I need inspiration; other times I need focus.  

SIDE NOTE: You are one of the almost 200 people receiving this email which represents hundreds more family and friends in our community and I thank you for taking time each week to read it.  It blesses and encourages me.  

Here are some of the updates I want to share this week...   

-Homeless Ministry is again this Saturday (12/7) at 10:30am.  We are planning for upwards of 150 meals to be handed out in Jesus’ name and I would love for you to come check it out.  We are meeting at our office location and will caravan to the rendezvous point together.  You should come- it could be the best 2 hours of your month! Address: 13261 SW 124 St.  Miami 33186

-SLOW.  We are racing towards Christmas with a message this Sunday that will challenge you to SLOW DOWN!  Maybe you or someone you know needs to hear this message.

-Professional Pictures with Santa.  Santa will be with us (in his Bright Red Suit) this Sunday to take pictures with our kids/families!  We will shooting the pictures and emailing them to you that week so that you can print them.  I hope that you will come and invite a friend for this fun day!  Yesterday, Santa and I stopped by the school to tell the kids about it.   

-Christmas Offering.  Our Christmas offering is December 22nd as we raise money for 4 specific initiatives: Homeless Ministry, Renew Youth Group, Missions and our 2nd Church Plant (Yes! We are already talking about it!). Please pray about giving a special gift to this offering at Christmas time. 

-21 Days of Prayer and Fasting- January 5-25 we will be praying for the New Year, our families, our community, our Church and the world.  I will be sharing more information so that if you would like to participate you can in several different ways including partial fasting to give up certain foods/meals during this 21 days.  Fasting when combined with prayer is powerful! 

-Child Dedication is January 19.  If you would like to dedicate your child to the Lord, this is a great opportunity!  Please let me or one of our RC Kids leaders know if interested in learning more.

-New Year Baptism.  January 26 we will be celebrating in Baptism!  If you would like to take this next step in your faith, begin praying now and go to www.renew.miami/baptism for more information and to sign up.

Pastor Treavor
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www.renew.miami

PS: Huge thanks to everyone that helped us support Missions and Hurricane Relief through our Christmas Tree Sale!  I don’t have a final count yet but I believe we raised close to $4000! 

Its hard to believe all that the Lord has done in Renew Church in the last 10 months.  I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to everyone that has been part of making "Renew a Reality".  We love you and are so grateful for you!  We also thank God for undeniable blessing and favor that we have seen this year!  As you celebrate Thanksgiving today, don't forget to give thanks to God, your family and to those that are like family to you. :)

The picture above is of the Thanksgiving Baskets, Turkeys and $50 Gift Cards that we were able to give to 14 deserving families from Norma Butler Bossard Elementary.  

As a reminder, we will be selling Christmas Trees starting on Friday, Nov. 29 from 11am-6pm. The address of our location is 17569 SW 147 Ave. Miami 33187. We would love to sell all our trees in 2 days and would love for you to help us make this possible!  We only have about 87 trees left!  100% of ALL proceeds will go to Missions/Hurricane Relief...so please buy a Christmas Tree with a Cause!   

Also, don't miss our "Merry Renew Christmas" Series.  It starts this Sunday and we have some exciting things planned for the next 4 weeks.  This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or family to join you!  Christmas is one of the times of the year that people are more open to coming to church.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for you.
Pastor Treavor and Misty
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www.renew.miami
PS: Check out our Merry Renew Christmas promo video!

Misty and I joined a group of over 100 pastors and spouses on a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas this week and it has been amazing!  We spent the first day at Coco Cay which is the the private island of Royal Caribbean.  Its really just one big buffet surrounded by water and that’s not good for me. Every time I passed one of the restaurants, I thought I needed to grab a funnel cake or chicken sandwich or nacho plate. Not good! Lol! 

The next day our ship stopped in Nassau for the day.  Misty and I rented a car and we visited part of the island where we led SLAM basketball (Saving. Lives. Athletic. Ministry.) almost 17 years ago in the Bahamas as part of a 1 year commitment to missions that we made after graduating from college. It was awesome to stop and see where we used to live (including meeting our old landlord) and stopping by the church that we attended while in the Bahamas.  I’ve included some pictures from the trip and I’m just thankful for the opportunity! (One day I will tell you more about SLAM Basketball and it’s impact on my life in Miami and the Bahamas). 

This trip has reminded that we were created for good.  And that good includes experiencing creation, laughter, time with your spouse, reconnecting with old friends, making new friends and last but not least... rest.  

The best part of the cruise has not been the buffet island or the beautiful views- but just a change of pace and a time to disconnect from the busyness of life. I encourage you to take time to rest. 

Have an amazing day.  Don’t miss Sunday- Mikey Bermudez is bringing the message this Sunday and I know that it is going to be powerful.  I’m ready to hear what God is saying through him and I hope you are, too!   Invite a friend! 

If you missed the last week of our “This is Us” series- I shared a message entitled, “We Preach Good News”.  My focus was on the 4 Moves of the Gospel and experiencing everything that the Gospel has for us.  “Transformation is new life, not just a new leaf”.  (Check it out by CLICKING HERE!)

See you Sunday!
Pastor Treavor 
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami 
www.renew.miami

PS- We are one week away from Christmas tree sales! I hope that you will consider buying one from Renew Church!  100% of Proceeds will go to Missions/Hurricane Relief!  We will be selling our trees at Miami First Church of the Nazarene- address is 17569 SW 147 Ave. Miami 33187.  Prices are $30 and up! Thanks!

Is it too early to talk about Christmas?  

We have some exciting things planned this Christmas and we want you to BEGIN NOW to make plans to join us and consider who you can invite for the Christmas season! Here is what's happening: 

-November 29-30 // Christmas Trees with a Cause.  We are selling 100 trees during Thanksgiving weekend with 100% of proceeds going to support Missions/Hurricane Relief.  Preorder your tree this weekend!  Contact Mikey Bermudez at 786-486-2700 for more information and to volunteer to help us at the Renew Christmas Tree Stand.

-December 8 // Free Pictures with Santa.  Join us for free professional family portraits with Santa with an amazing Santa Clause.

-December 15 // RC Kids Christmas Party.  Kids are going to have a blast playing with snow and learning about the true meaning of the Christmas season.

-December 22 //  Christmas Celebration.  Don't miss our Christmas service.  You will enjoy delicious Christmas treats, a Christmas concert and a Christmas message of hope that will draw you closer to God.  

Invite your friends, family and neighbors for Merry Renew Christmas! 

See you Sunday!
Pastor Treavor
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami
www.renew.miami

P.S. Misty and I have decided to participate by signing the petition for the proposed "Human Life Amendment" to the Florida Constitution and I wanted to share it with you.  This is an amendment to protect the rights of the defenseless in Florida whether they are unborn, a person with disabilities or down syndrome. You can find more information (and the petition also) on the website below. Thanks!
https://humanlifefl.com/

We have a fun surprise in store for this Sunday at Renew... We have been in our “This is Us” Series for the last several weeks and we are nearing the end.  So far, we have preached on 7 of our 9 core values at Renew Church including:

-We Pursue the Next Generation.
-We Start with Worship.
-We are on a Co-Mission.
-We have Fun Together.
-We Heart our City.
-We Plant Churches.
-We Disciple People through Small Groups.

I want to give a “big thanks” to Sandi Abbott, Shelby Contreras and the Perez’ for sharing openly in our small group on stage last week!  (Go here to listen in to last week’s message.) That took courage and I pray that it was as much of a blessing to you as it was to me.  I know that many people are going to try out a small group because of it!   For more information, visit our website at www.renew.miami/small-groups. 

I’m not sure if I waited on this weekend’s message til the end because its only fitting to do closer to the Thanksgiving season or subconsciously because money isn’t my favorite topic at church (maybe a bit of both).  This week, I will be focused on our core value: “We Give Irrationally”.   

As I mentioned, I may have subconsciously avoided the topic because I don’t love talking about it.  However, that is not biblical because the Bible talks about money quite a bit.  In fact, there are more than 2000 scriptures on tithe, money and possessions in the Bible.  Thats double the number of references to faith and prayer combined!  

And since our final 2 core values of the series are: We Preach Good News and We Give Irrationally... I had better make sure that I preach on giving based on the Good News (which is from the Bible!:)

There is a reason why Jesus spent so much time talking about money.  Because it will be one of the fiercest idols we face in our relationship with God.  

I know that it has been for me.   There have been a few times in my adult life when I sold a piece of property or came into a fairly significant sum of money and I was doing my best to justify how I spent it and avoid giving to God from the blessing that I received...  that’s me putting money above God (idolatry).   

God desires our devotion, and he knows that we will be tempted to devote ourselves to money instead.  So avoiding this message isn’t what I’m called to do. 

I know what you are thinking... “I don’t need to go to church this Sunday.”  Can I ask you to think again?  This Sunday might be the most impactful Sunday so far at Renew.  

Why? You ask.  Because we are going to put our money where our mouth is...  not where the moth is.  (Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20)

But it won’t be what you think.  In fact, my message will be Scriptural but it will also be application. 

​Chances are you have never been to a service where everyone that came left with cash. There’s a first time for everything.  ;)

See you Sunday!  Invite a friend!
Pastor Treavor
www.renew.miami
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami

P.S. Did you hear?  We will be selling Christmas trees to support missions and hurricane relief!  We have 100 trees to sell and we will start selling on Thanksgiving weekend.  100% of proceeds will go to support this cause!  Talk to Mikey Bermudez if you would like to buy a Christmas tree and if you can volunteer for a few hours that weekend.  

If you missed last weekend, than you missed the EXCITING NEWS about one of our core values that I spoke on at the beginning of the "This Is Us" series!  I had a meeting with Mikey Bermudez and he has accepted the role as our Youth Pastor at Renew Church!   Mikey is an incredibly gifted young man that has unlimited potential, loves young people and he feels that God is calling him to serve students.  I can't wait to see what God does through him to reach the young people in our church and community!  Stay tuned for more information on upcoming youth gatherings and please be sure to pray for him and his beautiful bride, Yandria, in this new adventure.  He will also need volunteer support so if you are interested in serving in the student ministry, please reach out to him. 

​On another note, this next week is our "Trunk Or Treat" and we are preparing to provide a wonderful community outreach on Thursday night at Renew Church.  The Corsica neighborhood (home of NBB Elementary) is one of the most popular Trick Or Treat neighborhoods in West Kendall and so we have decided to leverage that by providing a safe and fun event for families to stop and meet people from our church and get some candy through our decorated trunks.  If you would like to decorate your trunk (nothing scary please) or participate in any other way at the event, we would love for you to join us!  It is going to be a super fun time and we are believing that some new people will check out our church through our Trunk or Treat.  We are also collecting candy (no chocolates please since they can melt) so feel free to bring it this Sunday to Renew Church.  

If you want more information, contact Mikey at 786-486-2700!  
Pastor Treavor 
www.renew.miami
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami

​PS- Don't miss week 5 of our "This is Us" series.  It's going to be a powerful message on one of the defining characteristics that we are believing God to help us accomplish in the future!  

I woke up yesterday morning as I had for 39 years and 364 days before but this time it was a little different.  It was my 40th birthday and although there was a piece of me that wanted to sleep in... the routine in me had to go do what I love to do on Wednesdays.  I got up early and took an extended run through some farm fields a few miles from my house that border the west side of our city.  Its a place where there is little distraction and I can just come and pray for the community that I have the privilege to pastor.

When I was looking ahead to my 40th birthday and beyond, I thought I would have one of those “mid-life crisis moments” or some other kind of feeling of regret-  you know, like all the stuff I haven’t done and the comparison traps that come with it.  Instead, I was filled with joy for all that the Lord has brought me through and led me to in the last 10 years!   And then there was this anticipation for what God is going to do in my 40’s.  I truly believe this is going to be a good decade.  I don’t know exactly what God has in store for my life, my family, our ministry and beyond- but I truly believe there are great days ahead!  

Thanks for going on this journey with me.  I love you all!  
Pastor Treavor
www.renew.miami
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami
P.S. We have some “fun” surprises in store for this Sunday at Renew Church!  I will be sharing 2 Core Values this week- don’t miss it! Invite a friend!

What an amazing Sunday we had at Renew Church! 9 children were dedicated to the Lord and our emphasis was on “pursuing the next generation”.  If you missed the message, you can CLICK HERE to listen to it and join us in helping our children and youth experience the renewed life that God offers them through Christ. (Coming soon... Renew Youth Group- if interested in learning more... reach out to me!)

I can’t wait for this week!  My message will focus on worship and I will have some guests helping me answer the question, “Why Worship?”.  Have you ever really thought about what the purpose of the songs are during the service?  It goes beyond beautiful music, talented musicians and a nice sound.  The music we sing on Sunday is not about entertainment- it goes deeper than that and it starts with worship.   

I will share this message on Sunday and we will follow up with a practical response to the message on Monday with our night of worship!  Our worship band has been preparing for this event for the last few weeks with the final rehearsal tonight.  It will take place on Monday, October 7 at 7:30pm at Miami First Church located at 17569 SW 147 Ave. Miami, 33187.  Please plan to join us and invite your friends and family!  

See you Sunday!  
God bless you!
Pastor Treavor 
www.renew.miami
instagram.com/renewmiami
facebook.com/renewmiami

PS: Have you checked out our website lately?  We have made some changes and would love your feedback!  Go to www.renew.miami and let us know what you think!

PPS: Our homeless ministry is this Saturday, we will be meeting at our office location at 10:30am and heading downtown from there.  If you have never participated, you will be glad you joined us.  We will feed and pray for homeless of downtown and will be finished by 1:30pm. (Address: 13261 SW 124 St. Miami 33186)