Feb 274 min read

February Update 2024

The Journey Thus Far

Seven years. 2024 marks seven years of the Livingston clan on this journey with Jesus called TECH Team Advantage. There have been many highs and some lows, but God has been good through every season. Often as I reflect on life, I am drawn to one of my favorite songs by Andrew Peterson titled "After All These Years." Part of the chorus refrain repeats:

"You never let go, You never let go

Your love endures forever, wherever I go,

After all these years"

As we look back at the time spent at TECH, it would be easy to fill up multiple pages of where we have seen God's hand at work. In many ways that is what we hope this blog has chronicled. However, with this newsletter we will be summarizing some of those moments from the past six years for you and then sharing what we have planned for 2024.

1 Facilities Solutions has been involved in significantly more projects than these, but over the past 6 years I have served with 54 ministries on over 90 projects in 10 states and 5 countries.

2 Of those ministries, 23 were churches, 12 were camps, and 19 were some other type of ministry (homeless shelter, school, disaster relief, etc.)

3 Those projects have primarily been master plans (29) and renderings (32).

4 I have been involved in the creation of 13 sets of construction documents, 5 of which where I served as the architect of record.

5 Speaking of architect, in 2021 I was able to complete the journey of earning a license to practice architecture. After a year of COVID related delays, the process resumed and I studied for, took, and passed all 6 tests on the first attempt in 1 year! That is nothing short of a miracle.

6 I have sat across the table or spoken on the phone with countless ministry leaders and heard the relief in their voice as they realized they had an advocate in the planning process. Over the past 6 years this has brought me the most joy - knowing the skillset God has given me can be used to minister to others. These leaders' faces would lift as they realized that they didn't need to carry the burden alone. Because of that, they could focus more of their energies on what God had called them too: proclaiming the Gospel.

7 In the process of joining TECH, we were told it would take around 2 years to raise all the needed support. The Lord provided in about 8 months.

8 For the first five years, we ended the year at or above our fundraising need. At just the right time, Jesus provided the right funds, the right vehicles, the right encouragement for the seasons we were in.

The journey so far has been far more than statistics can tell, although I am humbled by those. With every step, every corner, every challenge, and every trial, there has been the patient guidance of our Father's love. It is exciting to know that each of those projects represents a ministry that is reaching people everyday with the Gospel. We are thankful we have been a small part of their work in God's advancing Kingdom.

What's in Store for 2024?

But wait, there is more! What are our plans for the coming year? Our main goal is to address our present fundraising shortages. 2023 was the first year we ended in the red for our funding goal. In 2024 we need to raise $1,000 of additional monthly giving. How can you help us with this goal?

Pray - this does not happen without your prayers.
If you do not currently partner with us financially, we would ask that you consider giving $25, $50, or $100 a month.
If you do currently partner with us financially, we appreciate it greatly. If you have the means, would you consider increasing the amount you can contribute to the ministry?
We need to meet with people face to face - would you consider inviting us to your church or small group to share the ministry of TECH?

It has been an amazing walk with God and we look forward to where He will lead. Thank you to all that have given this past year! Thank you for all those who will give! We cannot do this without your partnership.

How to Pray

- Pray for wisdom in setting up meeting and for God's provision in the additional needed monthly fundraise for another amazing year.

- Praise that we were able to locate and purchase a new to us van to replace one of the old vans. The other is mostly for around town and is still running strong.

- Praise for a new couple that is joined TECH this November! They are serving in the Media Solutions department.

- Pray for additional staff, specifically architects and engineers for Facility Solutions