the fall season

The 2013 18 Inch Journey

The 2013 Staff and Interns

We just finished the 2013 18 Inch Journey on July 30.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  Sorry for the lack of blog updates, but hopefully our facebook and instagram kept you up to date with this year.  This summer we had nine staff, six interns and 31 students.  Ten international students came this year as well as many students from all over the United States.  It’s always amazing how they hear about the 18 Inch Journey.  Many students say they hear about it from our videos or from our worship nights.  We will have a video for this year.  So stay tuned for it coming out this fall.

The fall season at A Place for the Heart is our more relaxed season.  Jonathan and Melissa and the band are headed to England for David’s Tent and then Jonathan and Melissa will travel on to Norway.  The six interns that have been with us since January will finish their season here in September.  It has been awesome having them here.  They are amazing.  They have learned to love themselves, the Lord and each other.  They were an integral part of this year’s 18 Inch Journey, leading and supporting collectives, helping in the kitchen and loving the students.

Worship is a huge value of our community and we have a lot of worship events coming up.  Check out jonathanhelser.com for events nearest you.  Specifically, we would like to invite you to worship with us on October 19 at the Carolina Theatre.  We love worshiping in the community and have the pleasure of having our good friends John Mark and Sarah McMillan worshiping with us.  This will be a very special night that you will not want to miss!  Click on the banner below to get your ticket!

Adam Cox

We just finished a great week with our dear friend Adam Cox.  We first met Adam when he was 17 and Ken Helser prayed for him at a summer camp.   Adam carries the heartbeat of A Place for the Heart and the 18 Inch Journey.  We have had the honor of having him speak at every 18 Inch Journey.

This week, Adam spoke on Jesus and revealed the Word hidden throughout scripture.  Our hearts burned within us when Adam taught the Word.  Adam has dedicated his life not only to studying the Word, but becoming friends with Jesus.  He revealed the person of Jesus to us when he taught.  Adam’s words carried the passion of his heart for our friend Jesus.

Adam pastors one of our favorite churches called the Kansas City Boiler Room.  He lives with his wife Julie and their three beautiful daughters in Kansas City, MI.  Adam has an amazing teaching of the scripture called ‘The God Story.’  If you would like to know more about Adam and his ministry, you can visit kcboilerroom.com.

The Opening Dinner

The Opening Dinner of the 18 Inch Journey (a 60 day heart school) is essential to who we are.  As a community, we spend a substantial amount of face time around the table.  From everyday dinners to birthday celebrations, we gather around the table year round. 

It’s fitting that we begin every 18 Inch Journey around the table.  

On June 1, we welcomed our 31 new students to their place at the table.  It’s always a joy to see the fresh faces as they eagerly walk up the hill to the Farmhouse.  We assign each student to a specific table and designate their place with a special name tag.  Recently, we expanded the kitchen in the Farmhouse and it is our joy to cook meals.  Jonathan and Melissa opened the night by welcoming the students.  Then the first of four small groups read their declarations over the students.  We enjoyed each course of the meal followed by declarations.  After dessert and the last group of declarations, the students introduced themselves and shared what they’re looking to get out of the 18 Inch Journey.  We ended the night by praying over each student and agreeing with the plans of the Father for this summer.

A summer in the woods can change your life.  The gluten free chocolate cake from Linda Helser can help.  Jesus made breakfast for His boys on the beach and emphasized the importance of meals with many stories in scripture centered around food.  He spent time around food and modeled family time around the dinner table.  We believe a generation will find their identity as sons and daughters when they find their place at the table.  The table is not just a place for your cup and plate.  The table is a place for stories and a place where brothers and sisters share their hearts.  So we began at the table on June 1 and we will continue to spend many more meals around the table.  The journey from the head to the heart begins with the invitation to find our place at the table.  May we taste and see that the Lord is good and in so tasting find ours identities in Him.

Days away from the 18 Inch Journey

Hey guys,

We are only days away from the 2013 18 Inch Journey.  We want to keep you up to speed this summer with everything going on and will keep this NEW BLOG updated for you all summer.  You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date information.

Please stay tuned.  We're looking forward to an amazing summer.

Thanks,
JD