September 2013 | Quarterly Issue | What's New This Fall

If anyone can relate to having a dream that seems unattainable and absolutely crazy, Mark Batterson can. Every day, he walked past a dilapidated old crack house and dreamed of opening a coffeehouse on that property. While Mark believed that this vision came from God, he struggled to see how this

dream could ever become a reality when a one million dollar price tag sat on this prime section of real estate, located in the heart of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mark began to pray specifically and intensely, giving this dream to God. Often, he literally circled the property as he walked and prayed.

“The more we prayed, the more the price dropped,” Mark shared. In the end, National Community Church, where Mark serves as a lead pastor, purchased the property for a mere $325,000 after four different parties offered more. This became the first of many miracles that God provided on a journey that led Mark and the church to open Ebenezers Coffeehouse on March 15, 2006.

“The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered simply because they go unasked,” Mark encourages. “But if you have the courage to circle the promise, circle the dream, circle the miracle, you never know how or when or where God might answer that prayer.”

AUDACIOUS PRAYER: WHEN DREAMS BECOME A REALITYThis October, Needle’s Eye Ministries is bringing you the opportunity to spend an evening with author and speaker Mark Batterson as he shares additional stories and lessons from his New York Times® best-selling book, The Circle Maker. Mark will inspire you to take a 360 degree look at your life, to face your greatest dreams, and to pray bold prayers that God wants to answer.

Invite a friend, and come out for a night that includes appetizers, networking, a cash bar, Q & A with the speaker, book signing, and more! You will not want to miss "360: An Evening with Mark Batterson."

For more information and to register, visit www.needleseye.org/batterson360.

NEEDLE’S EYE NEWS

When:Wednesday, October 23 | 6-9 PM5:45 PM Doors Open

Where:Plant ZeroZero East 4th StreetRichmond, VA 23224

Registration:Early Bird Registration – $30 | until September 14Registration – $35 | September 15-October 12Late Registration – $40 | October 12-20Sorry, walk-ins not permitted.

All attendees will receive a free copy of The Circle Maker!

GREETINGS FROM BUDDY CHILDRESS

Welcome to our fall newsletter. Here at Needle's Eye, we're excited about what's in store for the coming months - lots of changes and new opportunities. I look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon!

Yours in Christ,

Buddy Childress Executive Director

Phil. 1:3-6, NIV I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

UPCOMING SMALL GROUPS & EVENTS

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP WORKSHOP (20s/30s)www.needleseye.org/young-professionals-ministry Join an eight-week small group workshop for young professionals to explore issues like work-life balance, faith and work, goal setting and skills assessment. Grow and learn together, unveil your unique purpose, and live out your calling!

When: Tuesdays, Sept. 17 - Nov. 5, 6-8 PM Where: Needle's Eye Office (104 Berrington Ct.) Leaders: J.C. Cancelleri and Lisa Rattner Cost: $30

WOMEN'S THURSDAY NIGHT STUDYwww.needleseye.org/get-connected/womens-ministries Will the real Jesus please step forward? If you’ve ever wished you knew the whole story of Jesus - not just snippets of things you picked up in childhood Sunday School lessons or sermons - or you’ve wished you knew the whole story chronologically so you could fit all the pieces together, this is the study for you!

What: The Real Jesus When: Thursdays, Sept. 19 - Nov. 21, 5:45-7:30 PMWhere: Needle's Eye Office (104 Berrington Ct.) Leader: Jennifer ParhamCost: $10

CROSSROADS CAREER EXPLORERS WORKSHOPwww.needleseye.org/career-transition-groupCrossroads Career Explorers is a seven-week, Christ-centered workshop for job-seekers. Along with building community with other job-seekers, participants use a six-step process and Explorer Guide – specific tools to find calling and purpose, prepare resumes, practice for interviews, network and more!

DAYTIME WORKSHOP:When: Tuesdays, Sept. 24 - Nov. 5, 2-3:30 PMWhere: Needle’s Eye Offices (104 Berrington Ct.)Leader: Jim JohnstonCost: $30*

EVENING WORKSHOP: When: Wednesdays, Sep. 25 - Nov. 6, 6-7:30 PMWhere: Shalom Baptist Church (6395 Mechanicsville Tpk)Leaders: Doug and Dawn HansenCost: $30*

* If cost is a factor, please email Larissa Sager at lsager@needleseye.org before registering.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those of you who responded so generously to our Annual Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013.

Because of your gifts, we exceeded our Annual Fund goal (raising a little over $519,000 for the year) - and were able to fund completely our Speaker Series, support our Career Transition Groups and grow-ing number of small groups, expand liberally our Young Professionals outreach and discipleship, and continue to add new opportunities for building community and fellowship in Christ. And pay the bills!

The glory goes to God, along with our thanks to you for your part in creating these community-impacting opportunities to grow in faith. Together, and with the Lord, we are making a difference for Christ in the marketplace of Richmond!

GOAL: $600,519

Why the increase? Increased opportunities to impact lives for Christ, several being:• Spiritual Shots™ is back!

Quarterly, at Bottoms Up Pizza beginning in November

• 360: Batterson event (see p.1)• Speaker Series—significant

makeover, new evening venue!• Expanded discipleship options:

- Sharing Your Faith 101 & 201 - Circle Maker groups - “Lead Like Jesus” seminars

HOW TO GIVE

SEND A CHECK Please make all checks payable to “Needle’s Eye Ministries.”

ONLINE It's easy! Visit www.needleseye.org.

PHONE Need to call in your payment? Call 804.358.1283, and we can process your credit card gift over the phone.

UNITED WAY Needle’s Eye accepts gifts through various United Way Campaigns Oct. 1-Dec. 31:

United Way Campaign #: 3315 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) #: 18675 Local Government & Schools (LGS) #: 232 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) #: 3229

QUESTIONS?Contact Elizabeth Massie, Director of Annual Giving, at 804.358.1283 or emassie@needleseye.org.

NEEDLE'S EYE MINISTRIES ANNUAL FUND 2013-14

To our generous Needle’s Eye family and friends, we give thanks! ANNUAL FUND 2012-13

Mark your calendars to help Needle’s Eye compete well in the upcoming Amazing Raise! Sponsored by the Community Foundation and open to all Richmond area non-profits, this online giving event provides an opportunity for people who care about the Greater Richmond region to come together and raise as much money as possible for local non-profits in 36 hours - between September 18th and 19th. Last year, over 15,000 contributions raised $1.24 million for over 400 non-profits!!How can you help? A gift of $50 or more, given during the times below, helps us to win extra prize money:

• EarlyBirdChallenge(Sept.18|6AM) $2,500 awarded to the first 15 organizations to receive 50 unique gifts of $50 or more

• Lunchbreak(Sept.18|12-2PM) $1,000 awarded to organization receiving most contributions during this time

• Lunchbreak(Sept.19|12-2PM) $1,000 awarded to organization receiving most contributions during this time

Be on the lookout for messages from our trusty camel (our NEM Amazing Raise mascot) - and help us win the race!

Real people. Real life. Real answers. Featuring personal stories of hope, faith, and purpose, the Needle’s Eye Monthly Speaker Series is getting real this fall. Engage with members of the Richmond business community and hear how God has been revealing Himself and working in their lives. New to the Speaker Series: open Q&A time with speakers and an all-new evening venue in Carytown. Cost:$11 (reserved and paid 48 hours prior to the event). Late registration and walk-ins are $13.

MONTHLY SPEAKER SERIES

SEPTEMBER Mat Fisher Senior Vice President of Product Management Bank of America

What happens when business plans don’t “succeed”? Why am I still alive after a near-death situation? Leading a small business venture, Mat was well-acquainted with stress and pressure. At age 35, his body reacted to this in the form of a major heart attack. Find out how the answers to Mat's questions led to a strengthened hope in God and a renewed purpose.

Downtown/Southside Willow Oaks Country Club

Lunch: 12-12:45 PM

Innsbrook/Short PumpThe Place at Innsbrook Lunch: 12-12:45 PM

OCTOBER Samantha Willis Community Manager Create Digital

Is this really a part of God's plan? Will I ever get better? When Samantha Willis went on her first international trip to Italy, she expected to return transformed. After a traumatic experience, she returned with severe depression that led to stress-induced seizures. Hear Samantha share how her experience has given her insight in to God's bigger plan for her life and a passion to help others who suffer from depression and anxiety.

NOVEMBER Jim Johnston HR Manager (Retired)Reynolds Metals Company and Kaiser Aluminum

Why is my work bringing me anything but purpose or satisfaction? How can I work harder to fix this situation? In the mid '90s, Jim Johnston facilitated layoffs for Reynolds Metals Company and Kaiser Aluminum and remembers how that felt like a "grinding down of the soul." Come hear how Jim's story relates to you and how you can find inspiration in the most unlikely of places.

DECEMBER Mark Barrett Public Policy Coordinator Virginia Chamber of Commerce

How did I come to the end of myself and completely start over? What prompted me to turn to God? Mark Barrett admits he once tried finding satisfaction in all the wrong places. When he finally realized his game plan wasn't working at the age of 19, Mark started looking for answers. Little did he know that when he said, "Lord, you can have my life if you're real," God would reveal himself in the most tangible of ways.

Carytown The Water Grill

Appetizers: 5:30-7 PM

Willow Oaks The Water Grill The Place Wed., Oct. 9 Wed., Oct. 16 Thur., Oct. 17

Willow Oaks The Water Grill The PlaceTue., Sept. 10 Wed., Sept. 11 Thur., Sept. 19

Willow Oaks The Water Grill The Place Wed., Nov. 13 Wed., Nov. 20 Thur., Nov. 21

Willow Oaks The Water Grill The Place Tue., Dec. 10 Wed., Dec. 18 Thur., Dec. 19