I hope this letter finds you well.  Currently for me, this is “the best of times and the worst of times.” As I write this, I am counting down the days until my lower back surgery.  Many of you are aware that in July I suffered a ruptured disc, but after physical therapy, two epidurals, and pain management, I have had little to no relief.  On November 21,^st I will have surgery to repair the disc.  My prayer is that I will wake up “pain free” and after a few weeks of healing, be able to resume life as normal.  This journey has been painful physically as well as emotionally but I thank God for His Presence and His People.  How anyone does without either is beyond me. 

Because driving has been next to impossible, my meetings have been on my front porch in Hard Bargain.  Truly, this is a “beautiful place to live” and I desire to continue my meetings here.  For many this has become a daily reminder of God’s redemptive love and why He commands us to love our neighbor.  However, for me, it not only serves as a reminder but it confirms a passionate call to The Franklin Table.  While on my back, we have continued to serve ministries and others, which in and of itself is God and God alone! 

God continues to bless as the Synago pastors pursue and meet the needs of others outside of the four walls we call “church.”  Chris Whitney’s food distribution, Kevin Riggs’ Jobs for Life, and David Yoder’s leadership with various groups, all give me great peace that God is at work while creating a deeper desire in us to love and serve others within our reach.   In late February, Kevin and I will be leading a workshop on the topic of Community Development at the annual Jobs for Life Conference and we are currently planning a trip for the summer of 2014 to Honduras.  I am excited to see first hand the initiatives that have taken place there as well.

Shepherding the Next Generation (SNG) has invited me, along with Papa Joe Bradford (Elijah’s Heart … Walk of Love), to speak in Washington D.C. with TN Senator Lamar Alexander about the great work SNG does in funding health and education opportunities for a growing number of single moms and their children.  We believe that stronger Federal as well as statewide funding will save many lives in the years to come.

Hard Bargain Association is still building new homes, renovating existing homes, and keeping up the HB garden and play area.  I love watching God unite the hands and hearts of the residents and outside workers to make our neighborhood a safer and better place to live.  I know we walk by faith and not sight, but the “sites” in our neighborhood always increase my hope for restorative justice.

The Porch Group meets weekly to discuss the wonderful work going on at New Hope Academy.   We continually establish new relationships to help with funding for scholarships and expansion.  Daily we see the Redemptive Thread of Christ woven through the lives of our students and their families.  Please know there is always an open invitation to visit or even worship with us at New Hope to further educate you on one amazing school!

There is so much more to share regarding The Franklin Table, our new branding, website (thefranklintable.org [2]), and upcoming plans for our “Within My Reach” conferences, but I would like to focus on those things next month.  Meanwhile, thank you for being so faithful to go to the Father on our behalf.   Please continue to pray for my upcoming surgery.  I am beginning to see the finish line and I so desire to cross it quickly!  Thank you again and again for partnering with The Franklin Table through provision and prayer. Please visit our websites at https://thefranklintable.org [3] and http://www.scottroley.com [4].  I pray the Lord leads you in your own calling with His Grace and into His Glory …

Deep Love, 

Scott