Designed for Community

[Tonya]
We recently played a game where we had to answer questions about each other to see who knew the most about the other. One of the questions asked, “If given the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?” Julia and Luciano both immediately guessed that I answered Italy. Although I am certain I would enjoy visiting my grandparents home, Tom knew the correct answer was a place right here in the United States. Like Dr. Seuss’ feisty character, the Lorax, I can often be heard declaring, “I speak for the trees…!” So where is the one place I want to visit most in the world? I want to stand with the trees in the Redwood Forest. I literally get chills just typing those words! The resident trees can easily reach 300 feet. The very tallest known tree in the world, named Hyperion, lives in the Redwood Forest and was measured in 2006 standing 379.7 feet! That is more than the length of an entire football field! The typical Redwood tree lives 600-700 years, although some have been documented at more than 2,000 years old! To stand beneath these mighty giants and look up would be a life-long dream. However, it may surprise you to know, it is not the height I would most be overwhelmed to be in the presence of, but rather the root system of the Redwood Forest. Unlike most trees, the Redwoods do not have a deep root system. In fact they only grow down 6 to 10 feet before the roots branch out as much as 100 feet. They thrive in thick groves with their roots intertwining and even fusing together. They share nutrients and moisture, relying on each other for continued health, healing and growth. The Redwood Forest has embraced the biblical teaching about living in community in support of one another.

Blake Coffee is an attorney and author of three books; Five Principles of Unity, Trusting God’s People…Again, and One Body: Experiencing Unity in the Church. A talented courtroom litigator, Blake left an Austin law firm to develop his own mediation practice. As the son of a pastor, and a Deacon himself, Blake continued to feel called to a ministry of peacemaking. In 2001 he established Christian Unity Ministries, which “exists to assist and equip Christian churches to experience Biblical unity.” With a Board of Directors that includes several attorney’s, State and District judge’s, an architect, COO, communication strategist, and an array of other talented, insightful loving Christians, CU Ministries sought to develop another tool to help heal God’s people. About a year ago Innovative Truth was approached about a collaboration to launch an incredible new curriculum. We are excited to work with Blake to unveil the first initiative for One Another Project.
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Five Conversations for Healthy Relationships is a curriculum built on Christian principles, seeking to equip individuals wanting to repair or build enduring relationships. Like the Redwood Forest, we were made to live in harmonious community. Sadly, we see far too much division in families, churches, friendships, marriages, and workplaces. How might we change those relationships if we knew how to approach each other in a more loving manner? In small group settings, Five Conversations for Healthy Relationships reaches into the lives of hurting people to focus on conversations aimed at changing our perspective and healing hearts. With over 25 years of experience facilitating small groups, Innovative Truth was asked to train facilitators and start dozens of small groups utilizing the project.

[TOM]
​As Project Coordinator, Tonya, has worked closely with Blake and his team to create the website, content, and all the countless other details that have gone into the project. It has been an exciting and VERY BUSY year pulling all of this off! Having seen a lot of curriculum over the years, we confidently say, this is groundbreaking! Ready to launch, and excited to offer it for free through the end of the year to churches and other small groups willing to work with Tonya as they iron out any kinks, we want to introduce all of you to this unique project. The videos used in the first 10 minutes of your session can all be accessed on-line, so it is not necessary for your small group to be in San Antonio. We started the 8th small group last week; this one for college students. We are very pleased both Luciano and Julia asked to join! It was a great first meeting and we are really looking forward to meeting each week for the summer. They have already told us they want to facilitate their own groups when school resumes in the fall. WOW!

We would love to share more information about how to join an established group or facilitate your own! You can learn more about our collaboration with this amazing project by visiting oneanotherproject.com, and by calling Tonya at 210.865.8800, or me at 210.310.5527. Our goal is to have 25 groups up and running by the end of the year, and we would be thrilled for you to have access!

YOU are the root system that gives Innovative Truth life. To be a part of the Innovative Truth community you built is humbling to say the least. With your continued love, prayers, financial support and encouragement, God is continuing to use Innovative Truth to reach more people than we could ever have imagined. I can’t wait to see what He does next with your ministry!
​                                                  With much love!