It is such a joy to be your pastor! I thank the Lord for His call to shepherd this flock and enjoy this journey with you all. On August 1st we celebrated our first year together and I look forward to many more to come by God’s grace.
The past month has been filled with unforeseen circumstances and challenges that God has ordained we should experience together. The most recent is an emergency suspension of our corporate gatherings due to COVID. I praise the Lord that those who contracted COVID are doing much better and that a majority of the church did not become infected. We will continue to pray for one another and be each others help in times of need.
Vacation Bible School was a remarkable success and Elizabeth and I enjoyed serving alongside our church family as we ministered to children from our church and visitors.
The Leadership Symposium was also a time of great blessing, growth and encouragement! It was such a joy to see us grow closer in love and trust for three days! We studied the Bible together, aided by the book “A Display of God’s Glory” by Mark Dever. We also played some fun games and enjoyed some delicious food. I know for certain that we need to come together like this much more often and consistently. I am praying about future symposiums and what the Lord would have us to do!
Most recently we began our journey in Christianity Explored. This is an evangelistic ministry that is intended to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Also, it is a training tool for everyone to learn how to effectively communicate and articulate the Gospel to non-believers. We are studying the identity, mission, and call of Jesus throughout the book of Mark. The meetings are every Thursday evening from 5:30-7:15pm. Dinner is provided followed by our study in Mark along with a short video. So far the turn out and response has been fantastic! As soon as our COVID “break” is over we will jump right back in to where we left off!
A few consistent visitors have approached me about joining our church family. Along with the Deacons, we have been discussing what the process looks like and what it should entail. This is one of my high priorities this month and I am looking forward to us establishing some solid foundational paths to membership in the near future!
Concerning the pulpit, I have really enjoyed preaching about transformation from the examples we find in Peter’s life journey! I pray these messages have touched our hearts in a transformational way! Soon, we will return to the book of Genesis and make our way to Abraham and the amazing promises of God! I want to encourage our church family to continue to read through the upcoming Scriptures before I preach them. Being prepared to receive the Word on Sunday is greatly enhanced by the devotion we pour into our preparation!
Fall is finally here and change is once again upon us. Please, rejoice in the change the Lord brings! He does all things for His glory and our good. We must acknowledge this truth! When we do, expect to be amazed at the wonders of His heart and hand!
In summary, I offer this passage of Scripture as an encouragement and instruction... “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” 1 Peter 1:22-23
I love you church! Pastor Todd.