One year ago as I was praying for our church and reflecting on how God was leading our church throughout this pandemic, God led me to these two passages:
1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace”
Romans 10:13-14 “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
I knew that our church was called to be stewards of our gifts beyond our four walls of our church building. But how did that look? One way was to get out of our comfort zone and to visit one of our missionaries to see how God was at work beyond our own comfortable context. COVID-19’s Omicron wave pushed our trip back from February to July, but by the grace of God, the itinerary has been set! The plane tickets have been purchased! And we just had our first team meeting together last night! Our team of five is filled with experience, wisdom, and many spiritual gifts. I cannot wait to see and witness how God will use each and every one of us!
This is a very meaningful trip because this will be our first missions trip abroad in the 64 years of our church! This is also a trip where we will be able to visit with our missionaries Carlos and Kimberley. Many of you know that Kimberley’s father, Pastor Ken Verhulst was our long-time pastor from 1985-2006! To get a chance to personally experience the power of a legacy of faith, will truly be an incredible experience! Please keep us in your prayers!
Blessings,
Pastor James