The other day I was looking through my youth ministry scrapbooks reminiscing of all that God has done in my life. As I saw each picture, it brought back incredible memories of relationships that I have built over the years. From serious to silly, there are so many experiences that I will never forget. In many ways, youth ministry shaped me to be the lead pastor that I am today. Then, it happened again. A young man by the name of Hunter came to church on Sunday. Once a middle schooler in my youth ministry, he is now leading his young family to love Jesus. I couldn’t be prouder of him for making such a generational choice. I think about past students. I think about past youth leaders. I think about past pastors. I think about what God started so many years ago that is still flourishing by his grace today. Memories mean everything.
That was exactly what Paul was feeling, except from a Roman prison. He probably was remembering how God had sent him a vision to travel to Macedonia and begin to preach the Gospel to the key city of Philippi. He probably was filled with joy thinking of the first time that he met a businesswoman by the name of Lydia. This lady would be his first “convert” to the Gospel, and after being baptized, she would subsequently open up her house to be a headquarters of sorts for Paul’s ministry team. No doubt he also remembered the pressures and the pain during a prison stay. All in all, he was incredibly thankful for what God had already done, and he was encouraged to see the church in Philippi take their faith to the “next level.”
The people of Philippi had a mutual love and affection for the weary apostle as well. In fact, it was through their selfless and sacrificial giving that helped the ministry to grow. The amazing thing about this is that the region of Macedonia where Philippi was located, existed in extreme poverty. Far from the wealth and success of a city like Corinth, the Philippians gave out of their poverty, not their prosperity. The partnership that they had with other churches and with Paul was a beautiful thing...a special thing...an extraordinary thing.
When I look around our church on a Sunday, I am filled with the same kind of gratitude that Paul felt. From the worship team to the security team, to the welcome team to the tech team, to the kid team to the cafe team, to each and every person serving Jesus in some capacity, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for you and your family. I LOVE our church! So, many people have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of your love for people. I think about what God has done in the almost 13 years since Tami and I came here through your faithfulness, and it is simply amazing to see! There is nothing quite like a partnership for the Gospel! Watching God change lives never gets old! In fact, there is nothing better! It will always be the drive of my life.
Every picture told a story. As I was turning the pages of those youth ministry scrapbooks, I saw teenagers who were once broken but now healed. I saw kids who were once confused but now confident. I saw adult leaders who were once complacent about service not committed to the Savior. So many stories. So many memories. So many miracles. So many moments that bring unbelievable joy! Why? Partnership. There is something so special about “getting in the trenches” for the Gospel cause with people of like-mindedness. Take a few minutes and read the story in Acts 16 and see for yourself how the church began.
As I think about the future that is in front of us as a church, sure it’s going to look a little different in some ways, but make no mistake, our best days are ahead of us! Why? Because we have a culture of partnership for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I think about you, I feel how the Apostle Paul felt...these are my people...and I love them...a lot!
That was exactly what Paul was feeling, except from a Roman prison. He probably was remembering how God had sent him a vision to travel to Macedonia and begin to preach the Gospel to the key city of Philippi. He probably was filled with joy thinking of the first time that he met a businesswoman by the name of Lydia. This lady would be his first “convert” to the Gospel, and after being baptized, she would subsequently open up her house to be a headquarters of sorts for Paul’s ministry team. No doubt he also remembered the pressures and the pain during a prison stay. All in all, he was incredibly thankful for what God had already done, and he was encouraged to see the church in Philippi take their faith to the “next level.”
The people of Philippi had a mutual love and affection for the weary apostle as well. In fact, it was through their selfless and sacrificial giving that helped the ministry to grow. The amazing thing about this is that the region of Macedonia where Philippi was located, existed in extreme poverty. Far from the wealth and success of a city like Corinth, the Philippians gave out of their poverty, not their prosperity. The partnership that they had with other churches and with Paul was a beautiful thing...a special thing...an extraordinary thing.
When I look around our church on a Sunday, I am filled with the same kind of gratitude that Paul felt. From the worship team to the security team, to the welcome team to the tech team, to the kid team to the cafe team, to each and every person serving Jesus in some capacity, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for you and your family. I LOVE our church! So, many people have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of your love for people. I think about what God has done in the almost 13 years since Tami and I came here through your faithfulness, and it is simply amazing to see! There is nothing quite like a partnership for the Gospel! Watching God change lives never gets old! In fact, there is nothing better! It will always be the drive of my life.
Every picture told a story. As I was turning the pages of those youth ministry scrapbooks, I saw teenagers who were once broken but now healed. I saw kids who were once confused but now confident. I saw adult leaders who were once complacent about service not committed to the Savior. So many stories. So many memories. So many miracles. So many moments that bring unbelievable joy! Why? Partnership. There is something so special about “getting in the trenches” for the Gospel cause with people of like-mindedness. Take a few minutes and read the story in Acts 16 and see for yourself how the church began.
As I think about the future that is in front of us as a church, sure it’s going to look a little different in some ways, but make no mistake, our best days are ahead of us! Why? Because we have a culture of partnership for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I think about you, I feel how the Apostle Paul felt...these are my people...and I love them...a lot!