Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
This Newsletter covers both December and January. The end of one year and beginning of the next. A time to look back and a time to look forward.
2023 was quite the ride! We went through some very difficult times, and we enjoyed some really awesome times! All in all, we were privileged to see God work in our midst. He turned a bleak financial situation completely around. He blessed us with good, solid, growth, not just in numbers but in spiritual depth. Our church was able to send multiple mission trips to Puerto Rico and one to Senegal. The youth had an awesome year! We saw folks come to Christ and we witnessed a ton of baptisms! It was quite the year!
Looking forward, I am excited about 2024. This should be the year that we make progress on the use of the old bank building. I anticipate expanding our Missions programs in both Puerto Rico and Senegal. The possibilities of 2024 are endless!
I was asked a penetrating question a few days ago. The question was, “If we were to start a church from scratch today, what would it look like?” This question caused me to consider what we do as “church” now and why do we do it? Of course, the Word and the Gospel do not change, but the way church is done does change. What would we do differently? What would remain the same?
As I thought about the question above, I realized that we have so much more than most church planters. We have more than just a core of believers. We have sufficient finances. We have space for worship and discipleship. People starting a church from scratch have none of these things. We really need to pray about how we are using the precious assets we already have, our people, our space, and our finances. If it’s possible to do better with what God has given us, that’s what I want to do!!! How about you?
It's a question about Stewardship we all need to answer. Matthew 25:14-18 reads this way:
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money."
At the end of this parable, the poor steward, the one who buried his master’s money heard this, “You wicked and slothful servant!”. Let’s purpose together to be good stewards of all the Lord has given us!
On a personal note – Gerda and I could not be more grateful for the support we are receiving from our church family. We could not get through what we are going through without you! Thank you for all that you’ve done for us and are doing for us. Thank you for the prayers! God is being glorified by the way you are caring for us!
Here’s to an awesome 2024!
God bless, Pastor Rob