From The Pastor’s Desk…

National Coming Out Day was October 11.

As an affirming & inclusive church, we endorse TRUTH
and transparency. We attempt to assist individuals in their
quest for acceptance of self and others.

First of all, it is imperative that we “come out” as Christians.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill
cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under
a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in
the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is
in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

In the same way we guide the lost to reconciliation with their
Creator for salvation, we also want to help GLBT people be able to
reconcile to wholeness and well being. Therefore the church of the
living God must not hide out in a closet of any sort. We must be
visible for the sake of mentoring youth and the unreconciled of
our community and world.

It starts with self-acceptance and total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“We are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Let’s act like we believe that—
not just for ourselves but for the sake of others.

The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few. Why not reach out and
touch someone this week for the sake of eternity?

Pastor Randy

From The Pastor’s Heart…

It has been a joy this week to see the mighty hand of God at work among His people and in the world.

From the smallest detail to cataclysmic events, God’s Spirit is still moving in the earth and hovering above it. Even during our difficult times we must keep faith in action looking for the good and for God to bring the appropriate out-
come.

We are to be a people of faith, not fear.

The Bible reminds us of a time that mankind would trade faith for idolatrous ideologies. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” [Romans 1:21-22]

We must keep our eyes on Jesus and let the past be the past. I believe we have entered a new season of ministry, unity and growth. Together we can see the vision of the founders of our assembly come to pass.

One of the key elements that will catapult us into this new season of ministry is prayer. I believe we are seeing that prayer is the key. The past two Saturdays, we have come together as a church family and resumed our weekly prayer meetings. As a family, we are “connect-ing” through focused, serious, deliberate prayer and intercession. I believe we are going to see immediate and far reaching results because of this.

Thank you to those who have begun to attend and to Bro. Greg for taking the prayer “ball” and running with it.