Words Matter!

The three most important words in the English language we can say are I love you, the two most important words are thank you!  This time of the year is my opportunity to look back at our season of ministry and see how we've done and from my perspective it has been an outstanding year.  We've seen our church grow, youth and children's programs flourish, new spiritual development programs launched, building projects completed, and the results of all our efforts is many many lives have been changed and many lives have been saved.  That's the primary business of our church, our function is to be change agents of God, to help people through the power of Jesus, make real and lasting positive changes in their lives.

What does a changed life look like?  In one case a young man came to our church desperately needing help with an alcohol addiction.   His life was absolutely in shambles; his marriage was over, no job, and no hope.  We helped him find his path; we provided spiritual support, we got him counseling, we showered him with Christian love, and with the power of Jesus we helped him get his life back on track.  It's just one story of the many people we have reached out to, supported, and made a lifesaving difference.  Our church is filled with people who will continue to need our help and support, our community is filled with people who desperately need us to do what God has called us to do. 

As good as this year has been it is only a drop in the bucket of what we are planning to do.  In the coming year we will be expanding.  Actually that's an understatement, in the coming year we are planning on growing every aspect of our ministry at a pace that will make this last year seem like we stood still.  We have a God given vision that will energize our congregation and our community to help change lives like we've never done before.  The reason we can even conceive of a vision that will bring so many new people to Jesus, help children and youth find their way in the world, bring new programs and events to a community that is hungry for gospel, is because of your prayers and support.  For all that you've done I am incredibly thankful!

Moving forward will take even more prayer and help.  The single most important word in English we can say is please.  Please pray and think about how you will help grow our church, how we will help save people who do not know the gospel of Jesus, how we can expand our ministry to teach and support children and youth.  It will take all of our efforts to reach the expectations we have for our church, so please help.  In the name of Jesus I love you, and thank you!

                       ~Pastor Stuart Bodin