Thursday, June 04, 2015
God is at work on Long Island
I am spending this week in a Hope for Life campaign up in Long Island. Just thought I would share a few thoughts.
Every church of Christ on the Island is involved. They have all had members attend, all of their preachers have been involved, and they all have representation on the Steering Committee. This is a great example of churches in unity on the core beliefs and willing to agree to disagree on all other issues. I wish we could learn that in some other places.
There is something special about Christians gathering together. Sunday and Wednesday night were two of the largest gatherings many could remember. Watching them visit, sing, hug, laugh, and cry together has been inspiring.
They are passionate about reaching lost people for Jesus. Love it when I am encouraged to preach evangelistic sermons.
I am sharing preaching duties with Walter Maxwell. He is an older African American preacher on the Island. He was converted in the Sixties by some of the Exodus Bayshore group. This was an effort most have forgotten about and there was some criticism at the time. A number of Christians intentionally moved to Long Island with the intention of starting congregations in the neighborhoods where they located. They got jobs and began talking about Jesus. I really do not know much else about this effort, but the good done by Walter over the past 50 years makes the whole effort worth it. You never know what God will do with our efforts.
We are doing the campaign in both English and Spanish. Love that intentionality.
Having visitors, Bible studies, and baptisms.
Here a couple of conversations I have had that help me remember why I love what I do.
One was a lady who has not been going to church but decided to come for this. Hearing about how Christians do life together helped her realize why she needs to be involved in a local community of faith.
And the gentleman who wanted to know more about being born again and how to handle the indifference of his family should he make that decision. And love the fact that the co-worker who invited him has been talking to him about Jesus and is already setting up times to continue sharing Jesus stories.
This is the vision for the church: followers making followers. Doing life together. Telling our world that God loves them and Jesus died for them Inviting them to join with us in the mission of Jesus.
Thanks God for letting me partner with you in the gospel. You saved me and I am blessed to be ;your child and to invite others into our family.
Every church of Christ on the Island is involved. They have all had members attend, all of their preachers have been involved, and they all have representation on the Steering Committee. This is a great example of churches in unity on the core beliefs and willing to agree to disagree on all other issues. I wish we could learn that in some other places.
There is something special about Christians gathering together. Sunday and Wednesday night were two of the largest gatherings many could remember. Watching them visit, sing, hug, laugh, and cry together has been inspiring.
They are passionate about reaching lost people for Jesus. Love it when I am encouraged to preach evangelistic sermons.
I am sharing preaching duties with Walter Maxwell. He is an older African American preacher on the Island. He was converted in the Sixties by some of the Exodus Bayshore group. This was an effort most have forgotten about and there was some criticism at the time. A number of Christians intentionally moved to Long Island with the intention of starting congregations in the neighborhoods where they located. They got jobs and began talking about Jesus. I really do not know much else about this effort, but the good done by Walter over the past 50 years makes the whole effort worth it. You never know what God will do with our efforts.
We are doing the campaign in both English and Spanish. Love that intentionality.
Having visitors, Bible studies, and baptisms.
Here a couple of conversations I have had that help me remember why I love what I do.
One was a lady who has not been going to church but decided to come for this. Hearing about how Christians do life together helped her realize why she needs to be involved in a local community of faith.
And the gentleman who wanted to know more about being born again and how to handle the indifference of his family should he make that decision. And love the fact that the co-worker who invited him has been talking to him about Jesus and is already setting up times to continue sharing Jesus stories.
This is the vision for the church: followers making followers. Doing life together. Telling our world that God loves them and Jesus died for them Inviting them to join with us in the mission of Jesus.
Thanks God for letting me partner with you in the gospel. You saved me and I am blessed to be ;your child and to invite others into our family.
