It’s been a summer of some incredible opportunities for all of us. We’ve had fantastic occasions to hear from our missionaries. Three of them, Dan Weightman serving in Nassau, Dan Schmidt serving in Morocco, and Andrew Churchill serving on the North Side all preached on the fruits of the spirit. Dan and Kelly Weightman also had a meet and greet after each of our services on Sunday morning. The Hendrickson’s had an open house and shared what God is doing on Abaco. The Seabolds who serve in Malawi gave a minute for missions and had a question and answer time after the two services on Sunday. Emily Shrader, serving as a trainer and caring for missionaries through Serge, is coming in September for a weekend to share and teach us how to integrate the gospel into everyday living.
Paul puts it this way in Colossians 4:7-9, “Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts and with him Onesimus our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.” One of the questions I’ve learned to ask when reading the Bible is why did that make it in to the Bible? Why is it there? It’s there because of the power of testimony and it helps us be awed by God. When people tell us about what God is doing, our hearts are encouraged.
We’ve had the opportunity to hear from 9 different teachers on the 9 fruits of the Spirit. The women had a summer event where they heard from how mentoring relationships changed lives. We all had the opportunity to hear from Jess Cline and Keith Balkey on time management. Dan Gallagher talked about good stewardship and Eric Gumkowski shared with us how to navigate change. Each of them used the word of God to make us wiser.
The men attended the 1613 Men’s conference via livestream in the Barclay. It challenged us to pursue Christ and embrace virtues like integrity, compassion, and moral courage. There were also a number of Bible studies for men and women throughout the summer. Teachers used their time wisely to disciple others as they worked through the scriptures together. Lives were changed and people were awed by God.
We also had the opportunity to hear Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass band. It was an evening of American classics, hymns, and worship. They encouraged us through song and the presentation of the gospel. We were encouraged to be that loud with our love.
Fall is right around the bend. Will you choose to take advantage of the opportunities this fall. Will you join with a smaller group of people and study God’s word? Will you take advantage of Growth Groups, All Moms, KidVenture, Look Through the Scriptures, Women in the Woods retreat, the Worship Workshop, Youth Group, Over 70’s events, and many opportunities to serve? Don’t miss out on being in community and being wiser. Being intentional and being engaged in our community grows all of us. Remember all of us are part of the body. Paul put is this way in I Corinthians 12:18-20, “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” We need each other.
By: Jerry Zeilstra