member teams that will go out into the communities of our chapels and invite persons to participate in our ministries.

It Will Take All of Us Sacrificing Together

The cost to invest in our future is too great for only a few to carry. We must each do our share and give our part. In terms of prayer and action, your church needs your commitment now like never before. It’s time to give something back if we are going to grow. It will take every one to become personal evangelist willing to share your faith and witness. As we move forward, it is hoped that we will all become bold disciples growing into apostles who will expand the church through prayer, service, and increased dedication.

What Is My Part?

If I were to come up with a theme for our church growth endeavor it would be - Preparing our Ministry for a Faithful Future. While we cannot all give the same amount, we can all sacrifice somehow. This way everyone is called to have a part. For some, a “sacrificial” gift may require more time given to current ministries or the sharing in building new ministries to meet newly defined needs in our communities. For some the sacrifice might be accepting responsibility of leadership or sharing in the leadership of current ministries so as to make them more diverse, inclusive, and effective. For others, a sacrifice may be increased monetary giving to meet our budgetary shortfall. While for others sacrificial commitment may be involvement in new ways of ministries within the community by volunteering beyond the church. However, doing so in the name of Jesus Christ, by sharing the churches concern and support for kingdom-building work beyond our doors - whatever ones sacrifice might be, it should be viewed as preparing the Future for the reign of Christ in the lives of all and the building and expanding of God’s Kingdom in our communities. God will impress a specific sacrifice or amount of commitment on your heart, if you sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Giving by Faith Is Giving That Pleases God

Giving by faith happens when we decide to serve,

sacrifice, give, and commit ourselves in a way that will require God’s help to fulfill. Can each of us honestly say that we, as the body of Christ, are making the largest sacrificial gift to church growth and Kingdom Building, that we have ever given. Can we stop worrying: “How can we afford this?” or, “How can we do this?”  Can we begin to think, “We can’t wait to see how God is going to grow his church through our sacrifice and commitment and  God is going to miraculously provide us with what we have committed to give by faith.”

This Is Your Opportunity

· To make a difference with our lives and God’s church.

· To do something significant that will outlast your life.

· To leave a legacy for our children and future generations.

· To be a part of a miracle.

It has been said, “As Christians, our reward is not what we get, it is who we become.” and “Only the mediocre are at their best.”

There’s no greater investment than to invest in God’s Kingdom in the task of telling people how Jesus can change their lives. It deserves our best.

True love requires risk, not only of material things, but also of our hearts. We, like Jesus, must come to know the people around us intimately. This can be hazardous; it is much easier to go through life with just a surface knowledge of others. Yet it is only in seeing others as God sees them, in knowing that they are also children of God-made in God’s image-that we will begin to care enough to love unconditionally, as the “good shepherd” loves His sheep. We are God’s sheep, loving and being loved by Him. We are also called to be shepherds, caring for others, loving in truth and in action.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Grace and Peace,  

Pastor Sam