Welcome

Sometimes a story says it best.

An old missionary struggled alone for years. Finally, the mission board wrote and said they'd raised enough money to send him an assistant. The young assistant was fresh out of the seminary, brimming with self-confidence and eager to share his knowledge about God.

When his assistant arrived at the mission station, the old missionary called together the chief and all the people of the tribe to welcome him. They asked the young man to say a few words. Since the assistant could only speak English, the old missionary stood to translate.

The young man began, "We must always remember that there is an infinite and qualitative distinction between the eternal gospel and all the historical manifestations of it under the contingencies of human existence."

The missionary stood there dumbfounded as the young man waited for him to translate. Finally, the wise, old missionary turned to the people and said, "Friends, he says he loves you and he's glad to be here!"

I like that sentence! In fact, if God were to "say a few words" to us, I wonder if it wouldn't come out sounding something like, "Friends, I love you and I'm glad we're together!" At Grace Church, we hope you hear you're loved and we're glad we are together!

Steve Goodier