 Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” My wife, Yolanda, and I have been disciples for 13 years, and we’re so happy to be in a ministry where we are unified in actively sharing our faith, being devoted unswervingly to the scriptures, and enjoying fellowship and “each other” times filled with salt. I have many friends in other churches that are still yearning for days of old or to worship with friends from the past. Of course I’d love to see various friends that mean a lot to me. But God is doing so much now and I only hope all disciples will get to feel that again! At GACC we’re making new friends. We've had 31 baptisms and 1 restoration this year alone; Almost every week there’s a new baptism, a new family, campus student, or single learning about God or visiting. We’re meeting dynamic and vibrant people from various races and backgrounds all streaming to the kingdom the way Isaiah describes. See the YouTube video of Jermaine & Denice get Baptized Isaiah 2:2 “In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”  It’s obvious that people are craving the Word that is preached with authority and even more so being lived out in reality! I’m proud that the only disciples that are moving over to our ministry have been those who want total commitment, accountability and who yearn to have more zeal for the Lord. I’ve also noticed that the only people who have left our ministry unhappy are those who felt we were too committed and active in each other’s lives and in the Lord. They didn’t leave because GACC isn’t striving to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Our church has refused to play church politics. We haven’t joined any particular movement, because we’ve insisted that anyone who is a disciple of Jesus is in our family! We are about the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17 and we won’t refuse fellowship with anyone who is for building God’s kingdom in scriptural truth, righteousness and faith. As we study the Bible with new people it enables us older disciples to see the folly in being hung up with past church rifts and divisions. Those divisive issues primarily fester in the prideful hearts of some leadership. The average disciple and especially new converts could care less about any of it. This is rightfully so, because they have just learned about the importance of forgiveness, humility, self -denial and trust in God. I know all of us especially those older in the faith can stand to take a refresher course in these concepts, for they are the foundation of the church. Our new teen ministry is prepped and ready to go. Our campus, married and single ministries have had incredible success in spiritual growth and in numbers. But all of that pales in comparison to the hearts of serving disciples. I can see that God is ready to move in all of us if we are willing to let Him. I pray for all churches around the world to have at least what we have right now and even greater things than this! Please pray for God to continue to see us worthy of His grace, blessings and power, as we pray for your church as well. In unity and the encouragement that comes from being in the Lord, Speech |
