Brothers and Sisters,
As I think about the time we shared together this past Sunday, I keep returning to something that really moved me. After the service, Bishop Phil gathered us together to film a quick video segment. He asked you about your hopes for our congregation. I was so encouraged by what you had to say. Here’s a snapshot of some of what I remember hearing about your hopes: Evangelism, outreach, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, standing firm in faith against the deceptions of the world, retaining the love that we have for one another, continued growth. These hopes aren’t random. In fact, they present a very clear pattern.
What I heard from you is that you hope that our congregation continues to abide in the love of Christ, and that your hearts are committed to the mission before us: to reach, by the power of the Gospel, those who don’t know Jesus. When you spoke on Sunday, I heard your commitment to Christ. I heard your trust in the Holy Spirit’s work. I heard your commitment to the task before us. I want you to know that what you’ve articulated is deeply aligned with my own hopes for our congregation. We’re in this together.
These hopes are more than wishes. These hopes will direct our prayers to our faithful God as we seek to follow Him as a family on mission. Brothers and sisters, the calling before us is clear and the One who called us is faithful.
In Christ,
Fr. Caleb