The picture was taken on a Thanksgiving weekend with some dear friends visiting with us. Jeremiah is pushing a late "4" years old in the picture. J is now a 4th grader. The warriors dress is called the "armour of God". It was given by a dear friend in Richmond, VA upon his birth.
As I reflect on 6 years of treading into the devils playground in Myrtle Beach, I am reminded of the many who started with us, came along side and have moved on. As a young church we are still celebrating many firsts, but many things God has truly established.
This year in our facility transition we are truly being blessed and experiencing freer worship of the Lord. Our community groups are growing with new people being brought in. Many struggling with sin and weights of life and destructive habits are experiencing new life transforming grace from the Lord Jesus Christ. We are truly in chains to this gospel, and it is an honor to press into one more year of holding it down til He comes.
In the picture above I can remember what was going on in my head... there was so much excitement, zeal, passion and ideas in my head. What would it look like? Who would we reach? What would it feel like? Nikki, Louis, Jaimie, Caitlin, Ray, John, Michael, Jenn, Rosa, Danny, Trevor, Christopher, Maddie, Babs, Karen, Terri, Debbie....... you are why we came! I thank God for the " ....." those are all the others that I of course did not mention. On the other side of 6 years there has been much press, much confusion, dissappointment, even dissillusionment, but never has the passion to serve our Lord Jesus Christ been stronger.
As my wife cried over a gut wrenching trial in our community, she said, "I can't wait to go to Heaven." What she meant was," it is hard"... Life, situations, people, the enemy of our own souls, the reality of tragedy and sickness and death. She did not mean it in a negative way, but truly she is longing to be with our Jesus where there will be no more struggle, press, and trial. Until then we will work while it is day.
Join us if you can for our 6th Anniversary service this Sunday evening at the Sea Mist Hotel. You can check us out on FB at 180degreeschurch for more updates.
Peace- Stu
1 comment:
God is faithful! Thank God for Jesus and that His plans (to prosper, not to harm, to give a hope and a future) stand FIRM forever and the purposes of His heart ENDURE through all generations!!! (Psalm 33:11) I think I butchered the actual quote, but I got the HEART! HALLELUJAH!!!
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