I read an article this week in the Orlando Sentinel about a local food bank/outreach ministry that was going to have to close its doors due to the lack of funding it has received during this recession. In fact the close was imminent until a 'sister' ministry (which happens to be from Vero Beach) stepped in and formed a partnership that brought together similar Passions for Kingdom Priorities! In the article both ministries spoke of their excitment in joining forces together to do God's work in the Orlando area. They spoke of the obstacles that have come their way as opportunities for a new thing and a fresh approach to partnering together in ministry - an approach they would not have been able to (or willing) had it not been for the current circumstances which made moving forward impossible apart from joining forces, apart from forming a partnership around their similar passions for the priorities of God's Kingd0m.
While our situations are somewhat different, we are seeing a similar thing occur in our churches these days. While some churches are closing their doors, ministry is continuing at an even greater pace as ministers join together to form partnerships around like passions for Kingdom priorities! This morning we at WCC welcomed Pierre Bourque and Mikelann Renwick as new partners in ministry. It is uncanny to me how the Lord has opened this door of ministry together and brought to us two individual's who have a passion for the minsitry areas the Lord has been leading us to address for months - two areas I have been asking us all to pray for as well over these past couple of months. While I could never have 'scripted' this approach I am humbled to follow Christ and excited about leading us, His church, into this new phase of ministry life where we too are learning the value and experiencing the excitement of forming partnerships around like passions for Kingdom Priorities. God is moving and when God moves it means that if we are going to follow Him we have to leave where we are!
My question for each of us is how will we respond to this movement of God's Spirit in our midst? What will be our place here and how will Christ use us in the minsitry He is seeking to accomplish in our communities! The first step is to seek the Lord and trust the leadership that He has placed in our midst! If this is something he is doing than it will be like an unstoppable force in our community and will quickly become apparent to all! The second step is to continue to build relationships - stay connected to Christ, each other and the communities to which we have been called. I truly believe that when you get to know the hearts of Pierre and Mikelann and when you see their love for the Lord up close, you will find yourself saying, 'thank you Lord!'
One way you can get to know Pierre, Mikelann and their families is by joining us on October 18th right after our second service for a 'Carolina Chicken and Sticky Rice' meal (this is a homespun recipe that belongs to my dad - I am excited to share this with you). This meal will serve as a 'Lunch on the lawn' and will be a time of fellowship specifically designed for you to get to know them better and the minsitry passions and priorites they hold dear!
All Involved, All Accountable!
Biz
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