The End of On Era!

Tonight was the night that our pastor announced he is moving to a new flock in another pasture. We love Pastor Jeff and I pray it goes well for him. I have been a joyful gatherer at Davis Islands Baptist Church for nigh unto eleven years now and have appreciated Jeff’s excellent teaching from the scriptures. Even more impressive to me is the vital community that the studying of the word fostered over the years.
His Announcement.

I can tell you that the church is not a place but a people. I have made life long friends and most my of my misgivings about the changes that are occurring are bourn of my selfish desire to have all of the dear ones close to me. Obedience is the only truly loving response to a truly loving Heavenly Father. Disobedience comes with hard consequences but God is a God of mercy!

Our church (the people that show at a building on Davis Islands) is well equipped to deal with this transition. Jeff himself, over the years, has heeded the scriptures and encouraged an approach that had people meet in homes independently of the properties owned by DIBC. We have strong Christian families that reach out to each other in any time of need. We have many folks who know what it is to rely completely on God’s leading during mission adventures in the far corners of the planet even when God’s plan reveals a different focus than those of the planners.

God will have His way in spite of the foolishness of we His people and when I look back on the foolishness in my own life I am so grateful for that fact. I get angry when the foolishness of other’s threatens my happy little world but my own foolishness always serves to remind me to forgive. This said we as a church must now be prayerfully vigilant in seeking God during this time. We must be uncompromising in the way that we conduct ourselves as seeking community looks on. We should be a light to the lost and live the will of God as he so clearly reveals in His Word. It is really quite simple. Jesus came before and lived this life as an example, all we need to do is follow his lead.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8

I love you my brothers and sisters, especially you little people and I pray you rest in the peace that passes all understanding. This will be an exciting time!