Living Hope 5th Year Anniversary

I received one comment that suggested I make more personal entries. Good point. Thank you for the comment. So, here goes!

Living Hope, the church where I pastor, just celebrated 5 years of ministry! I can't believe that it has been 5 years already! The past several months has given me a few moments (when I'm not working on messages, discipleship materials, lectures, or dissertation) to ponder and pray about what God has done and continues to do. This church is a testimony to His work and I'm thankful to be a part of it. It is a reminder to me that any church that continues and grows in ministry is a supernatural work of God. I think about the many obstacles we have overcome, the loss of members, gaining new ones, the struggles that seemed endless and hopeless...God is great!

5 years! I don't know how much longer I can continue at this pace. This church is a special one and I have come to understand the power of God, the grace of the Gospel, and the significance a pastor makes in the lives of others. I will never forget these years, nor the congregation of Living Hope Church.

Living Hope's Particularization

On Friday, October 3, 2008, the mission work that I began in 2004 was recognized as a distinct congregation within the Mid-Atlantic presbytery of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. It was a blessed evening of celebration and worship. We ordained 2 men to the officer of ruling elder, 4 to the office of deacon, and 1 to the office of minister/pastor. I myself was installed as the pastor of the church, having been already ordained in 2005 as an evangelist. I wanted to thank all those who have been faithful prayer supporters to the work over the years. To start a church was, in retrospect, one of the boldest and even audacious things I've ever done! What arrogance to think that mere man can in deed build up a church. I write this now with true conviction and humility and say that the good of Living Hope and the transformation of lives seen within her is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit alone. The areas of weakness are mine and pray for forgiveness for my arrogance, independence, and selfishness. I rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and give all the glory to our God. Praise God for His church and I long to see the name of Jesus exalted through the long ministry-life of Living Hope.