This past Sunday we recognized and celebrated all that God is doing and has been doing at Grace Chapel. It’s amazing! As the senior pastor I am grateful and humbled by what I see happening in every corner of our ministry.
While we recognize and celebrate what He has done, we also need to look ahead. I feel it’s important that we seek Him and where He wants us to go in 2015 and beyond.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) is the foundation of any forward look. To take the Gospel to the ends of the earth is what we are called to do and I also believe it’s radically important for our church to set our sights on where God wants us to join Him in that effort.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish (KJV).” It’s sad, but I think many churches today are just floating because they don’t have vision. They lose their life because they aren’t seeking God’s vision and direction. Something I believe bears repeating—they have become cruise ships instead of working vessels. They are trying to maintain something when God is urging them to move ahead and join Him.
I love what Helen Keller, a godly woman who overcame deafness and blindness, said about the importance of vision. She lamented that, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.”
One of my favorite preachers, Charles H. Spurgeon believed vision was important, if not essential. He often told his students that having vision would help them see things correctly. In other words, without vision there was haze—a fog that blanketed their mission and purpose.
I’m committed to not falling into the trap of lacking vision. We are excited to see what God will do in 2015 and we’re already seeing some areas where He wants us to join Him. Let me share a few:
- We will continue and expand the previously mentioned ministries.
- We are adding a corporate Tuesday night prayer and intercession gathering beginning Tuesday, February 3, at 6:30 PM.
- Sacred Assembly is growing. A Sacred Assembly has occurred in Waverly. Dickson will happen soon. Manchester is scheduled for March 8th, and there are others coming. Our goal is for, someone from all ninety-five Tennessee counties to attend one by November 2016.
- There will be a Missions increase to Christians in Iraq, as well as assisting a church plant in Culiacan Sinaloa Mexico later this year.
- We want to increase the number, type and visibility of community-wide outreaches.
- We are adding three new Elders immediately, with more to follow in 2015. Our newest Elders are Scott Farrar, Rick Woods, and James Brown.
It’s critical that you join us in prayer for 2015 and beyond as we seek to help people find the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. Will you join us?
