Forward by Faith

Emmanuel Baptist Church will celebrate her 80th birthday this year. For many years, this church has been a light in our community; but recently, we have illuminated a region! God has been blessing us beyond what we could have ever asked or even imagined. With the rich heritage of such a great church, it would have been easy to coast through and rest upon our laurels; but our church family has done anything but rest.

Since February 26, EBC has hosted an X-treme skateboard outreach; Friend Day; the regional AWANA Olympics; a Women's Conference; a Phillips, Craig & Dean concert; and Emmanuel Christian School Day. This past week included our debt retirement banquet, an Easter EGGstravaganza, and 3 performances of our Easter choir production. Our church family is tired, but they are excited about the impact they are making on eternity!

While some churches are sitting back waiting to die, Emmanuel Church has grown by 109% in just 3 years! I can hear someone asking, "What is the secret?" It is simply people who are radically in love with Jesus and willing to work and worship in ways that really make a difference.

Let me share one snapshot of our church family that trilled by soul this past Sunday. For months, various committees had been praying, planning, and preparing for our "Forward by Faith" debt retirement campaign. Our banquet attendance was strong, our offering was great, our unity was miraculous, and the banquet wasn't bad either. But, my greatest blessing of the night occurred before and after the banquet as I watched people setting up and decorating, then cleaning up and resetting. The mix of people included those who had been members at Emmanuel for decades, others who are new to our church family, and some who have recently been visiting our church. There was a spirit of excitement as we considered what God could do through us after our debt is paid off! We began to dream together and people shouted their visions and ministry dreams for the future. Regardless of the money, the food, the program, or anything else that took place that night; I realized that I have the privilege of pastoring some GREAT people and together we serve a GREAT God!

Our church isn't resting on the laurels of our past -- We're focusing on our future and moving "Forward by Faith." Pray for us as we embark on this spiritual journey!