Best Church Ever!
This past week I celebrated my two year anniversary as Pastor of Shawnee Baptist Church. I think my first thought was, “Wow, where has the time gone?” On Sunday night the church family surprised Amanda and me with a celebration service where they showed a videos from the children and teens and gave me 80 boxes of Pop Tarts (my favorite) and some gifts cards. They also bought my wife and kids gifts and went way beyond to show us their love – it was awesome! On the way home my son Gabe said, “Dad, we have the best church ever!”
That’s true and I am so thankful to serve here at Shawnee for several reasons, but I listed a few defining characteristics of our church family that I hope you find encouraging:
Giving
The people of Shawnee have always been a giving people. We love supporting ministries, giving to mission projects, helping struggling families, providing for widows, and much more. I am reminded of the apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian church: “For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves.”
Growing
We have grown together. Our story has humble beginnings, where we were started as a chapel ministry from a church across town, 88 years ago. And through some of the greatest recessions and depressions God has continued to grow our church family as He sees fit. We have not only grown numerically but also spiritually. Our church family is one rich with a love for the Word of God and the things of God. In fact it’s that desire for the teaching and preaching of God’s Word that has kept so many faithful during difficult seasons.
Gracious
You will never meet people who are more willing to extend grace than our church family. Through the years, our church family has consistently welcomed folks who most people wouldn’t give the time of day. On a weekly basis the poor, lame, halt, and blind come through our doors and find friendship and fellowship with folks who they would never even meet in normal society. I witness business men taking time to care for inner city kids. I watch single adults taking time to care for challenged adults. I see faithful church members take time to provide help for those struggling with addictions. I notice families spending time together serving some of the neediest people in our city. God’s Grace is evidenced through serving meals, providing coats, being a friend, giving a handshake, and opening up their home for hospitality – graceful measures extended by the best church family ever.
Going
We always have something happening, and our church is faithfully there to show their support. Whether it’s college banquets, Christmas parties, basketball games, summer camp season, conferences, visitation, couples night out, or other activities, our people are faithfully participating.
I want to thank you for two great years and tell you that I look forward to decades more of loving God, growing together, and serving others.
