A letter to the Church.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
As I write this letter, my heart is brimming with gratitude. For the past ten years, God has bestowed upon me the honor and privilege of serving as your pastor. This decade has been a journey of faith, growth, and incredible blessings, and I am profoundly thankful for each moment we've shared.
In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;" (Philippians 1:3-5). Like Paul, I find myself filled with joy and gratitude as I reflect on our journey together.
When I first stepped into this role, I was filled with excitement, a little bit of fear, and a whole lot of faith. Over these ten years, I've witnessed our church grow not just in numbers, but in spirit and love. We've shared moments of joy, like the birth of new life and the celebration of marriages. We've also supported each other through times of sorrow and hardship, reminding one another that God is our refuge and strength.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35). This command has been the cornerstone of our church. Your love, compassion, and unity have been a testament to the world, a living example of Christ's teachings.
We've seen the power of this love in action. Whether through our outreach programs, our prayer groups, or simply in the day-to-day interactions among us, the spirit of Christ's love has been palpable. It is this love that has carried us through the ups and downs, that has bound us together as one body in Christ.
Throughout these years, one constant has been the unwavering faithfulness of our Lord. Psalm 100:5 reminds us, "For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations." God has been our steadfast guide, our source of strength and wisdom.
There were times when challenges seemed insurmountable, but through prayer and trust in God, we overcame. We’ve seen miracles, small and large, that affirm God's presence in our lives. His faithfulness has been a pillar upon which we have leaned and it is His faithfulness that will continue to guide us in the years to come.
Our journey together is far from over. There are new horizons to explore, new souls to reach, and new blessings to experience. Let’s continue to walk this path of faith with the confidence that God’s plans for us are good, that He is with us every step of the way.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to each one of you. Your support, prayers, and love have been a source of inspiration and strength to me. I am humbled and blessed to be your pastor.
Let us give thanks to our Lord for His countless blessings and look forward to the future with faith, hope, and love. Together, we will continue to glorify God and spread His love to all corners of the earth.
May God bless you all abundantly.
Pastor Jordan Runion
