I want to share the number 68 with you all in this newsletter. There is nothing particularly special about the number 68, although I do enjoy Psalm 68:10-11, “Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor. The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it.” So as I share the number 68 I ask that you all remember this scripture when you think of 68, and I do want you to think of it!
Some of you are probably asking, “Why this number?” Well, it is the percentage of membership increase in this church in 8 months!! 68%!! I can barely believe it, but I am not surprised because as the psalmist said, “The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it!” My brothers and sisters, the Lord has announced the word in our congregation, and in our community, and the company of those who are proclaiming it is becoming great!
When I wrote out first year goals for our humble congregation I asked God to increase our membership 50% in the first year. But now in 2/3 of that time we have grown 2/3 larger! In fact if we keep up with this growth we will have grown by 100+% in one year!! I am sorry if all the exclamation points are somewhat annoying, but it is difficult to convey the incredible amount of excitement pouring out of me as I consider how much God has blessed us!!!!!
As we have been blessed and have settled in we see how God provides for the poor through us. Our Second Saturday Snack Sack has grown and has more participation than ever. We have begun a new ministry called The Community Resource Ministry where we are putting together resources to help the needy figure out who can help them when they come to us. We are working with other churches of other denominations to feed and care for the poor. There is no wonder why Psalm 68:10 speaks to us, “Your people settled in it (our church), and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.”
Recently Columbia Theological Seminary has begun the Flint River Ministry Initiative. This Initiative looks to raise $60 million to provide scholarships for seminary students who will work in churches in need of revitalization. The Initiative will also provide churches the resources to pay for the pastor until the church reaches self-sufficiency. Do you know where they got this idea? Well I am sure they thought of it before our church, but our church has become the example of how to revitalize churches!! In the seminary’s most recent newsletter this Initiative is described and 1st Presbyterian Church of Albany, GA is highlighted as a shining example of the Lord announcing the word!
“Becoming God’s hope and joy!” is our simple vision. Psalm 68:10-11 is an incredible piece of scripture. The number 68 is a miracle that keeps getting more miraculous. Put them together and you have our church, an example to other churches, a light of hope for the needy in the downtown, and a growing sanctuary of joy. Do not stop proclaiming the Lord’s announcement, do not stop telling the community about God’s work here, do not stop inviting people to church, do not stop anything you are doing, because it is working!
Riding the wave of the Incredible Holy Spirit,
Rev. Garrett
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