From the Pastor’s Desk (280)
Last October, when the team leaders and the house church seminar and conference-related leaders met with me to set the calendar for this year, we realized it was going to be fuller than ever before. However, the thought that came to my mind wasn’t, “Will we be able to do all this?” but rather, “What will it feel like to do all this?” No matter how daunting and insurmountable the task that God calls us to do may seem, we know that He never tells us to do anything to hurt, break, or make us miserable. Instead, He calls us to make us stronger, deepen our faith in Him, and give us an opportunity to experience and enjoy the abundant life that comes from walking with Him. Looking back, I can see that this is exactly what happened to New Life as we faithfully followed God’s calling.
Here are some of the events and ministries we were blessed to carry out this year:
- 5th Grade Family Retreat (1/19-21)
- Missions Rally (2/2-4)
- House Church Seminar for Pastors (2/13-18)
- Youth Group Shepherds’ Retreat (2/23-24)
- College Group Retreat (2/23-25)
- House Church Pastors’ Conference (4/8-12)
- KSC North America Shepherds’ Conference (7/11-13)
- VBS (7/22-26)
- North America Shepherds’ Conference (8/8-10)
- Middle School Students’ Retreat (9/20-21)
- House Church Seminar for Lay Leaders (10/11-14)
- Fall Festival (10/31)
- Singles Retreat (12/13-15)
- Christmas Eve Worship with the KSC (12/24)
- Youth Group Winter Retreat (12/27-30)
- New Year’s Eve Ministry Appreciation Night (12/31)
- 10 New Life adults and 5 youth group mission trips
All these ministries, events, and trips were undertaken to honor Christ and expand God’s kingdom here on earth. All the pastors, team leaders, and many members went above and beyond to make them possible. At times, we had to give more, sleep less, and work harder. Yet, once again, Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” proved true. As we laid down our lives to be used by God for His eternal purposes, we experienced tremendous joy, laughter, fulfillment, and life.
This year, my wife and I also had the privilege of engaging in a few unique ministry experiences. In May, we traveled to Korea to participate in the House Church Pastors’ Conference and attend the board meeting for House Church Ministry International. Then, in September, we went to Maui for two weeks to serve Maui Onnuri Church while their pastor couple came to our KSC for a two-week internship program. Both experiences were deeply fulfilling, and we are grateful that God used us not only for New Life but also for His broader church.
As this year draws to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on the good and beautiful things God has done in our personal lives, families, house churches, church, and workplaces. Let’s express our gratitude to Him through praise, prayer, thanksgiving offerings, and deeper commitment and sacrifice, for God seeks such hearts.
“17 Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? 18 Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:17-18)
Your pastor,
Pastor Eric
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