Our church is a church that believes in discipleship. We believe that relationship in community is where growth and understanding take place. We are led by an amazing man of God and his equally amazing wife. They serve by example and transparency. Not only does Buddy teach clearly and concisely the Word of God, but he lives it out. He has young men live in his home so that he can disciple them with life on life examples. Jody, his wife, lives out her faith the same way. When my oldest daughter got engaged, most of the people at church were thrilled and loved on her. But the first thing Jody did after she hugged her and looked at her ring was pray for her. Right there on the spot. A beautiful prayer of blessing and Hope for her future. That was a life on life example that Katie will carry into her new marriage and her life of ministry with her husband.
Our children are led by a Godly woman who lives her love for children in amazing ways too. She has surrounded herself with a team of talented and gifted people who believe that Jesus loves the little children and that children can express their faith through learning and worship. She has had curriculum written that reflects that idea and allows even our youngest children to learn the truth of God's Word and apply it to their young lives. She believes that children can express themselves in worship and can understand the gospel clearly. Denise and her husband Doug have five children that are a part of this community and are an example of how a family lives out discipleship.
Our students are led by a man who has served youth for years. He has taught our youth what discipleship is and exactly what it looks like. Our middle school program is called LUG, Living Under Grace. It is a program based on our high school students teaching our middle school students. The high school leaders are called LugHeads. They lead the small group time on Wednesday nights and do a great job. Randy and his wife Anita lead with integrity and by example. They have raised their children as they have poured into ours. Randy has a team of young men who pour into the students lives also. They are Godly examples of what men should look and act like. They too lead by example.
Our high school ministry is led by another man of God. Brian and his wife, Erin, also lead with spiritual depth and with love. They have adopted a beautiful little girl during the last year. During a long and eventful season of red tape, they lived transparently in front of the students. Brian not only teaches the Word of God clearly and with confidence every Sunday, but he has lived out his testimony openly and with integrity. Danny and I have had the privilege of serving under his leadership the last few years and we too, have been blessed by who he is.
We have been fortunate to be a part of a great church body. There are many more on staff that pour into our community of believers and into our neighborhoods and nations. When life seems hard and the world looks so dark, it is a comfort to belong to a group of believers that are led by strong leaders. I am thankful. I appreciate each of them. My children have been taught the gospel message clearly and have been challenged to live out their faith in the world. I am grateful for that. And I just couldn't find cards that conveyed all of those feelings.
So I encourage all of you to tell your pastors and church leaders what they mean to you. Write them a note or send them an email or pick up the phone and call them. Tell them how much you appreciate them. But more importantly pray for them. Pray for their ministry and for their families and for their spouses. Ask the Lord to bless them and protect them and give them strength.
Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God.
Take a good look at the way they live,
and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness.
Hebrews 13:7 the message
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