I feel tired - a good tired after the busy weekend at Silver Heights Bible Church in Weyburn. We set up our Healing Hearts display, complete with free pens and candy to give away. The encouraging conversations we had with old and new friends was so worthwhile.
The speaker was Brian Hopfe, director of the Youth for Christ drop-in centre in Weyburn. His messages on the theme verse were deep and challenging.
I Peter 3:15 ~ "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."
Brian unpacked the verse, phrase by phrase, highlighting that Jesus Christ is the "Truth" and He came to testify to the truth. With so many philosophies and religions and belief systems competing in the world, we as Christian believers have tremendous responsibility to testify of this truth, Jesus. We need to be prepared to share the reason we believe, the reason we have hope. And our attitude in sharing is to be with gentleness and respect, not condemning those who do not yet believe.
Brian brought a chunk of concrete to show us all, calling it his "But for the grace of God" rock! He illustrated that a few years ago, the drop in centre windows had been broken and he had to deal with the police and all that is involved with the mess and hassle of a break-in! And he was angry! The frustration he experienced of trying to help youth and "they" pay back his efforts with such a violation! He held the concrete/rock up and said the police brought it to him for whatever reason, and Brian decided to keep it in his office. It reminded him of what God spoke to him in the midst of his anger, that if not for God's grace to change him, Brian himself could have been one who lived a violent and delinquent life. We are to share the Gospel of Jesus with such love and humility to those who may seem "unlovable" and undeserving of grace.
Walter spoke to the adult Sunday School class about the direction we aim for in our ministry: to value all people because we are all created in the image of God and are purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ; to recognize each person has a job in the kingdom of God; to empower and equip each one as they are willing for serving in the kingdom. A few folks spoke up and asked very insightful and sometimes difficult questions about our ministry. The interaction was great as the work we do is slow and difficult and we don't always have simple answers or ANY answers. Walter tries to be as honest and transparent as possible so others will know and pray for us more effectively!
The weekend also involved music and I was given several opportunities to sing solos, play and sing with the worship team and lead in some choruses before Walter shared in the Sunday School class! I had prepared one song for sure "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective...and it was a fun number. I botched it a bit because I was still just learning it and lost my place on the page; keeps me humble!And no church event is complete without food! The missions committee had prepared a chili supper for us Saturday and then a potluck on Sunday. It was great to connect with people a bit more over the meal times. Many in the church are involved in Club D.J., leading services and most other aspects of church life as they are without a pastor. We were so impressed with how folks had stepped up and fulfilled many roles that stretched them...and how they were keeping their vision to learn about and support missions.We drove home this afternoon with the autumn sunshine warming us and the harvest haze hanging in the air. As tired as we are after a busy and stimulating weekend, we count it an awesome privilege to share about our ministry and hear of others' stories of changed lives and God's answers to prayer!
Tomorrow: day off! Have a great week, friends!
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