August 13, 2020

The Kingdom Advances One Person at a Time

This was the largest unknown All-In service since we did our first one, and there were so many reasons why no one would come. This might very well have been my favorite!

Advancing the Kingdom, one person at a time!

I finished our Good News Tour series last Sunday by teaching about a guy in the New Testament named Cornelius and how he went All-In with baptism.

As we always do, I then went down in the tank to see if anyone might want to respond. This was the largest unknown All-In service since we did our first one over a decade ago. So many reasons, especially with the coronavirus, why no one would come. We had three brave and Spirit-led folks who did though - Mike Kane, Victoria Wegener, and Todd Eggleston! Although we have had hundreds baptized in other All-In services, this might very well have been my favorite! Each of them have profound backstories where God has clearly been at work. At Whitewater, we truly believe every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God! This is true if there are hundreds or just a few that go All-In. The kingdom advances one person at a time.

Mike, who was the first to go All-In, sent me an email later that day; a few lines are included here. It never gets old!

David, I want to thank you for today. I was baptized as a young boy. Today I decided to get re-washed in the waters. I have always had biblical knowledge in my head. I had the benefits of a good church growing up. But I didn't connect it to my heart for a long time. I've been feeling pulled for a long time to start new. To dedicate my life to Christ as an adult and live the life I know I should live. For my children. For my wife. For me. And for the Lord. My story has many layers... but it's time for me to tell that story and what the power of Christ can do... I hope in telling my story I can work through the spirit and bring at least one other person to the peace and joy that I feel... Thank you so much again. And make sure you drain that water. I left a lot of nasty stuff in there today. It's washed away and a new life has begun!!!!! So overjoyed!

Speaking of baptism - did you see that Beebs and his wife were recently baptized together? Check it out here!

Shoes for Souls

Last Sunday, we also passed out cards for our annual Shoes for Souls shoe giveaway. Please participate. We hope to give shoes to 100 area kids on Saturday, August 29 in a low contact, safe, drive-thru fitting. I love our Life Center/Solve 7/School Partnership teams! As one leader said - 'I can't imagine us not doing what we do. It's so natural and from the heart of His people and His Church. Satan may try to cover our faces, but our arms will still put groceries in cars, our ears will still listen to lonely or deviated people, and our words will still offer hope in a life with God without sorrow, hunger, loneliness, pain or Covid!!!' Amen - well said!

Some inspiration

Whitewater - move from outrage to outreach! May your face reflect it (even under a mask!). Here is a poem found in Rev. Floyd Pence's Bible. He was a former pastor here years ago, and staff member, Shannan Davis' great-grandfather! Never been truer!

You don't have to tell how you live each day,
You don't have to say if you work or you play;
A tried, true barometer serves in the place -
However you live, it will show in your face.

The false, the deceit that you bear in your heart
Will not stay inside where it first got the start;
For sinew and blood are a thin veil of lace -
What you wear in your heart you wear in your face.

If your life is unselfish, if for others you live,
For not you get, but how much you can give;
If you live close to God in His Infinite grace -
You don't have to tell it, it shows in your face.

~Author Unknown

Whitewater - be the hands and feet of Jesus this week in order to eradicate the most lethal virus on earth today; not Covid-19, but the virus of sin.

and finally...

Someone sent me this powerful and inspiring story of real sacrifice for those in true quarantine. Worth a read today to give you some perspective.

See you this Sunday outside or online as we launch a brand new teaching series - Because COVID. Trust me - you need it. I do, too!

Love you,