Yesterday (6-22-25) was one of the best days of my life! Thank YOU, the South Green Street church of Christ, for hosting a reception for me. I truly am treated better than I should be. I have been blessed to have so many wonderful Christian mentors in my life. A long, long time ago, I began to see how other men taught class, filled the pulpit, and tried to help others in need. This observation created a vision that led me to think, “Can I ever do these things?” Ten years ago this month, our Elders allowed me this opportunity. Since that time, our congregation has supported me and my family in every facet of life. What have I learned in ten years of living my dream?
· The church really does love Jesus.
· The church knows the real you, and loves you anyway.
· The church provides opportunity after to opportunity to help you grow spiritually.
· The church expects preaching and teaching from the Bible.
· The church will help you emotionally.
· The church will help you educationally.
· The church will help you physically.
· The church will help your family.
· The church will help your marriage.
· The church will help you raise your children.
· The church will help your neighbor.
· The church will help your co-worker.
· The church will help your community.
· The church will help you learn how to deal with conflict.
· The church will help you deal with tragedy.
· The church will help you deal with grief.
· The church will help you deal with loss of all types.
· The church wants you and your family to go to Heaven.
Philippians 2:1-4 says, “ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” The love our congregations shows is rare and not understood by the world, but it is felt by me. I love you all so much. Me and my family came to SGS approximately fifteen years ago in search of a safe place to grow, raise our kids, walk closer with Christ, and focus more on Heaven. We found these things and more!!! Your acts of love are like ripples in a pond, too many to count!
Two final things: 1. The bullets in the article do not scratch the surface of all I have learned in ten years of service with our congregation only because room does not allow me to list all of them. 2. Of course, 3, 650 days equals ten years. As each day ends, I hope and pray I get to spend one more with you! But, if I don’t, may we always “press towards the goal of Heaven” (Philippians 3:14). I love you…
