By Faith
Greater Portland Bible Church is in a season of transition. Last week we said goodbye to our worship pastor, David Smith. David, along with his wife Ruth, are beginning the next chapter of their ministry as they travel across the country to serve youth and young adults in Illinois. We are sad to see them leave our faith community but we know God will continue to use them to help people follow Jesus! We are also seeking a new lead pastor for our community as Pastor Wayne is preparing to move into a new role. These transitions can make our hearts feel heavy.
Change can be difficult and often takes us out of our comfort zone as we face the unknown. It is during times like these that God gives us the opportunity to put our faith in Him and look to Him for guidance. We see Abraham enter an unknown future as he put his trust in God as reflected in Hebrews 11. He left everything behind and fully embrace the promise God gave him. This showed the love and faith that Abraham had for our Creator.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. — Hebrews 11:8
Abraham fully trusted God with his family’s future. The transitions God is leading us through may not seem as intense as what He asked of Abraham’s family, but we are still called to trust that He has a plan for our church. I believe God is preparing us to reach our neighbors, all the people of Portland, and the world in ways we haven’t even imagined! Just thinking of the possibilities has turned my fears into an overwhelming excitement for how God is moving!
Last week we were introduced to a candidate for the lead pastor position. This week he will be leading us through Hebrews 11:8-16 detailing how we are called to step out of our comfort zone and follow Jesus into missions. Please bring your Operation Christmas Child boxes to service this week so we can collect them and pray for them as a community before sending them to Samaritans Purse for distribution throughout the world.
This Sunday is the last opportunity for our pastor candidate and his family to get to know our faith community before heading back home. Please join us for the Q and A session in the auditorium immediately after service on Sunday. I pray God blesses our time with Jay and his family and will lead us in the search for our next lead pastor. I hope to see you on Sunday!