Today was everything I thought it would be and then some. I was asked by someone before the service if I had over-promised or over-hyped this morning’s announcement. (Keep in mind they were asking that before they knew that we were going to be given a $4,000,000 facility.) I think it would be impossible to over-hype that. It reminds me of a quote by Francis Chan, “I love that it is impossible to exaggerate when talking about God.”
I knew that I hadn’t exaggerated anything when people watched the video of the new building for the first time. There were tears, gasps, and spontaneous applause all in unison at certain points of the video. I stood there and got to watch a room full of people all react to the same amazing news together as one body, one church, one family.
For me personally I was just happy to have someone else to celebrate with. I’ve been keeping this a secret for 10 days and it’s been killing me not to let out any emotion publicly. There’s nothing better than being able to experience something like this with 200 of your closest friends.
This morning I shared a verse that kept coming to mind every time I thought about what God was doing in our church.
When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Deuteronomy 6:10-12)
We are living out this verse right now. We are being given a large piece of land, a building we didn’t build (or pay for), it’s filled with all kinds of good things we didn’t provide (grand piano, $20,000 worth of chairs and tables, game room, etc.), and a full kitchen capable of feeding hundreds of people. May we never forget everything that the Lord has done for us, where we came from, and the favor he has given us. Praise be to God forever and ever, amen.
Pastor Steve,
I am sooo happy and excited for the blessing the Lord has bestowed upon you and the Essential Church Family! May the facility and land open up more opportunities for you all to reach and impact more lives for God’s Kingdom
Darryl Baker, Pastor
The Rock Church
Columbus, OH
Well said, Steve. It is truly impossible to overstate the wonder of this whole thing. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years of church life. Thank you, Lord, and may we each honor you in this building and use it to show your love and mercy to a lost world.
Darryl,
Thank you for sharing in our excitement. May God continue to bless you and the work you are doing in Columbus.
Live for the Blessing,
Pastor Steve
WOW!!! Thank you Jesus!!! This is AMAZING, We are so excited for what God is doing in your church! (excited is an understatement!) Looking forward to what else that is to come! We’ll be praying for you and your church.
GOD IS GOOD – ALL the time and ALL the time GOD is GOOD!!! This news this week has just kept rolling over and over in my mind. I am simply amazed at how generous, thoughtful and SURPRISING our LORD is
How sweet HE is to hear our prayers and how He delights to answer in ways that are far more than we could ever imagine. Man, does this make you want to aim high or what?!! I mean, God can do ANYTHING! Clark and I just love you and Melissa so much and though we are across the Pacific ocean we feel as close as ever. You brought great tears of joy to my eyes Sunday night when we heard the news. It is so fun to rejoice with you, our dear fellow friends in Christ. Keep pursuing the LORD and teach teach teach Steve and Melissa. You are God’s vessel He’s using to pour out WHO He is to the world. Stay close to the ONE AND ONLY – all eyes are on you now!!! Love you more than words can say, Cindy