ADOPTING CHURCHES

Recently I have had the priviledge to visit two of our NAF churches which have been adopted by other NAF churches. In both churches I have sensed a real joy in the adoption and renewed vision for what God will accomplish in these works.

I met Al Kidder at the facility of the Suburban Grace Brethren Church in Hatboro, PA. Two dear sisters in Christ were waiting with Al and his wife, Susie. The small fellowship reminisced on the faithfulness of God to this church through the years, even in the helping of a new church in nearby Telford. Now that church, Penn Valley Grace, was preparing to adopt the church in Hatboro, which had helped them originally to get their start. How wonderful and mysterious the ways of our mighty Savior and Head of the church, Jesus Christ.
Pray for the church in Hatboro, PA during this time of transition, and for Al and Sue Kidder as they tranisition to new ministry for them as well!

Earlier this week I traveled down into Lancaster county with our evangelist at New Beginnings, Joe Couch, to meet with the church on Rohrestown Road, Lancaster Grace (adopted by Grace Church at Willow Valley, Lancaster, PA). Galen Wiley and his wife, Elsie, were there with others to greet us. Soon others joined us for their prayer meeting time.
It was my joy to again cast the challenge and vision for an explosion of church planting throughout the northern Atlantic region. We reviewed from the book of Acts the dynamic strategy of those who received the great commission from the Lord Himself and from those who heard it from Him: worshipping, sending, evangelizing, discipling, appointing, commending and reminding (see original posting). I closed with my conference challenge to the gathered NAF churches: Bring back a daughter church to conference in 2008!

Evangelist Joe then taught and exhorted the gathered church to evangelize. The law of God functions as the sinner's "tutor," bringing him or her to conviction of sin (Galatians 3:24), then the gospel is truly good news to the humbled sinner: law to the proud, grace to the humble. Animated conversation followed, as many sought Joe's advice and to learn from his experience.
Pray for Lancaster Grace, led by Galen Wiley, as they respond to the Spirit's moving toward bold evangelism.