I Love My Church Family
One of the things I am learning is that when I feel thankful, I need to be more intentional about expressing that gratitude to the people around me. This week, I am overwhelmingly thankful to be a part of this church family as I watch hundreds of people serve their hearts out during North Way Summer.
Here’s why I love my church family:
We All Serve Together - It is more rare than you might think for true multigenerational ministry to take place. This week I’ve seen older generations serving younger generations and vice versa. Watching grandparents show up to feed and drive teenagers, who are being led by young adults to serve kids and families in our community is truly beautiful. This is the church at its best! And on top of all that, watching my own children be impacted as they serve, lead, and experience care from the adults and leaders around them brings me to tears.
We Proclaim The Gospel - Getting to see so many people engage in a work that sends the gospel of Jesus into our community is such a powerful experience! I’m already hearing stories of students and children putting their faith in Jesus, and I know there are more stories to come. The gospel is truly the power of salvation to those who believe! Knowing that we have shared it hundreds of times this week makes me so happy.
We Let It Get Messy - This week has been so amazing because I’ve had a front row seat to watch students, adults, and even children practice leading others. Watching the church body step up into leadership roles and responsibilities gives me such hope for the future of the church of Jesus. I’m even thankful for the leadership challenges that are being experienced this week. I know God is using those challenges to build character and cause people to lean more on Him.
We Send Resources Out - I’m thankful that more money is spent by our church for North Way Summer than any other time of the year because those resources are being used to saturate our community with the gospel and raise up the next generation of leaders! What a blessing it is to use what God has provided in such a meaningful way!
We Have Joy - It’s hard to measure the true impact of this one. I see more joyful spirits this week than just about any other time of the year. I wonder about that… Why is there so much joy this week, even in the midst of such fatigue and so many challenges? It’s captivating. I can’t get enough of it. Sometimes I just walk out of my office into the foyer, bustling with students and leaders, just to see the smiles on people’s faces. I love it.
I am fully aware that every one of these things is a product of God’s gracious kindness to us. WE didn’t make this happen. HE does. But I gotta say: I LOVE MY CHURCH FAMILY.
Conor O'Hearn
Senior Pastor
North Way Bible Church