Church on the Ridge – January Update
This month brought significant snow storms to our mountain with much inconvenience for many people who have tended to be complacent and comfortable, ie., negligent toward the things of God. Because of fear, loneliness and need of basic assistance, we had increased contact with neighbors and met several others for the first time. This is important to continue to build the relational trust with folks in order to speak into their lives about the Lord’s provision for their souls through Christ Jesus.
My assisting the fire chief duties have been instrumental in my initial entry into the lives of local people, as I have needed to more fully represent the district in our chief’s absence due to care and loss of his parents. The Lord has given me greater place to stand in this unique “gate” of the community.
Over the last several months, Church on the Ridge has penetrated further into every subdivision either by word of mouth or through advertisement media. We have become a consistent and present instrument of the means of Grace in the community. The core group now meets monthly for planning and strategy sessions on the second Friday. Out of this has come a clearer understanding of our mission to gather the un-churched and to make disciples through study of His word and service.
The men’s bible fellowship group has desired to meet twice each month, and the ladies group continues to have participation from others in the community who are benefiting from our church through that portal, but who are not, as yet, committed to attend on Sundays.
There have been remissions of cancer in at least two people we have prayed for or laid hands on, and several others have been led to request assistance by me as pastor / helper in their times of need. A couple who have lived distant from God are in consultation with me regarding a wedding ceremony for them in late March up here. Another lady of an extended family requested me to minister / befriend her two visiting sons. I subsequently established relations with these and included one along on one of my storm-related service visits to a neighbor couple. The effect of this visit was very positive.
The local pastors have included me in their regular prayer fellowship, and I believe that I have been able to contribute to the edification of that body as well as I am enabled to stand also in that “gate” of the community. Through this relationship, Church on the Ridge has become a recognized resource up in a rural community that was previously un-served by a local church.
Because of the unique character of this rural mountain community, I continue to orient our thinking toward establishing the church also as a community and neighborhood gathering place and thereby to occupy the place somewhat of the coffee shop / corner grocer / and town meeting hall which are all currently absent from the local scene. See further details in the Apple Shed prospectis.
Because of your gifts and faithful intentions in mission on our behalf, more people are either considering the Lord or are returning to Him as our presence grows.
