This October I’m celebrating 25 years of being the Pastor here at NewPointe. It has gone so fast. As I look back on what God has done, it is very humbling. God has done some incredible stuff – stuff that can only be attributed to Him being God. But I want to tell you that although God has done some incredible stuff in the last 25 years, I am even more excited about our future. I truly believe that God has positioned NewPointe to have an even greater impact on Northeast Ohio and around the world.
God has given us a good name in our community. I run into people all the time who, when they learn that I am part of NewPointe, tell me thanks . . . thanks for how NewPointe has blessed the community through their acts of service.
God has blessed us with influence. As you know there are a large number of people who call NewPointe their home, so along with that has come influence. God has positioned us to have a voice in our community and in our world.
God has blessed us with resources. We have people with many gifts and many talents. This allows us to do things that develop people’s curiosity and interest, which then allows us to develop relationships where we’re able to share the love of Jesus.
God has blessed us with a group of people who have a passion to fulfill God’s purposes in their lives. This allows us to have one focus, and that focus is leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
I believe that God has blessed us in these ways, so that in return we might be a blessing to others. To whom much is given much is required.
Here is what Ephesians 5 says: “Be careful how you live! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”
We want to live out this verse in our NewPointe family as well as in our personal lives. We don’t want to be vague, thoughtless or foolish. We want to give ourselves to the will of God. We believe we can do that by committing ourselves to the following:
- Reaching a greater percentage of people for Christ in Northeast Ohio. You say why? First and foremost, we are commanded to by God. Secondly, I have children who will probably not always live in Tuscarawas County. I am hoping and praying that someone in the town they choose to live in will be committed to the great commission and develop a church that creates environments that are conducive for God to speak and move in
- Reaching more people for Christ in the Middle East. Think with me; this is the area where our Savior was born. Today there are more than 12,000 villages along the Nile River that have no church at all, no presence of Christ’s message. We want to change that. In Iraq, God is continually opening up doors for us to plant life-giving home churches, as well as in Jordan. We must remain committed to changing the world.
- Investing in church leaders and pastors. I believe that God has blessed NewPointe for a reason. God has done some pretty incredible things. We want to share that and help pastors and churches create relevant, helpful environments so they, too, can reach more and more people for Christ.
Here is my challenge . . . Change Your Story – Change the World.
Let God grip your heart in such a way that your spouse, children, grandchildren, and friends know that you are doing something significant. We all have to do the mundane things of life, but let’s make sure our lives count.
Last Sunday we kicked-off Only God by meeting in our small groups all throughout our communities to get hear more about the future and vision of NewPointe. Over 175 of you folks, who aren’t yet in a small group, joined me at the Dover campus - we watched a video and had some great Q&A afterwards. Thanks for coming!
