Over the last five years, we have seen the start of most of our projects, which will culminate in the fulfillment of the church ministry. God has truly blessed us to
capitalize on our assets and create new resources, identify revenue streams to accomplish our ambitious ministry and spiritual objectives.We are thankful to God that we have
formulated an infrastructure, which is 65% in place, and can handle an influx of spiritual and material blessings. For example, we have 44 functioning
Auxiliaries, Ministries, and Boards which can process additional administrative and ministerial functions. We have also successfully expanded the
leadership to be inclusive of all genders in title and functions, and the leadership base has quadrupled over
the last three years. We believe there are more inclusive and efficient operational structures in place for
the purpose of accountability, efficiency, and accuracy. We are now within a few months of closure to a
two and a half year process to amend and approve a revised church constitution and new by-laws. There
is a Corporate Finance Advisory Council for investment purposes and we have prepared a priority list of
short and long term capital and ministerial projects which we believe are a response to our future needs and ministerial mission.
Ecclesiastically, we have a comprehensive ministry that reflects the spiritual needs of this region and
there is an empirical plan to expand into a National and Global Ministry, if God continues to provide the
resources and direction. In addition, the personal spiritual goals of our community of faith are adequately
provided for in the form of ecclesiastical worship services, bible study, and prayer ministry. There are
gender specific opportunities for bible study and a tremendous youth ministry structure that has begun to expand.
Our weakness is support ministries, such as widow and widowers' ministries, bereavement ministry,
counseling services and ministries that support emotional and psychological issues. These areas are
more difficult to implement because of the state required credentials needed, insurance implications, and other legal and technical issues.
The most important issue and concern is that the themes for the next five years, Scripture, Meditation,
Prayer/Fasting, and Contemplation, will transform our personalities as individuals and as a unified corporate community of faith.
We must be prepared to receive and maintain material as well as spiritual blessings. The spiritual blessings entail Ephesians 4:12,
"for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ".
I ask that all of us, as individuals and as a corporate community of faith, be in prayer. Our prayer is specific and should be formulated out of our theme,
"Scripture as a Source of an Abundant Life" and the accompanying scriptures (Psalms 119:105; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 3:16; Acts 17:11).
I pray that we become more committed to reading of the word as it states in I Timothy 4:13: "Give thyself
to reading, exhortation, and doctrine until I come". The word of God is what shapes and purifies the
community of faith (John 17:17 & Ephesians 5:25-27). The word of God is what gives light and illuminates the path and understanding of God's people (Psalms 119:105).
Please remember I John 3:1-3, "Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
Be Patient with one another,
God is not through with us yet!
Spiritual Theme