On Guard For The King!

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Earlier this morning I shared this verse with a fairly large group of men, some present with their wives, as a word of both challenge and encouragement. These guys have been meeting every Wednesday at 6:30 am for many weeks to grow in their faith, build up one another and become more like their King, Jesus.

This morning marked the completion of one biblical curriculum and the setting up of the next leg of their journey. It was joy to be with them, to affirm them and to assure them that their pursuit of Christ and willingness to serve His Body and impact the world was not in vain. Rather, it was what makes this life worth living.

Incredibly they stayed awake through my few words, even though I needed several more cups of coffee!

More significantly, they listened with interest and responded with a keen sense of enthusiasm for our church to surge ahead!

As we move forward Trinity, pursuing and living out the God-given assignment that He places before us, may these same words from Paul direct and inspire.

On guard,

Wayne

P.S. See you this coming Saturday April 2nd from 1:30 to 4:00, Mission Creek Park on Springfield as we clean up our Father’s World. I think I’m parking cars again…please don’t run me over!

Number One

Numbers are not the only, or most important, thing we consider as we think of our church. Although, they can serve as indicators of interest and sometimes even momentum within an organization. The following numbers reflect some of the activity on our campus this past weekend:

· 1161 individuals in our Good Friday service remembering that Jesus’ blood paid it all.
· 3247 people gathered over our three Easter services celebrating the Risen Christ.
· 53,656 dollars given to further the work of our church in this part of God’s Kingdom.
· 25 souls in each service who carried signs across the platform declaring where they had been before Jesus whispered their name.

Praise God for His goodness and grace!
Pray that He continues His redeeming work…one name and one life at a time in our midst!

This weekend we begin a new series entitled “On Assignment” grounded in the belief that God has given His people assignments we are to carry out in His Name. Tim will launch the series talking about the Environment and calling us to an opportunity as a church to actively do something during the afternoon of Saturday April 5th in our own backyard of Mission Creek. Listen up and let’s go.

In closing, the most important number that we must remember and keep top of mind and heart: 1

· 1 Risen Lord.
· 1 Head of the Church.
· 1 Body.
· 1 Spirit.
· 1 Baptism.
· 1 Hope.
· 1 Faith.
· 1 God the Father.

See Ephesians 4: 4-6.

Following the One,

Wayne

On Bended Knee

It’s amazing how perspective changes once a relationship begins.

For almost two months I’ve been finding my way around this city and have been noticing a number of churches. It seems that God has placed quite a few in our midst. However, I must admit that other than a casual wondering about each church I haven’t really shown much interest.

However, my perspective and interest is changing and growing. Why?

Well, now I’ve had lunch with Leon Throness from Mission Creek Alliance Church, I’ve looked into the eyes of Mark Burch from Willow Park and I’ve shaken hands and enjoyed coffee with Will Sohnchen from Evangel Church. Relationship is forming, story is being shared, dreams of doing things together that we could never do apart sit just below the surface.

Now as I drive around and notice these three churches I pray for Leon, Mark and Will. I pray for their leadership and their congregations. I ask for God’s fruitful blessing upon their ministries. And I imagine the day when we do things together…along with many other congregations…that advance God’s Kingdom like we have never, ever experienced.

I can’t wait to meet the leaders from many other churches in our community as well.

One other place that catches my eye, and increasingly my heart, is a church that stands boldly at the corner of Spall and Springfield. I’m learning that it has quite the story…and that it has only just begun!

May we continue to be a people of prayer for all of God’s family in this city. And for those yet to enter the family.

Remember our prayer stations on campus this weekend, following our Good Friday service until 2:00 pm then again on Saturday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. Plus off campus at the Land Mark II building from noon on Good Friday right through until 7:00 am Easter Sunday.

On bended knee,

Wayne

Who is this?

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:10

As I make my way towards Easter, only ten days from now, I’ve decided to prepare my heart and mind by slowly reading through each gospel account of the final few days in Jesus’ life on earth. The verse above stopped me this morning.

It is a valid and very important question. One that quite frankly every human will answer at some point…either on this earth or knelt before the King in the future.

Imagine Jesus entering Kelowna on Hwy 97…and he slowly makes his way past the airport…past Orchard Park…through the lights at Spall…headed towards the bridge. Traffic stops, heads turn, the question surfaces: “Who is this?”

People have provided different answers for centuries…he’s a teacher…he’s a prophet…he’s a founder of a world religion…he’s a miracle worker…he was a martyr…he was self-deceived and gave his life for a lost cause…he’s cool but his church is not…

Others down through the ages have said…he’s the Son of God…he’s the Saviour of the world…he’s the Ancient of Days…he’s the Risen One…he’s the Coming King.

What is your answer?
How does your answer impact the way you live…every breath…every day?

Eyes fixed on the King,

Wayne

First Things First

First things can be very significant. Obviously, some are much more meaningful than others.

• First day of marriage.

• First day with a new baby.

• First day of school.

• First meeting with the new boss.

• First sleep in a new apartment.
  

• First drive without your parents.

• First hot cookie of the tray.

• First time serving at your church.

• First time proclaiming your faith in Christ.

• First day of spring. (Soon!)

Here we are with the first communication under the banner “movingforward@trinitybaptist.net”

Let’s unpack the name:

Moving: We love, serve and follow a God who is on the move. A God who is ever unfolding His redemptive plan. A God who calls us to move with Him, keeping in step with His Spirit. Moving ever closer to the day when we see our King face to face.

Forward: We move forward. There will be danger and uncertainty in the road ahead and an enemy who will seek to distract, derail and discourage. So, we may at times move forward with caution but we never retreat. We advance boldly declaring Our God Reigns!

@Trinity Baptist: While we do belong to an immense family of God that stretches back for centuries and will continue into the future, forever. We are also part of a local, here and now, expression of that faith community known as Trinity Baptist. We plant our stake declaring we are ‘in’ and give our best to see this Body rise up strong and healthy and drop-dead gorgeous, with Christ alone as the Head.

What’s the purpose:

Each communication will be brief, this one is long in order to set things up, and will attempt to surface a thought, a question, a challenge or address a family matter that will help us move forward as a church. For example:

This weekend we will wrap up our “People on the Move” series from Joshua. We will look at the life of Caleb. Please read Joshua 14 in preparation and come thinking about the question “Which Hill is Yours?” You will be asked.

Enough for this first one. Feel free to spread this letter to others in your e-world. Who knows how our Great God might show up!

See you on the weekend.

Eyes fixed on the King,

Wayne