A couple times a year, I ask a question at our staff meeting. For almost three years now, they’ve answered it and come to expect this important question – “Where do you see God at work?”
Someone will share about first time guests sharing their GRACE Experience –
“your church is so friendly! We are bringing our neighbors next week”
Someone will share about a tender moment at a hospital visit with one of our GRACE families.
Someone will share about how the set-up team broke a record getting everything ready for Sunday morning.
Someone will share about how another staff person is making a difference.
Someone will share about a child expressing their commitment to Jesus for the first time.
Everyday, I try to keep my eyes open to see God at work.
When I do, or when you do, we can see God is at work in so many ways, in so many places.
In our church. In our city. In your life.
We know by our experience and by the testimony of scripture that God is at work in the world. All the work we see is part of God’s larger story – his reconciling, life-saving, life-giving story.
God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. (John3:16)
Our church exists to tell the story. Our mission – God’s mission – is that all might find and follow Jesus.
We see that work here in the Lehigh Valley – where more than 50% claim no religious connection or conviction… but we know God is at work all over the world.
On Sunday, I can’t wait to introduce you to my friend, Dr. Sasan Tavassoli. He will share surprising ways that God is at work in Iran. As a former Shi’ite Muslim from Iran, in 1985 Sasan came to faith in Christ as the result of the ministry of a group of American missionaries while living in Portugal. He leads Iranians inside and outside of Iran to faith in Christ, trains leaders for the house churches of Iran through multiple ministry platforms, and educates North Americans about Islam and how God is at work bringing Muslims to Jesus Christ. Sasan is ECO pastor and an excellent preacher. He will encourage and challenge you as you think about God’s work in the world.
Mark and I are returning home from a much-needed vacation with our children today. We will come home a bit sun-burned but newly resolved to survive the last of the winter.
What a joy to be your pastor and see first hand God’s work in and through you!
GRACE,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler
Senior Pastor