I'm asking MYSELF this question at the moment!
My family and I are going into full-time ministry from 1 June 2012. However, I know that with God we're always at a place of beginnings or new beginnings as He is the Creator God, the One and Only God. The True, Living God!! Well, maybe I'll take some time in the future to post on the past leading up to this day and season starting in my life, as I also believe that what we experience and see happen in our lives today has started many, many years ago. Oh yes, being a little boy is not too far a distant memory!!!
For the last approx. 3 years I've been serving at a very interesting, yet challenging community. I had the privilege of pastoring on a part-time basis at a local AFM church which came into existence about 22 years ago and were about 64 people strong when I joined them. Today it's almost time to say goodbye to all my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Oh boy, what great friends have we made. And, as always, what great things God has done in 2 years and 10 months...to be exact. Yes, me and my family will say goodbye to this local church family of about 150 people on the 20th of May 2012. My heart responds with only one sentence: "I love the people of God!" We find ourselves already standing in the gap for them in prayer to find a new earthly shepherd to be the Good Shepherd's hands and feet extended for them. (If you are reading this post still in the year of 2012, please pray for this assembly with us)
As you've probably noted, this very rural, local church have experienced some wonderful growth under the power and work of the Holy Spirit. We baptized several people in water as confirmation of their decision to be saved and also a step of obedience in following Christ our Savior. Many baptisms in the Holy Spirit also took place to much joy of the assembly as a whole. We as family will never forget this community where we could start our official ministry as part of the body of Christ as it functions and manifests itself in the greater AFM of SA. We will always hold them dear as our starting blocks in ordained ministry. Special! Special! Special!
Thus, the 1st of June is the beginning of a new season for us as family and also the beginning of a new season in the life of the next local church we're joining. Today I resigned my full-time job as Java Developer. Ahead of us lies a much greater task and responsibility as ever before, as we need to play the presiding, full-time role in facilitating the bridge of a generation gap that came into existence in the church we're joining. Leadership, structure, praise & worship, etc...every single aspect of this church's culture, identity and lifestyle need a touch of God's creative hand in order to birth new life, new energy, new vision, for generations and different age groups in the assembly to join hands and hearts as we're moving rapidly into the future of soul-winning in South Africa. We know for sure God spoke to us and directed us to this new place of ministry. Oh how important is it in our walk with God to be at the right place at the right time. We believe we're going to see God's creative power in action as God spoke to us from Isaiah 43:18-21 and Psalm 22:30-31. Please pray with us and for us!
I would like to leave you with the following prayer which have been revived in me by the Holy Spirit:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. [Psalm 51:10 NKJV]"
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