...struggle

Written: February 12, 2008

I have to admit, this work I’ve stepped in to is daunting. Each day, I do some work to chip away at the looming needs in the church and feel as if I am using an ice pick to carve Mount Rushmore. Certainly, God has His plans for our little church and He will fulfill them in His timing. I know this. However, even as I work, I cannot help but look back over my shoulder and see the incredible amount of work that needs to be done. I feel like we are losing ground every day that we do not have ministries reaching out to the community. Our greatest need right now is for leaders to take on responsibilities in the church. I suppose that every church experiences this struggle, but when there is not even a pool of congregational leaders with a history of serving, it makes you come to believe that you are starting from scratch. In addition, many of our core leaders will be leaving in the May/ June timeframe. Again, we have confidence that God will provide for his little church, but we realize the great potential, perfect timing, and strategic location of church to be doing things ten times greater than they are currently being done and are chomping at the bit. The community is starving for a safe place where their kids can play. Our women’s Bible studies grew largely because women in the community simply wanted something that they could come to. Youth are pouring out of households all around the church, but we have nothing to offer them. Our children’s leaders are so few that we do not have the capacity to put on a Vacation Bible School or even maintain a strong children’s program. This breaks my heart. I almost feel as if we are standing in the middle of a very big destruction zone and are starting all over from scratch, which is actually what has happened. Of course we have hope. People are being baptized and coming to know the Lord on a regular basis. Our sponsor church, First Baptist in Euless, Texas, has been an amazing source of support to us. In fact, only a few days ago, two men from their congregation drove down to deliver baby beds, toys, musical instruments, etc. to help our kids. They have agreed to pay for our floors, which bear the markings of flooding, roof leaks, and other damages, to be stripped and redone. Their great hearts toward our church is overwhelming. We are so blessed to have a sponsor church that is so deeply invested in Gentilly Baptist. When many volunteer groups have come and gone all around the city, Euless has been a constant partner and source of deep encouragement all along. In fact, Euless was aiding Gentilly Baptist long before they agreed to become a sponsor with the Unlimited Partnership. Their work began before I arrived on the scene. Because of this, my mentors at the Euless church are already such a source of encouragement for me. They understand the situation of the church and have seen, firsthand, the work to be done.
I am a firm believer in vulnerability. I’m willing to be transparent enough to admit that I am in over my head. Juggling the responsibilities of school, the Unlimited Partnership, relationships, and Gentilly Baptist has not come without great effort. However, I have to admit that this demand on my time and energies has also made me very careful about my time with the Lord. I KNOW that no good, effective work can be done without His strength, but even more than that, I understand that His word gives life. Some day, Gentilly will have a new Minister of Education, school will be a (hopeful) diploma on the wall, and my relationships will look completely different, but one thing that will make the profound difference will be the precious time I spent away from these things, seeking the Lord out of a deep love for who He is. Things fall into place with the Lord at His rightful place as King of my life. The work He places in my hands will turn out much more beautifully if the focus is maintained upon Him.
I covet the prayers of my friends who have taken the time to read this. Thank you for caring about our church, its leadership, our hurting congregation, and the incredible work the Lord has done, is doing, and will do in the future. Your partnership with us in every way is so greatly appreciated!