“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16-17 NIV)
I was recently on vacation with my family in Iowa (see picture of butter cow above), and was reminded about how thankful I am for your faithfulness and generosity in your giving to The Rock Church! God is using your gifts and sacrifices to make a real difference in the lives of many people and in the ministry of our church.
Just last week, I received an encouraging email illustrating the importance of our gospel work and how our giving is making an eternal impact. The email said in part:
“When my husband and I were dating, we were invited to a small group at The Rock… My husband had left the LDS Church years prior but hadn’t quite embraced any sort of faith system. Anyway, through that small group my husband came to accept Christ. Not only was this beautiful for my husband personally, but hugely encouraging to me as it opened the door for the marriage that we are so blessed to enjoy now.”
Wow — that is what it is all about! God uses everything we offer him. He blesses our faith. He honors our sacrificial giving, which eventually translates into changed lives, salvations and transformed marriages!
It says in 2 Corinthians 8:11-12, “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
This sums up the ministry of The Rock Church — and also reflects our Mission Statement — WIN the lost, BUILD the believer, SEND the sanctified. One of the most encouraging ways we’re all working together right now is in our combined efforts to complete our new facility in Draper. We should move in sometime during October thanks to you! Yee hah!
Your gifts, as offerings, are tangible expressions of faith. They are making a real difference in people’s lives and also making the ministry of our church possible. Thank you for being a part of all that God is doing — may He bless your faithfulness.
Thankful for you,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor