Articles
Updates from the Road
All the saints at the South Marion congregation salute you. The week nears completion and our gospel meeting – my first – is closing to an end. The topic originates from Ephesians 4:1-6: the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eight lessons. Five days. Seven “ones.”
I had heard before coming to Indiana that the congregation was struggling. Recent moves had been made and some of the younger brethren in the assembly have moved to a different location. On top of that, some older brethren have moved to surrounding congregations. The group is struggling to stay afloat in a rural community not open to the cleansing power of the Lamb.
Despite this discouraging news, several overwhelmingly good results are being seen and I believe the congregation has risen to the challenge. Of primary note is the qualitative maturity being attained. Brethren who have never led songs are leading; men are leading the Lord’s Table who have never led before; a zealous young man named Zak has taken on the roster. There is a level of maturity amongst many of the brethren that has heretofore not been seen.
In addition to the qualitative growth is the response to the gospel meeting. Prior to the meeting, the congregation was asked to put forth names and contact information for friends, family members, coworkers, and anyone in their sphere of influence that was open to receiving a visit from Alan and me. While trepidation was the immediate result, soon after names came flooding in from the congregation (perhaps the eye-opening result of losing several members). Alan and I hit the ground running Monday and Tuesday visiting and continuing to provoke other Christians to keep giving invitations. To this point (Friday morning), we have visited about 20 people and have seen an additional dozen or so non-Christian visitors during the gospel meeting. The expectation for the climactic lesson tonight, the one God and Father of us all, is for another dozen visitors. The growth in evangelism and awareness is baffling and exciting. Maybe we all need a little fire lit under us from time to time.
In addition to the visits we have been able to set up a few Bible studies outside of the meeting. One is with a man who knows very little English; we began the study yesterday and all went well (he showed up for the lesson last night too!)
Amazing things are happening here. The growth is inexplicable and everyone is extremely excited. It’s pretty mind-blowing when a group comprised mainly of octogenarians is outdoing most younger congregations. And so we hope to continue this for as long as we can.
I will be back in Virginia Sunday evening, Lord-willing after preaching in Delaware on Sunday morning. I would love to share more with you about the growth and expansions occurring here. Soli deo Gloria!
