Pastor's Thoughts: January 2025

I want to begin by wishing everyone a happy new year. I hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday season. Every year, the holiday season is so special because it is an opportunity to make wonderful memories with our family and friends. The season also provides the chance for us to reflect on the amazing memories that we have with those who have gone on before us. With the new year, it is time to step forward into 2025 and see what God has for each of us and us as a church.

The new year can be a pivotal point for churches. This is a time for churches to settle into the status quo and embrace the continued routine of church activity, or it is a chance for churches to evaluate and re-envision the church and its ministries. One of the focuses that the Lord has placed on my heart is to evaluate and re-envision how we develop and mature disciples at New Hope. Over the last year, there has been very little engagement in our Wednesday Evening Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Sacred Assembly, or Discipleship Training. Therefore, God impressed upon me that it is time to re-envision these disciple-making ministries.

As I prayed and sought wisdom concerning discipleship at New Hope, I think the first thing that we need to do is to offer Community Groups. I will be giving more information concerning Community Groups at our January Members Meeting. However, I would like to give you a basic concept of Community Groups. Community Groups will meet in member’s homes throughout the week. Community Groups will meet throughout the year in 8-week durations. There will be breaks and opportunities for members to engage in different groups throughout the year according to their schedules. Community Groups will have time for more prayer and fellowship, along with biblical teaching. I desire to see more people engaged in discipleship in our church, and I believe Community Groups can provide the opportunity for more members to connect, build relationships, and mature in their faith together. Community Groups will begin in the spring of 2025.

At this time, the Men’s and Women’s Evening Bible Study will no longer meet. The Women’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study will continue to meet. Also, there will be no Sunday evening gatherings for the time being. I am working on what can and should be offered on Sunday evenings. I do want everyone to know that Sunday School remains the same. Sunday School is the one discipleship ministry that we have engaged in well.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray for New Hope today. I pray that we will be a church that serves You well. I ask that You will empower us to engage in the mission that You have given us to make disciples. I pray that we will be a church that glorifies your name. I pray for New Hope to be a church that produces mature and faithful disciples who serve You. Give us the grace, resources, and people that we need to do all the ministry that You have for us to do. We can only do the work that You have given us to do when You empower us. Father, teach our hearts to love you more each day and obey Your Word. May Your name be glorified forever.

In Christ,
Pastor Ben