Not a Big Church…but a Church Doing Big Things

Not a big church…but a church doing big things. That is our theme for 2009. Have you stopped to ponder what God has done lately for Southside? A couple of weeks ago we saw thirteen children commit their lives to Jesus as a result of Vacation Bible School. A week later, four Muslims from Badara said “yes” to Jesus while Team Nine was in Burkina Faso. Seven new believers (fruit from a previous trip) were baptized. Less than a year ago we helped feed the six thousand evacuees who came to Lufkin fleeing from Hurricane Ike. We also housed over two hundred people while they were displaced from their homes during the evacuation. We have been blessed recently by seeing two of our own graduate from ETBU and become pastors.  Kenny Mayo and Aaron Massey are both praising God for the call He placed on their lives and effectively living out that call.

In recent weeks we have had incredible times of worship together on Sundays. Many hearts have been touched as we come together for corporate worship. It has been a great blessing to be a part of what God is doing in our midst.

All of this is fulfilling part of the vision God gave to us some fourteen years ago when we were just beginning our journey together. We had a dream of reaching people all over the world with the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. We have seen people come to know Him in Lufkin and in Africa; in Texas and in Mexico; in Colorado and in North Dakota; all a result of the labor of love to which God has called us. Seeing people come to Christ and then being discipled in the way of Jesus is a very exciting part of fulfilling the vision God has given Southside.

Another part of the vision for Southside has been the idea of Christian education for students. At one point we did extensive research on beginning a school, but decided to put it on hold. God has once again presented us the opportunity to help with Christian education, but without any of the administrative responsibilities. Crimson Christian Academy will open in the fall of 2009 for a small number of high school students and they will be using Southside’s facilities for their school. We are so excited to be able to help in such a small way, while at the same time, seeing God help us fulfill a task we believe He has called us to. Once again, God has shown himself faithful.

Not only have we seen God faithful in the area of Southside as a corporate family of faith, but we have seen him move in the lives of individuals as well. He has done things that can only be explained as God at work. We have seen a family restored in a miraculous fashion when it seemed that it was impossible to do. We have seen someone lose their job, take the time “off” and donate it to the church, and gain a more desirable position at the same company the week her severance package was to run out. Personally, I have seen an answer to prayer in one of my older brothers, for whom I have been praying for decades. He called me and asked if I could offer him some help in getting his life straight! He is now living with us and seeking answers concerning eternal life. Praise God! These are a few of the things that God has done for individuals recently. How marvelous is our God!

If you’ve been away from God or been out of church for awhile, now is a great time to come back. The great thing about our God is that He is always ready to receive you, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. No matter how long you have been away, Southside is ready to receive you as well. No judgmental questions; no “well it is about time” looks; just a loving family excited that you are coming home. The first step is telling God you are ready to come home. Start there and see where He leads you.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you…whether you were here last week or last decade in worship this Sunday.

Blessings,
Pastor Jeff