Of Such Is the Kingdom
Saturday AM Mom and all her living children gathered around Ken, the youngest son. We sang songs and hymns and prayed as he went to be with the Lord.
We are a family of faith. Life has its valleys. We have learned to be steady in time of joy and sadness. God has been good to us. In a large family only Dad, a sister Ann, a brother Ken, and mine and Laila’s son Jonathon have gone ahead to be with Jesus. We have been blessed abundantly in life, and each of those who have gone ahead died with strong faith.
Sunday came and we gathered as a family and filled up three rows in worship. We weep with hope, knowing that Our Lord will do what He said: HE WILL RETURN! There will be a Resurrection!
Our Covenant Family has wrapped strong arms around us. In addition, friends from far and distant places have sent greetings and assurances of love. We are grateful.
All the while we are mindful that others are in the same crisis with their families. Several of our Covenant parishioners are in a desperate struggle with health issues. We care. We are a family.
Well, Saturday was a full day. In the Kingdom work we often are challenged. While dealing with the imminent issues of my brother’s arrangements, a meeting had been scheduled for Saturday all day with Covenant Church leadership. Dr. Conrad Lowe had come from Chicago to facilitate an entire day in helping us to reap optimal harvest for Our Lord.
Graciously the leadership assured me that my absence would not hinder the day. It was a tremendous time of sharing and fellowship for staff, Elders and Deacons. Of such is the Kingdom.
However, the evening came and a meeting had been called for Sudanese to gather. I had promised them that if they would get together I would meet with them. Sudanese from Covenant Church, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Alexandria brought food. My son Josh and I met with them.
At issue was: During the horrible war in Sudan when Muslims were daily killing Christians in the southern part of the country, many Christians fled from Juba. Many of these people have immigrated to the United States. Most of the persons at our meeting have deep roots and even family in Juba.
Concern: A church is needed. We established a Sudanese fund at Covenant Church, appointed persons to search for a full-time pastor (we will fully pay his salary), established a process for finding land for purchase, and we are developing a plan for construction of an above average building to be fully operational in less than two years. Future thoughts are of a school and orphanage. Several of them gave offerings Saturday evening before leaving. Only $20,000 will make this dream come true and establish a strong presence of the gospel where Islam is trying to crush Christianity.
Well, I had gotten up at 4 AM with family and Ken. I was going home after 8 PM -- very tired, but rejoicing. The Kingdom business is good business. All of us who are faithful graduate into the presence of Jesus. While my heart was saddened for the loss of Ken, my heart leaped for joy at the thought of Ken’s love for missions. One of his bequests is for mission outreach of Covenant Church.
Kingdom work is exhilarating. The joy of making a difference in other peoples’ lives is so incredible I wake up at night wondering how we can do more. We, my family and Covenant Church, have set our hearts to compassionately and generously share the love of Christ and the story of redemption to as many as possible in every land possible.
March 3-5 we will have native missionaries from numerous countries at Covenant for our mission conference weekend. Of such is the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, we are strengthening our hands for the work of the Lord locally. We are determined that we will improve our serve in reaching every aspect of our local community with a helping hand and the message of salvation through Jesus.
I thank you for your prayers, your love, and your generosity. There is much more good news to share, but time and space will not allow. By God’s grace, I promise to tell you more later.
Much Love,
Pastor Bare
Matthew 6:13b