Victories
Yesterday was a good day. There are days when challenges seem to be hourly. There are days when good news comes...things seem to come together...the dancing hand of the Lord is obvious!
Pastoral staff met yesterday in extended session to discuss strategy of ministry. An excellent team, they were helpful in bringing to the table numerous recommendations that will increase efficiency and yield improved results.
Part of my day included stepping around items being prepared for shipment to the Philippines. Allow me to explain.
Ernie and Ellie Deomampo are in Batangas, Philippines with our Sister Church. Their task is to prepare for the arrival of 14 more persons from Covenant, a team from our Children's Ministry.
The Sister Church began as a Bible study in the ancestral home of Ernie, one of Covenant Church's elders. Within a couple of years the Bible study grew to a church and private school. Pastor Bobby Gabiertan and his wife, Vivian, were chosen to lead the congregation. They are a dynamic and apt team, well-educated, and heart-driven. Pastor Bobby is a missionary at heart. Vivian is an excellent administrator.
Vivian dedicated efforts to the growth and quality of the school. Government accreditation was accomplished. Each year the school grows.
Pastor Bobby ventured to jails, police stations, high schools, and other communities with Bible studies and sharing the gospel. The work has grown to a local congregation of several hundred, several other new churches, and a network of pastors who have come under the leadership and tutelage of Pastor Bobby and Covenant Church. Total attendance of all churches and fellowships is over 5,000.
Ernie's nephew, Maurio, is a genius builder—design, tile, welding, masonary, etc. He has been the Lord's servant at the main campus to constantly enlarge the ancestral home as a school building meeting government standards. Additional construction has included the church sanctuary, classrooms, offices, kitchen, home for Ellie and Ernie and visiting missionaries, improvements on several private homes near the church complex, playground, dramatic improvements to the general site plan, a duplex for the families of two pastors, a factory with an apartment, store, and a public cafeteria. Current plans are to build a pavilion to seat 500—also to be used for worship. The attractive properties are some of the finest in the township.
Plans are carefully crafted to make the facilities useful for rent to other churches and groups. Numerous denominations and fellowships have been served.
The Covenant team will be doing a Vacation Bible School. Originally plans were made to accommodate about 100 children. However, flyers were distributed to the community. As many as 500 children are now expected.
There was more good news yesterday. Covenant Church established Hope Foundation IRS 501 C (3) non-profit that serves the inner-city of Charlottesville. About 50 homeless persons are sheltered at night. The facilities are used for multiple functions during the day. Approximately $4,500 was contributed over the weekend to help keep the shelter open until the city determines zoning issues. Many individuals have been generous to give funds. Others have cooked meals, made contributions of needed items, and volunteered to help.
Recently, Josh Bare led an effort, in cooperation with Piedmont Virginia Community College to provide a career day at Hope for homeless persons. A total of 58 persons were processed, typists were in the computer lab, professional resumes were given to each person, and each person met with a professional for instruction about dress and presentation when applying for a job. The following day 25 of these persons were transported by Hope to a job fair at PVCC. Several were hired.
Meanwhile, Deborah Ware is on her way home from a mission trip to Sudan.
Back to the pastoral staff. There is a consensus among Covenant's seven pastors that we have an obligation to be servants to other pastors and local churches. This is a privilege we choose. We are exploring how to be more effective. Statistically, more than half of pastors in America are over 50 years of age. About 75% of churches average less than 75. The number of persons going into ministry is less than the number projected to retire, resign, be fired, and other. Covenant leadership assumes responsibility to encourage other pastors and church leaders.
A word the about Covenant Church site located at a pivotal intersection of the growth of Charlottesville. Two acres were purchased in the 1970's for $33,000. Today the property is about 7 acres zoned commercial with a value of over $6,000,000. New roads and seven hundred homes are in process in and around Covenant. This is requiring us to look at our site plan and think strongly about facilities. We are happy about the forward progress.
Bettie Christian has been added to our staff as Care Pastor of hospital, nursing home and folks bound to home care. She is a tremendous asset.
Allow me to summarize by sharing that the gracious hand of Our God is with us. We see the provision He is making. We appreciate the privilege of ministry. We are grateful to be servants. We pray for the Holy Spirit to empower and send us into the most fruitful fields of harvest. We pledge ourselves not to restrict our efforts to a geographical location. We care about the Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus and His Church.
I so look forward to seeing you Sunday. If you are from another country, please consider wearing native dress this Sunday. If you are from the US and have dress representative of another country, we ask you to wear it. We will have communion. Let us speak our love to God and the nations by representing other countries.
Yesterday was wonderful. I feel confident today will have victories. In fact, I'm off now to a celebration for Rose Williams, one of our Covenant deacons. Rose has been selected to receive a Virginia State Award in a celebration at City Hall of Charlottesville today. God is great!
Much love
Pastor Bare
Jeremiah 29:11