On Sunday, June 3rd, the membership of HBC/GPBC unanimously approved planting Highlands Bible Church as an independent local church in Vernon. This is beyond exciting and slightly terrifying, but that feeling is not an unfamiliar one.
I was recently talking with one of our Highlands people and recalling how over the past several years it seems there has been one mountain to climb after another.
First, as we dreamed of what a church plant would look like – we talked and prayed with the elders. Then explaining the vision of church planting and getting the official approval to move ahead. Onto forming a core group and preparing for pre-launch, answering big questions like “Where are we going to meet?” Then pre-launch and set up. Then official public launch. Then starting to shepherd the people who had become part of the Highlands church community. Then losing our school location, but getting a building! Then renovating that building and getting it ready. Then explosive growth and a tighter community forming. Now…independence and going out on our own! What’s next? Maybe a better question is “Where is the next church plant?” We want to continue to be a church that plants churches to make and mature disciples of Jesus.
On the one hand, it’s exciting. On the other, it’s terrifying. But there is also a very real sense that this is church planting. There is always going to be another mountain to climb. The reality? Yes, while we are planning our way, God is the one directing our steps and giving us the strength, and God is the one who gets the glory. Two Scriptures immediately come to mind. First, Proverbs 16:9 [ESV] tells us that “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” We have seen this time and time again as we look back at the story of the Highlands Campus. We have planned our way, but we look back at the footprints and see that God has directed our steps all along.
Second, 1 Peter 4:11 [CSB] says this “If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” We might be speaking, preaching, teaching…but it’s God’s Word that is central. We might be serving, but it’s in God’s strength that HE provides. We might be overjoyed at how God has blessed Highlands, but ultimately, HE gets the glory, through the Gospel.
Please join us in praying that Highlands Bible Church continues diligently to climb mountains, for the glory of the one true God!
