This past week while Pastor Mike, Mel, and Carinne were at Sovereign Grace’s WorshipGod conference, (which was awesome, as expected) we received a very important letter in the mail.
This letter said that we have official approval for the Highlands Bible Church to meet at Cedar Mountain School, in Vernon, NJ! [Insert brief pause for celebration or happy dance!]
This is a major answer to prayer! While having the location nailed down is certainly not the most important thing, it is a VERY important thing. This means that we can start turning the corner from conceptual to more reality. We can think now more clearly about parking, childcare, coffee, set up, coffee, tear down, welcome teams…and did I mention coffee? [OK…coffee isn’t the most important thing either, just to be clear.]
Also, having a location nailed down makes this more of a reality in the hearts and minds of people.
- Highlands Team. If you are already part of the Highlands Team, you will note that we will being to turn the corner (from the foundation of our “One Another” studies) into the practical matters of ministry. Who will welcome people? Hold babies? Put up signs? Make the coffee?? Also, if you are not yet part of the Highlands Team, this may provide more impetus that you perhaps are being lead by God to BE a part of this. As always, all are welcome at our meetings – this month they are Friday, August 14th and Friday August 28th at 7pm. Contact Us for the location. [Note: If you are coming on the 28th, please be prepared to shower Mel with birthday greetings. Hint: she loves coffee. (and babies). Oh, and she isn’t getting older either.]
- The Community. This also has a sense of reality for the community of Vernon and beyond. This allows us to reach out more intentionally and directly. Quick story, Mel (boy, I sure am talking a lot about her today…) and I were at Maple Grange Park and as usual, she stopped to talk to someone, and of course it wasn’t too long before she started telling them about Highlands Bible Church. Her logic was so right – “We need to talk to people about the church plant – that way when they see it in the paper or online they will remember the personal connection we made.” Amen. Having a location only gives us more legitimacy that, Lord willing, this is going to become a reality in 2016.
Thank you for your prayers…and hope to see many of you on the 14th!
