Hello from Asbury!!! It is mid-October and the weather is still hot and humid and the bugs are still a constant!

This week I had the privilege of sitting in the class on the book of Acts taught by Dr. Joel Green. Dr. Green is seen as one of the most prominent scholars on the Book of Acts in the world. I see this time as a great blessing, a blessing that calls me to be a good steward of.

As we have studied the book of Acts in an in-depth way, I and others are seeing a Theme emerge, it is, People First, Vision Always.

The church in the book of Acts is different from any other religious body of its day because it valued and loved people. The Church in Acts did not care about social status, gender or race. The church in Acts loved and prioritized people.

But also the Church in Acts passionately lived out God’s desired vision for the church. Jesus tells his vision for the Church in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the end of the earth.”

The Church in Acts is also passionate about vision-fulfillment. Taking the Gospel to every person, to the person across the street, to the other side of the world, God’s vision for the church is that I reach out beyond its walls.

As we follow God into our future, I believe the book of Acts motto of: People first, Vision always will serve as our guide. We are so excited out the land opening up, but God has made this happen so we can reach, grow and train people!

People First, Vision Always.
I love being your pastor!