Thayne A. Thompson, DMin | EFC-MAYM Lead Superintendent
Two weeks ago, Kristin and I made a trip to South Texas to visit our pastoral leaders in that Area. I was greatly encouraged by the work being done there. As we have emphasized the past couple of years, our focus as followers of Jesus must be on first “Encountering Jesus” so that we can “Engage the World”. Out of our personal relationship with Jesus comes our ability to impact the world around us in a way which reflects and brings honor to Him.
I saw a beautiful example of this as I met with the staff of Friendswood Friends Church during my visit. As I listened to Pastor Josh Bunce, Children’s Pastor Tena Roher, and Student Pastor Katelyn Sanders, they shared with me their heart for deepening community among their people and focusing on personal and corporate spiritual practices that would draw them closer to Jesus such as prayer, sabbath keeping, etc. I was reminded that each of us are in a daily battle with our culture which attempts to distract us and keep us from hearing from Jesus. I find so many things in my life that keep my attention on other things rather than on the “author and perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). So, I was encouraged by their corporate passion to help children, youth, and adults alike encounter and experience Jesus in deeper ways.
But that wasn’t all, I also listened as they shared ways they are engaging the world by their involvement in the local school system. Several years ago, a few followers of Jesus began a before/after school club for elementary students in the public school. Over time this club spread to other elementary schools in the Friendswood area. In more recent days before/after school “bible clubs” have begun in the middle school(s) and have now expanded into the high school. When there was an age group being left out (5th grade) Friendswood began an after-school program for that age group at their facility. Today they have over 100 students participating in that age group alone. Wow! Local churches have banded together to engage the world by serving the students in their public schools. What a phenomenal way to live out the life of faith so our spiritual lives don’t just become inward but become outward focused as well. That sounds like what Jesus would do.
I also was encouraged by visiting other Friends churches such as Come and See Friends Church as they continue to house 15 men who are coming out of challenging times in life and trying to get their feet back on the ground. Their commitment to small group and personal one-one-one discipleship to help bring about life transformation is awesome.
I spent Sunday morning with Bayshore Friends Church where Karl and Diane Newmann have served for over 30 years. The church was nearly full, and God’s Spirit was powerfully prevalent in that gathering. They, too, are involved in their community through a local ministry to serve those in need through prayer and providing tangible resources, in addition to their annual support of “Operation Christmas Child” which began the Sunday I was there. Again, they encountered Jesus as they met together, so they could engage the world.
Those are just a few examples of the good things I encountered Jesus doing in South Texas, as well as across our 7-state region. As our EFC-MAYM leadership team meets this fall to discuss our role in serving this region, the primary focus seems to be on fulfilling the Great Commission through facilitating disciple making in our existing churches and our new works. What any one of our churches does may seem small when we think of the great need in our culture these days, but if we add up what each of us are doing, individually and corporately, to help make disciples locally and globally, we can have a tremendous impact. Thanks for following Jesus and seeking to fulfill the Great Commission in your context. Let us know how we can help. We are in this thing together.
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