But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 When God called me to ministry at the age of 21, He told me to build a home base, equipping the local church for the work of service (Ephesians 4:11-12). Christianity is not composed of spectators watching one person perform. We all have a vital part to play. As we are unified under Him, the purpose of our life is clarified. We go out into the world, not to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic, but to bring about the ministry of reconciliation.

God initiated something in September 1977 in my life. Thirty years later He has brought us all together on this journey. He insists that our ministry be based out of the local church—with the exuberance of the young, the resources of the middle aged, and the wisdom of seniors, all working together to fulfill the call.

We have a city to touch, a nation to reach, and a world to change. I totally believe it can be done. My youthful exuberance has been burned up, and my idealism ran out of gas a long time ago. So what's left? This abiding confidence that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Shake off every encumbrance and press on!
Pastor Jeff







© 2007 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.