Hey, I know we are about halfway through December but I still wanted to let you guys know what is going on here in Macon.
We started our church planting journey in September and have not looked back since then. We have been meeting with a small group of people weekly. Though we have small and simple meetings, we focus on the one thing that matters most; Jesus and how to make him known! I'm proud to say that we have the opportunity to work with the most humble and most giving people. We are very eager to see what the future holds.
For the last couple of months I have been commuting between our home town and Macon for work but come January my job will be transferring me to Macon so that I can work in the same city I'm called to reach! I'll admit that this dynamic has made it hard because I was not able to engage my city the way I feel I need to. But we made this move not knowing how God would get me a job in Macon. We came to Macon with only a word from the Lord and knowing He is faithful. So I'm glad to tell you all that He is faithful and His grace is sufficient for every situation!
We have had the privilege of meeting some great people in Macon. We have met some amazing pastors who lead amazing churches. We believe we are going to have the opportunity to work alongside great ministries that are doing big things for the Jesus here in Macon, Ga. We often wonder,"God, why do you need us here in Macon if you have great people like this?". Then I remind myself of the 60,000 to 90,000 people who are not involved in a local church here in Bibb County. More than likely that means they don't know Jesus! Don't be fooled friends, America is a major mission ground that needs to be worked.
We are finally settling in to our new home and our new surroundings. But there is a dangerous temptation to slide into when "new" surrounds you. That is to forget why you are there in the first place. Daily I wake up to remind myself why I am waking up in Macon, Georgia. That is to make Jesus known! I encourage myself with this passage from Philippians;
"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)
Church even though we have been called into God's family, have been called to enjoy His blessings, we have also been called into His mission. We have been called as ambassadors for Christ to make His appeal known to mankind to be reconciled to God.
If you are attending a local church and have not found a way to serve and be on mission with your local church than you are missing out on a great adventure. I challenge you to make time to help your church succeed in the city it has been placed.
If you are not involved in a local church and you live in the Middle Georgia area we would love to talk to you!
And if you live in the Macon area we NEED TO TALK TO YOU!
And if you live in the Macon area we NEED TO TALK TO YOU!
Contact us at pharlan@vc2online.com.
