Dear Friend:
I trust your summer is going well and you’re energized by the warm (smoking hot!) weather, opportunities to enjoy God’s creation, and time with loved ones. I returned Saturday afternoon from visiting a friend and mentor in St. Louis with my son Hayden (age 4). The whole plane ride back I thanked God for the special time with him and my mentor friend, Tim.
This Sunday in worship I look forward to our time together as we review a slideshow of candid photos of our ministries and missions at work. These images reveal transformed lives and are a testimony to your generosity at work. It excites me to reflect on the myriad ways Christ has been at work through Bidwell and to celebrate the ministry he is inviting us into this summer and fall.
NOTHING changes lives inside (heart, soul, and mind) and out (hands and living sacrificially) more than knowing Jesus Christ. The work he does through the local church is unique, and when you give to the church financially you are investing in transformative work that no other agency on earth can do. And, no one gives to the church other than Christians. Many offer monetary giving to a non-profit of choice, but only Christians give to the church.
Bidwell Presbyterian Church is moving forward with vision.
- We have the all-church, 10-week Alpha course coming up in the fall, where we as a church will focus on the Gospel in weekly small groups.
- We are hosting Serve Chico, where we will ALL participate in service projects throughout town on Sunday, September 17.
- Our 150th Anniversary will be celebrated at Bidwell and throughout our city.
- We are dedicating time and energy to relaunching our small groups, starting by hiring a small group coordinator.
- We are investing in discipleship and missions by, ideally, hiring a pastor for missions and adult discipleship.
- We are expanding our multi-media efforts by having video devotionals, which I am beginning now and looking forward to leading in the fall.
This is only the beginning. We are expanding our ministries at Bidwell and I am as excited as ever at what God is doing. As we end the financial year, I invite us as a church to end strong. We need $160,000 to begin the new financial year in a solid position to expand our current ministries and develop new ministries.
John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son. We give because God gave; our generosity overflows because of the mercy and grace of God.
I can’t wait for all that God has in store for us at Bidwell! I’m so thrilled that, in only 7 short months of my being here, Session and our staff have cultivated and supported such a vision that will lead exponentially to lives transformed through Christ.
