Baby Church
Tonight, I was overjoyed to participate in the installation of Ben Kidder as the pastor of our daughter congregation in the little northwoods community of Minong, Wisconsin, about 20 miles from Hayward.
The whole thing started last December, when we decided to do something a little crazy, and hold Christmas Eve Services in an abandoned church.
Then, in February, we then started having weekly Saturday night services, staffed mostly by the Hayward Wesleyan pastors.
My daughter, Hannah, and I made the Minong journey many Saturday nights over the last several months. It's a remote wilderness between the two villages, and we've seen wildlife every time -- bald eagles, an albino deer, a fox, a weasel, and a timber wolf.
We've seen some "wild-living" humans, too, as the fledgling congregation has grown to an average of 40 or 50.
Some folks scratched their heads in bewilderment. "Why are you trying to start a church in the middle of nowhere?" Well, Minong only had two churches -- Catholic and Lutheran -- and about a hundred bars. I figure those folks really need a good, life-giving church, which will have a positive influence on the entire community, and introduce many to Jesus.
There is a tremendous spiritual darkness over the region. I've never seen anything like it -- but the powers of darkness cannot withstand the light!
Tonight, over 75 people attended the church service. Ben delivered an anointed message, which was captivating, challenging and inspiring. I am so thankful! God delivered a real winner to our doorstep!
I smiled when I realized we had more people out for church this evening, than my first few weeks in Hayward 15 years ago.
At the conclusion of the service, we commissioned Ben, and his precious wife, Ingrid to their new charge! I handed the responsibility for the little flock over to them. It's going to be quite an adventure!
Now, I'll serve now in more of a "grandfatherly" role. I'll be around to bless, encourage, help, give advice when asked, and try really hard not to meddle.
I drove home deeply contented, but Hannah wondered, "Now, what are we going to do with our Saturday nights? Is there another town somewhere that needs a church?"
The whole thing started last December, when we decided to do something a little crazy, and hold Christmas Eve Services in an abandoned church.
Then, in February, we then started having weekly Saturday night services, staffed mostly by the Hayward Wesleyan pastors.
My daughter, Hannah, and I made the Minong journey many Saturday nights over the last several months. It's a remote wilderness between the two villages, and we've seen wildlife every time -- bald eagles, an albino deer, a fox, a weasel, and a timber wolf.
We've seen some "wild-living" humans, too, as the fledgling congregation has grown to an average of 40 or 50.
Some folks scratched their heads in bewilderment. "Why are you trying to start a church in the middle of nowhere?" Well, Minong only had two churches -- Catholic and Lutheran -- and about a hundred bars. I figure those folks really need a good, life-giving church, which will have a positive influence on the entire community, and introduce many to Jesus.
There is a tremendous spiritual darkness over the region. I've never seen anything like it -- but the powers of darkness cannot withstand the light!
Tonight, over 75 people attended the church service. Ben delivered an anointed message, which was captivating, challenging and inspiring. I am so thankful! God delivered a real winner to our doorstep!
I smiled when I realized we had more people out for church this evening, than my first few weeks in Hayward 15 years ago.
At the conclusion of the service, we commissioned Ben, and his precious wife, Ingrid to their new charge! I handed the responsibility for the little flock over to them. It's going to be quite an adventure!
Now, I'll serve now in more of a "grandfatherly" role. I'll be around to bless, encourage, help, give advice when asked, and try really hard not to meddle.
I drove home deeply contented, but Hannah wondered, "Now, what are we going to do with our Saturday nights? Is there another town somewhere that needs a church?"
Yes, Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThere are many little towns that need a church. How far are you willing to travel?
yes hannah there are many small towns that need churches. More children and more young believers need to ask this question. Moreover, more old believers need to ask and get out of their comfy old recliners and start looking for places to serve God instead of laying back and relaxing and expecting others to do it!
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