Encouraged!

That is how Elna and I felt recently when I was invited to preach and present our ministry at Lynnwood Baptist Church in Pretoria. It was a joy to be in their pulpit again. Almost a year ago I preached a sermon there from Matthew 21. This time I preached Matt 25:1-30 “Disciples Ready for Christ’s Return.”

Lynnwood’s love for Scripture and it’s application to the lives of believers is well known in our city through their biblical counselling courses. They know how important it is not only to plant churches, but to translate the all-sufficient Word of God and put it in the hands of every believer!

Pastor Sybrand and his wife Beth have known us for 10 years now. Their excitement and enthusiasm for our work in PNG was palpable. Of all their encouraging words, what struck me most was that they believed Elna and I are a couple well suited for this type of ministry. This was not the first time someone has said this to us and is serves as an affirmation to us that God has been preparing us for this ministry for many years!

This period of planning and raising support for the work in PNG requires endurance and an ongoing, living trust in God. We are finding that one of the ways God is helping us during  this period is through churches like Lynnwood, where there are believers stimulating us to love and good deeds, and encouraging us!

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:24-25 NASB)