Our Vision for a Larger Church
Our vision for the future of the Geary Baptist Church
can be found in the words of Christ in Matthew 28:19-20. We
are to make al people disciples of Jesus Christ. It is our
desire to do this through the purpose of the local church:
ministry, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship, and worship.
We believe that these directives are of God and are represented
in our motto: "We Shall Follow Jesus".
New Church Building Sub-Pages:
A vision is a dream that is beyond our existing abilities.
It reaches beyond our resources and requires faith to see
it to completion. It forces us to look at things differently.
A vision will always have its opponents and its challenges
and yet it enables us to reach a place unachievable without
it.
Will you dream with me for a moment?
(Written by Pastor Greg Sparkes)
Imagine a church where every person is using their God-given
gift to build the body of Christ, a church where hope and
expectancy is found in the realization of God's blessings.
Imagine a place where people are accepted and loved for who
they are and where the Holy Spirit is able to make the changes
He desires in the hearts of those that attend. Imagine a place
where Christians who are struggling with their faith are restored;
where those who are emotionally injured can be healed; and
where new believers are constantly being added to the body.
We are already beginning to see this take place. A new facility
will allow these things to happen on an even larger scale.
Imagine a church where 250+ voices praise God. Imagine a
nursery where children can play and infants can sleep at the
same time, a sanctuary where all rooms are on one floor for
easy access and Discovery Hour classrooms are bright, spacious
and inviting. Imagine a church whose climate is cool in the
summer and warm in the winter. Imagine our community seeing
the hand of God at work in the lives of our members. Imagine
what it would be like as our neighbors catch our enthusiasm
as a new building, consecrated to God, begins to take shape.
It is important that the Geary Baptist Church develop
a suitable church building for the ministry God has given
us. In the past 3 years there have been no less than 50 new
families come into our area. In the same time we as a church
have been averaging 120 people in attendance. We do not comfortably
seat more. Without space for more growth, we will never realize
the vision God has intended for us.
We must understand the mind of our forefathers. They had
a vision and created a building, which has served its purpose
for over 100 years. The existence of this building we enjoy
is due to the labor and sacrifice of those who have gone on.
They understood that not all can give the same, but all must
be willing to sacrifice equally. Our present building is a
piece of our legacy with many memories and we will bring those
memories with us to a new building. As a constant reminder
of our heritage we will incorporate our strained glass windows
into our new sanctuary. We must, however, hold dear more than
our families past workmanship; it is time that we see their
faith and their vision. It is time for us to move forward
and prepare for the next 100 years. For when this century
is over and I am in Glory, it is my prayer that our grandchildren
see our example and that they too Shall Follow Jesus.
Let us not limit God's ability to bless us by the size of
our building, the resources we have, or our inability to dream
big for Him. Will you pray that God will open our eyes to
a greater vision?
May God Bless You.
Pastor Greg
|
