I am grateful for people who step-up, who find ways to lead and serve in the Kingdom, who invest in others and in the mission of the church, and who truly love Jesus passionately. When it is witnessed, it glorifies God. It builds up. It catches fire.
During our worship time this past Sunday, on January 7, we were all blessed to view a 2017 highlight video that featured a litany of events, ministries, outreaches, and remembrances of the entire year. I would like to give a special “shout-out” to Leslie Overby for that 9 minute blessing. I know it took many hours of organization, picture hunting, and fact checking to put that together as 1 piece. [So thank you, Leslie, very much! What a joy it was to see and share that in the company of God and His church.]
Sometimes we miss the depth and magnitude as we move week to week, month to month, in the life and ministries of the church. We can, if we’re not careful, miss what is happening in the present as we look to the future or to even the next event. But viewing that video recaptured a lot of detail for me, and helped me see a much bigger picture. It’s a picture of what God is painting, and He gets all the praise for it.
I believe 2017 proved to be a monumental, game-changer year in the history and future of Bridgeway Church of the Nazarene and in the mission that we are engaged in, right here. I believe we will look back to what God did in our midst as He charts His course into 2018 and beyond. Adults and Children were baptized… more than 40 either made professions of faith for the 1st time or recommitted to the Lord…Partnerships were rekindled with our sister churches on the Crystal Coast…Dozens of people and families were helped…An incredible display of outreach occurred: in Crisis Care Kits, in Thanksgiving Blessing Bags, in Christmas “adoptions,” in the 4th of July Parade, in outreach to East Carteret High School…and in special emphasis sent outwardly to others in this very community.
Sure – there were some challenges along the way. Anything done for God in authenticity will be met with challenge. But rather than allowing them to create doubt, fear, or worry – we learned, we drew closer, and we sought the Lord more intimately. Time and time again, He showed Himself faithful.
Now, as we have officially crossed the threshold and have entered 2018, I find myself elated and energized at what God is already doing among us. Some big things are coming up here at Bridgeway in these first few weeks of 2018, and I really want to encourage/invite you to dive in, get plugged in, and connect with us so that you don’t miss out. No matter where you are in your life journey – if you are seeking a church home, desire to go deeper, or even if you’ve fallen back from where you once were – there is a place for you right here.
We feel confident that you can Believe, Belong, and Become with us. We know that with Jesus Christ as our focus, we are better together. There is room for you here and there is always a place at the table for you and your family.
We begin a new series on Sunday, January 14, 2018, titled, “The Will of God.” I believe this is a great opportunity to connect/reconnect and that God is orchestrating it all to come together right now. So please prayerfully consider joining us this Sunday @ 10 am. We would be honored to have you and yours join us @ Bridgeway Church.
As it has been said, “With the Holy Spirit leading, what lies ahead is surely greater than anything that lies behind.” Blessings and thanks for reading.
Porter
PastorPG's Blog 
That was like a picture being drawn that showed the beautiful, wonderful, amazing God of creation at work in us through Jesus Christ. It is a faithful history, being recorded today, just like back in the Bible times. People’s lives being transformed as they ate, worked, lived and worshiped together. Thank you for writing it in a way that was so apparent and easy to see. Reflection is a good teacher! Looking forward to our time together in 2018 as a church family, seeking Christ in excellence, and ministering grace and love to all who come into our influence. We are running well, now to the finish! Praise the wonderful name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. We simply cannot fail.