I’ve never been so glad to see a new year! 2020 was a beast! We went through a pandemic, horrible racial tension, two major hurricanes, economic woes and political unrest! It’s not like we have never faced those things before, but all in one year? I don’t know what 2021 has in store, but I am definitely ready to get off the proverbial bus that was 2020.
I love how God is able to make all things work together for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). In the midst of this pandemic, while everything was shut down, God helped us to continue to connect with people through our online streaming efforts and literally thousands of people were viewing our services online that we have never influenced before. When racial tension began to break out across America after the death of George Floyd, we took our entire staff through a great study written by Pastor Miles McPherson called The Third Option and learned more about the power of empathy and compassion. In the aftermath of the hurricanes we were able to reach out to our neighbors who were impacted by the storms and offer assistance and support. Despite the economic shutdown, which happened on top of an already struggling oil industry, we saw our income remain strong and were able to meet our payroll, pay our bills and continue our support of our missions partners around the world! We had just acquired 15 acres of additional property and the old clubhouse belonging to the former country club next door to the church. By the grace of God we were able to replenish almost ALL of the money we spent on that acquisition!
It’s been said that God will make a way where there seems to be no way! He did that for us in 2020 and I have great confidence that He will continue to do so in the new year. There is still a lot of uncertainty as we enter into 2021, but that will not prevent me from setting goals and making plans as the Spirit of God leads me. I am believing God that this will be the most fruitful year we have ever known. As the old song says, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow!”
