What a weekend!
I hope you had the opportunity to join us for Vision Weekend! But if not, here’s a quick recap.
It was a joy to celebrate some incredible milestones together, including:
- 205 Baptism.
- 115 Grow Groups.
- 71 Multiplier Groups.
These numbers are a testament to what God has done in and through our church. But even more exciting than looking back is anticipating what’s ahead!
I’m so thankful that we serve a God who is always on the move, and as His church, we have the privilege of moving with Him. The coming year will bring its own challenges, but we’re more than ready to embrace the call to Invest and Invite.
The church is never more like Jesus than when it looks beyond itself–seeking to love and reach those outside of grace, community, and the safety of His flock.
To do that, we must see with the eyes of Jesus. Matthew 9 says:
“36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Seeing the world through Jesus’ eyes changes everything.
Why? Because when Jesus saw people this way, He didn’t just feel compassion–He gave His disciples a mission. In the very next verse, He says:
“37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””
I love that we serve a God who doesn’t just see and feel,He acts. When Jesus was moved by compassion, He was moved to discipleship.
And in case you haven’t realized it yet, we are the workers He was talking about. We are the answer to that prayer!
That is the heartbeat behind Invest & Invite.
That we would see people as Jesus sees them. That we would love them as He loves them. That we would pour into their lives, their needs, hurts, and hopes, so we can invite them toward a healing relationship with Him.
If that invitation is to church–great!
If that invitation is to a small group–fantastic!
If that invitation is to your home, a coffee shop, a time of prayer, or a one-on-one Bible study–hallelujah!
I pray that God gives you the eyes of Jesus, that you begin to see the world as He does. And when you do, I pray it moves you to invest your life in others and invite them to take their next step with Jesus.
Vision Weekend was incredible, but what’s even greater is watching that vision change the future.