Acts 2:1-3 tells us what the first church looked like. There was unity and participation. There was proclamation. There were new converts who were discipled. And we see the Lord added to the church. In the planning and building of our new  Educational Building I saw many of these characteristics. There was unity among our ministry teams in proceeding with this expansion. There was great participation when many of our members gave an enormous amount of their time to help  in the planning, supervision, and construction of this new facility.

Now we are ready for Sunday School teachers to proclaim God’s Word each Sunday in four new classrooms. Our prayer should be that many new converts will enter these new rooms and be discipled in their spiritual growth. And pray that we will see the Lord add to the “church.” Not the church as a building, but the “church” as the body of believers. Along with the responsibility to build we have the responsibility to build back up our Trust Fund. On May 6th we are going to bring a Special Offering to retire our Who Is Willing Campaign. Our goal is $150,000 for this Sunday.

As you begin to pray about what you can give to this Special Offering on May 6th, I would ask you to remember the words of Psalm 50:10: For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. God already owns everything of  value, but He wants the hearts of His people to be generous with the resources He provides to them.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in II Corinthians 9:6-7: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Do you know what it takes to build a strong church?

It takes people who are willing to sacrifice. People who are willing to serve with various gifts and callings. People willing to submit to a moral calling and self-less giving. I thank God daily for the opportunity to serve alongside of you, the  members of Hillcrest Baptist Church.