Why I'm Optimistic for the future of Hope Community Church
Optimism: hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”—Romans 15:13
1) Because I’ve seen God do it before
I have been privileged to watch God build His church. From my spot I’ve watched hundreds baptized into the faith. I have watched people get excited about what God is doing in the church that they have given their life to and have watched marriages and lives restored and I believe He will do it again. Why? All throughout the Bible, God repeats the blessings from one generation to another. Location doesn’t matter to Him. If He did it in one place He can do it in another.
2) Because God wants to save people and still is.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
3) Because of the people I work with
I am blessed at Hope to work with two close friends, who get what ministry is and are committed to seeing lives change.
Robin is one of my closest friends and a excellent Pastor. When the leadership at her last church hurt her bad, she almost packed it in and walked away from her calling; but through a lot of prayer and time with God, He has renewed her spirit and set her on another path. She is a strong woman of faith, who desires everyone to know the love that the Father has for them. She is such a excellent counselor, bringing practical experience and spiritual wisdom into each encounter she has with someone. As Hope impacts the Princeton area she will be able to come along side people who are struggling in their relationships and life.
I also get to work with another close friend in Heather. Heather and I have worked together for over 10 years and she is one of the finest worship leaders I know. When I approached her about leading worship at Hope she immediately said yes, in spite of having an amazing opportunity to lead at one of the larger churches in Evansville. When I asked her why she told me that she wanted to be able to reach the communities she lives around. Heather understands how music plays a vital role in helping to heal hurt. Having went through several painful experiences she leaned on God and her love of music to get her through the tough times. As she chooses music, she is always pointing people to God, helping them to see that he can be their restorer, healer and friend. She knows this because she has experienced this.
4) Because of the people God has brought to the church
God has been bringing together a diverse set of people, who are tired of church as usual. Most of them have had negative experiences in church and they want to make sure that doesn’t happen to others. There’s the former youth pastor, who just desires to see people know Jesus and jumps in to help in spite of the junk she went through in her former church. My friend Brian, who is a man of integrity who cares deeply for the church because 12 years ago Jesus changed his life. There’s the dentist and his wife who jump in and do whatever is needed, including vacuuming the kids area.
These people he has brought, so far, are real about their failings and put on no pretense. They long for the presence of God and want others to experience it as well.
5) Because negative thinking gets you nowhere
It would be easy to lay down and complain about all the wrong that has been done, and I’ve done my share of that, but that gets no one rescued from a Christ-less eternity. All that negativity does is allow the enemy to win. So I will use all my strength, all my mind and all my love to see the people of Princeton impacted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because they need it and I am called.
