Grateful for the Faith Family
As time at eMseni comes to a close I’m also very grateful for the family in faith that I’ve loved and been loved by over these four years. I leave with many precious memories of people.
A Heart for People
I believe that God kept me out of the ministry for the first few years of my adult life because I needed to learn a heart for people. I think if I’d gone into ministry straight out of school, I wouldn’t have had that pastoral heart. But coming into eMseni at the time that I did was just right, because I think my heart was ready to care for a community and to receive the love that they had to offer.
I’ve made incredible friends here—friends that I know I will have for life. I’ve learned so much from people here. I’ve walked over mountains with people and walked through valleys with people. And I’m really finding it difficult to have to leave this precious family in the faith.
Love One Another
Paul said this in his first letter to the Thessalonians: “Now about your love for one another, we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10) I think of eMseni as I read this - it’s a place of love.
In fact, Paul says, “You do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.” Yet he adds, “We urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.” Love each other more and more!
The Power of Community
Let me encourage you to connect with a family of Christians like the Thessalonians were, and like I’ve discovered eMseni to be. Find a place where you can be part of a community that loves—a place where you can love others with the love of Christ and be encouraged by others who share the love of Christ with you.
That is what church is about, and I’m so grateful for the years that I’ve spent at eMseni and discovered this in a real way.
Thank you, my friends, for being so loving towards me, and I hope that you—whoever you are listening—will find a community of faith that loves in this way.
