From the Pastor

We are interpenetrated, fused, and glued with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:5). We have died to the self (6:1-11). What does that mean? We die to the self when we refuse to punch back; when we refuse to unleash our anger; when we refuse to fall into malice; when we refuse to nurse our hatreds and prejudices; when we refuse to avenge the wrongs others have done to us; when we refuse to wish God’s wrath upon our enemies, be it national or personal; and, when we refuse to scapegoat others to cover our faults and failures.

We are alive to God in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit leads us to actions and deeds that spring from love, kindness, and compassion. May we respond appropriately to God’s grace!

We all know broken people and all of us are broken in one way or another, and yes, some more than others. The Good News is that Jesus had compassion for broken people. The ministry of Jesus with broken people is an affirmation of the Old Testament declarations about God being on the side of those in need and without power. The prophet Jeremiah critiques those who misuse power and become evildoers who neglect and oppress the most vulnerable in society (Jeremiah 20:13).

Jesus invites you and me to labor for the kingdom to bring about healing and wholeness and offering friendship to broken people (Matthew 9:35-36). God invites us to go to those who lack healing and friendship. By the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to be coworkers of Jesus in God’s ministry to broken people.