2025 February news-letter article

O, the weather outside is frightful,

The fire is so delightful!  Since, we’ve no place to go, let it snow; let it snow; let it snow!!  I recognize that I am writing this to you on a day when the high temperature is 57° F., but in recent days it has indeed been cold, freezing cold.  I can look out the window of the office that still feels weird to call “mine”, and see snow that fell on January 10.  I can only hope everyone has taken precaution in recent weeks to avoid burst water pipes in their homes.  I also hope that everyone has remained warm within their homes.  I think we’ve all worn more articles of clothing than normal; perhaps some of us have fire-places (with gas logs?), or wood stoves, or we’ve had many a cup of cocoa or coffee or tea just to keep cozy in these temperatures.  In recent days, I have become acutely aware of those who struggle to remain warm.  Some of our neighbors have wood burning heat, and have struggled to afford wood.  Some of our [elderly] neighbors can’t put their thermostats much higher than 60° if they want to be able to purchase their prescription drugs this month.

Just within the past few days, I have learned that over in King, people are being invited to a “warming station”.  It breaks my heart to know that any of our neighbors, ever, struggle to keep warm.  Does Walnut Cove need a “warming station”?  If so, what role to we as a church (corporately) play in blessing our community in this way?  …in other ways?

In recent months, we have discussed a missions strategy as a church family.  We have been praying, collectively, asking God to reveal where He is calling us to go to reach “the nations” as the Great Commission tells.  Acts 1:8 calls us to the “ends of the earth”; which “end” is our “end”?  Do we own [the lostness of] a people group that has never before heard the name of Jesus?  Do we partner with a missionary in a particular place long term?  Do we invest in an international and/or an American and/or a regional partnership over 5, or 7, or 12 years?

Just this-past month, I made my gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the 2024-25 year.  I am SO grateful for the tremendous work of our International Mission Board.  As I gave, I was reminded that we in the church “hold the rope” for our missionaries that go “over the ledge” even when we can’t; I am so glad to do so.  At the same time, I was challenged by the Holy Spirit: am I JUST going to throw money at missions, or am I willing to go too?  If we are going to invest long-term in broader missions (international or not), and the New Testament makes abundantly clear that we should, it ASSUMES that we are living on mission here at home every day.  Are we giving (dollars or time) to the efforts of our church?  Good, thank you!  Are we also willing to go and make disciples, right here in Stokes County?

What are we, corporately, doing to serve and love our neighbors better?  What are we doing, individually, to serve and love our neighbors?  Are we being faithful disciples – followers – of Jesus?  Are we abiding in Him; are we walking with Him daily?  Do we look a bit more like Him today, than we did yesterday?  As disciples, are we going – to school or work, to the bank or the grocery store, across the street, home to be with relatives, intentionally or unintentionally, near or far – to make disciples?  As John Wesley wrote about his own conversion experience: his heart was “strangely warmed” while reading.  Are others warmer because they got to be with you today?  Are bodies, and souls, warmer as a result of our faithful witness?  Are we loving, and serving, and blessing others as disciples, who go and make disciples?

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
and help me to make a complete sacrifice;
I give up myself, and whatever I know,
now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,
--A.J.