It is Time To Advance!

By L. A. Joiner
One of the most poignant messages that came out of 9/11, were the words regarding firemen. People running from the burning towers were impacted by the firemen running in. Everything in the hearts and minds of the people fleeing was screaming, “run for your life”. Everything in the hearts and minds of those brave firefighters was screaming, “save a life”. It all has to do with values, perspective and training. The value you place on life, the perspective from which you view the current situation and the preparation of the past that has brought you to this point. I have been traveling a lot of late and that travel has given me the opportunity to see several ministries up close and personal during our current turbulent times.

Rodney Thrift of Crossway Church in the Blackshear/Waycross, Georgia is leading a relatively new church. As with any new work there is a building process. With all the anxiety of our present day and with all of the financial challenges, Crossway Church continues to train people for the future. In the rear of their small and often cramped auditorium is a large and spacious room that will be their new worship center. Here we see an example of expanding in faith while the world is trembling in fear.

John Carney is the Senior Pastor of The Church in the Meadow in Salem, Oregon. I have ministered there several times before. This time as we arrived I noticed the new parking lot all striped brightly inviting cars to enter. I saw the new signage in place. Transition is taking place on their ministry team and new members are being added. Once again, expanding during a downturn.

James Wiley is Senior Pastor of Oak Grove Assembly of God in Port St. Joe, Florida. Oak Grove is an old church in a small fishing town in the panhandle of Florida, in an area called “the forgotten coast”. As I arrived the land next to the existing sanctuary was buzzing with activity. The ground was being prepared for a new sanctuary. A much loved hugh oak tree had to be removed in order to make room for the new building. The hugh stump with much of it’s root system still in tact lay on it’s side in the rear of the property. I thought, “what a shame”. Then I realized that it had to go to make way for the future. As I contemplated the work underway I noticed the sign saying “future home of Oak Grove”. I had just left the Interstate where gas prices were breaking new record highs every few days. Housing values are slipping and homeowners across America are experiencing more and more repossessions. There seems to be a raging fear and a feeling of hopelessness. Yet, the church is preparing for the future. Expansion can be seen on many fronts. I am greatly encouraged by the faith and courage of the people of God. There is a stirring, this knowing that it is our time! For the fearless and the faithful, it is time to advance!