Which is it?

Outreach - Discipleship - Community

Why does it seem churches choose one area to concentrate on? Is evangelism a strength? Is discipleship a strength? Do churches that don't choose one or the other dabble in both and not succeed? Can a growing church have great discipleship base? Can a Bible based church have a strong outreach ministry?

I have been encouraged by a couple of things Tim and Jay have mentioned recently at Westview. We need to be aware of those around us. Inviting them into relationships with us. I don't think it is as much about inviting them to an event or program, it REALLY is about connecting and building meaningful relationships with others. Then inviting them into relationship with their LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Genesis Ch 11 the people of Babel were trying their best to please God by building a magnificent tower. God used their efforts and ambition to confuse them - which led them to spread out eventually created a greater impact for God's Kingdom than they could have ever imagined.

As we go about our busy church lives, maybe we need to refocus on our 'vertical relationship' (House of Prayer) and our 'horizontal relationship' (Serving Church) with GOD. That is how we can become better disciples and witnesses and in time impact the greater community.

kjw 1.28.08

Encouragement for the New Year

I occasionally receive emails and communicate with some of the missionaries we support through our Westview Missions Budget. This week I received an encouraging email from Susan Simpson. Susan and her husband Michael serve with the Navigators in St Petersburg, Russia. She concluded her email, as she often does, with a verse.

John 17:23 'I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.'

I thought about how we support the Simpsons and their efforts in helping young women and men in Russia. Since their visit to Westview in August, our friendships have grown. Women of the Word is working on ways to partner with the young women the Simpson are working with.

As we move forward into 2008, I was just blessed by the verse Susan shared. We serve a powerful God that is working in the lives of men and women around the globe. Often we think of the privilege we have to support, pray for, and encourage our missionaries. Today - as we enter a new year, Westview has a lot to be thankful for...we too can be encouraged by our missionaries.

We have new partners and new staff - and continue to serve a living, all- powerful God, awesome God that was sent in love for us.

Jay often closes his benediction 'May all those who see you, see Jesus'

My wish is that God's love shines through all of us in 2008.

Happy New Year.

Keith Wilhite - Outreach Director