It’s hard to believe that it has already been 3 weeks since Break the Surface happened. I have been lying low and have slowly recovered from that weekend. Overall, the event was successful. We had a great turnout, intense worship happened in the heart of our city, people were blessed, and walls were broken. The most significant thing that happened was the unspoken chain link that was formed with the Redeemer family and the different ministries and fellowships surrounding Frederick County and Maryland.
As I looked at the photos taken by LayneMarie Photography at 5:30am this morning, I couldn’t help but smile at how “Great” God is. He had his hand on this event and he has his hand on this family we are part of at Redeemer. The word “Great”…. I have had people ask me why I go to Redeemer a few times. Truthfully, we are not advanced as some churches in the technical arena, program-wise, nor do we have a gamut of paid pastoral staff and secretaries. We even meet at a “borrowed” place. So why do I take my family to Redeemer? Simple: It’s a Great church.
“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant… [Jesus] came to serve, not to be served.” (Mark 10)
The Redeemer Family is Great because they serve…
They give to the needy and feed the homeless.
They have a heart for missions, not to see the people only in a relationship with Jesus, but to educate them and teach them to be self sustaining.
The leadership opens up the platform every Sunday and allows others to use their gifts and to bring something, a word, a hymn, a song, creative movement…
The financial board takes money that could be said to be needed elsewhere and invest in the people of this city through an event such as Break the Surface and, as such, God returns the investment.
They love children, they love youth, and they love adults of all ages….no one is left on this journey to fend for their selves.
The leadership trusts the people they serve and empower them to walk in their gifts.
The Redeemer Family is Great because they serve…
Some people have thanked me for leading efforts in “Break the Surface”. All I know is that all notable leaders are only notable due to a Great team or Great support from other individuals they lead. “Break the Surface” happened because the Redeemer Family wanted it too and for that I honor you and thank and bless you for being servants and being Great!
Our Family, Redeemer, is on the verge of great change coming these next few years. One immediate change this year will be our meeting place and where we call home. We will welcome this change and pursue what God has in store for us next. We will continue to serve and change the face of what an institutionalized church is and keep moving toward Kingdom work and bridging the body of Christ by showing love in all we do.
I look forward to this journey with you all.
Kingdom…
Gene