Two weeks ago we (HDBC) were presented with the unexpected opportunity to expand our property. We quickly gathered information, confirmed the details and prayed for clear direction from the Lord. Through a series of events over the past few days it appeared that the door of opportunity was going to remain open. Last night, in a unanimous vote, clarity was confirmed. I am excited about the addition of this property simply because it will enable us to reach and disciple more people for the kingdom. We do all this for the sake of the Gospel is not just a slogan, but is the motivation of all that we do.
I praise the Lord for a unified body of believers.
I praise the Lord for a church with a passion for others.
I praise the Lord for a church with a vision for the future.
To God be the glory.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
New Opportunities
Sometimes in life we find ourselves suddenly facing new opportunities which seem to come completely by surprise. A new job opportunity presents itself. A new relationship is formed. An invitation to join the board of an organization or ministry of offered. We may look at these things as random, unexpected opportunities. However, they are often God's way of leading us down new roads or into new blessings. This also happens to churches.
Recently at HDBC we have been presented with some exciting new opportunities. In the process of exploring the development of a new parking lot, we have discovered the possibility of acquiring additional property which would greatly enhance our options for expansion of our facilities in the future. Is it a done deal? While writing this blog I would have to say it certainly is not. But we are exploring the possibility that God may be leading in this direction. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share this with the HDBC family on Wednesday night, September 7 at 6:30. I am also trusting the Lord to give clear direction not only to our leaders, but to our entire church family.
Why would we build a new parking lot?
Why would we consider purchasing additional land?
"We do all this for the sake of the Gospel." We do these things in order to reach one more person, one more family, one more neighborhood, one more city.
Recently at HDBC we have been presented with some exciting new opportunities. In the process of exploring the development of a new parking lot, we have discovered the possibility of acquiring additional property which would greatly enhance our options for expansion of our facilities in the future. Is it a done deal? While writing this blog I would have to say it certainly is not. But we are exploring the possibility that God may be leading in this direction. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share this with the HDBC family on Wednesday night, September 7 at 6:30. I am also trusting the Lord to give clear direction not only to our leaders, but to our entire church family.
Why would we build a new parking lot?
Why would we consider purchasing additional land?
"We do all this for the sake of the Gospel." We do these things in order to reach one more person, one more family, one more neighborhood, one more city.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Future
It's Monday morning and I am thinking about the future of HDBC. Two weeks ago we launched The One More Project which involved a change in our Sunday morning schedule which will allow us to expand our small group ministry. We saw an immediate fifteen percent increase in our small group attendance the first Sunday. As I am writing this blog, I have not yet received the numbers for the second week. We learned yesterday that we are now using all of our parking spaces. It is a good problem to have, but one which we will need to address immediately. So, I am thinking about the future.
I am thinking about our new Master Planning Team. They will hold their first meeting this Sunday afternoon. Their assignment is to develop a master site plan for our facilities and make recommendations on the order in which new buildings and parking should be added. Much like our recent small group vision team, this team will provide direction for the immediate future.
I am thinking about the possibility of a new children's ministry building. Our children's ministries are growing at a rapid pace and we need to provide adequate space for these ministries. I am thinking about an overhaul of our sound system in the worship center. Our system is old, worn out and failing. I am excited to know that God will provide to meet this need.
I am thinking about our new partnership with a Baptist church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful people of that church and working together with them to reach the people in one of the world's largest cities.
I am thinking about the people in places where we have ongoing ministries. Places like Hungary, Malawi, Ivory Coast, France, New Orleans and so many others.
As I am thinking about the future of HDBC, my heart and mind are filled with a sense of anticipation. God has a plan, and that excites me most of all.
I am thinking about our new Master Planning Team. They will hold their first meeting this Sunday afternoon. Their assignment is to develop a master site plan for our facilities and make recommendations on the order in which new buildings and parking should be added. Much like our recent small group vision team, this team will provide direction for the immediate future.
I am thinking about the possibility of a new children's ministry building. Our children's ministries are growing at a rapid pace and we need to provide adequate space for these ministries. I am thinking about an overhaul of our sound system in the worship center. Our system is old, worn out and failing. I am excited to know that God will provide to meet this need.
I am thinking about our new partnership with a Baptist church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful people of that church and working together with them to reach the people in one of the world's largest cities.
I am thinking about the people in places where we have ongoing ministries. Places like Hungary, Malawi, Ivory Coast, France, New Orleans and so many others.
As I am thinking about the future of HDBC, my heart and mind are filled with a sense of anticipation. God has a plan, and that excites me most of all.
Monday, August 15, 2011
The One More Project
HDBC officially launched The One More Project yesterday. In spite of some technical problems which were the result of a lightning strike that apparently hit our facilities on Friday night, we had a great day. Though we had to operate without some of the technical tools that we normally use, we had a fantastic time as we joined voices and hearts in worship, Bible study, fellowship, ministry, connection and spiritual growth. All three worship celebrations were a blessing. We rejoice in the three new members during the 9:00 a.m. service. We praise the Lord for 270 people in small groups. Now that we have more room and more classes we can continue to reach one more, then one more, then one more . . . until the Lord returns. And as we have said so many times, we do all this for the sake of the Gospel.
It is such a joy to be a part of this wonderful body of believers. There is nothing in the world quite like a local church that seeks to love God, connect to others and serve the world. I will be the first to admit that HDBC is not perfect. We have our share of flaws. However, it is thrilling to see so many who are taking seriously the call to discipleship. May God be glorified through this small band of believers. May He call us to do great and awesome things in this world for His kingdom and His glory. May he stretch us, use us, send us, call us, equip us, and mold us into His image.
The local church is the hope of the world. Thank you Jesus, for this local church.
It is such a joy to be a part of this wonderful body of believers. There is nothing in the world quite like a local church that seeks to love God, connect to others and serve the world. I will be the first to admit that HDBC is not perfect. We have our share of flaws. However, it is thrilling to see so many who are taking seriously the call to discipleship. May God be glorified through this small band of believers. May He call us to do great and awesome things in this world for His kingdom and His glory. May he stretch us, use us, send us, call us, equip us, and mold us into His image.
The local church is the hope of the world. Thank you Jesus, for this local church.
Monday, August 1, 2011
New Friends
I am multi-tasking. Yep, I'm surprised as well. While writing this blog I am chatting with a young man named Adam. He lives in Hungary. I met him last week while working in an English language/sports camp in his city. I'm still a bit amazed at the technology that allows me to chat with someone several thousand miles away, yet it seems like he is in the next room. Right now we are chatting about the whether in our respective cities, about what kind of truck I have, and about a comment on a Facebook picture. It was in Hungarian and he was kind enough to translate it for me. It may seem trivial, but it is the kind of converstation that sustains and even builds friendship.
Last week we spent several hours a day playing ultimate Frizbee, basketball, foosball, ping-pong and softball as we developed new friendships with more than thirty teens and young adults. We also had one student who was 12 and one who was 59. In the mornings we taught English and shared about God's amazing love demonstrated in His son, Jesus. On Friday, three young ladies responded to God's love and became believers in Jesus. Many others are considering making the same commitment of faith.
It thrills me to know that the truth about Jesus transcends cultures, ethnic groups and geographic locations. I'm reminded of the phrase in a great old hymn; Jesus saves, Jesus saved.
Last week we spent several hours a day playing ultimate Frizbee, basketball, foosball, ping-pong and softball as we developed new friendships with more than thirty teens and young adults. We also had one student who was 12 and one who was 59. In the mornings we taught English and shared about God's amazing love demonstrated in His son, Jesus. On Friday, three young ladies responded to God's love and became believers in Jesus. Many others are considering making the same commitment of faith. It thrills me to know that the truth about Jesus transcends cultures, ethnic groups and geographic locations. I'm reminded of the phrase in a great old hymn; Jesus saves, Jesus saved.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Foundations
They are seldom seen, rarely complimented and often ignored, but they are vital to the stability of a building. I'm thinking about foundations. The strength and stability of a building is directly related to the integrity of the foundation. A weak foundation will lead to a weak and dangerous building.
Jesus told a simply story about foundations. He told of one house built upon a foundation of sand and another built upon a foundation of rock. All seemed well until the rains fell. At that point the house built upon the sand came crumbling down. The house built upon the foundation of rock stood strong, unaffected. Was there a point? When Jesus told a story there was always a point.
These two houses represented two kinds of people. Some build their lives upon a foundation that is like sand. It may look good, but when difficulties come their lives crumble. Others build their lives upon a foundation of rock. When the difficulties come they are able to stand strong.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2
Jesus told a simply story about foundations. He told of one house built upon a foundation of sand and another built upon a foundation of rock. All seemed well until the rains fell. At that point the house built upon the sand came crumbling down. The house built upon the foundation of rock stood strong, unaffected. Was there a point? When Jesus told a story there was always a point.
These two houses represented two kinds of people. Some build their lives upon a foundation that is like sand. It may look good, but when difficulties come their lives crumble. Others build their lives upon a foundation of rock. When the difficulties come they are able to stand strong.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Strategic Partnership
This past week, Jerry and Armentia Adams and myself made a quick trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina to meet with a local pastor named Milton Claussen. Milton is a bi-vocational pastor of a Baptist church in the heart of a city of 18 million people. Within a three-mile radious of their church live over 300,000 people, most of whom do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This is the only evangelical church in that area. Their average attendance is fifty. Reminds me of the words of Jesus . . .
The harvest of plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers.
We are praying about a partnership with Pastor Milton and the Iglesia Christiana Batista in Buenos Aires to work together in strengthening believers and planting a new church in the region. HDBC will seek to send three teams (4 members each) per year for three years to work with and alongside this church. The local church is the hope of the world. God has called HDBC to take the good news around the world. This partnership will be one way that we can do so. I am excited to see how God will direct Pastor Milton and his church, HDBC, and missionaries Mark and Melissa Hobson who are overseeing this partnership.
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| Milton and Grace Claussen and their daughter. |
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