More Ways to “Go” than Ever!

Think about the 21st century world in which we live. The technology. The advances. The ability to reach out and connect to anyone, anywhere… literally! All with the touch of a button or a click of a mouse. Now give Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus’s Great Commission, a fresh read…

For all of its challenges and frustrations, we live in an exciting time! We are able to go into ALL the world like never before. We are able to take the gospel to EVERYONE in ways the apostles never imagined. We are able to introduce people to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit unlike any point in history. We can encourage and lift up believers – put our words into action – with more ease than has ever been possible. And we can do so at the direction of the same God, in the name of the same Savior and with the motivation of the same Spirit that propelled Peter, Paul and so many others to spread the Good News 2,000 years ago.

It’s with that understanding and calling that we are taking our blog in a bit of a different direction. You’ll still read posts from myself and other staff, but you’ll also be given glimpses into the hearts and thoughts of believers who are taking one of their spiritual gifts – connecting to people through writing – and using it to encourage, teach and inspire those of you who have a love of reading and the written word. You’ll meet several different writers over the next few weeks and months; some who call our church home and some who attend other churches! Another benefit of this modern age is that we aren’t bound by the walls of our building. We can join with other believers in ways that weren’t so easy once upon a time. You’ll get to know Brad Distad, our director of family ministries and outreach, and Carlyn Brown, a member of our congregation better. You’ll be introduced to writers like Kimberly Vaughn, whose wonderful children have been a part of our kids’ camps, but who attends a church in Williamsport. And I can’t tell you how jazzed I am that you get to know all three of them here, through their writing.

But there are other writers in our congregation too! People you and I may not even realize have this gift. And they will have opportunities to be a part of this new ministry as well. If you have any interest in writing a piece for the blog, or perhaps contributing more frequently, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lead.pastor@mytgsm.com. The only real requirement is committing yourself to being a writer after God’s own heart, history’s first and greatest Author! I invite you to consider using your gift and hope to give you every opportunity to do so.

Look for Kimberly’s first post in the coming days, as well as thoughts from Bella Morganthal, our director of youth ministries. I hope you are as blessed by our writers’ hearts, faithfulness, courage and talent as I have been.

I’m praying for each of you as always. Please reach out if I can be of any help to you. We are a family – a church family, yes, but also a family of believers – and we are called to walk alongside one another, lift each other up, and be there for those we love in any and every way we can.