Last year we started what I hope will be a tradition by using the Thanksgiving blog to reflect on this past year. Last year, we had a lot to celebrate and as I read through that blog here: Give Thanks and Celebrate 2023
I was shocked by all the awesome stuff we highlighted that our churches, regions, and missions were doing. I was shocked, and I was the one who wrote it!
The truth is that this year is a little different. This year had many ups and downs. As we look across our ministries, it’s been a year of genuine setbacks against the things we've invested our time and prayer into. And while, of course, God is present daily, hourly, and moment to moment, carrying the Churches of God forward, it’s harder to see all the good things when the hard things are so obvious.
For instance, we’ve had churches close that we didn’t anticipate. Our most vibrant international ministry in Bangladesh began to experience increased turmoil and hostility with the entirely unexpected collapse of the previous government. And Haiti, even with interventions by the Kenya coalition, is still struggling for air amid the constant gang violence.
But those setbacks are not the whole story of God’s movement within the CGGC. Not even close.
The whole story is that, despite setbacks, our whole denomination is mobilized for life changing, soul saving ministry. I know it because I’ve seen and heard disciple makers talk about their work when I interview them, watch them speak at conferences, and in casual conversation at our Ad Council Meetings. From Ohio to Pennsylvania, from the California to the Southeast, from the U.S. to Mexico, and from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern Hemisphere, the CGGC, and the Church in general, is doing the work of the Lord.
We’ve seen how quickly our churches are mobilized for recovery ministry with the awe-inspiring generosity and service during the southeast hurricane damage in August. Recovery in Ashville
We’ve seen church camps helping connect kids to Christ, and then to meaningful service projects, reminding us that our youth are where we need to be focusing right now more than ever.
And I know the Lord is still at work because I see it every week when I talk to our Pastors and hear the stories they’re telling. God’s at work in our schools, at our Seminary, on Campus at the University of Findlay, and especially in our church run preschools (more on that in the next issue of The Global Advocate).
Now is a time for us to reflect not just with our emotions of the moment, but with a sober look at the truth, and the truth is that God is carrying us out into our mission fields because much good work is being done and there is much work left to do.
New churches, and new expressions of church are being planted even as historic churches close. Our Bangladesh mission is teaching kids, healing the sick, and doing ministry through the current political storms and they’ll need all the support we can give them along the way. In an era where it feels like our kids are falling away from the faith, our schools are showing a vibrancy for faith that bucks all the trends, and we should be investing in them.
So, as you sit down over this Thanksgiving weekend to relax, eat good food, and be with family, please spare a few moments between your shopping sprees to rightly remember all that we have to be thankful for as Christians, whether it’s the thing I’ve mentioned here, or your own list.
And finally, in your thankfulness, be motivated to action. The quickly approaching Advent season is the best opportunity we have all year to show our gratitude for the Lord, and to give back.
Remember our Share the Blessing campaign in your days of thankfulness. Ministries mentioned in this blog post are in need of your support.
Here's another thing to be thankful for! Our ACTS Team's are all set to go for 2025. Sign up to go on mission here: ACTS Team's Sign Up
CGGC eNews—Vol. 18, No. 49
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