This past Sunday we dove into Romans 10:9-15 and talked about our mission, both locally and globally. It is deeply encouraging to pastor a church with a heart for our community and the world. And that is our mission: “To glorify Christ…by making disciples who make disciples…in our community and around the world.”

As we talked about on Sunday, the ability of our church to reach the nations is driven by the reaching of people here in our community. If we do not reach the next generation of people in our community for Christ, our church will decline, and, along with that, our ability to give and go internationally will decline. In other words, if we want to continue to be a global force for the gospel, we must pour ourselves into reaching people in our community.

It is perhaps providential that Mr. Ellnor Horton went home to be with the Lord this past Sunday morning – the very morning I was speaking about the need for our church to reach younger people. Mr. Horton lived for the glory of Christ, and went home to be with his Savior at the age of 100. He represents a generation of godly senior adults in our church. God was doing something incredible among young adults at FBC in the 1950’s. Young couples like Ellnor and Virginia Horton, Thurman and Elsie Hayes, and many more.

But God is calling that generation home. They have run the race faithfully and are going home to their reward. Now it is time for our church to reach a next generation of young adults. It will require intentionality. It will require changes. But one thing will never change: We will stand on the Word of God and preach the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ! 

This Sunday we will look at the amazing prophecy of Romans 10:16-11:36, as Paul answers the question, “What About Israel?” As we will see in this text, in the end times God will pour out his Spirit on Jewish people and they will turn to him in great numbers. Here’s the spine-tingling thing: That is already beginning to happen in Israel! 

I believe the King is coming soon. Until then, let’s be on the move for him, “a going church for the coming King!” 

I’ll see you this Sunday, with a Bible in my hand. Why not put this past Sunday’s message into action by calling a friend and inviting them to meet you there?      

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,  

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.