PilgrimBCSM Pentagon Campaign Newsletters June 2013

Our Pastor’s Reflection on the One Year Anniversary
Every completed journey begins with a “first”. We are ready to celebrate our “first” year of the three-year
Vision to Victory Lifestyle Stewardship Campaign. We pause to praise our God for such a successful first
year. Often, we believe that we should only celebrate the “end” of a journey. The truth is that every step is
worthy of celebration. We celebrate the patient planning by the Enhancement Committee. We celebrate
each gift that represents a sacrifice on the part of the giver. In our thirty-second sound bite culture, it will
be nothing short of a miracle to maintain a high level of focus for all three years. As we continue, we must
remind ourselves of the words God gave Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:9). We can
also look to Paul’s admonition to the Galatians: “Be not weary while doing good, for in due season, we
shall reap (a reward)” if we do not quit (Galatians 6:9). I am so proud of our congregation. We are
overcoming obstacles that could cause us to lose heart. Our God put a good work into our hands last June
and now we are celebrating this first year! The Promised Land was “given” to the Children of Israel, yet it
took them forty years to enter in because of their unbelief. The cry of our heart should not be “Is this
vision of the Lord?” – it should instead be “Lord, help my unbelief”. I choose to celebrate with the people
of God who believe in the enlarging of our territory. We praise God for each person’s commitment large or
small, for little becomes much when placed in the Master’s hands. Even though we are instructed to walk
by faith and not by sight, God has already given us glimpses of His goodness along the way. My love for
each member is non-negotiable. It does not matter whether anyone believes or agrees with this project I will love you always. The last twenty-five years have been a journey of immense joy. We have grown
together and have accomplished so much as a church. To God be the glory. Jesus would often say “If you
do not believe in Me, then believe in the works that I do” (John 10:38). When Nicodemus came to Jesus,
Nicodemus said, “No man could do the things You do except God be with him” (John 3:1). When one looks
at the body of work that “we” have done, we too should say “We could never have done these things
except God has been with us!”. When we complete this project, we will declare, if it had not been for the
Lord who was on our side, we never would have made it! So let’s celebrate year one as we continue on our
three year journey with God.

In Christ,

Dr. Larry W. Ellis