“For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
(Psalm 5:12)
Greetings and blessings to the Household of Faith! What an awesome move of God we experienced last week! I’m grateful and thankful for everyone who carried on the work of the Lord even in my absence. Thank God for those who were added to the New Bethel family. I pray that many were profoundly impacted… I know I was!
Today we celebrate our 67th church anniversary. From the vision that began with Pastor Rosie Summers stepping out by God’s direction to establish the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Kansas City, Kansas, we can conclude like Samuel, “…Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12) After the ministerial service of Pastors Kenneth Neal, Reuben Johnson, and Jathan Austin, it was God’s will for me to become the fifth pastor and I am humbled & honored to serve such a great congregation!
The theme for this year’s anniversary is ‘Surrounded by Favor’! The Psalmist made it clear that it was the favor of God that surrounded the righteous like a shield. That word ‘favor’ in the Hebrew means “delight, desire, good pleasure.” That means it was God’s good pleasure to be our shield and protect us as we continue to fulfill our purpose I destiny. Yes, the adversary sought continually to destroy us (and anyone who strives to do the will of God). David however made sure that we should always be reminded that our survival has not been because of what we’ve done; but rather, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…” (Psalm 124:1) We can sing the song, “Down through the years, God’s been good to me!”
As we celebrate where God has brought us from, let us remember those who sacrificed and paved the way for us to be here today. I thank God for all the prayer warriors, many who have made their heavenly transition, and those who sacrificed their time and finances, while using their gifts & talents to keep this ministry alive. When many determined this church was going under… God’s favor said, “not so!” And today we are still moving on!
Finally, an anniversary celebration is not just for us to look where we came from; but also to look where we must yet go! God’s favor on us means there is a purpose we must fulfill. With God’s return imminent, let us be diligent to accomplish the task God has for us. As we continue our community and evangelistic thrust, we must build the new worship center for God’s glory… to establish an oasis amidst a community starving for the presence of God. Let us move forward and work together to realize our purpose and accomplish the will of God! Remember God declared that this is “The Year of Happy!”
On behalf of Lady Angela and girls, we love you and pray God’s blessings on your life!
Pastor A. Glenn Brady.