Happy 19th Birthday church family! As we pause this Sunday to give thanks for 19 years of God’s faithfulness, my heart is filled with gratitude for Him, and for you. On Friday, the YouVersion Bible App’s verse of the day was from Hebrews 12:1–2:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

These words feel especially fitting as we celebrate this milestone together this weekend. Whether we’ve been coming to church for 19 years, or whether today is our first time at church, we are all part of a much larger story, surrounded by faithful witnesses who have gone before us. Their lives, obedience, prayers, and sacrifices remind us that our church stands on a legacy of faith that spans generations. We are here because others trusted God before us.

Over the past few weeks, I had the privilege of joining a Morling College study tour through Greece and Türkiye, visiting places like Corinth and the seven churches named in Revelation. Walking where the early believers once stood, I was deeply moved by their courage, boldness, and faithfulness. Standing in those spaces gave me a fresh appreciation for the cost of following Jesus, and for the grace that sustained them.

I was especially struck by the life of the Apostle Paul. Once a persecutor of the church, his life was radically transformed by an encounter with Jesus. God used all of Paul, his past, his strengths, his weaknesses, even his failures to share the gospel and strengthen the early church. Paul endured hardship, opposition, and uncertainty, yet he pressed on, fixing his eyes on Jesus. Because of his obedience, and the obedience of countless others, we are able to experience the love of Christ here, in our neighbourhood, today.

And this should give us great encouragement! As followers of Jesus, we can trust that God will use all of us as well, when we are willing to trust Him and step out in faith, even when the path feels uncertain or a little overwhelming. We are not alone in the struggles we face. Others have run this race before us, and their witness reminds us to persevere, to keep moving forward, and to trust God’s leading. Guided by grace and fuelled by faith, we can press on and discover the fullness of life God has prepared for us. What a beautiful and inspiring heritage we share!

The YouVersion Bible app commentator for this passage in Hebrews said, “A shared faith is a strong faith, and our faith might be the reason someone else finds theirs.” As we look forward this year, I pray that we would be a people who, with courage, boldness and faithfulness, allow the love of God at work within us to flow through us. May we explore and share our faith in ways that are humble and loving, and may many come to know the love, life, and freedom found in Jesus this year.

Happy birthday church family! 

God bless, Mel