Gift of Community
By Greg Lunsford --
Greetings! Is it crazy to think that we are almost half way through this incredibly unpredictable year? Maybe there is some hope in that of itself.
Something even more jarring is that means it has almost been 6 months since Lara, Ransom and I have joined the Greater Portland family. I want to take a moment to say thank you. You all have been so loving and welcoming to our family. We are so grateful that God has led us to this specific faith community. So once again, thank you!
When we began the interview process last year, I scoured the GPBC website to learn more about the rhythms of the church and one of the things that I stood out to me was the church camping trip. I am not going to lie…I got really excited about that!
Now I didn’t get excited because I love camping, that is more of Lara and Ransom’s jam. But what a church campout communicated to me as an outsider is that there is a great love for one another if you are wanting to be around each other for consecutive days without showers. That tells me that you all love spending time together in true Christian fellowship. That is why I got excited!
Community is something that I have always been drawn to. It gives me life. Community brings out something in each of us that we would have never known was there if we were alone. Connection makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We get to see glimpses of heaven when we are around people that are different than us.
This took my mind to Acts 2:42-47. It is one of the key scriptures of what true community is:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This kind of community exemplifies what the family of Jesus is all about. Gathering around the word of God, eating with each other, sharing stories of God’s redeeming power, sharing and giving for the benefit of one another, eating again, and doing it all with pure joy.
With hopeful hearts, we are continuing to plan as though the church campout will go on as planned. This would be a wonderful way for our family to get further acquainted with all of you. It would also be an amazing opportunity to invite friends that may not know Jesus to join us. To show them a little glimpse of heaven on earth through the power of community.
So visit our website. Sign up. Invite your friends and let’s grow together in the gift of community. Oh, and if you want to find me at the campout, I will be in the river!