So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
We as a young church are continuing to go through the book of Ephesians verse by verse. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing His words to be written. It is always practical, heart piercing, and absolutely essential for us as we grow together in this foreign land. I feel like we are working on the foundations in every aspect of our lives. There has been a tendency to get frustrated and want to simply start building, but oh how important this time is for us. While my dad was here this last month he warned us not to start building too quick, spend money too fast, elect more leaders too early, or take over the city in a hurry. He said, “Only God knows how big of a building He’s building through you all, therefore who are you to say when the foundation work is done?” It was a word of wisdom in due season and we are trying to learn through every lesson the Lord brings.
As a new Church we are working through how to spend money that will produce the most long term fruit, how to do a cultural church service without deluding the Gospel, how and when to elect new leaders, how to practice church discipline in a way that shames the enemy, grows the church, and glorifies God, how to best disciple young Christian to look day by day more like Christ, and how establish Biblical roles that equip individuals, families, and the church, and on and on… Every day there’s a new lesson, new trails, new mercy and grace, and thankfully, through it all, we are growing. Our continual hope is that there would be a lasting Church in this city, built on the Rock, and faithfully standing until Christ’s return.
We had the privilege to baptize two people this last month and they are continuing to grow. Please pray for Bassem and Kati. Pray that what Christ has started He will faithfully bring unto completion. This last week we had the opportunity to talk with a man named Oguz. He came to church simply to drop off a chair we bought, but by the end he was on his knees praying that Jesus would change His life and the lives of his family. Please also pray for this man!
We as a family are doing well! We are busy, sometimes exhausted, and having a blast. It is always an honor to be proclaiming the Gospel in this land. Thank you to all of you who continue to support and pray for us, we couldn’t be doing this without you. May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and cause His face to shine upon you!