“Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth, serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy.” Psalm 100:1-2
I cried for joy today as I remembered that my prayer for the Lord to assign me to pastor a Baptist church was fulfilled three years ago today.
While it took ten years of praying and waiting, it built my character and ability to listen to His voice. It was a decade of honing the pastoral tools that I needed for the work in Oamaru.
I cried for joy today because I remembered how the Lord provided me with gifted people who could discern and see through my pastoral ministry passion and God-given gift of administration, who made the frontline ministry work possible.
Crying for joy could also mean shouting hallelujah, praise, and glory to the Almighty God or simply declaring, “Yes!”
There have been moments when it brought me joy so deep that I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
To reminisce and celebrate my work anniversary at Oamaru BC, I looked through my phone’s gallery for a picture from my first Sunday at Oamaru Baptist Church.
My heart melted, and I became teary-eyed when I found the photo below.
Three years ago, there were more empty chairs than people seated, and spaces abounded.
We prayed that the Lord would fill up the empty chairs and spaces. Sure enough, people gradually came, and we added more chairs.
Nearly a year later, on 21 May 2023, there were more occupied chairs than empty ones. God transformed the church’s attendance situation. Amazing!
I smiled today, recalling my excitement about the chance to work at the “frontline finally” despite having a vague idea of what it looked like and its uncertainty, until I started working.
Still, I took the chance three years ago because I was responding to God’s answer to my prayer, with the firm trust in His guidance and provision.
I was touched by the faith of the few who continued supporting and attending the church despite its dwindling number. “Pastor, we won’t leave this church unless the Lord God takes us away,” they told me.
I cried tears of joy and paused to reflect on the Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians in
2 Corinthians 6:1-11.
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
– 2 Corinthians 6:1-11
These series of phrases from the verses above resonate well: “We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.“
I smiled through my tears today, as the pastoral ministry with Oamaru Baptist Church allowed our family, the church families, and the community of believers to witness the Mighty Hand of God working through his people.
Observing a once-dying church rejuvenate and flourish is a rare opportunity to witness and experience.
Thank you, Lord, for sending me to your frontline. Thank you, Hopevale Trust and Gleniti Baptist Church. Thank you, Rachel and the OSBA.
Thank you to everyone praying and supporting God’s ministry in various ways. We also appreciate all those who have come to find sanctuary with us at Oamaru Baptist Church.
I am grateful for my incredibly supportive wife and daughter.
To God be the glory! Amen.
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