Ashland Ahead

I have had many of you ask about the Ashland project as to my reasoning and longevity and as the elders have said over and over, I/we don’t have clear answers – just ideas.  This could come together in less than a year or it could be a long haul.

Janet’s week at Brookstone reinforced both my vision and Janet’s that we need to help that little Baptist church be re-fitted for the King’s use for the coming years.  In my small groups I have been stuck in Mark 6 (I think this week begins the eighth study of that chapter) which includes this verse: And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things, Mark 6:34. I especially like it that Jesus taught them many things! (call them Musings!) Only later did He feed them.  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching, II Timothy 4:2.

When I think of Gretna I see four good church options:  Providence, Steadfast, Gretna Baptist and SSB – I do think SSB is much the best!  When I look at Ashland, I see only one church light and it is just OK and it is not ABC.  In the mouth of two or three witnesses the word is established so I see a great need for another light, and Lord willing, a brighter light!  I believe SSB is in a position to be used by God to get a good, if not great, corporate witness established in Ashland.

I’m reminded of Jesus walking on the water and inviting Peter to come to him.  Peter accepted and also walked on the water.  It was a BIG move for Peter and a big thing for the eleven left behind in the boat.  This reminds me of the move we are making as SSB to help ABC.  It is a big move for all of us!  I press myself often to question the status of the boat and those therein and if God might be directing me/we/some to get out and into something different.  In the past couple of years we have gotten out of status-quo (out of the boat of normalcy) by starting the collaborative school and the Saturday evening C-Club.  So what else might be ahead?

For years I have thought of Springfield and Yutan as church plant places, along with Ashland. Probably once a year I have driven through those three towns pondering and praying.  I have often told Janet that if God calls us to Dunning or Franklin, we’re going.

This thing of just hanging on or just maintaining doesn’t seem a good option for me or for SSB.  We have to exercise faith and at times “get out of the boat” – out of our comfort area.

I have also struggled with sitting on money in savings when people are going to Hell.  How might God want us to be investing in eternity?

So, SSB is going to come alongside ABC to let God use us in that cluster of people.  The little building will tolerate some of us making ABC our regular Sunday experience, but not a lot of us.  I understand that many of you will want to give it a look and that will be great, however, I hope your visits are scattered out over a few months.  I plan to record the service at ABC and post it to the internet by early afternoon each Sunday so we can still remain in touch – sorta.  I will continue to do a Sunday evening study at SSB along with Wednesday Prayer Meeting at SSB.

About people moving over the ABC; a few are needed and some will be great!  Because of the building size and needs, I am thinking of a building project right away.  They have three acres of land for such a project.  I’m interested in gathering enough money right away to hire an architect and get a multipurpose “box” designed with the idea that construction might even begin next year!  Why not?  Please add this idea to your Ashland project prayer list!

While I’m excited about what God is going to do in Ashland through ABC, I’m also very interested in what God is going to do in SSB and in Gretna.  There can be great days ahead at SSB if we all stay focused and unified.  Please do so!

We are about to “get out of the boat” – all eyes on Jesus all the way!