Yesterday Monieca and I worshiped at Lee Park Baptist Church located on the edge of Monroe, NC. The area has historically been farming country and the church property is still bordered by a corn field. They have three services on Sunday morning, so we decided to attend the 11AM service. When we arrived the small paved parking lot in front was full but several smiling volunteers wearing brightly colored vests directed us to a newer and considerably larger gravel lot in back where most people parked. As we walked to the worship center we passed a tent where the pastor was greeting guests from the previous service. He had a small gift for each guest. Once inside we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed singing with the congregation. The pastor preached a sermon on hope from God’s word that was relevant and encouraging. It was obvious to us that Lee Park is a church that has transitioned on many levels and is now being used of God to reach a lot of people. In fact, their pastor was bi-vocational as recently as 2008. Today the church averages about 1,400 in worship. That is amazing growth!

I’m always encouraged when I see what God is doing in other places. The Lord is raising up more and more churches who are reaching this modern generation and I praise Him for every church and every pastor allowing themselves to be His instruments. Today I’m praising God for Lee Park Baptist Church and Pastor Chris Justice. I encourage you to join me in praying for him and the church he serves. I also encourage you to pray that we might also be a church and a people who love lost people.

Pastor Steve Hogg

PS Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indiana, whose youth group suffered the tragic bus crash Saturday in which three people, including their youth pastor and his pregnant wife, were killed.