Alaba a Dios

Have you ever felt the joy of the Lord deep in your soul…felt it so deep all you could do was smile? I had that experience twice this weekend as I worshiped with our brothers and sisters in Christ at La Red.

Saturday afternoon I had the privilege of praying for the six students who made up the first graduating class from the Bible Institute we host at FBC. This institute is part of the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas and is dedicated to training Christian leaders from a Hispanic context. The students received a certificate in Bible Studies and are helping to plant churches in the Lancaster, York County and Charlotte region.

Then today Monieca and I represented First Baptist at the three year anniversary of La Red’s existence as a church and I was able to say a few words of encouragement and pray for them. La Red meets for worship each Sunday at 12:00 noon in our APEX and Enrique Ramirez is their Pastor.

Both days I heard people singing praises to Jesus. While my head didn’t know the words, my heart did. They sang with joy and enthusiasm, and I smiled. I’m sure our Lord did as well.

I was reminded of why churches exist in the first place. I was reminded that the things we often get hung up on don’t really matter in light of eternity and the overwhelming need for people to be saved. I was reminded that a church not doing all it can to reach its community for Jesus is failing. I was reminded why we brought Enrique here in the first place and why we continue to support this ministry with our money, facilities and prayers. I was reminded that God is so much bigger than me…than you…than all of us. I was reminded that true joy come only from the Lord.

Their voices were beautiful as they sang and I was glad to be in their midst. It was a privilege and honor. It was a joy. For all of this I say, “Alaba a Dios.” PRAISE GOD!

Pastor Steve Hogg