From the Heart of the Pastor

As I write this, Vacation Bible School is in full gear.  From all indications things seem to be going great.  I am excited about what God is doing in the lives of children and adults alike.  In addition to the benefit of Vacation Bible School itself, another aspect of Kingdom activity this week is in the sacrificial, tireless service of so many workers. 

It gives me great encouragement and joy to see so many adults give freely of their time for no other reason than the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God.  If you have ever worked VBS, you know it is not the easiest possible duty to pull.  It is hard work.  The children, as much as we love them, are excited and with that excitement comes a lot of energy.  The driving factor for so many of the adults working this week and so many of you who are supporting from home is simply a desire to see that energy and excitement channeled into passion for Jesus.

The Oak Crest family never ceases to amaze me by your willingness to do whatever is asked of you for the sake of the kingdom.  You work VBS, you teach and learn in Sunday School.  Many of you go to camps for our children and youth, you faithfully involve yourselves in worthy ministries like Stichin’ for Angels, or Manna House, or Mission Midlothian. You participate on committees and teams that depending on the time of year can be very demanding.  You minister to our children through service in the nursery or through teaching them on Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night.  You visit the sick in the hospital.  You minister to one another when there is a death in our church.  You share the gospel with family and friends.  The list could easily go on and on.

It is so easy to take each other for granted.  It is easy to see things accomplished around the church to the glory of God and never really stop and think about the fact that God uses people to accomplish his purposes.  I truly and sincerely thank God for all that you do.  God has reminded me of that wonderful blessing of service as I have watched so many of you serving today.  I pray for a wonderful VBS, but more than that I pray we will continue to understand that true faith in Christ demands we give our lives in service to one another and our King.  It is the least we can do because he has given his life for us.

In Christ,

Blain Craig