From the Heart of the Pastor

​Next week is a significant milestone for me and my family.  Next week will mark 10 years I have had the amazing privilege to serve as pastor at Oak Crest.  In those ten years, so many things have changed.  The world is a different place than it was even ten years ago.  Oak Crest is a different church than it was ten years ago.  So many of our loved ones and friends have gone on to be with the Lord.  Many others have joined our covenant family.  Many families have moved on to other places of ministry.  Babies have been born.  Children of 10 years ago are married with their own families.  But through all of the experiences, both the good and the bad, the gospel has not changed.  “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever,” Isaiah 40:8.  I was interested to look back at my first newsletter article at Oak Crest.  My request is still the same.
 
            As I write this first of many “Blocks” for our weekly newsletter, my mind is filled with so many things I desire to share with you.  My family and I have already grown to love all of you so much.  We could not be happier that God has called us to Oak Crest.  We are looking forward to getting to know all of you as we all get to “know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Philippians 3:10.  In other words, the love of Christ unites us unlike another organization or group on the face of the earth, and we are overwhelmed to be a part of you.
          Each week I hope to use this space to share my heart with you.  I hope to give you some insight into how I see life at Oak Crest.  Sometimes this article will be brief, sometimes more lengthy, but always biblical and always to the glory of God. 
          In this first article I am making a personal plea.  I am embarrassed to even write those words considering all that you have already done for my family in making our transition effortless.  Nevertheless, the request I am making of you in this article is more important and more urgent than any other need you have been so gracious to meet.  The plea is simply for prayer.  Not just any prayer, a very specific prayer.  Don’t misunderstand, I covet all your prayers for my life and family including health and physical needs, but please remember this request above all.  Simply pray that the truth of Malachi 2: 5-7 would daily be the reality of my life.  Listen to the words of God as he speaks about Levi the priest, “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.  True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity.  For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.”  If those verses are a reality in my life, I will be in right relationship with Jesus Christ, and I will be in right relationship with you as your pastor.  Remember, I will be praying for you as you pray for me.  May God richly bless you in these days, and may he receive glory in all that we say and do.
 
In Christ,
Blain Craig