The Pastor’s Point

The opening ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics recently took place in Paris. What was put on display at this event in open view for all the world to see was nothing short of wicked and antichrist. Amidst many subtle atrocities, the most blatant of them all was a evil replication of Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of the Last Supper portrayed by cross-dressing men, vile women and even little children on live television. Though I didn't see any of this live, I was most certainly appalled by it all after I discovered what had taken place. On one hand, it should really come as no surprise watching this lost world act out in such a way. Yet, these particular acts display an open attack against the truth of God's Word and the tenets of Christianity. This was nothing short of a parade to celebrate a worldwide defiance of the One True God. When I first witnessed all this, though it grieved my heart, I determined to keep my thoughts to myself. Then I read Jeremiah chapter t

While in college training for ministry, God placed a burden on my heart for rural America through the testimony of Mark Lawrence. Mark was a faithful layman in a rural town and a big supporter of West Coast Baptist College. His prayer was that God would raise up young men who would go into rural towns like the one he lived in to start churches. God used that prayer and that burden to awaken me to the need that exists in rural places. The US Census Bureau defines rural as any population, housing or territory that is not in an urban area. Ironically, rural places are defined more by what they aren't than by what they are . This is true in more than one way. There is a general tendency to belittle the need for ministry in rural places. Though 75 percent of towns in America are rural, many of the least reached regions in our country are in rural places. Yet, though these places are largely overlooked, they are filled with some of the most wonderful people, fascinating cultures and beau

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10) It is so frustrating to be on the job with someone who has the mindset of doing the bare minimum. They have no vision to make things better, no motivation to do things with excellence and no desire to do anything above what is required. Most employers aren't looking for these type of workers. A person who only does what they "have to do" deserves no special recognition or reward. They did their job, nothing more and nothing less. As servants of God's kingdom, we can sometimes be guilty of falling prey to this same mindset. You can get by with doing the bare minimum spiritually — read your Bible, pray occasionally, go to church at least once a week, serve in a ministry when you are able, give a little and invite someone to church here and there. (Honestly, it is a sad inditement on mode