Encouraged…Thank You

Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

Philemon v.20

Anothen Church,

Thank you. ALL of you. Thank you for being the people I prayed God would send and create for His glory for His Church three years ago. I remember the first week of our launch in 2015, there was a devastating storm that hit South Carolina. At the time, we were about 25 strong. It was so amazing to see how all the families of Anothen pitched in to serve South Carolina (Judea) so that Jesus could be seen in the midst of tragedy. I remember being filled with encouragement from the generous hearts that the Gospel had captured to give in such abundance.

Today, almost three years later, the same heart for Jesus and the Gospel exists. It exists in even larger quantity as well! Thank you, Jesus! This is His work! Today, we have roughly 120-130 sons and daughters who call Anothen home. Most importantly though, there are 120-130 children of God who have hearts to let Jesus be seen in all seasons. Even seasons that cause communities great heartache and pain. Seasons such as Hurricane Florence.

You see, we are more than a “church.” We don’t exist to build crowds and add to the consumer culture that cripples western Christianity.  We exist for people to have life and life abundantly in Jesus Christ. We don’t exist for our name to be famous, we exist for Jesus’ name to be famous. He is our life, He is our purpose, He is our everything.

I have seen you demonstrate that this first half of the week in remarkable ways. Thank you for being so generous in giving to others who can’t pay you back. Thank you for giving in a fashion that demonstrates your love for Jesus, and your desire for others to feel the warmth and peace of His love. Thank you for giving so much for Jesus to be seen in the lives of others on such short notice.

Tonight, I’m very encouraged. Your love for Jesus, is encouraging my soul.

I love you. I believe in what God is doing in you.

Pastor Nate