As a pastor, I have been encouraging members our flock to seek out relationships beyond our fellowship with other Christians. When we associate with others living the Christian life, we are taught, inspired, encouraged and become excited with the stimulating stories of what Christ is doing in families, personal lives, and service. We see God moving in their lives as they love God and are receiving the fruits of God’s love, purpose, protection and calling.
We all need to associate with good people, who are examples of Christian living. What a blessing it is to have genuine relationship with people who manifest Christian values, Christian families and Christian service to mankind.
Many of us tend to stay within our own denomination for purposes of what we consider to be purity of doctrine. And yes, belief in the Word of God, Christ and in the true living God is very important. However, Jesus did not limit His acquaintances to those who already believed in Him. Jesus approached, taught and served many people, who were not yet of the faith. In fact, His ministry was explaining what faith in Christ is!
But the point is that we need to resource our own souls with the knowledge and love of God, so that we have deep spiritual resources to share with people we meet.
Recently, we have been encouraging our ladies to attend a Women’s Conference being given locally. Likewise our men are being encouraged to attend a retreat and to think about what men’s ministries we can offer. The idea is to create a network of Christian friends.
The Kenai Peninsula is a hub for ministry throughout Alaska and abroad. Our flying ministries located here have a far reach of service and ministry. We also have VisionAlaska located here, which provides Christian radio in Alaskan villages. In Kenya, VisionAlaska supports six churches and provides food, housing and education for an orphanage. All of that requires numerous relationships with other Christians in cross-cultural settings.
So, when a person learns to love God and His Son, the impact on their lives is not just by the local church family. The exciting life in Christ includes relationships in faith beyond the church, beyond the city limits and throughout the world.
As I write this, I just hung up the phone with a man associated with a large, modern company in the Lower 48. He wanted permission to give a message to a large group of Christian businessmen using some of my writings. And that is the way Christian faith is. There is no containing or confining relationship in faith. When a person accepts Christ, they will walk through doors they would never otherwise walk through. They will meet exceptionally fine and talented people they would never otherwise meet. And most of all, they will meet the people of Jesus Christ, who will influence their life with the highest calling and the most beloved values of love, integrity, caring, service and relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. That is why a life in faith is a very satisfying and full life.
Roger Holl, D. Min. is the executive director of VisionAlaska and the pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church. Church meets at the Sterling Senior Center Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome.
