Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Vineyard,
Ever since I started saying yes to God, He has lead me into unendingly unexpected places and situations. Every time I think I know what is up ahead, a new challenge and a new opportunity to know God better seems to appear over the horizon.
Surprises Keep Our Faith Fresh
While I may not always feel grateful for these surprises in the moment, I am profoundly grateful for them as I look over the trajectory of my life. They keep my faith fresh and my heart humble.
The Lord is continually surprising the Vineyard movement as well. Everywhere I travel, fresh expressions of Kingdom ministry arise that I could scarcely have imagined. We are truly a remarkable movement – one full of risk-takers, thinkers, innovators, and dreamers.
Open To New Breaths From The Spirit
One of my great dreams for the Vineyard is that we always remain open to these new breaths of wind from the Spirit. Our very birthright is openness to new things and surprises from God. Our DNA is to find God in unexpected places, and to see Him at work in people no one else expected He would touch.
In so many ways, God is waiting to surprise us as we engage with His Spirit through the essential practices of EDLD – Evangelism, Discipleship, Leadership, and Diversity. These are exciting times for our movement as we grow in our understanding of what it means to be about Jesus’ mission of winning lost hearts to himself.
As we move into early Summer, I pray for fresh, new seedlings of mission and hope to grow in your lives and congregations.
In the hand of God,
Phil
