NUMBERS are important!

I had the JOY of helping my grandson with MATH last night. The BOY struggles a bit with math, but he is getting better and I really love helping him. I am praying he sees the results on his end of the year math test. 

I have always been a numbers guy. I love statistics. I love gathering data, analyzing it, and using it to help me become better a whatever I am doing. The same has been true in this past 14 months as a Pastor leading a church. I constantly say I want to do nothing that is not in the will of God and I believe numbers help us see if God is favoring our ministry. BUT, we do not rely on ATTENDANCE NUMBERS for that purpose. Don't misunderstand me, we do keep track of attendance, but the main DATA we look at is SALVATIONS and BAPTISMS. They kept track of numbers in the Bible too. Jesus fed the 4,000 and the 5,000. In the book of Acts Peter tells us they had 3,000 baptisms and people added to the church on the day of Pentecost. In Chapter 4 of Acts the number of believing MEN were 5,000 which did not include women and children. 

So, numbers were and ARE IMPORTANT. In the fourteen months since coming here to New Castle, God has blessed us with a 48% increase in attendance. We are thrilled that people come to VISIT SOUTH MEMORIAL and they stay. But the number that tells me the most is our SALVATIONS AND BAPTISMS. As far as I know they never kept track of salvations and when I asked the regulars, they could not remember when the last salvation was. We now have 7 salvations for 2026!!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOO! And since arriving here we have had 10 Baptisms and 1 baby dedication. 

We are multiplying the KINGDOM through our discipleship classes. It is not PRIDE in ourselves. We are proud to be USED FOR GOD's GLORY! OUR GOAL is simple, we just want to be available for GOD to MULTIPLY is kingdom through us. We really don't save anyone. GOD does all the work. We can plant seeds, we can witness what God has done for us. We can love people and love GOD but it is through his power and might that people are saved. PRAISE GOD!

"'Still other seed fell on the fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!' When he had said this, he called out, 'Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.'" (Luke 8:8, NLT)

"After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but is was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For wer are boths God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:5-9, NLT)

We are planting seeds for his kingdom. God is the one who makes the seed grow. When he includes us on the journey it is a blessing beyond all can imagine. 

Thank you Lord for using us. Please help us to continue to be available for your glory. Prepare us to spread your word. Give us favor to help encourage, inspire, and motivate us to your service. Amen!

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If you haven't repented of your sin, accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross, dying for your sins, or if you have not committed your life to Jesus, TODAY could be that day. give your life to the Lord. 

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

If you gave your life to Jesus today, text the word "faith" to (765)-896-4302 and we will follow up with material for you and join you in your walk of faith!