{"id":87,"date":"2014-01-02T14:10:25","date_gmt":"2014-01-02T19:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/robgribbin.com\/?p=87"},"modified":"2014-01-02T14:10:25","modified_gmt":"2014-01-02T19:10:25","slug":"follow-by-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/robgribbin.com\/?p=87","title":{"rendered":"Follow by Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year I read something that changed the way I look at<\/span> faith, and look for<\/span> faith. A friend of mine chronicles every year the faithfulness of God, and the faith of God\u2019s people as they live out their relationship with their Savior. I was so moved by reading his account that I decided to try it myself this year. I kept a BY FAITH file easily accessible on my computer in 2013 and determined to recount the faithfulness of God as I was able to observe it lived out in the lives of those I rub shoulders with at Shenandoah Baptist Church where I serve as Associate Pastor. I also included one entry near the bottom on a more personal note. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I trust that the following account will be an encouragement to you, and more importantly, a testament to the faithfulness of our God. Would you join me in 2014 in recounting the faithfulness of God as you see it unfold? \u00a0I am praying that God would make me even more sensitive to His faithfulness in 2014 and that my list for next year will be twice as long.<\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the people of Shenandoah implemented LifeGroups on January 13<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> with a desire to make disciples through Bible teaching, caring, community, and ministry. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the gospel was given out on Sunday morning, January 27<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> in every class and message including Nursery, Children\u2019s Sunday School classes, LifeGroups, Awana Club, Beginner\u2019s Church, and morning sermon. God saw fit to bring two children to Himself through the Beginner\u2019s Church message showcasing His power in our midst.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>a Men\u2019s Discipleship Group met for 8 weeks beginning on March 7<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> for a time of intensive study and application of Biblical discipleship with the goal of becoming more committed followers of Jesus Christ and leading others to do so also. Each man committed to discipling at least 2 other men throughout the course of the year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the Faith & Fellowship LifeGroup began a Mailbox Club to follow-up with children who have come through VBS, the Happy\u2019s ministry, Camp Eagle, and other ministries for the purpose of seeing them grow in Christ and in their new-found faith. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>our congregation was led through a \u201cGod is\u2026\u201d study on Sunday mornings beginning in June. As a result of the message on \u201cGod is Love\u201d Cheryl Wolfe professed faith in Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the Children\u2019s Ministry undertook \u201cThe Totally Wrong VBS<\/i>\u201d from June 16-19 studying through the lives of Joseph, Job, Jonah, & Jesus. Attendance grew each night as the gospel was clearly presented. The grand prize of 2 free weeks of camp was given to Tyler & Ashleigh from Augusta, GA. They attended Camp Eagle the very next week where Tyler made a profession of faith on Tuesday night and Ashleigh on Friday. Our offering for the week, which will go towards the building of the Kabin Girls Home in Thailand, came in at $1,500. By Faith<\/strong>, a couple in the church was prompted by the Lord to double the children\u2019s offering bringing our total offering to $3,000!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> JR Clarke battled through a diagnosis of cancer throughout the first half of the year. His thyroid was removed, nodules evaluated, and follow-up conducted. A radiation treatment was prescribed based on the possibility of lingering cancer. A group of men gathered in his home to pray over him before the procedure, and on June 25<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> he was declared cancer-free.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> Mary Wall smiles.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the people of Shenandoah gathered together for four days in September for the LifeAction Thirst Conference. With an emphasis on personal revival, thirsting after God, and brokenness, our hearts were revived as we saw the Lord at work. A testimony service held on the evening of September 29<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> confirmed the work the Lord had begun in many hearts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> Jane Snyder encouraged me on November 4<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> without knowing that her words were a direct answer to prayer. Her assurance of her prayers and appreciation were Holy Spirit sent. She spoke God-given words that ministered to my heart.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>the 40<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> Annual World Missions Conference was held November 6-10 \u201cFor Generations Yet to Come\u201d. The Children\u2019s Conference saw <\/span><\/span>Missionary involvement to be exceptional and impactful. Average attendance was 68 children and 25 leaders & helpers each night. Our offering for the printing of the Good Shepherd booklets through CEF Poland came to $1,234 which will print 1,542 booklets. This amount exceeded our goal by over $200. The final impact of this conference will be seen in the years ahead as God calls from our midst those children He desires to serve Him on the Mission Field.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> the Elders of Shenandoah unanimously called Tim Ragan as the new Student Ministries Pastor. They determined that even though Tim lacks the experience they would normally like to see in a candidate that the potential for ministry through Tim was too high to overlook. With a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, the elders believed God\u2019s answer to this vacancy was found in this young man. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> the people of Shenandoah committed to give $428,203 in the year 2014 to World Missions through the blue card offering. Believing that this is what God would have us give, and confident of His provision, we joyfully commit to pray for our missions staff as we support them financially throughout the year.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith <\/strong>Nathanael Gay endured a spiritual, emotional, and physical battle which began in October. This battle resulted in anxiety attacks, weight loss and sleeplessness. Confident of the Lord\u2019s presence, power, and victory, Nathanael reached out to many for intercessory prayer on his behalf. The elders of the church laid hands on him in prayer on December 2<\/span>nd<\/span><\/sup> and a group of men gathered in his home on December 5<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup>. Nathanael\u2019s faith in God\u2019s deliverance has been evidenced to all who have ministered with him and prayed for him during this time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> the Furnace Room ministry met throughout the year during the morning service time to pray for our Pastor, musicians, children\u2019s workers, and church members. These times of fervent prayer were always a blessing to those who prayed. The eternal impact of this ministry will only be realized in heaven.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> Robert B. Hall finished his race on Tuesday, December 17<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup>, 2013. Grandpa Hall leaves a legacy of faith in his God and love for his family. He was always in attendance at band concerts, soccer games, birthday parties, and holiday gatherings. I’ll miss hearing his oft-repeated greeting of “Hey pal, what do you know for sure?” Today he is enjoying seeing with his eyes what his heart always knew for sure. I\u2019ll see you someday, Grandpa. I love you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

By Faith<\/strong> I believe the best days for Shenandoah Baptist Church are yet to come.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n