Whenever Steve speaks at his home church, he is always encouraged and blessed to see what God does! Steve enjoyed preaching at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services on Sunday, November 6, at New Beginnings Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Before Steve shared from the pulpit, the church gathered around dedicating 4 babies to the Lord’s service. Having these little ones’ family members present was a true treat, including a baby’s great-grandfather, who is a World War II veteran who served in Normandy, France. Steve enjoyed seeing how much this honor touched this veteran’s heart during the service. “I also got to carry one of the babies and parade her around for everyone to see,” Steve shared.
Attendance for the 9 a.m. service was 280 people and for the 11 a.m. service was 208 people, for a grand total of 488 people present. Steve was privileged to honor 20 veterans, military personnel, and first responders, with 8 heroes in the 9 a.m. service and 12 heroes in the 11 a.m. service.
Steve focused upon Ezekiel 22:23-31 for the message. “It seems like this text comes from a modern-day newspaper,” Steve explained, noting the visible comparisons between the time of Ezekiel and today’s affairs. Steve stated where our focus as believers should be. “We cannot just look at the problem. God’s remedy is for us to look for a solution. Having availability to serve is key.”
Whereas God struggled to find one person to serve in Ezekiel, Steve urged those in attendance to consider being that “someone,” who “cares, shares, and dares enough” to share the gospel with others. Steve agrees with Dietrich Bonhoeffer when Dietrich wrote: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Steve stated that the priorities of the Persecuted Church are in alignment with what Jesus stated. “We too are bondservants to Christ, and Jesus is still King, no matter what happens on Election Day.”
As a church, Steve invited everyone who was physically able to kneel and intercede for America with the pending Elections on Tuesday, November 8. Steve was encouraged to see such a response and willingness for people to pray for our country’s 45th president.
Facebook has even been a platform for church attendees to express how God moved, where someone stated being “thankful for the powerful message that Steve gave at church today that brought us to our knees … wow!”
Steve will remember this great Sunday. He looks forward to speaking at New Beginnings again next month!
