Thank You for 10 Years!

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:1-5

Yes, when I look back over these past 10 years since I came to Englewood as your pastor, I have mixed emotions. I remember the victories, the souls saved, the lives changed, the global lostness penetrated, the blessed relationships formed, the gospel declared, and the many Christ glorified times with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving. Everything that has happened that has had an eternal significance- God has done it! Give Him the glory.

This tenth anniversary also reminds me that I do not have a lot of time left. There are 6,424 unreached, unengaged people groups around the world that have never heard once what Rocky Mount has heard hundreds of times. There are over 81,000 within thirty minutes of our doors who are lost, without Christ and facing a horrible future. So much to do; so little time to do it. Yes, mixed emotions.

From the depths of my heart I want Englewood Baptist Church to know how humbly grateful Tebra and I are for you allowing us to have these past ten years with you. You have stood with us when we laughed, and when we cried. You have watched others walk away, and you remained on mission. You have blessed us and treated us much better than we deserve, or than we expected. God our Father will bless you for the ways you have blessed us.
Thank you!

Words are inadequate to fully describe our surprise and gratitude for the sacrificial gifts of love you showered us with. I will drive the new truck with humble appreciation for the many people God allows me the privilege of serving. From our hearts-Thank you.

I commit to you that I will continue to be passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and about being your servant. In ten years I have grown to love and appreciate you and it is my heart's desire to see you become all He wants you to be. I hear the clock ticking, and I want every day of my life to be totally abandoned to Him, being who He wants me to be, and doing what He wants me to do.
Your servant,
Pastor Michael

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Cor. 4:5