It was a church outing on a farm that I lost my way. Being the independent little boy I was, no boundary seemed sufficient to keep me close. I remember racing through the field finding berries; chasing rabbits or whatever moved in the grass. But I strayed too far from the group and the sun went down. People started making their way back while I moved farther away. Suddenly I was lost. It may not have been that far, but at 7 years old a hundred yards felt like a hundred miles.
Lost. Missing. Off course or out of sight. It holds the strands of hopelessness and despair. There are few things that cause panic like not knowing where you are with no way back. Worse yet is being lost but not knowing you are. That is called self-deception. It pains me to think how many there are who believe they are on their way to heaven when they are headed the wrong direction. Jesus saw Israel in such a way; it moved Him with compassion.
The purpose of the church is to reach the lost, but I know that we cannot fulfill our purpose if we lose our effectiveness. Thus, the losses mount. We must have more than just an image; a painted cross, or a ministry program. The church must have the Spirit and the Word. If we lose our purpose, the world will not be found. Jesus said, Mark 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. What good is the image of salt if has no power to preserve?
This year, the efforts of New Life have been simplified to reaching and teaching. I call it “simple church.” It’s not based on talent, money, or personality. Our goal is to simply obey the Great Commission: Teach. Baptize. Teach. It is a conversion and the process of a life-change. We come to recover and restore; to do the work of the Kingdom. My passion is fully centered in this field. All I ask is that you join me in reaching someone with the Gospel. Love them into the church and protect the faith that has been afforded to us. The lost are counting on us.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
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