“Farewell message to New Life”
Opening Video Illustration: The three video movies from the 25th Anniversary Celebration (play). We also have the 4th edition of life at New Life covering the last two years.
So let sit back and see what God has done here at New Life!
So what have we done over the 11 years 1 1/2months I have been your pastor? You have seen some of what we have done in the recent videos but here is a re-cap.
I have preached 521 sermons to you.
I have led 682 Bible Classes for you.
I have taught over 100 leadership classes.
We built the parsonage my first year here which is now paid for.
We also started our TV ministry on Tuesdays which continues to this day.
We introduced a computer to the church office and moved into the digital age.
We started Kids Church and Kids Club.
We started the Hallelujah Party Outreach.
We started reaching out to the people at Amery Fall Festival with the Mime Team from Cloquet Gospel Tab., We also did many other ministry outreaches during these festivals and we did it for many years.
We added three new missionaries that we still support faithfully today.
The following Summer we built the garage and finished the lawn with the help of Action Corp from Duluth Gospel Tab they also did service projects in our community.
The next spring we brought in the One Nation Youth Choir to the new Amery Gospel Fest which is still going strong today and we did this for many years.
We following year remodeled the sanctuary to make it bigger.
This same year we started supporting Heart of the Father Ministries which has now reached over 170,000 people with the Gospel
We a year later bought the Café and remodeled it. We then opened it up and ran it for a couple years. We also added three new offices and more class room space for New Life. We today still enjoy this blessing!
Then about 2 years later we sent Patrick Hoban out with our prayers and blessings as he went to Chicago to start a new FCA church which now runs over 200 people weekly.
The next year we opened the Discipleship House which ran for 4 years under our leadership and is still moving forward in Centuria, under its own 501 C3 status and leadership.
This same year we opened New Beginnings Counseling Center which still reaches out to our community.
A year later we hired a full time Associate Pastor over worship and youth
About Three years ago we helped WPCA radio and still assist them in reaching Amery with the Good News.
We last year helped build and dedicate Agape Bible College in Hubli, India which yearly trains up to 20 ministers, and pastors to reach the people of India with the Gospel.
This year we reached out and helped Serenity House open up to reach and meet the needs of the hurting in Polk County.
We helped to resurrect the Amery Evangelical Ministerial which meets every Tuesday for prayer
We helped to resurrect the Amery Ministerial which is going strong today and meets monthly.
I have baptized 112 people for the Lord
I have done 17 funerals
I have dedicated 18 babies to the Lord
I have done 21 weddings
I have Licensed 3 people into ministry
We have prayed for and sent out 4 into other ministries
And currently we have 6 people in school who desire to go into the ministry as youth pastors, pastors, missionaries, and worship pastors.
And there is more to come under the guidance and leadership of your new pastor!
Thesis: There is more new life coming to New Life even after I leave as pastor because God is going to prosper this church.
Scripture Text: Jeremiah 29:11-14
“11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…”
This verse keeps coming up for me in prayer meetings and I know God wants me to share it with you today.
I believe the Lord wants you to understand these points from this text:
I. He knows the plans he has specifically designed for this church.
a. He has the right pastor all picked out and he knows what will take place over the next few months. It’s all in his hands and he is working out all the details.
b. He is going to prosper this church.
i. There is no harm coming to it.
ii. He wants you to place your hope and trust 100% in Him not on any one person.
iii. He has more new life for new life over the up and coming years.
1. New Life has a bright and glorious future.
II. He wants you to call upon Him in this time.
a. He wants you to say Lord, “We need your help!”
i. He wants you to knock on his door.
1. He will answer it and listen to what you have to say.
b. God promises to listen to your heart and your concerns.
i. He will not close the door on you.
III. He wants you to seek Him with your whole heart.
a. This means that you are 100% devoted to Him and to His ways.
i. This means that there are no idols in your heart.
ii. This means that He is your focus in life and at New Life.
b. The promise is that those who seek God – knock on His door passionately and wholeheartedly will literally find him and experience Him.
c. Do you want to find God during this transition for yourself?
i. He says come on seek me out and you will find me – you will discover the many blessings I have for you.
ii. You will find deliverance – relief –and even peace.
iii. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy during this transitional time listen to the Promises of God!
1. He will not let you down but He will raise you up!
Conclusion:
The Lord is going to prosper New Life – there is way more new life coming to New Life!
Thank You for allowing us to serve you for the last 11 years!
