Melissa Goins asked me to pass this along…
Dear Orange County,
I couldn’t leave without taking a moment to thank you as a church. How grateful I am to God for you!
I arrived in OC with much excitement and faith for what God had in store. I had long been anticipating this time and had been praying that God would use it to encourage you all. I expected that it would be a week full of meaningful labor, and the Lord faithfully answered that prayer! What I didn’t expect however was how you all would become so dear in just one short week. Thank you for so warmly embracing me. Now when I pray for you, I have faces in my mind — Mary Jo Sanders, an incredible servant who came in to help me with a book organization project. She kept thanking ME for the joy of serving as she diligently worked hour after hour.
Then there is Roger Servin, a guy who came to the vocal seminar, full of gratitude to God for this church. His excitement was contagious!
Sue Card, who upon first meeting me, gave me a big hug and told me she felt like I was family already. Or Gerry Fisher who greeted me with a big smile early in the morning on Sunday, as he joyfully led the set up team.
Brian Chima, who serves on the tech team and is thrilled to do so, even though he leaves at 6 am in order to bike the 20 miles to church (I only discovered this after many questions….Brian kept focusing on how it was not a big deal at all, but was his joy. I was blown away!). I could go on.
Now, I am leaving OC with these wonderful snapshots, pictures of each of you in my heart. Being able to witness first hand how God has knit you together as a body and is caring and providing for you, I am full of faith for how God will continue to build this local church.
My coming truly represents so much more than just the tasks that were accomplished this past week. It represents the partnership we all share in the Gospel. Sovereign Grace Ministries was excited to send me, countless folks invested by sharing documents and materials that I could utilize in serving you, the SGM staff has been faithfully praying for this week (as well as for your church over the past years) and I could go on and on. We are truly partnering together! And what a joy it is!
I want you to know that we are praying for you, eagerly anticipating future stories of God’s faithfulness in your midst!
Gratefully,
Melissa Goins
P.S. Thank you for the wonderful trip to Disney! What a sweet memory with my family. Thank you for your kind generosity!
Thanks for being the church. Not surprised you would this kind of effect on a visitor.
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