|
MESSAGE
FROM THE PASTOR
July
2006
Pastor
Jeff Stanfill
The
Gift of Fellowship
Nate
Saint was an interesting man. Before he was killed
attempting to reach a tribal people in Ecuador, he
served in the U.S. military. As a missionary pilot
he also devised safety equipment and procedures that
are used today.
But
as a younger man, he decided one winter day to hike
alone on a trail in the American Northwest. His destination
was a cabin which he could reach in a few-hours hike.
But on the way, a winter storm unloaded snow on him
and the trail. The situation became so bleak due to
massive amounts of snowfall that he actually thought
he might die on the trail. He did, however, survive
the ordeal, reaching the cabin and safety. Later everyone
was astonished that he had endured the trek.
In
contemplation on the experience, Nate decided to never
take what he would come to call “unacceptable
risks.” The unacceptable risk he took that day
was to hike the mountain trail alone. Traveling alone
is risky business.
As
pilgrims hiking our way to our Heavenly Father’s
home along the path given us by His Son Jesus Christ,
we do have a guide in the Holy Spirit. But even with
the Holy Spirit alongside us, our Father has given
us others with which to travel the trail.
It
is an unacceptable risk to pilgrim alone. God never
intended us to be alone as we journey to Heaven. That
is why He placed us within the Church with its many
local churches.
Fellow
hiker, let’s not walk along alone. The fellowship
of Covenant Community Church is a gift – even
a means of grace – from our Father. Share your
walk with God with us — we need your companionship.
Listen to our stories as you walk with us – you
need the companionship, too. Avoid the unacceptable
risk.
| 
