The Lead Team is currently praying about changing (shortening) BHCC's Mission Statement to say: "Multiplying God's People and Purpose in the World." One reason is because that one short statement is much easier for everyone in the church to memorize. The other reason is we feel that it more concisely states what our church is all about.  We really like the word multiply because that is what Jesus is telling us to do in the Great Commission He has given to every Christ follower. Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

He wants us to multiply ourselves. He wants us to teach others what He has taught us. He wants us to baptize others as we have been baptized. Multiplying God's people is the mission that the church has been given and that well describes the church of BHCC! 

We also especially like the word 'purpose' because BHCC is a purpose-driven church. We exist by God's purposes - to - worship - serve - share - connect & grow! We remain a spiritually healthy church as the church leadership continues to keep the church balanced on these five purposes - all spelled out for us in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission given to us by our Lord Jesus. And as individuals, we stay spiritually healthy when we keep a balance of these things in our personal lives! Just as our bodies need a balance of different elements to stay healthy, so do our spirits and our churches need a balance of God's five purposes to stay spiritually healthy. And yes, prayer is a huge part of every purpose! 

I have never been more excited about the work God is doing at Blessed Hope CC! I think the church is healthier and thriving more than it ever has! We have a solid, very unified leadership. This is extremely important to the health of the whole church. I continue to be amazed at how much unity our Lead Team continues to exude. We also have our Emerge Leader's Team that makes up all our Serving Team Leaders as well as people we see as our new, Emerging Leaders in the church. There is also much fellowship and unity in this team as well. We will be having a day-long retreat together in August and meet on a bi-monthly schedule for most of the the year. 

A week ago yesterday, BHCC Baptized 16 people! It was a beautiful event - filled with many tears of happiness and amazing testimonies. God is SO GOOD! I don't think I've ever seen such dramatic transformations as I have seen in this group of people.

One person that was baptized told me that all his friends and family have been totally amazed to see the transformation he has gone through in the past year. It has had such a great impact on them that has caused many of them to begin seeking God and they've been asking him questions, and many (who've never been to church) have been coming to BHCC recently. He is so grateful to God that his tears flowed to the point that he couldn't speak anymore. I am so grateful that I get to see God show up in so many lives! There are no words to describe how satisfying it is to be serving God in this capacity and to see so much fruit being produced in so many lives.

Multiplication and Purpose is so extremely satisfying. Shalom! The kind of peace that makes me feel so completely whole! I know what I was born to do and my desire is to keep helping others to discover that same, incredible purpose and truth! We were created by God, for God, and until we understand that truth - life will never make sense.

It's so sad to see so many spiritually blind people in the world who keep chasing after the many mirages in life! The truth DOES set us free and it's so WONDERFUL! BHCC is a super-saturated, grace-laced church! God's love flows so abundantly in our midst! We're far from the perfect church ~ but we are most definitely a biblical, loving, grace-filled family of God!

I do believe this is the reason God continues to bring many Prodigal sons and daughters home to Himself through BHCC! And that is why our mission from God continues to be to Multiply His People and Purpose in the world! Praise God - we're living it out in His Great Name! To Him be the glory 4-ever and ever! Amen! Love ~ Pastor Lin :-)