![]() ![]() When God grants us mercy for our sin and gives us grace to become children of God, he brings us into community with fellow believers in the Church, and he gives us gifts with which to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are each a mosaic of broken pieces, taken from the depths of depravity and restored to the heights of grace. In doing so, he makes our lives less about who we once were and more about the precious grace that he uses to forgive our sins and adopt us into his family. Likewise, we believe that God takes our broken, sinful, and depraved lives and restores us by his mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. In fact, these mosaics made from broken pottery often become more highly prized for their filled-in cracks than the original vessel. Using powdered forms of gold, silver, or platinum mixed with resin, the artist takes the pieces of the broken vessel and carefully repairs it, creating a beautiful pattern from something that was broken beyond recognition. In Japan, there is a process known as kintsugi, in which a skilled artist repairs broken vessels. His ways aren’t our own-they’re far better than we could ever imagine. ![]() None of us know what God has in store for Mosaic Church, but we do know that he is, and will be, faithful. Simultaneously and independently, God made it clear to both Greg and Brandon (and their families) that church planting was no longer a “possibility” or an “idea”, it was a clear calling, not for the far future, but for now. After an extended period of rest, perspective-gathering, council, and careful prayer, it became evident that God was clearly (and “loudly”) calling them to a new season of ministry - a season of church planting. Just one year later, in the summer of 2019, Greg and Ashley found themselves in a confluence of circumstances that can now only be seen as God’s gracious providence. Likewise, Brandon, and his wife, Kelsey, had committed themselves to the idea that church planting wasn’t something that would happen in the near future. It seemed far off, if it was going to be a reality at all. Having a tremendous love for the local church, they discussed the possibilities of church planting, yet it was only an inkling of a possibility. In the summer of 2018, Greg, and his wife, Ashley, traveled to Nashville and took time to intentionally rest and plan for the future. Both Greg and Brandon found themselves in fellowship with an increasing number of people in and around Mechanicsville who desired to “do life” in a local, solidly reformed church. ![]() In due time, God made it apparent that Mechanicsville needed a reformed baptist church of its own. Being pastors at different churches, they understood that it was good-even necessary-to have fellowship with pastors of other churches who could speak the truth in love with an understanding of all that pastoral ministry entails. Over the next several years, Greg and Brandon continued to meet for the sake of mutual edification, prayer, and admonishment. For several hours, to the unfortunate neglect of other guests at the party, they talked about church, theology, and ministry and found a mutual love for the doctrines of grace. Proverbs 16:9Īround a fire pit at a family Christmas party, Greg Brown and Brandon McPherson connected by an act of God’s simple providence. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. God often uses ordinary means to accomplish his extraordinary purposes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |