For everything in heaven and on earth is yours

Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4) On Sunday morning, April 10, I worshipped in the College Community Church Mennonite Brethren in Fresno, CA. It was the kick-off Sunday for a capital campaign to build much needed new facilities. Pastor Bill Braun told us God is the owner of all, we are stewards of all God has given us and we are blessed by God to bless others. I can't tell you how often I've heard churches say when they are building new facilities that spending money internally on a new sanctuary will prepare them for ministry externally in their community and around the world. In the case of College Community Church, I believe its true. A year ago, immediately following the earthquake in Haiti, this congregation gave generously to Mennonite Central Committee's relief efforts there, plus it prepared over 400 school kits for use by children in Haiti. And members in the congregation gave individually as well. College Community Church Mennonite Brethren gives just as generously to other community and global ministries. I stood in this congregation on Sunday morning and thanked them for their generosity to MCC and for their support in helping MCC in its work of relief, development and peace. In a litany of thanksgiving, the worship leader exclaimed, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty." Responded the congregation, "For everything in heaven and on earth is yours." My prayer is that this congregation's capital campaign will be successful beyond their wildest dreams . . . and that those dreams and this new facility will enable the congregation to continue to support God's work in the world near and far. Thanks be to God!

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