In September, we have three people getting baptized from the EC side in VA campus. I am truly so excited and happy about their baptisms. I don’t think there is a greater joy than seeing someone come to Christ and being baptized. There is no greater joy in heaven as well. We are told in the Bible that many angels rejoice when one person comes to Christ. How awesome it is that we can be a child of God!
We had our baptism class last Sunday, and their conversion stories reminded me of mine. They had all grown up in the church like me. They had come to God while going to church and they had been waiting for the right time to be baptized. I came to know Christ because of Pastor Roger. I don’t know if many of you remember him, and if you do, I know I just took you way back into NCFC history. I remember he shared the gospel during his message on Sunday and that’s when I came to know Christ. That was when I was in seventh grade. Hearing their testimonies during the class just brought back all those memories.
It reminded me of all that NCFC had done for me in my spiritual walk. I came to know Christ because of NCFC. I grew in my faith through all the different discipleship classes I took while in Timothy (does anyone still remember XD?). I believe that NCFC played a big part in me becoming a pastor. God used this church to groom me in preparation for the day I went to seminary and started doing youth ministry. I had the privilege of having great pastors like Roger Kim, Tom Youn, Young Kim, and Alvin Chun, who are still doing great things for God’s kingdom today. My hope is that I can have a similar impact on our current Timothy students like these pastors had on me back in my days as a Timothy student.
It’s great to see that NCFC is still being used to bring people to Christ. It lets me know that our church is alive and well. There have been a lot of hard times in the recent past, but we are still bringing people to Christ and baptizing them. In the end, isn’t that what really matters? The ultimate purpose of the church is to be salt and light for its community, and that’s what NCFC has become for MD and VA. God is using our church to accomplish His purpose and His plan. What a privilege it is that we get to participate in that. I know that God has even greater things in store for this church. Things that we cannot even imagine. May we continue to spread the good news of the gospel and bring people to Christ. May we continue to raise up men and women who are so in love with God.
So, as we baptize these three believers this month, may you be as joyful as I am! Every time we have baptism, it is a time for celebration. There truly is no greater joy! With the NFL season starting next week, I can honestly say that when the Cowboys win the Super Bowl this year, it won’t bring me greater joy than the baptism we have this month. The day that my wife has her paintings exhibited in the National Art Gallery in D.C., it won’t bring me greater joy. The day that Andrew gets a full ride to Harvard, it won’t bring me greater joy. The day that I finally bowl a perfect 300, it won’t bring me greater joy. When we look at things in the eternal perspective, the good things in this physical world pales in comparison. What is greater than a lost soul coming to know the love of the Father? Truly nothing.
From Pastor Eugene’s Heart
September 6, 2015