Lesson 7 - Thank you…
AUGUST 2023
It really matters who leaders are – international leaders, company leaders, school leaders, and local church leaders. Who they are matters. Not how they are on a platform, with a microphone, and cameras on; I mean who they really are in their core, in hidden places. It matters who leads...
However, in the first of three final blogs of this series, I want to highlight the importance of all those who follow. Specifically, I want to say a few things to the people of Wellspring Church… it matters who you are, who you have been…
Thank you for so patiently listening to over 1500 sermons, vision presentations, training courses, and lockdown podcasts, Sunday after Sunday, sifting what’s been shared for some wisdom from Heaven, in search of the heart and mind of God and then trying to live that out at home, and in your workplaces. That’s not always been easy, the bread hasn’t always been delivered fresh despite our best efforts, so I’m grateful for your patience, spiritual hunger and tenacity. And thanks for staying awake (even after a night shift)… most of the time.
Thank you for your determination to make Jesus known in our town and beyond - not just through words but actions, too. You helped form the first Street Angels teams twenty years ago, stood in the rain hosting ‘fun’ days on Watford Fields and the Meriden; you sent young people to festivals and then on mission to Slovakia, you sent teams of women and men to villages in Burkina Faso… your love for Jesus has been like a wellspring touching many communities. Wonderful!
Thank you for so readily catching vision to reach and serve people from Watford to the world, investing literally millions of pounds over the years. You’ve helped plant churches, dig wells, welcome refugees and educate children, from Eastern Africa to Eastern Europe, the Middle East to the West African Sahel… even building a beautiful church centre in the heart of our hometown. You trusted us with your treasure. What a privilege!
The final thank-you is for the countless prayers for Helen, myself and our family through terrible times, tremendous victories and just everyday stuff. Those prayers were needed, are precious, and our Father hears every whisper. Even today. In Jesus’ mighty name! Amen.
The great apostle Paul who once said, ‘follow me even, as I follow Christ’ starts one letter like this:
‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God…’ (Phil 1:3)
So too for us - thank you for faithfully following, Wellspring!
The lesson:
As impressive as some leaders may try to appear, followers change the world. The real fruit comes when great people consciously invest minds, hearts, prayers and finance into the embodied vision a leader casts. The glorious Church is a body, a co-equal community. Togetherness away from any platform is a powerful dynamic, and that unity of heart brings many blessings.
The prayer:
Lord Jesus, Helen and I continue to choose to follow you, and we thank you for those who have followed us in this over the last twenty five years. Bless each and every one! Amen.