May I share with you the Pastor's Report I wrote for the recent Annual Meeting here at Honolulu Assembly of God? While it was written for a particular church, it applies also to you as an individual. Embrace it for your life and your church.
"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband," says the LORD.
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities" (Isaiah 54:1-3).
What an exciting picture Isaiah sees – a picture of joy, restoration, growth, and fulfillment. The song of rejoicing in God’s wonderful blessing is glorious. He is going to do a work that is beyond human understanding.
The woman who is currently not able to have children will soon have more than the woman with a family. The gathering place will be enlarged to meet the need for numerical increase. What is now empty and barren will soon become full and overflowing. What is currently restricted will be unleashed and enlarged beyond imagination.
Get ready for blessing and growth!
Not only is this a picture of hope for the nation of Israel, it is also a promise I am claiming for myself and for Honolulu Assembly of God for the year 2020 and beyond. Let us sing the song of faith and see glorious things happen!
There is a sense of anticipation as to what God is doing, and is going to do, in our midst. There is a beautiful atmosphere of love and excitement. Many visitors comment on it. Honolulu Assembly is alive and moving ahead!
2020 is a year of great promise and opportunity. These are certainly the last days and we must be men and women of vision – fearless in our determination to follow Christ. I see 2020 as a year of greater growth and ministry. I desire to see this entire church body mobilized for ministry. I long to see the building filled with people praising the Lord, people whose lives have been transformed by the power of God. I yearn to make a lasting impact on this community for Christ.
I am praying the Lord will raise up Worshipers, those who will offer extravagant praises to the King of Kings, plus Seekers, people who will be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. I am also praying He will raise up Evangelists, those who will declare the Good News of Salvation, as well as Inviters and Bringers. Let’s all catch the vision of making an eternal impact for Christ on our family and friends.
Am I reaching too high? Maybe, but I long for my faith and vision to keep up with God’s desire for this community and for His church. May our faith never be limited by only what we can see. What we can see is not faith. Let’s not just attend church; let’s be the Church. May we strive to reach out for what seems to be Impossible. Let us continually move from the Natural to the Supernatural!
May our vision include more than just numerical growth. May each one of us “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...” (2 Peter 3:18). May there be a deep sense of God’s presence among us and may it be manifested in signs and wonders. May there be overwhelming love and unity in the Body. May there be a deep desire for prayer, supernaturally birthed in us by the Holy Spirit. May there be a divinely sparked attitude of triumph and victory, for “...we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us so” (Romans 8:37). We desire to be a House of Salvation, Praise, Grace, and Healing as we faithfully minister Christ’s Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness.
I want to thank the Lord for the wonderful new people the Lord has sent our way. I also want to thank Him for those who have labored faithfully here for years. Together, we are the church! We can do more together than we could ever do individually.
I love the TEAM concept: Together Everyone Accomplishes More! One shall chase a thousand, but two shall put ten thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Leviticus 26:8). We have the power in the name of Jesus to make a difference in our world. Let’s do it!
Let us sing together the song of faith and enlarge the place of our dwelling, knowing that God will continue to do great things, even greater than what we can ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!