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Pastor's Page

Posted on August 10, 2006 ...

Did you know that someone special to all of us is having a birthday next week? Even though this marks birthday number 69, our friend is still strong, active, and nowhere near ready for retirement. This honoree is North Cleveland Baptist Church! In case you did not know, our congregation formally organized on August 15, 1937. While we will certainly give much greater attention to our church?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s anniversary next year when it reaches the big ?¢‚Ǩ?ìSeven?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú0,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù this date should not pass without at least a brief mention.

The birth of North Cleveland Baptist Church occurred when a group of faith-filled and forward-thinking people envisioned a future for a congregation in the north Cleveland area. (Among our current church family, Norman Barnard and Becky Russell remain among our NCBC?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s original members.) Any and every ministry that God performs through this church is built upon the vision of these pioneers.

Indeed, it takes great vision to start a church. Yes, it is a most challenging and demanding task. But it also takes an equal amount of vision to continue the ministry of a local congregation. Healthy churches are looking ahead, praying for God to lead them into the future He has planned.

As we cross this anniversary, I find it meaningful that North Cleveland Baptist currently is deeply engrained in a forward-thinking mentality. With Summer activities behind us, we are beginning our Fall ministries over the next several weeks. Numerous church members are transitioning into new leadership roles. We are beginning the process of searching out new vocational staff leadership for our student ministry. And a special study committee is addressing our future facility needs.

So you see, we are not content to rest on our past accomplishments. Instead, we are moving full steam ahead to the future. One of the realities of the Christian life is that the best is always yet to be. I pray that this also is always true of our church. It is exciting to envision what God will do with us and through us along this journey. Yes, hard work is required to meet the demands of such a vision. But it is well worth the effort. What role will you play in God?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s role for North Cleveland Baptist Church? See you Sunda, Jay