I feel like this blog has been a long time coming. I have been wanting to document the history and stories of Fellowship Bible Church: Paragould for a while now. James and I have been around since practically Day 1 and have seen God do so many amazing things. He has not only grown our numbers physically, but we have seen so many relationships restored to Him. This year alone, we baptized 11 adults and had 9 babies born (with more to come!!). We have seen lives transformed and people reached, all through the power of the gospel. What started in January as three Missional Communities has quickly grown into five, all by the grace of God. We have two men who started a food bank out of their own pockets because they wanted to see the hungry fed & God glorified. We have families that reach out to children and families in the foster care system. Others help a local outreach that helps families, especially mothers and children.
This is where our story really begins though. After two years with our core group, James and I stepped out in faith to join other couples as they launch Fellowship's fifth Missional Community. It's been a bittersweet process for me. I have so many memories with our MC. James and I weren't even dating when I started gathering with our Fellowship family on Sunday nights for dinner. Since then we've dated, gotten engaged, married, and had a baby! We've gone from being kids ourselves to adults with these guys.
As hard as it is for me to say goodbye to seeing this part of our family on a regular basis, I am beyond excited for the new mission God is calling us to. I cannot wait to see how He uses a group of mostly young families to reach teen athletes and their families in our community. I know He has HUGE things in store for us, all for His glory and honor.
I chose the name for this blog because I felt like it fit. "So I Send You" comes from the end of John 20:21, "Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."" (ESV) We believe that God has called us to live on mission within our own community. Being a missionary isn't just something a small group of people do in third world countries overseas. God calls us to be on mission in our communities, starting with our family, friends, and neighbors. He sent Jesus to begin this mission and now He sends us to continue to spread the message of His gospel to every corner of the world. He commands us to "GO" and that's exactly what we are doing.
Please continue to be in prayer for us as we follow this calling! I'm excited to share this journey with you!
