The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14)

This morning I left the house a little after 6:00 AM to speak at a men’s breakfast in South Tampa. As always, the event was as valuable for me as it was for the guys I was talking to. I have a simple credo when it comes to public speaking, “Be an encouragement.” There’s really nothing I can do that’s more important than that.

THE MINISTRY: Encouragement is the basis for ministry for both Rebekah and me. It’s the cornerstone of what we’re about as Followers of Jesus.

I was reminded of how powerful that is on Thursday evening, when we hosted our awesome church staff for a dinner party at Maul Hall. Hope, promise and encouragement tend to flow out through an organizational structure, and First Presbyterian Church of Brandon has – at its core – a professional staff who love one-another and who do ministry from the perspective of mutual respect, support, and encouragement.

THE MESSAGE: Here’s the message, John said. Light came into this world; but the world has never completely understood – understood either what is at stake or what is possible. However, even the smallest spark of light will defeat darkness. That phenomenal truth is not only our message, it’s our opportunity.

Here at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, everything flows out of the knowledge that we have been called to be Children of Light. The pastors preach it; the church staff operates in the truth of it; the elders understand it and do ministry in response to hope, promise, and encouragement; church members live into it and then take the ministry of encouragement out in to the world.

• The pastors preach it;
• the church staff operates in the truth of it;
• the elders understand it and do ministry in response to hope, promise, and encouragement;
• church members live into it and then take the ministry of encouragement out in to the world.

Does this sound too simple? No, the Gospel of Love is, at its heart, a simple message of hope and redemption. Like I said earlier, “Encouragement is the basis for ministry for both Rebekah and me. It’s the cornerstone of what we’re about as Followers of Jesus.”

It’s a message we can’t restate often enough – DEREK

You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light and make your light shine. (Ephesians 5:8-9, CEV)